Lafayette Vacation Provides Deep Insight into the Historic Past of Cajun Country

Added: 01/11/2006

Recognized as the cultural center of Cajun country, Lafayette provides its visitors with the opportunity to explore Cajun history, music and food. A Lafayette vacation would be a great place for the family to see. Those who are eager to trace the origins of Cajun life are welcome to Vermilionville and Acadian Village - the first settlements of the country's inhabitants, who settled in the region in 1764. Currently, Cajun country is home to nearly 100,000 people, the majority of them being descendants of French-speaking Canadians.

Whenever you want to stay all night dancing, enjoy meals in the 1800's inn, wander through a suburban mall or watch artisans, a Lafayette vacation is an excellent choice, offering you many simple pleasures of life.

The best way to learn more about the history of the country is to pay a visit to Vermilionville, the 23-acre folk life park, featuring life in the area during the period of 1765-1890. The village itself consists of 18 buildings, decorated in the national style. The most eminent house belonged originally to the successful farmer Broussard. Another house showcases the art of cloth weaving, quilting and cotton spinning. Cooking demonstrations enjoy wide popularity, providing insights in the cuisine, enjoyed by locals. You can taste such traditional dishes as gumbo, red beans and rice.

When on a Lafayette vacation be sure to take advantage of the numerous lodging options around the city. The top full service hotel in the area is Hilton Lafayette, which overlooks the Vermilion River on Pinhook Road. The 327-room premier hotel has a dance club, a splendid restaurant and a wonderful pool, providing the best views of the river.

While taking a Lafayette vacation, don't miss the opportunity to take in the local cuisine. There is an array of fine restaurants, offering sophisticated meals. The most renowned of these is Caf Vermilionville, opened in 1981 by Ken Veron. Since then the restaurant has received a number of awards from the Acadiana Culinary Classics, three stars from the Mobil Travel Guide and three diamonds from the Auto Club.

Historical sights and attractions are abundant in the city, regarded as the major destinations of a Lafayette vacation. The most prominent are foregoing Vermilionsville and Acadian Village, disclosing the past of the country. Other attractions include the Alexandre Mouton House, constructed in 1800 by the city founder Jean Mouton. Today it houses paintings and antiques together with the collection of Mardi Gras costumes, worn by Lafayette queens and kings. Eunice Museum features a collection of Cajun music artifacts, Mardi Gras displays and more, while the University Art Museum houses the collection of approximately 1,000 prints, sculpture and paintings of XVIII, XIX and XX-century Louisiana artists. The cultural heritage of Louisiana is preserved at the Lafayette Natural History Museum and Planetarium, which houses more than 1,000 exhibits, changing them regularly.

Among other sites worth visiting are Evangeline State Park, Acadian Cultural Center, Cathedral of St John, Lafayette Art Gallery, Children's Museum of Acadiana, El Sid O's Club, the Acadiana Center for the Arts and others. The town also houses the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.

Most frequently, Lafayette travel is associated with the trip to Chretien Point Plantation, one of the most fascinating plantation mansions of Cajun country. You'll have the opportunity to explore the columned house, constructed in 1831. According to some legends, it is connected in a way with that famous gambler, Jean Lafitte and his flamboyant widow.

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