Adventure Outdoors Magazine Summer 2017 | Page 142

PLAN YOUR
CULINARY ESCAPE
IN THE HAPPIEST
CITY IN AMERICA
Lafayette is at the heart of Louisiana’s Cajun & Creole Coun-
try, an area known as the “Happiest City in America” by the
Wall Street Journal ’s MarketWatch.com and it’s no mystery
why. Their distinctive blend of food, music and culture has
people from all over heading down south with a smile on
their face.
LAFAYETTE, LA
©DennyCulbert
©DennyCulbert
CULTURAL HISTORY
The region’s history dates back to the 18 th century,
when Canada’s Acadians were expelled in the late
1700s and settled in Louisiana. More than two cen-
turies later, tourists come to Lafayette to get a rare
taste of the genuine Acadian experience, from tradi-
tional food fixings and music, to the warm hospitality
that greets you at every turn.
For a taste of genuine history, visit Vermilionville, a his-
toric and folklife village that demonstrates Acadian,
Creole and Native American history form the time pe-
riod 1765 – 1890. The park sits on a 23-acre site on
the banks of the Bayou Vermilion with 19 attractions,
including seven restored original homes with more
than 13 local artisans that provide demonstrations on
a variety of essential crafts performed by the early set-
tlers.
FESTIVALS
No matter what time of year you visit Lafayette, they will
have something for you to celebrate. That’s in large part
because the region is teeming with celebratory events
year-round, from the largest outdoor francophone fes-
tival in the world, Festival International, to the fall’s Fes-
tival Acadiens et Creoles, and of course Mardi Gras.