Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
plus one of the best free music festivals in the country. This is a university town; bands
are rocking most any night. Heck, even those quiet Sundays have a saving grace: some
famously delicious brunch options.
Sights
Vermilionville
CULTURAL BUILDING
( 337-233-4077;
www.vermilionville.org
;
300 Fisher Rd; adult/student $8/6; 10am-4pm Tue-
Sun; )
A tranquil restored/re-created 19th-century Cajun village wends along the bayou
near the airport. Friendly, enthusiastic costumed docents explain Cajun, Creole and Nat-
ive American history, and local bands perform on Sundays. Also offers guided
boat
tours
(
337-233-4077; adult/student $12/8;
10:30am Tue-Sat Mar-May & Sep-Nov)
of Bay-
ou Vermilion.
Acadiana Center for the Arts
GALLERY
( 337-233-7060;
www.acadianacenterforthearts.org
;
101 W Vermilion St; adult/student/child $5/
3/2; 9am-5pm Tue-Fri, to 6pm Sat)
This arts center in the heart of downtown maintains
three chic galleries and hosts dynamic theater, lectures and special events.
Acadian Cultural Center
MUSEUM
(
www.nps.gov/jela
;
501 Fisher Rd; 8am-5pm)
This National Parks Service museum has ex-
tensive exhibits on Cajun culture, next door to Vermilionville.
Festivals & Events
Festival International de Louisiane
MUSIC
(
www.festivalinternational.com
; last weekend Apr)
At the fabulous Festival International de
Louisiane, hundreds of local and international artists rock out for five days - the largest
free music festival of its caliber in the US. Although 'Festival' avowedly celebrates Fran-
cophone music and culture, the event's remit has grown to accommodate other music
styles and languages.
Sleeping & Eating
Chain hotels clump near exits 101 and 103, off I-10 (doubles from $65). Head to Jeffer-
son St mid-downtown to take your choice of bars and restaurants, from sushi to Mexican.
