Lafayette identifies itself as the "Heart of Acadiana" (Acadiana is described as the 8 parish area of south central Louisiana originally settled by the Acadian French exiled from Nova Scotia)

Lafayette is the most urban of the parishes of Acadiana. A visitor can make Lafayette a destination stop for a visit to the area, as it is less than an hour's drive from almost anywhere in the area. Lafayette is also home to many restaurants that provide Cajun music and dancing almost any evening.

Lafayette is also home to the University of Louisiana - Lafayette, which was established in 1900.
It now has over 17000 students on a campus which has it's own swamp.

Lafayette is also home to two historic re-created villages, Acadian Village, and Vermilionville.

Lafayette hosts several major entertainment events, Festival Internationale, and Festival Acadiane, as well as it's own Mardi Gras.

For more information about Lafayette, see http://www.lafayettetravel.com/