- Jan 22, 2021
- 3 min read

Welcome to Downtown Lafayette

If you are thinking of planning a weekend trip to a new place and have never visited Louisiana before, of course, you will probably think NOLA. BUT... not far down the road is a fun, cultural and diverse little city called Lafayette. You may have heard of us for the awesome food and Festival International. If you haven't heard of us, I am here to tell you a little bit about my favorite spot in Lafayette...Downtown!

I used to love it for the night life in my college days and didn't get out there until 10 PM. Now, I have really fallen in love with Downtown Lafayette during the day. There is SO much to do so I will try and touch on everything to check out with some pics of my personal faves that I go to every time I go downtown.

First stop, The Wurst Biergarten. It is FAMILY and DOG friendly! There is authentic Jamaican food daily, pop up chefs, live music, comedy nights, and of course BEER! I love sitting outside and having a cold one so this is right up my alley. Last time I went, there was a guy playing blues music on his saxophone. I love this place because you just never know what you are going to get! It is truly a VIBE. https://wurstbiergarten.com

Next stop, Parish Ink. This is your go to spot to snag some really cool, original and authentic Louisiana gear to remember your trip by. They have a variety of items from shirts, hats, pins, magnets, stickers, and candles plus much more! They have a little something for all ages. https://www.parishink.com

Right next door is a new fave of mine, Beausoleil Books. It is a cozy, new bookstore that has a great selection for all ages. Pick a good book and hang out on the vintage furniture, while you get in a good read before heading next door to an awesome coffee shop.

https://www.beausoleilbooks.com

Reve Coffee Roasters is a premier micro coffee roaster. I love everything about this place. You can try coffee from all around the country, as well as, purchase it and other cool merchandise. There are also other drink options such as tea if you aren't a coffee drinker. It is a HOT spot and a go-to for locals and visitors. https://revecoffeeroasters.com

One of my favorite restaurants in Lafayette is Pamplona Tapas Bar. This festive, rustic restaurant is sure to please with it's choices of farm fresh seasonal products, meats and seafoods inspired by Spain, France, Italy and North African traditions. It features small plates (AKA tapas) so you can get a little bit of ALL of the goodness. With a great wine selection and awesome cocktails ("The Don" is my fave), put this on the top of your list for a dinner date. https://pamplonatapas.com/info/

Next, for some family fun head on over to the Children's Museum of Acadiana. So much engaging and interactive play areas such as a grocery store, a real ambulance, dentist office, veterinary clinic and much more! There is a great play area located in the middle that is perfect for toddlers. As you can see in the picture, it is fun for all ages (my son is 11 and my daughter is 1). https://www.childrensmuseumofacadiana.com Also, check out the Lafayette Science Museum while you are at it which is located next door! https://lafayettesciencemuseum.org