Lafayette town

Lafayette is a university town, founded in the early 19th century by people of Acadian (French Canadian) descent. 11% of the households speak French. There are 17,000 students at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.

The main street, Jefferson Street, reminds me of a small northern California main street such as 4th Street in Santa Rosa. This is because it is lined with redwood-style trees. What lovely shade, something you really need in the Louisiana summers.
There are plenty of bars and restaurants on Jefferson Street, plus a cool coffee shop called Reve Coffee Roasters. What a great place to hang out! Students abound, and you can absorb the fun atmosphere while looking out the huge windows. It is beautiful inside Reve Coffee Roasters. I asked a student what there is to do around here and she said "Just hang out in coffee shops!" So I'm not sure if there is too much more to the town.
Drive around and check out the historic university campus. Also great is Artmosphere, a hip bar/dinner restaurant with groovy outdoor seating and a huge stage indoors.
For kids there is the fun Children's Museum of Acadiana, the perfect place to go during the heat of the day.

Directions

The main street of Lafayette is Jefferson St. Try Reve Coffee Roasters at 200 Jefferson St, Lafayette LA 70506.
Also, drive to Artmosphere, a restaurant/bar, at 902 Johnston St, Lafayette LA 70501. Open for lunch and dinner and late nights Fri-Sun, and just dinner and late nights Mon-Thurs.

Click on map for interactive view