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Amidst all the festivals and food here in the Lafayette region, it’s good to have plenty to do outside to keep your body moving and active. With Louisiana’s temperate climate you can pretty much escape to the outdoors January through December. If you’re into hunting and fishing, the area’s iconic swampland, thick forests, and grassy prairies are teeming with wildlife, making it the perfect destination for any sportsman. If you prefer a slower pace, paddling or bird watching are both relaxing pastimes. Part of the region is conveniently situated on the Mississippi Flyway and the Atchafalaya Loop of the America’s Wetland Birding Trail where birders have spotted at least 240 species. 

Play Ball! 

Competitive by nature or just like to have fun? There’s no shortage of sports and recreation activities in the area along with first-class recreation facilities. From beach volleyball to pickleball and golf courses to bowling lanes—along with the more traditional past times of tennis and basketball—there’s something for everyone. When you’re done playing and want to cheer on some exciting collegiate athletes, the University of Louisiana at Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns fields a host of competitive teams in football, baseball, softball, soccer, tennis, and more. 

Pedal or Paddle

Looking for something a little more tranquil? The area boasts a number of state parks and wooded areas perfect for camping, hiking, and paddling. TRAIL (Transportation Recreation Alternatives In Louisiana) offers a bike rental program to pedal around Lafayette or the downtown area. Canoes and kayaks are available to rent across the region to explore the many waterways. Take a guided swamp tour of Lake Martin or rent a kayak by the hour and paddle through its picturesque waters. One of Lafayette's more adventurous annual events is the Vermilion Voyage—a three-day, 50-mile paddling excursion down the beautiful Bayou Vermilion. If you like a more chill approach to your water activities, the Bayou Vermilion Festival & Boat Parade is a much shorter 10-mile journey, which only calls for an extra pair of clothes if you plan on competing in the costume contest!

Take a Tour

Turn up the heat at Avery Island where Tabasco products are made. Learn how the famous pepper sauce is produced, tour the factory, and stroll through the Jungle Gardens & Bird City—a wildlife preserve on the island. Another beautiful place to spend the day is the semitropical gardens along Lake Peigneur where you can take a tour of the Joseph Jefferson Mansion and the Rip Van Winkle Gardens, which is also home to 12 species of exotic birds. Prefer to see exotic wildlife in a more controlled environment? Zoosiana (the Lafayette Zoo) showcases over 750 animals from more than 130 species. 

Whether you want to go hard, or take it easy, the Acadiana area has outdoor activities that can keep you moving all year long.