Opelousas Museum & Interpretive Center

Cajun Country


Squatting sleepily alongside Hwy 49, Opelousas' historic downtown is home to this grandma's attic of exhibits, artifacts and esoterica related to the town. On-site volunteers can provide plenty of stories and regional knowledge, which greatly enlivens a visit.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Cajun Country attractions

1. Cajun Music Hall of Fame & Museum

20.15 MILES

This small collection of instruments and cultural ephemera feels a little cluttered, but you're witnessing a pretty fascinating trove of material Cajun…

2. KBON

20.2 MILES

Visitors are welcome all day at KBON, 101.1FM, home of Cajun music, zydeco, swamp pop and all the other sounds of Acadiana. Browse the capacious Wall of…

3. Prairie Acadian Cultural Center

20.25 MILES

This NPS-run museum has exhibits on rural life and Cajun culture, and shows a variety of documentaries explaining the history of the area. It's the…

4. Chicot State Park

21.15 MILES

A wonderful place to access the natural beauty of Cajun country. The excellent arboretum is fun for kids and informative for adults, and deserves enormous…

5. Children's Museum of Acadiana

21.79 MILES

Lafayette's children's museum is a pretty good spot to kill half a day with younger kids. There's a TV studio, fake dentist office (yay?), bubble 'factory…

6. Vermilionville

22.75 MILES

This tranquil, recreated 19th-century Cajun village wends along the bayou near the airport. Friendly, enthusiastic costumed docents explain Cajun, Creole…

7. Acadian Cultural Center

22.84 MILES

This National Parks Service museum has extensive exhibits on Cajun culture and is a good entry point for those looking to peer deeper into Acadian…

8. Lake Martin

24.6 MILES

This lake – a mossy green dollop surrounded by thin trees and cypress trunks – serves as a wonderful, easily accessible introduction to bayou landscapes…