It’s. So. Hot. Every year we anticipate the summer heat, but that doesn’t make it any better! While the high temperatures and high humidity are no fun, don’t let that stop you from having a fabulous summer. In fact, let the summer heat encourage you to get out and explore ways to keep cool. We’ve already done some of the work for you! Check out our list of local places where you can keep cool whether you’re wanting to soak up some sun or stay in the A/C.  

Outdoor/Water Fun

Lafayette

• Stay cool and get an adrenaline rush this summer at Cajun X Cables in Lafayette–  Louisiana’s first and only full size cable wake park. You can schedule a lesson, or just rent your wakeboarding equipment and go for it!

• The scenic waterways of the Cajun Coastline is the perfect place to get out on your canoe or kayak and enjoy the peaceful, natural beauty of the Atchafalaya Basin Swamp. Several trails flow through these secluded waterways of the National Water Trails System to provide ample wildlife and nature viewing.

• The Acadiana Swamp Tours are both fun and educational. The tour takes place on Lake Martin where you’ll see alligators, a wide variety of birds, turtles, snakes, and much more.

• Local parks can also be a great way to keep cool if shade or water is involved.
  • Girard Park – has a splash pad for kids and tons of trees for shade
  • Parc Lafayette – great park for children with a shaded playground and splash pad
  • Parc Sans Souci – small downtown park with a splash pad for kids

St. Martinville

• Water plus sun equals the perfect recipe for a summer day. Explore the beauty of the cajun wetlands at Lake Fausse Pointe State Park. Walk along elevated boardwalks to enjoy the scenery, take a canoe out on the lake, or stay for a few days at one of the park’s campsites.

Breaux Bridge

• Cooling off at a lake isn’t just for the birds….although at Lake Martin you’ll find Louisiana’s largest nesting colonies for water birds of various species. Enjoy time at the lake with a little bird watching or just relaxing in the unique swamp setting.

Acadiana Public Pools

Check out your neighborhood public pools not only to keep cool, but also to meet other locals in your community. Summer’s great for making new friends!

• Mouton Pool, 1101 Mudd Avenue.: Open 2 to 4:30 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

• Girard Park Pool, Girard Park: Open 2 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

• King Pool, 309 Cora Street.: Open 2 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

• Earl J. Chris Pool, 1919 Eraste Landry Road: Open 2 to 5:30 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

Get Out of Town

If you’re willing to venture outside of Acadiana, there are several water parks in driving distance that provide tons of fun for the whole family:

• Audubon Cool Zoo – 6500 Magazine Street, New Orleans, LA 70118

• Blue Bayou Water park – 18142 Perkins Road E, Baton Rouge, LA 70810

• Sulphur Parks Water park – 933 W Parish Road, Sulphur, LA 70663

• Denham Springs Tiki Tubing – 32625 LA-1019, Denham Springs, LA 70706

Cold Treats

Cool off with a tasty, frozen treat this summer!

Youngsville

• Try refreshing snowballs, stuffed snowcones, or a classic ice cream cone at the Shortline Caboose food stand. You can also create your own snowball with their special Create-A-Cone machine.

Lafayette

• Science can be both fun and delicious. That’s right, when you think of science now you can think of yummy treats. Head over to Professor Bob Beans for ice cream that’s flash frozen right in front of your eyes. You can also find deals for this local business on our Towny app!

• Creole Flavor Sno is known for refreshing, snowballs and icy-treats AND they’re known for their kind hospitality and stellar customer service. Come by for gourmet-flavored snoballs, fun toppings, snack foods, and a friendly face.

Broussard

• Want to get extra creative with your snowball? Brain Freeze Snowballs in Broussard has tons of flavors and tons of toppings to keep you nice and cool and make your sweet tooth happy. They’re known as the original home of the cheesecake stuffed snowballs, so be sure to give it a try.

New Iberia/Opelousas/Lafayette

• Get your favorite daiquiri or try something unique new at Cupid’s Daiquiris. They blend each daiquiri to order to give you the perfect taste.

Indoor Activities

Museums & Galleries

You’ll learn, you’ll be entertained, and best of all you’ll be inside away from the hot sun.

• Lafayette Science Museum – hands on exhibits and installations for all ages

• Lafayette Children’s Museum – interactive exhibits for children

• Bayou Terrebonne Waterlife Museum – museum of bayou culture with live music on Tuesday and Thursday evenings

• Hillard University Art Museum – visual art museum for visitors of all ages

• Benoit Gallery – indigenous art museum in downtown Lafayette

• Alexandre Mouton House – a historic house, turned museum constructed in the 1800s

• Sans Souci Gallery – gallery housing homemade art from Southern artisans

• Acadian Cultural Center – free Cajun history museum

• Eunice Museum – museum that features the lifestyles of early settlers in Cajun town

• Shadows on the Teche – historic home and garden in New Iberia

Public Libraries

You can’t go wrong spending some time at your local public libraries. Read a book in the cool A/C or bring your children to one of the various kids programs.

• Main Library: 301 W. Congress Street

• Butler Memorial Branch: 309 Cora Street

• Chenier Branch: 220 West Willow Street, Bldg. C

• Duson Branch: 310 Avenue au Nord

• East Regional Library: 215 La Neuville Road

• West Regional Library: 513 Old Spanish Trail

• Milton Branch: Cedar Village Shopping Center, Highway 92

• North Regional Library: 5101 North University Avenue

• Scott Branch: 5808 West Cameron Street

• South Regional Library: 6101 Johnston Street

Other Fun Indoor Hangs

• Cool off and indulge your creative side at the same time at Hand Star Clay Studio. Take a ceramics class or workshop, or come by for open studio hours.  

• What’s cool and dark and full of entertainment? Your local theater. Attend dance, theater, and musical arts performances at the Heymann Center, a state-of-the-art performance venue.

• See the new and fresh work of actors, directors, and visual artists at the Acadiana Repertory Theatre. This community-oriented theater is one of the newest additions to the cultural reawakening in Southern Louisiana.

• Nothing cools you off like the ice. Visit Planet Ice Hockey and Skating Rink for a glide on the ice or a game of hockey in a family environment. You can also find their current deals and specials on Towny!

• Keep kids cool and happy with fun games, Go-Karts, mini golf, and more at Kart Ranch. They’ve been providing family fun since 1985!

• Beat the heat and learn a new creative skill this summer at a dance class or visual arts class with Basin Arts. Their dance and visual art classes are for the hobbyist and the professional artist alike.

• Head over to Acadiana Lanes for some bowling and fun. Get a strike on a neon-lit bowling lane, or play arcade games and watch sports on the big screen.

• You don’t have to be out in the hot sun to play a fun game of mini golf. Lunar Golf at the Acadiana Mall is an indoor, blacklight, mini golf course with special glow-in-the-dark golf balls.

• Do a little shopping in the shade at Lafayette’s Jockey Lot Flea Market open every Saturday and Sunday. More than 300 vendors sell a variety of items like collectables, clothing, antiques, leather goods, home decor, and more.

• Live music is good any time of year. This summer, head to one of Acadiana’s indoor music venues for a cold drink and some good tunes:

  • Blue Moon Saloon – Lafayette

  • Blue Dog Cafe – Lafayette

  • Enoch’s Irish Pub – Monroe

  • Artmosphere – Lafayette

  • The District – Lafayette

  • Agave Cantina – Lafayette & Youngsville

Hoping that brings your temperature down to a general state of “cool.” Know what else is cool? The FREE Towny app. Keep up with all things local, receive PERKS, + impact your community, one swipe at a time. Don’t miss Towny today.