Lafayette is known for its Creole and Cajun culture. Restaurants in the south-central Louisiana city serve spicy foods, and clubs play upbeat Cajun music. Lafayette is also a city that accommodates sports lovers. Lafayette, the parish seat of Lafayette Parish, has a wide range of activities on land and in the water.
Golf
Golfers can choose from two public, par-72 courses in the city. The Wetlands Golf Course is a 7,293-yard course, and the Hebert Municipal Golf Course is 6,426 yards. The par-72, 6,870-yard Les Vieux Chenes Golf Course is 15 minutes away in Youngsville city in Lafayette Parish. The venues have pro shops and clubhouses that serve sandwiches.
Organized Sports
The Lafayette Parks and Recreation Department runs sports leagues for adults and kids. The offerings include baseball, basketball, flag football, soccer, softball, tackle football and volleyball. The action takes place at 36 parks throughout the city that have fields and courts. Additionally, instructors at the Bowles Tennis Center and the Thomas Tennis Center give tennis lessons. The venues also host leagues.
Water Sports
Nearby water provides options for sportsmen. You can canoe and kayak through marked trails at the Fausse Point State Park and Canoe Trail off the Atchafalaya Basin Spillway. The area has a boat launch and campsites, and you can rent canoes at the site. Lake Martin is another water hot spot, where you can spot water birds like great blue heron and snowy egret from your canoe. You also can hike to see the birds, but the closest trail closes for alligator nesting from May to October.
Swimming
The city has four swimming pools. You can take lessons at the indoor Earl J. Chris Pool at the Robicheaux Recreation Center. Lafayette’s three outdoor pools--Girard Park Pool, M. L. King Pool and the O. J. Mouton Pool-- are open during the summer and offer water aerobics classes.
Recreation Centers
The city’s parks and recreation department operates 10 recreation centers with a variety of activities, including shuffleboard, a weight room and instruction in aerobics, judo, gymnastics, karate and taekwondo. When taking a break from working out, you can sign up for ceramics classes and guitar lessons.
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