Summer in south Louisiana is hot – scorching hot. There is no beating the heat. But, there are some places you can go in and around Lafayette to escape the heat for a brief moment in time.
Here is a list of some of the “coolest” summer spots near Lafayette.
If you think of ice cream when you think of summer, Borden’s Ice Cream Shop is the place for you. It is the last retail Borden’s Ice Cream Shoppe in the world. Patrons get to enjoy ice cream done “the Old Fashion Way” in a diner-style setting. They serve up all the classics, like banana splits and malts, as well as some homemade specials. Don’t suffer through summer without a cool treat from Borden’s!
If you think nature when you think summer, be sure to spend some time at Acadiana Nature Station. This unique area in Acadiana Park offers six miles of hiking trails that are shaded by trees to keep you cool. There’s also camping near the Nature Station, nature talks, public tours and a kayak launch if you want to spend some time on the water. The park is full of lush forest and hundreds of unique animals. For the nature enthusiast who enjoys the greener side of nature, summer is the best time to head to Acadiana Nature Station. It’s the coolest place around to immerse yourself with nature.
If you think of ice cold beer when you think of summer, take a tour of Parish Brewing Company. Located in Broussard, Parish Brewing is home to Canebrake, a popular Louisiana Wheat Ale, as well as a wide variety of other beers and beverages. You can enjoy any of their selections in the taproom six days a week, as well as take a free tour of the brewery on Saturdays from 12 – 2 p.m. Stop by to enjoy a cool, local brew on a hot day!
If you think of swimming pools when you think of summer, dive in to the Girard Park Pool. The pool is open to the public from 2 – 6 p.m., Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. For only $5 per adult and $3 for anyone under 18, the public swimming pools are a great option for cooling off in the summer. And, Girard Park has so much more to offer beyond the pool – massive playgrounds, long walking trails, a serene pond and more. It’s the perfect place for sweating it out and cooling it off!
If you think of the beach when you think summer, head on over to Cypremort Point State Park. While it doesn’t have the white sand beaches of the Emerald Coast, it does have spacious, clean beach areas on the Vermilion Bay for swimming. These areas are blocked off from boating traffic so beachgoers can safely enjoy their day at the beach. The beach area has public restrooms, outdoor showers and picnic areas with BBQ pits so you can easily spend an entire day at the beach, and drive home in under an hour. How cool is that?
Staying cool in the Louisiana summertime heat isn’t easy, but these places offer the best chances for taking a cool breath in the summer sun.
