However, Lafayette isn't just one big Cajun settlement. The sprawling local campus of the University of Louisiana lies near, with its sizeable population of students. This makes the town a heady mix of traditional culture and dynamic energy, surrounded by beautiful wildlife.
Most visits to Lafayette centre around the surprisingly well-developed downtown. Unlike most American cities it's clean, with early 20th century brick buildings and tree-lined avenues that veer off from Jefferson St, the city's main thoroughfare.
Small cafes are scattered around while the city's bars are crowded together at the southern end of the street. On Saturday nights police block the roads and look on while crowds of 20-somethings flock downtown. Some go to hip, blue-lighted bars, some to packed dance clubs, yet others to bars with dance floors and open mic competitions.
Cajun musician Steve Riley plays in the town. Photo / Jack Barlow
It's worth taking a break from the vibrant urban culture, as a ten-minute drive out of town will put you in the middle of some of the prettiest wildlife in the country. Louisiana prides itself on its critters - pelicans, alligators, a plethora of distinctive fish and birds - and there are few better places than the bayous outside Lafayette to check it all out.
Late evening over autumn or winter is best, when the sunsets are a bright, almost fluorescent mix of red, pink and orange, reflecting off the slow moving bayou waters in a Turneresque scene.
The best way to end a night in Lafayette, though, isn't standing on the banks of a picturesque bayou. Nor is it in the hubbub of downtown.
Head out of town in the direction of Breaux Bridge instead, a small town about 15 minutes northeast of Lafayette. It's an interesting drive; away from the concrete blandness of the interstate the roads are smaller, with the surrounding countryside a mix of dilapidated homes, wide fields and roadside stalls.
Just outside Breaux Bridge is Pont Breaux's Cajun Restaurant. Inauspicious on the outside, a walk through the door reveals a large wooden dance floor surrounded by tables sparsely furnished with red chequered tablecloths and local hot sauces. Local bands, some big names - most not, play here every night from 6pm.
It's a typical Monday night at the restaurant: a few locals wander in and out, a bored 20-something girl cups her chin in her hands at the greeting counter. On stage, a local band is pumping out top-notch Cajun dance music.
The musicians are rocking, changing effortlessly from fast dance numbers to slow waltzes, the singer crooning in French. It's old music, almost Appalachian in tone. None of the locals pay much attention, talking amongst themselves while knocking back local Abita beers and chewing through jambalaya and gumbo.
One old-timer at the bar watches a young couple attempting to square dance under the dim lights of the dance floor.
"Ah," he says with a long drawl and a slight smile.
"See, they don't know what they doin'. But that's okay. We was all young like that once too."
He grins as the song ends.
"Hell, people jus' come here to have a good time. That's what we do here. That's what this place is about."
As he finishes, the band counts off and rips into a quick dance number.
It's still early. It's just another night in Lafayette.
CHECKLIST
Getting there: Air New Zealand flies three times daily to Los Angeles from Auckland until March. From there, codeshare partner United Airways continues to Lafayette.
Further information: See lafayettetravel.com and DiscoverAmerica.com for more on visiting Lafayette.
