First Cajun football game reccomendations

The Marsh
1

My family is planning a road trip from North Carolina to Lafayette for the October 17th game against Troy. I’m an ECU undergrad alum, but I’m currently completing my graduate degree online through UL, so we are excited to finally experience a game day in person.

Our group will be two adults and two kids (ages 3 and 7). Since it’s our first time in town, we would love some local recommendations on the following:

  1. Where to Stay: What areas or neighborhoods are the most family-friendly? Any specific hotel recommendations that work well with young kids?

  2. Friday Night Events: Are there any must-attend Friday night traditions or events happening around town before game day?

  3. Tailgating Options: What are our best tailgating options as visitors? Does the Alumni Association or another organization host a ticketed, catered tailgate that we can join?

  4. Must-Eat Restaurants: What are the absolute “must-hit” restaurants we need to try while we are in town?

2

If you are willing to travel a half hour away to Crowley, La. that weekend should be the Crowly Rice Festival. It is family friendly during the day, at night the people are a little more drunk.

I would actually stay at the hotel across from the Cajundome and CajunField so you don’t have to pay for parking.

3

+1 on the Hilton Garden Inn across from Cajun Field. I’d reserve it in advance if possible to ensure availability.

Summer time is usually prime time for Food Threads on Cajun message boards. I’d imagine others will chime in soon

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4

Hit Olde Tyme Grocery for a poboy.
218 W St Mary Blvd, Lafayette, LA 70506

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5
  1. Hilton garden inn across the street
  2. should be downtown Alive on that Friday which is a free music festival type event in downtown
  3. Just show up, plenty of people will invite you to join and there is an alumni tent as well and the baseball stadium is open on game day
  4. Old tyme, Deanos pizza on Bertrand, Judice inn burger and dons seafood for a dinner. The new legends on Johnston at is cool bar with food and place to watch a game and grab a bite
6

If volleyball has a home match on Friday night, you will see many football players supporting those ladies. The atmosphere there is exciting.

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7

Got a Soccer Match at 1 pm on Sunday against Marshall, unfortunately Volleyball is Mobile

8

Go see the gators in the swamp…in the middle of campus!!!

9

Alumni gathering is at baseball stadium. Two choices. Join as Legacy member at some level and get in free or pay about equivalent to get family in. Food and free drinks either entry. Just outside entry there is a kids area with activities for them. Both open about three hours before game.

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10

There will be a list of pre game activities announced before the game. The free pep rally in the baseball stadium next to the football stadium with the Pride of Acadiana Band, the cheerleaders, and Ragin’ Jazz is a must see. If you can get a room at the Hilton Garden Inn and walk over it’s worth the money. There also are some neighborhoods around the football stadium that offer some Air Bnbs. Do not pay for parking at Cajun Field! Parking is always free at the West Congress entrance parking lot of the Cajun Dome. You can easily and safely walk under Cajun Dome Blvd in the tunnel to the Stadium. . Free parking also across in the Lite Center grass.