Crowley, LA

Travel Guide

Crowley showing street scenes
Crowley
Crowley showing a city
Crowley showing street scenes

Famous for rice and crawfish farming and a century-old opera house, this small city makes for a pleasant daytrip from Lafayette.

Set amid Louisiana’s French-influenced Cajun Country is the city of Crowley. Established in 1886, Crowley grew to become one of the nation’s largest rice farming regions and is often called the Rice Capital of America. This amicable city has a historic downtown district decorated with almost 200 protected buildings. It’s just 26 miles (42 kilometers) west of Lafayette.

Spend some time wandering along the wide pavements of downtown Crowley’s streets. Spot examples of antebellum, French-Creole and Spanish Colonial architecture. Notable landmarks include Crowley City Court, the First Presbyterian Church and the seven-story building of the First National Bank.

Visit the city’s entertainment venues. The Grand Opera House of the South opened in 1901 and hosts a year-round schedule of balls, cabaret shows and concerts. Enjoy an evening of Cajun, country and gospel music at the art deco style Historic Rice Theatre. Stand outside Master-Trak Enterprises, a recording studio where Paul Simon recorded the iconic album Graceland.

A 15-minute drive south from the downtown district is the Crystal Rice Plantation. Tours of this rice farm give an insight into the city’s rice harvesting traditions. There’s an exhibition of classic cars, too, and a gallery with displays of antiques, china and crystal.

In addition to rice, the area’s farms harvest crawfish, the staple ingredient of classic Louisiana food such as bisque (soup), étouffée (shellfish stew) and gumbo (meat or seafood Cajun stew). Sample these dishes at the city’s bars and restaurants or during October’s International Rice Festival.

It’s easy to get to Crowley from Lafayette by car along U.S. Route 90 which connects the two cities. Great as a daytrip destination, Crowley also has a range of affordable and family-friendly accommodations.

If you choose to stay in Lafayette then be sure to explore the city’s many attractions. Among these are the Acadian Culture Center and Louisiana Orphan Train Museum. Go for a scenic picnic at Chicot State Park and spot alligators at Lake Martin.

Budget Inn and Suites
Budget Inn and Suites
2.5 out of 5
2115 rice capital pkwy, Crowley, LA
$75 nightly
The price is $90 total per night from Jul 14 to Jul 15
$90 total
Jul 14 - Jul 15
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this hotel in Crowley. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions Bicentennial Park and Acadia Parish Public Library ...
5.8/10 (120 reviews)
"Clean nice safe"

Reviewed on Mar 24, 2025

Budget Inn and Suites
Best Western Acadia Hotel
Best Western Acadia Hotel
2.5 out of 5
9565 Egan Highway, Crowley, LA
$90 nightly
The price is $108 total per night from Jul 20 to Jul 21
$108 total
Jul 20 - Jul 21
Total includes taxes and fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Crowley. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Popular attractions Bicentennial Park and Hoffpauir ...
7.4/10 Good! (250 reviews)
"Great experience"

Reviewed on Jul 3, 2025

Best Western Acadia Hotel
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Lafayette
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Lafayette
4 out of 5
1521 W Pinhook Rd, Lafayette, LA
$100 nightly
The price is $115 total per night from Jul 20 to Jul 21
$115 total
Jul 20 - Jul 21
Total includes taxes and fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Lafayette. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,011 reviews)
"I had a blast. I enjoyed the warm, welcome the cleans, and the safety of the hotel."

Reviewed on Jul 11, 2025

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Lafayette
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
3 Bedroom Saint Street/Downtown, Quiet, near everything
3 Bedroom Saint Street/Downtown, Quiet, near everything
Lafayette
Stay at this vacation home in Lafayette. Enjoy free WiFi, laundry facilities, and an in-room coffeemaker. Popular attractions Youth Park and Blackham Coliseum ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (24 reviews)
Nice Place
"Great place for our family to stay. Enjoyed the games in living room. Comfy Beds. Location Great"

Reviewed on Jun 24, 2025

3 Bedroom Saint Street/Downtown, Quiet, near everything
LALALAND -2 master suites, king bed,  comfort & location “No chores” at checkout
LALALAND -2 master suites, king bed, comfort & location “No chores” at checkout
Lafayette
Stay at this vacation home in Lafayette. Enjoy laundry facilities, patios, and an in-room coffeemaker. Popular attractions Woodland Village Shopping Center and ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (35 reviews)
"Everything was great!"

Reviewed on Jun 13, 2025

LALALAND -2 master suites, king bed, comfort & location “No chores” at checkout
09/2024 added 2 sit in kayaks for float/pickup downstream for 1, 2, 4 hr trips
09/2024 added 2 sit in kayaks for float/pickup downstream for 1, 2, 4 hr trips
Lafayette
Book a stay at this ski vacation home in Lafayette. Enjoy free WiFi, private pools, and a water park. Popular attractions Ostrich Park and Acadian Village Shopping ...
7/10 Good! (24 reviews)
Outstanding Customer Service
"Our stay was fantastic. Both hosts were on top of any requests or information we requested. Property owner was welcoming and friendly and went above and beyond for us. Breakfast was scrumptious, with a fabulous homemade gravy. Yum. The kayak trip was perfect and we were able to launch and return ..."

Reviewed on Aug 26, 2024

09/2024 added 2 sit in kayaks for float/pickup downstream for 1, 2, 4 hr trips
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Reviews of Crowley

4.1
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
8
5 - Excellent 38%
4 - Good
7
4 - Good 33%
3 - Okay
6
3 - Okay 29%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

The theater where the concert was, was beautiful and the people were friendly

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveler

The Rice Palace is nearby and it is an excellent restaurant.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Its a small city. Rice festival in October. Only 1 Walamart....lol

Cities near Crowley