Tips For Taking Kids To The Farmers Market At Moncus Park
We are big fans of Moncus Park! A beautiful green space in the middle of the city. It has a nice playground, splash pad, treehouse, and clean restrooms. According to their website, around 7,000 visitors go to the park on the weekend, likely to visit the Lafayette Farmers and Artisans Market held every Saturday morning from 8am-noon.
There are tons of amazing vendors with food, drinks, and lots of unique local finds. You can practice your French skills or listen to a Cajun jam. There is lots of fun to be had for the whole family. Here are some tips for making your market visit with kids memorable and enjoyable.
Know before you go:
Parking
There are several options for parking. There is a free grassy area near the market that fills up quickly and the paved pay lot across from the playground. Then there’s the free shuttle from Blackham Coliseum. My kids were very excited to take the shuttle bus. If you’re on Johnston St. going from Moncus Park toward Blackham Coliseum, pass up Cajun Dome Blvd and take the first left after Blackham Coliseum. Look for this sign.
There will be a gravel lot behind some metal buildings. The shuttle runs every few minutes on Saturday from 8am-1pm. The bus was very clean, air conditioned, and drops you off and picks you up right by the farmers market entrance. We didn’t have to wait long at all on both our shuttle trips.
Get there early
It can get very hot during the summer months so it’s better to go early in the morning. Also, you will be able to grab the most popular items that sell out fast. If you want to catch the Cajun jam, that starts at 9am. Don’t forget to stop by the French tent to practice or learn some French. I love that I can expose my kids to our unique culture just by visiting the market.
Things to bring:
Most of the market is shaded by trees, but if you’re heading to the playground there’s no shade. A shade structure is in the plans to be built, but I would definitely bring hats, sunscreen, and sunglasses if you plan to play. It’s a great idea to bring water bottles to keep the kids hydrated.
Don’t forget swimsuits, towels, and a change of clothes if you want to do the splash pad. You will be a cool parent, trust me. There are changing rooms and restrooms near the play area. Take a shaded break in the treehouse. My kids love climbing in the hanging net.
Lots of the walking paths are paved, but the market itself is a series of tents on either gravel or mulch. Not the best for strollers, unless you have bigger tires. You could baby wear, but that can get really hot. A foldable wagon would be a good option.
All of the vendors we shopped at took cards, but it doesn’t hurt to have cash on hand. With farm fresh food and drink offerings, unique artwork, jewelry, pastries, flowers, face paint, and other local wares, it’s not hard to find something you want to buy. Best of all, you’re supporting our wonderful local farmers and artisans. There are plenty of picnic tables to enjoy your market treats at.
There was fun free activity for kids that was going on while we visited. My kids got to paint and decorate a magnet to take home. Something I wish I would’ve brought was a tote bag to store market goodies and craft projects in. Check the market social media accounts for special events going on.
Have you visited the market with your kids? Which vendor is your favorite?
