A lot of cities in the United States claim they have a unique flavour. The fact is, most of them do. But few cities are quite the same as Lafayette. Specifically, the Lafayette zip codes which are downtown are different than any other city you will find anywhere else in the country. It has the usual assortment of areas where you can shop for a modern glass vanity, grab a bite to eat, or just window shop. The big difference in Lafayette is how that downtown core is made up.

Instead of just one ubiquitous lump of buildings, or even a gradual change from one neighborhood to the next, the downtown core of Lafayette is split into three distinct districts. They all have their own name and their own taste, and help to define this town. Make sure your cell phone is set using the most reliable time and frequency standards, and take a tour of the town with us.

First of all is the wonderful Chauncey Village. This district is defined by its modern appeal. It is right next to the campus of Lafayette's university, and that means there is a heavy influence from the large student population. These kids aren't made of gold bullion bars, so they have to get fairly creative for their entertainment. Often the entertainment they bring in and add to the city is some of the most popular in the whole town.

The polar opposite of Chauncey village is the Arts and Market district downtown. Here, food product launches and swanky bars give way to a gentler, more laid back atmosphere. The Arts and Market district is all that its names suggests. There is an incredibly vibrant arts community living in the area, with unique boutiques and shops dotting the streets and showing their creations. You will find shopping here too, though the Gap and Macy's are not to be found.

And in the middle lies the Wabash Riverfront part of the Lafayette downtown. It is the perfect blend of the other two areas, allowing a gentle transition from one to the other. Here, you may find a chance to enter a 2012 win a car sweepstakes, or a quaint second hand store which just set up. It's also the place where you can find the most modern buildings and store fronts that downtown Lafayette has to offer, as residential buildings go up in the old part of town once again.