The newly built Evangeline Downs Hotel, an Ascend Collection hotel, is connected to Louisiana's prestigious Evangeline Downs Racetrack and Casino, home of thoroughbred and quarter horse racing, gaming, live entertainment, numerous restaurants and more. Thoroughbred racing season generally runs from mid-April through Labor Day weekend, while quarter horse racing runs mid-September through December. Additional attractions close to this hotel in Louisiana include the Creole Heritage Folklife Center museum, Le Vieux Village historic landmark area, Opelousas Museum of Art and the Louisiana Orphan Train Museum. Opelousas is home to a number of annual events like the Original Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Festival, the Yambilee Festival and the Holy Ghost Creole Festival. Hotel features include free deluxe continental breakfast, free wireless high-speed Internet access, free weekday newspaper, free local calls and an exercise room. After a long day, guests of this hotel can unwind in the exercise room, or relax at the indoor heated pool and hot tub. For the corporate traveler, this Louisiana hotel provides an assortment of modern conveniences like an on-site business center with a public computer with Internet access, and access to copy and fax service. A banquet and meeting room is located on the premises and can accommodate up to 60 people for most functions. All spacious and inviting guest rooms are furnished with flat-screen televisions, coffee makers, desks, hair dryers, refrigerators, microwaves, safes, irons, ironing boards, pillow-top mattresses and cable television. Select rooms offer upgraded amenities like wet bars, sofa sleepers and balconies. This is a pet-friendly hotel; fees apply. Ample free parking is provided and can accommodate most vehicles.