The largest city-owned park in Abbeville is Comeaux Park in the southwestern part of town. Comeaux Park features baseball diamonds for youth sports leagues, particularly Abbeville Softball League and Babe Ruth League for baseball. This city park also has walking paths and picnic areas. Approximately 20 minutes south of Abbeville lies Palmetto Island State Park. Palmetto Island State Park features an RV campground with 96 campsites and cabins for overnight stays. Largemouth and smallmouth bass fishing is available in the Vermillion River, which passes by Palmetto Island State Park.
Vermilion Bay is a water inlet of the Gulf of Mexico and less than 30 minutes from Abbeville. Since it is Gulf inlet, Vermilion Bay provides opportunities for saltwater fishing. Some fish species in Vermilion Bay are bull reds, sea bass, amberjack and grouper. Vermilion Bay also offers shrimping and crabbing. Crabbing season lasts all year long, while shrimping season occurs in the late summer and fall. Saltwater fishing seasons vary among species: Red snapper season occurs in the summer and fall is the season for amberjack and grouper. Vermilion Bay is accessible from Abbeville by traveling south on State Highways 82 and 333.
The Louisiana Military Hall of Fame honors Louisiana-born members of the U.S. Armed Forces. Some exhibits at the Hall of Fame are the hall of fame, which shows photos of individual veterans from Louisiana who demonstrated excellence while serving the U.S. military. The Hall of Fame is on the grounds of Chris Crusta Airport in eastern Abbeville. The Museum is open on Thursdays through Saturdays. Abbeville is also home to the Alliance Center Museum and Art Gallery. Exhibits at the Alliance Center feature artifacts and information based on the town's history. Alliance Center's art gallery has pictures and photographs created by Louisiana-born artists.
Named after Washington Irving's legendary folklore character, the Rip Van Winkle Gardens in New Iberia is a 25-minute jaunt east of Abbeville. The 25-acre park offers pathways through the Gardens' tranquil floral gardens with annual flowers such as camellias, hibiscuses and irises. Rip Van Winkle Gardens is also home to historical sites and artifacts. Visitors have access to the Joseph Jefferson Mansion, built in the 1870s. Three 19th century treasure chests were discovered on the Gardens' property; the park claims the infamous pirate, Jean Lafitte, buried the chests. Lafitte gained fame by helping U.S. forces route the British in the War of 1812.
