Lake Charles is an incredible vacation spot and a fantastic various to visiting New Orleans with simply as a lot vitality, pleasure, and journey as Crescent City. If you make your approach to the Southern United States, be certain that to go to Lake Charles or add it to your highway journey itinerary. Here is our listing of the highest issues to do when visiting Lake Charles.
Top Things To Do In Lake Charles, La
While many individuals solely consider New Orleans to have fun Mardi Gras, Lake Charles has its personal. In addition to experiencing the festivities, my spouse Bran & I made a Louisiana bucket listing of one of the best issues to do in Lake Charles. At the highest of my listing was to feast on an genuine Southwest Louisiana Crawfish Boil and on the high of Bran’s want listing was to see an alligator in its pure habitat. So we set off with our bucket lists in hand to discover the highest points of interest in Lake Charles, LA.
1. Explore Downtown Lake Charles
Downtown Lake Charles has so many points of interest for guests to get pleasure from. Besides the Charpentier Historic District, guests can take in its lovely Victorian structure and go to The Historic City Hall Arts and Cultural Center. This historic constructing homes artwork exhibitions and cultural occasions all year long. Check the schedule to see what’s on show throughout your go to.
If you might be on the lookout for issues to do in Lake Charles at night time, the Rosa Hart Theatre affords stay performances, together with performs, musicals, and concert events. It’s a fantastic place to catch a present and expertise a few of the native cultures.
Downtown Lake Charles can also be recognized for its scrumptious Cajun and Creole delicacies. Visitors can pattern native specialties like gumbo, po’boys, boudin, and crawfish étouffée at one of many many eating places in the world.
Downtown Lake Charles can also be dwelling to a wide range of festivals and occasions all year long, together with the Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Festival, the Louisiana Pirate Festival, and the Downtown at Sundown live performance collection.
For out of doors fans, the Lakefront Promenade is a superb place to stroll or bike alongside the lakefront and take in the gorgeous views. The promenade additionally options benches and picnic tables for many who need to cease and chill out.
2. Take the Charpentier Historic District Tour
The Charpentier Historic District Tour is a good way to see the gorgeous structure of Lake Charles and get the historic significance of the buildings and houses. A.C. Bourdier, a lifetime resident, is the right information and an ideal southern gentleman on this horse-drawn carriage trip with J and R Carriage via the ole’ south.
Make positive to have A.C. level out the haunted homes and to provide you with their backstory in the Charpentier Historic District. A.C. is the Chairman of the Landmarks Register for the Calcasieu Historical Preservation Society.
Traditionally all through the south, the underside of porch roofs and awnings are painted pale blue. Originally, this was performed in order that haints or spirits wouldn’t be trapped and will go on to the past.
However, a bonus aspect impact of getting these buildings resemble the sky in colour is that spiders and birds wouldn’t nest below them. It’s like they’re fooled by the blue paint into pondering that there isn’t any roof or awning there.
3. Hit The Creole Nature Trail and Adventure Point
Nature lovers will get pleasure from this scenic drive alongside the Creole Nature Trail, which winds via the marshes, swamps, and seashores of Louisiana. The path affords breathtaking views of the native wildlife and landscapes and may be accessed from Downtown Lake Charles. A very good place to begin is Adventure Point the place you’ll immersive in Lousiana tradition and revel in interactive and hands-on experiences. This is a good way to recognize the natural world
There are many nice picture alternatives as you traverse this scenic byway. The Creole Nature Trail is comprised of a number of wildlife refuges and is linked by many highways spanning 180 miles all through Louisiana’s outback. The birdlife is so considerable and assorted that I couldn’t assist however hearth off a couple of dozen photos. I simply wandered freely via the wildlife refuges, however there are bird-watching excursions and even blinds arrange for the extra devoted fowl photographers.
To see the Creole Nature Trail correctly, we propose a tour. It is the easiest way to see the abundance of wildlife. Even although it was very chilly (uncommon) we had been nonetheless fortunate sufficient to see loads of wildlife together with an American alligator! Bran was over the moon! Bran had been hoping to see an alligator. Check!
I believe that after we return to the Creole Nature Trail I’ll convey my fishing rod together with my digital camera. It’s not solely a fantastic vacation spot for nature photographers it additionally has nice fishing – two of my favourite issues. For extra info on the Creole Nature Trail go to the Lake Charles Website for particulars.
Location: 1205 N. Lakeshore Drive, Lake Charles, la
4. The Imperial Calcasieu Museum
The Imperial Calcasieu Museum is a cultural heart that’s housed in the historic Central School constructing, which was constructed in 1912 and served as a college till 1979.
One of the primary figures related to the museum is Charles Sallier, who was an early settler of the Lake Charles space and a distinguished businessman. Sallier was instrumental in the event of the area, and his legacy is widely known in the museum’s everlasting exhibition, which is called in his honor. The Charles Sallier exhibit tells the story of the early settlers of Southwest Louisiana, together with the Native American tribes who lived in the world earlier than European settlement.
The Imperial Calcasieu area consists of 5 parishes in Southwest Louisiana, Calcasieu, Cameron, Beauregard, Allen, and Jeff Davis.
Located at: 204 W. Sallier Street, Lake Charles, Louisiana
5. Visit the Mardi Gras Museum of Imperial Calcasieu Museum
The Mardi Gras Museum is one other standard Lake Charles attraction. Visitors can be taught concerning the historical past and traditions of Mardi Gras in Lake Charles via reveals that embrace Mardi Gras costumes, floats, and different memorabilia from previous parades.
We witnessed some extravagant costumes right here and at The Royal Gala. Prior to the gala occasion, the backstage is bustling with Krewes preparing to show the extravagant costumes that they’ve been diligently engaged on all 12 months.
The Mardi Gras Museum of Imperial Calcasieu boasts the most important costume show in the world. Our tour information Adley Cormier relayed to us the historical past of the pageant with an endearing ardour.
These costumes are spectacular, bursting with colour and Ostrich feathers. At a price of 10+ {dollars} per feather, the costumes can end up to be fairly expensive.
Right now the museum is closed because it searches for a brand new location with an estimated re-opening for Mardi Gras 2024.
6. Attend Mardi Gras
One of probably the most enjoyable issues to do in Lake Charles is to attend Mardi Gras. No go to put up can be full with out mentioning the festive celebrations. It is the second largest Mardi Gras in Louisiana and never solely does it have lots of the identical celebrations because the New Orleans pageant, nevertheless it has different occasions that set it other than New Orleans together with the annual hen run and a full-day devoted to youngsters. Check out extra about New Orleans at A Tour of the New Orleans Garden District.
7. Festivals and Special Events
Don’t fear, for those who don’t go to Lake Charles throughout Mardi Gras, there are nonetheless loads of festivals all year long. and particular occasions to attend. Lake Charles is the pageant capital of Louisiana after internet hosting 75 festivals and occasions annually, so there’s sure to be a celebration occurring throughout your go to.
Some distinctive festivals and particular occasions to try are the Cajun French Music and Food Festival, The Black Heritage Festival, and the downtown Lake Charles Crawfish Festival. For a full listing of festivals in Lake Charles la go to the metropolis’s web site.
8. Visit the USS Orleck Naval Museum
Out of all of the Lake Charles museums, The USS Orleck Naval Museum is without doubt one of the extra distinctive. This floating museum takes guests on a tour of the USS Orleck DD 886 WWII destroyer. It was in service throughout WWII, Vietnam, and The Korean warfare. It has been absolutely restored and guests can tour the ship to see what life for army troopers. History buffs will love taking a tour of this ship to be taught of its warring historical past. Check out particulars at their web site
The USS Orleck Naval Museum is positioned at: 604 N. Enterprise Blvd., Lake Charles, LA
9. Sam Houston Jones State Park
Another out of doors attraction in Lake Charles, la is to benefit from the solitude of the Sam Houston Jones State Park. Named after the Texas people right here, Sam Houston Jones State Park is an efficient place for birders with 200 species of birds migrating and nesting in the world. There are quite a few climbing trails and waterways to benefit from the nice open air. There are alligators and even bobcats that reside in the park. It was right here that Bran had her want of seeing alligators in the wild.
Location: 107 Sutherland Rd, Lake Charles, LA
10. Enjoy the Outdoors of Prien Lake Park
Prien Lake is a well-liked out of doors vacation spot in Lake Charles, Louisiana, and there are many issues to do in the world. You can get pleasure from its strolling paths, go kayaking, have a picnic, or hire a paddle boat. There is a few hopping on the Prien Lake Mall or you possibly can attempt your hand on the Capri Casino.
The Prien Lake Park Golf Course affords classes for all talent ranges. Whether you’re a newbie or an skilled golfer it’s a enjoyable afternoon open air.
If you might be on the lookout for issues to do with the entire household, The Children’s Museum is a superb place to take children for a enjoyable and academic expertise. The museum options interactive reveals that train youngsters about science, artwork, and historical past.
The Creole Nature Trail is a scenic drive that winds via the marshes, swamps, and seashores of Southwest Louisiana. Visitors can take in breathtaking views of the native wildlife and landscapes.
Attend a live performance or occasion on the Lake Charles Civic Center: This venue hosts a wide range of occasions all year long, together with concert events, commerce exhibits, and conventions.
Lake Area Adventures affords kayak leases at Prien Lake Park the place you are able to do full or half-day leases on the water.
11. Enjoy the White Sand Beach North Beach
North Beach is a wonderful public white sandy seaside positioned on the northern shore of Lake Charles. It is without doubt one of the few pure seashores in the state. Take a stroll alongside the Lake Charles boardwalk or you possibly can get pleasure from kayak leases and paddleboards or just chill out to take in the solar.
And one other cool reality is that North Beach is a part of the Lake Charles Historic District and has been designated as a Louisiana Historic Landmark. The seaside has additionally been acknowledged for its efforts to protect and defend the native atmosphere.
12. Bord Du Lac Park (Millennium Park)
If you might be on the lookout for issues to do in Lake Charles for households, the resorts actually cater to the little ones with lazy rivers and indoor swimming pools. But in order for you to head open air, make your approach to Millennium Park the place there is a wonderful playground created to entertain the children. This lakeside park has a splash park and a pirate ship, trains and tunnels children will let off plenty of steam enjoying right here. They have even made positive that there’s a rubberized floor to assist maintain everybody protected.
Located at: 1100 Lakeshore Drive, Lake Charles, Louisiana
13. Spend a while at Lake Charles Casinos
There are a couple of Lake Charles casinos to attempt your luck at. L’auberge Casino Resort is located proper on the lake, as a result of, effectively the on line casino is definitely a ship. Yes, I stated a ship. It’s cleverly engineered to dock inside L’Auberge Hotel.
The L’Auberge Casino Resort itself is on land, however via using a lock-like construction, the on line casino is floated into the lodge and secured so effectively that we had been shocked to discover out we had been on a floating boat inside the lodge! This is completed to fulfill state legislation. Years in the past, in Louisiana, riverboats can be the one playing choice, however now via ingenious engineering patrons can depart the boat once they select as a substitute of ready for the boat to dock.
We had a completely great eating expertise with the lodge restaurant Ember Grille & Wine Bar. Exceptional service, nice wines, scrumptious cocktails, and unimaginable delicacies! If you need extra slots and enjoyable in Lake Charles, the Golden Nugget is positioned subsequent door to the L’Auberge.
Those on the lookout for a little bit pleasure can attempt their luck on the Golden Nugget Casino, which affords all kinds of gaming choices, in addition to eating and leisure.
Located at – 777 Avenue L’Auberge, Lake Charles, Louisiana
14. Enjoy Homestyle Southern Cooking
One of the extra distinctive issues to do in Lake Charles is to pattern its distinctive southern meals. Jambalaya, gumbo, frog legs, gator, boudin balls, po’ boys, Cajun catfish, king cake, we had all of it! And we washed all of it down with nice beer from an area brewery, Abita.
Some attention-grabbing meals we sampled in Lake Charles was alligator and Boudin. Gator is form of like a cross between hen and calamari. Boudin can be akin to taking a spicy cabbage roll stuffing and balling it up after which deep-frying it. Delicious!
Visit the McNeese State University campus: This lovely campus options a wide range of points of interest, together with the Historic Burton Coliseum, the W.H. Tupper General Merchandise Museum, and the Harold and Pearl Dripps School of Agricultural Sciences.
After consuming all that I nonetheless had larger fish to fry, or in this case boil. I’m speaking about an genuine Crawfish boil. My curiosity of this native delicacy had my curiosity peaking.
Throughout Louisiana, there are lots of rice farms. These rice farms usually double as swampish crawfish farms. Crawfish, crayfish, crawdads, mudbugs. Mudbugs certainly.
They get this nickname for the way in which they destroy individuals’s entrance lawns with their mud-pile properties.
15. Fine Dining in Lake Charles
While the crawfish, PO boys, gator, and gumbo is likely to be on the menu, there are many nice eating institutions in Lake Charles as effectively. Thanks to the cooks on the L’Auberge Casino Resort and Ember Grille & Wine Bar we ate like kings!
The number of meals was paying homage to a nice French Restaurant in Paris.
Mediterranean-Dusted Lamb Lollichops (love the title), roasted rabbit loin to truffled mac’n’cheese, a trio of scrumptious salads we couldn’t get sufficient of our meals.
A stand out was the seared foie gras w/savory stuffed French Toast topped with Bourbon Barrel aged maple syrup. However, the present stealer of our eating adventures in Lake Charles was the Ember Prime “Tomahawk”, a 40oz rib eye carved desk aspect.
Finish your meals with Crème Brule, chocolate brownie a la mode, and a fruit medley with a sculptured pastry dish.
Check out extra on Dining in Lake Charles
16. Drive-through a Daiquiri Drive-Through
Driving up to the take-out window and ordering two hurricane daiquiris to go IS the way in which to go whereas in Louisiana. I’m not suggesting anybody drink and drive, that’s unlawful even there. However, there’s something novel about getting an alcoholic drink to go…to a celebration the place one can then get pleasure from it, after which take a cab dwelling.
“Pour me something tall and strong;Make it a HurricaneBefore I go insane.”
If you need to pattern some real Louisiana spirits ebook a distillery tour to the award-winning Bayou Rum Distillery Louisiana Spirits. Located a couple of miles exterior of Lake Charles, the Bayou Rum Distillery provide distillery excursions to see how their top-rated spirits are made.
Where to Stay in Lake Charles
L’auberge Casino Resort – We stayed at this four-diamond lodge in Louisiana. With 70 Vegas-style gaming and 1600 slot machines, we had been proper in the guts of all of the motion. It has full facilities with a lazy river, indoor pool, championship golf course, and a full service Spa du Lac.
Golden Nugget – The Golden Nugget Lake Charles is one other four-diamond resort in Louisiana that has a pool, lazy river, non-public seaside, and marina on the bottom of this on line casino resort with 77 sport tables and 1600 slot machines.
Where Is Lake Charles
Lake Charles, Louisiana is positioned banks of Lake Charles, Prien Lake, and the Calcasieu River that feed into the gulf coast of the Atlantic Ocean. It is the fifth largest metropolis in Louisiana and is positioned 206 miles (331 kilometers) west of New Orleans, 127 Miles from Baton Rouge, and 59 miles from Beaumont Texas.
To get to Lake Charles we advocate renting a automotive or taking a highway journey. You can verify automotive rental costs at RentalCars.com There you have got it, one of the best issues to do in Lake Charles, Louisiana when you’re ready for the following Mardi Gras Parade!