Lake Charles is a tremendous vacation spot and an excellent different to visiting New Orleans with simply as a lot power, pleasure, and journey as Crescent City. If you make your manner to the Southern United States, make certain to go to Lake Charles or add it to your street journey itinerary. Here is our checklist 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 checklist of the perfect issues to do in Lake Charles. At the highest of my checklist was to feast on an genuine Southwest Louisiana Crawfish Boil and on the prime of Bran’s want checklist was to see an alligator in its pure habitat. So we set off with our bucket lists in hand to discover the highest sights in Lake Charles, LA.
1. Explore Downtown Lake Charles
Downtown Lake Charles has so many sights for guests to take pleasure in. Besides the Charpentier Historic District, guests can take in its stunning 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 evening, the Rosa Hart Theatre gives reside performances, together with performs, musicals, and concert events. It’s an excellent place to catch a present and expertise a number of the native cultures.
Downtown Lake Charles can also be identified 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 residence 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 sequence.
For outside fans, the Lakefront Promenade is a good place to stroll or bike alongside the lakefront and take in the attractive views. The promenade additionally options benches and picnic tables for many who need to cease and calm down.
2. Take the Charpentier Historic District Tour
The Charpentier Historic District Tour is an effective way to see the attractive structure of Lake Charles and get the historic significance of the buildings and houses. A.C. Bourdier, a lifetime resident, is the proper information and an ideal southern gentleman on this horse-drawn carriage trip with J and R Carriage by means of the ole’ south.
Make certain 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 completed in order that haints or spirits wouldn’t be trapped and will cross on to the past.
However, a bonus facet impact of getting these buildings resemble the sky in coloration 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 take pleasure in this scenic drive alongside the Creole Nature Trail, which winds by means of the marshes, swamps, and seashores of Louisiana. The path gives breathtaking views of the native wildlife and landscapes and may be accessed from Downtown Lake Charles. A great place to begin is Adventure Point the place you’ll immersive in Lousiana tradition and luxuriate in interactive and hands-on experiences. This is an effective way to recognize the wildlife
There are many nice photograph alternatives as you traverse this scenic byway. The Creole Nature Trail is comprised of a number of wildlife refuges and is related by many highways spanning 180 miles all through Louisiana’s outback. The birdlife is so considerable and various that I couldn’t assist however hearth off a number of dozen photos. I simply wandered freely by means of the wildlife refuges, however there are bird-watching excursions and even blinds arrange for the extra devoted hen photographers.
To see the Creole Nature Trail correctly, we recommend a tour. It is one of the best ways to see the abundance of wildlife. Even although it was very chilly (uncommon) we have 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 once we return to the Creole Nature Trail I’ll carry my fishing rod together with my digicam. It’s not solely an excellent vacation spot for nature photographers it additionally has nice fishing – two of my favourite issues. For extra data 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 middle 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 outstanding businessman. Sallier was instrumental in the event of the area, and his legacy is well known in the museum’s everlasting exhibition, which is known as 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 well-liked Lake Charles attraction. Visitors can be taught concerning the historical past and traditions of Mardi Gras in Lake Charles by means of 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 yr.
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 competition with an endearing ardour.
These costumes are spectacular, bursting with coloration and Ostrich feathers. At a value 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 essentially the most enjoyable issues to do in Lake Charles is to attend Mardi Gras. No go to submit could 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 similar celebrations because the New Orleans competition, nevertheless it has different occasions that set it aside from New Orleans together with the annual rooster 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, if you happen to 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 competition capital of Louisiana after internet hosting 75 festivals and occasions every year, so there may be 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 checklist 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 conflict. It has been absolutely restored and guests can tour the ship to see what life for navy 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 outside attraction in Lake Charles, la is to benefit from the solitude of the Sam Houston Jones State Park. Named after the Texas folks 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 mountaineering trails and waterways to benefit from the nice outside. 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 outside vacation spot in Lake Charles, Louisiana, and there are many issues to do in the world. You can take pleasure in 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 strive your hand on the Capri Casino.
The Prien Lake Park Golf Course gives classes for all talent ranges. Whether you’re a newbie or an skilled golfer it’s a enjoyable afternoon outside.
If you might be on the lookout for issues to do with the entire household, The Children’s Museum is a good 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 by means of 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 reveals, and conventions.
Lake Area Adventures gives 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 take pleasure in kayak leases and paddleboards or just calm down to take in the solar.
And one other cool truth 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 shield 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 if you need to head outside, make your manner to Millennium Park the place there is a superb playground created to entertain the youngsters. This lakeside park has a splash park and a pirate ship, trains and tunnels children will let off a variety of steam enjoying right here. They have even made certain that there’s a rubberized floor to assist hold everybody secure.
Located at: 1100 Lakeshore Drive, Lake Charles, Louisiana
13. Spend a while at Lake Charles Casinos
There are a number of Lake Charles casinos to strive your luck at. L’auberge Casino Resort is located proper on the lake, as a result of, properly the on line casino is definitely a ship. Yes, I mentioned a ship. It’s cleverly engineered to dock inside L’Auberge Hotel.
The L’Auberge Casino Resort itself is on land, however by means of the usage of a lock-like construction, the on line casino is floated into the resort and secured so properly that we have been shocked to discover out we have been on a floating boat within the resort! This is finished to fulfill state legislation. Years in the past, in Louisiana, riverboats could be the one playing possibility, however now by means of ingenious engineering patrons can go away the boat once they select as a substitute of ready for the boat to dock.
We had a fully great eating expertise with the resort restaurant Ember Grille & Wine Bar. Exceptional service, superb wines, scrumptious cocktails, and unbelievable 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 slightly pleasure can strive their luck on the Golden Nugget Casino, which gives 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 a neighborhood brewery, Abita.
Some fascinating meals we sampled in Lake Charles was alligator and Boudin. Gator is sort of like a cross between rooster and calamari. Boudin could 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 stunning campus options a wide range of sights, 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 typically double as swampish crawfish farms. Crawfish, crayfish, crawdads, mudbugs. Mudbugs certainly.
They get this nickname for the best way they destroy folks’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 superb eating institutions in Lake Charles as properly. Thanks to the cooks on the L’Auberge Casino Resort and Ember Grille & Wine Bar we ate like kings!
The choice of meals was paying homage to a superb 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 facet.
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 best way 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 take pleasure in it, after which take a cab residence.
“Pour me something tall and strong;Make it a HurricaneBefore I go insane.”
If you need to pattern some real Louisiana spirits guide a distillery tour to the award-winning Bayou Rum Distillery Louisiana Spirits. Located a number of miles outdoors of Lake Charles, the Bayou Rum Distillery supply 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 resort in Louisiana. With 70 Vegas-style gaming and 1600 slot machines, we have 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, personal seaside, and marina on the bottom of this on line casino resort with 77 recreation 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 suggest renting a automotive or taking a street journey. You can examine automotive rental costs at RentalCars.com There you could have it, the perfect issues to do in Lake Charles, Louisiana when you’re ready for the following Mardi Gras Parade!