There is an abundance of adventures to have in Lake Charles from floating down a lazy river at a casino resort to paddling on the lake on a kayak or paddle board! #LouisianasPlayground has a blend of contrasts from the luxurious side of life to nature’s bounty with treasures found along the Creole Nature Trail All-American Road. Check out things to do in the Lake Area from arts events to epicurean delights!
Lake Charles Casino ResortsThe upscale atmosphere surrounds guests at each of the casino properties in Southwest Louisiana with the elegant L’Auberge Casino & Resort side-by-side near Golden Nugget Lake Chares. Each of these premier properties features stunning pools, spa facilities, a myriad of restaurants and dining experiences, retail outlets, live music, and of course, Las Vegas style gaming for guests to enjoy. For gaming enjoyment and the thrill of horse racing, Delta Downs Racetrack Casino & Hotel, is situated near the Texas border with dining experiences with sweeping views of the track as well as amenities to make your stay comfortable and memorable. They say "close" only counts in horseshoes, and it's true! The closer you get to Horseshoe, one of the newest casinos in the area, the more fun you'll be having!
Explore the sandy shores of the Louisiana coast on beaches found along the Creole Nature Trail, which features 26 miles of Gulf beaches and pristine views. Here, you’ll feel like you are at the ends of the earth with remote, brown sugar beaches and shells lining the shoreline. Further inland, you might see an alligator or two lining the Creole Nature Trail, so be on the lookout as you explore nearby wildlife refuges complete with driving and walking trails. If you’re the competitive type, be sure to tee off at one of the area’s golf courses, including the Contraband Bayou Golf Club at L'Auberge, designed by world renowned golf architect Tom Fazio, and the Country Club at Golden Nugget. Still not enough for you? There's also the Mallard Golf Club (a Scottish experience) and The National Golf Club (perfect for casual players).
The arts community is thriving the Lake Charles with live music and cultural celebrations. The popular Downtown at Sundown concert series and the Live @ the Lakefront concert series are back-to-back and give the community a chance to come together to support local musicians, artists and vendors. Chuck Fest is another annual celebration that highlights the best in culinary, music and art, while Smoke & Barrel brings out the barbecue side of life along with music on the lawn of the historic courthouse. Rounding out the year, shopping and holiday events pack the calendar from Light Up the Lake to Christmas Under the Oaks. Of course, Mardi Gras is super-sized and family-friendly in the Lake Area with colorful festivities to delight your senses. Outside of Mardi Gras, the city can't help but celebrate Cajun culture at the This is Home Fest and Cajun roots at the Rum Revival. Come June, a wide variety of family-friendly events are held at the Juneteenth Freedom Festival. Be sure to check out all the annual festivals and events in Lake Charles while planning your visit!
Downtown Lake Charles is where most of the art action is. The Historic City Hall Arts & Cultural Center offers three floors of gallery space inside a preserved building with a clock tower and brick courtyard. The Imperial Calcasieu Museum has been showcasing local history and fine art for nearly 60 years beneath the shade of the Sallier Oak: a nearly 400-year-old live oak that dates back to the days of Jean Lafitte. The Mardi Gras Museum of Imperial Calcasieu preserves the costumes, traditions, and history behind the second-largest Mardi Gras celebration in Louisiana. Families will want to swing by Port Wonder, which houses the Children's Museum of Southwest Louisiana and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Nature and Science Center under one roof. And for local art and gifts, Bux Kajun Korner on the corner of Ryan and Broad is the kind of shop where you walk in for toothpaste and walk out with a painting.
Beyond downtown, Flock of Five in Sulphur brings together a collective of local artists selling original pieces, jewelry, and décor, while the nearby Henning Cultural Center hosts rotating exhibits inside a turn-of-the-century home with wraparound porches on both levels. Further west in DeQuincy, the DeQuincy Railroad Museum preserves the town's railroad heritage with a steam engine, passenger car, and caboose on display, plus a playground and picnic area for families.
Southwest Louisiana doesn't do bland. The Cajun and Creole flavors here have been refined over generations, and local chefs have gotten creative with them—mixing Gulf seafood, tangy sauces, and homegrown spices into dishes you won't find replicated anywhere else. Start your morning with hot beignets at Pujo Street Café, then work your way through Cajun seafood at Seafood Palace, Steamboat Bill's, or Buffi's Peaux Boys. Villa Harlequin merges two legacy Lake Charles restaurants into one downtown destination, Augustine brings French-Southern flair, and Hollier's Cajun Kitchen in nearby Sulphur serves up a buffet that takes the guesswork out of choosing. For weekend brunch with a soundtrack, jazz, and Zydeco brunches, Rikenjaks and Luna Bar & Grill are the move. Check out the Southwest Louisiana Boudin Trail or the Brews & Spirits Trail to map your own route.
On the drinks side, Crying Eagle Brewing—a local favorite—has two locations: the Lakefront spot and the University location. After all that, save room for something sweet at Twanie's Terrific Treats, Shuga Mama's Snow Cones & More, or Lulu's Specialty Treats & More. And there are plenty more restaurants where those came from. Good luck choosing!
