Lake Charles is a tremendous vacation spot and an awesome different to visiting New Orleans with simply as a lot vitality, pleasure, and journey as Crescent Metropolis. If you’re making your solution to the Southern United States, make certain to go to Lake Charles or add it to your highway journey itinerary. Right here is our listing of the highest issues to do when visiting Lake Charles.
Prime Issues To Do In Lake Charles, La
Whereas many individuals solely consider New Orleans to rejoice Mardi Gras, Lake Charles has its personal. Along with experiencing the festivities, my spouse Bran & I made a Louisiana bucket listing of the perfect issues to do in Lake Charles. On the prime of my listing was to feast on an genuine Southwest Louisiana Crawfish Boil and on the prime 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. Discover Downtown Lake Charles
Downtown Lake Charles has so many points of interest for guests to take pleasure in. In addition to the Charpentier Historic District, guests can absorb its lovely Victorian structure and go to The Historic Metropolis Corridor Arts and Cultural Heart. This historic constructing homes artwork exhibitions and cultural occasions all year long. Test the schedule to see what’s on show throughout your go to.
If you’re 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 an awesome place to catch a present and expertise a number of the native cultures.
Downtown Lake Charles can be identified for its scrumptious Cajun and Creole delicacies. Guests can pattern native specialties like gumbo, po’boys, boudin, and crawfish étouffée at one of many many eating places within the space.
Downtown Lake Charles can be house to quite a lot of festivals and occasions all year long, together with the Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Pageant, the Louisiana Pirate Pageant, and the Downtown at Sunset live performance sequence.
For out of doors fanatics, the Lakefront Promenade is a good place to stroll or bike alongside the lakefront and take within the lovely views. The promenade additionally options benches and picnic tables for individuals who wish to cease and calm down.
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 proper information and an ideal southern gentleman on this horse-drawn carriage trip with J and R Carriage by the ole’ south.
Be certain to have A.C. level out the haunted homes and to offer you their backstory within the Charpentier Historic District. A.C. is the Chairman of the Landmarks Register for the Calcasieu Historic Preservation Society.
Historically all through the south, the underside of porch roofs and awnings are painted pale blue. Initially, this was executed in order that haints or spirits wouldn’t be trapped and will go on to the past.
Nonetheless, a bonus facet impact of getting these constructions 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 considering that there isn’t any roof or awning there.
3. Hit The Creole Nature Path and Journey Level
Nature lovers will take pleasure in this scenic drive alongside the Creole Nature Path, which winds by the marshes, swamps, and seashores of Louisiana. The path affords breathtaking views of the native wildlife and landscapes and will be accessed from Downtown Lake Charles. An excellent place to begin is Journey Level the place you’ll immersive in Lousiana tradition and luxuriate in interactive and hands-on experiences. This can be a nice solution to admire the wildlife
There are a lot of nice photograph alternatives as you traverse this scenic byway. The Creole Nature Path 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 ample and diverse that I couldn’t assist however hearth off a couple of dozen photos. I simply wandered freely by the wildlife refuges, however there are bird-watching excursions and even blinds arrange for the extra devoted fowl photographers.
To see the Creole Nature Path correctly, we recommend a tour. It’s one of the simplest ways to see the abundance of wildlife. Though 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. Test!
I believe that after we return to the Creole Nature Path I’ll carry my fishing rod together with my digital camera. It’s not solely an awesome vacation spot for nature photographers it additionally has nice fishing – two of my favourite issues. For extra info on the Creole Nature Path go to the Lake Charles Web site 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 within the historic Central Faculty constructing, which was constructed in 1912 and served as a college till 1979.
One of many essential 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 within the improvement of the area, and his legacy is widely known within 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 within the space earlier than European settlement.
The Imperial Calcasieu area consists of 5 parishes in Southwest Louisiana, Calcasieu, Cameron, Beauregard, Allen, and Jeff Davis.
Situated at: 204 W. Sallier Avenue, Lake Charles, Louisiana
5. Go to the Mardi Gras Museum of Imperial Calcasieu Museum
The Mardi Gras Museum is one other common Lake Charles attraction. Guests can study concerning the historical past and traditions of Mardi Gras in Lake Charles by 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. Previous to the gala occasion, the backstage is bustling with Krewes on the point of show the extravagant costumes that they’ve been diligently engaged on all 12 months.
The Mardi Gras Museum of Imperial Calcasieu boasts the biggest costume show on the planet. 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 transform fairly dear.
Proper 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
Probably the most enjoyable issues to do in Lake Charles is to attend Mardi Gras. No go to publish could be full with out mentioning the festive celebrations. It’s the second largest Mardi Gras in Louisiana and never solely does it have most of the identical celebrations because the New Orleans competition, however it has different occasions that set it other than New Orleans together with the annual hen run and a full-day devoted to youngsters. Try extra about New Orleans at A Tour of the New Orleans Backyard District.
7. Festivals and Particular Occasions
Don’t fear, should you 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 annually, so there’s sure to be a celebration occurring throughout your go to.
Some distinctive festivals and particular occasions to take a look at are the Cajun French Music and Meals Pageant, The Black Heritage Pageant, and the downtown Lake Charles Crawfish Pageant. For a full listing of festivals in Lake Charles la go to the metropolis’s web site.
8. Go to the USS Orleck Naval Museum
Out of all of the Lake Charles museums, The USS Orleck Naval Museum is among 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 struggle. It has been totally restored and guests can tour the ship to see what life for navy troopers. Historical past buffs will love taking a tour of this ship to study of its warring historical past. Try particulars at their web site
The USS Orleck Naval Museum is situated at: 604 N. Enterprise Blvd., Lake Charles, LA
9. Sam Houston Jones State Park
One other 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 folks right here, Sam Houston Jones State Park is an effective place for birders with 200 species of birds migrating and nesting within the space. There are quite a few climbing trails and waterways to benefit from the nice outside. There are alligators and even bobcats that reside within the park. It was right here that Bran had her want of seeing alligators within the wild.
Location: 107 Sutherland Rd, Lake Charles, LA
10. Benefit from the Outdoor 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 within the space. You may take pleasure in its strolling paths, go kayaking, have a picnic, or lease a paddle boat. There may be some hopping on the Prien Lake Mall or you may strive your hand on the Capri On line casino.
The Prien Lake Park Golf Course affords classes for all ability ranges. Whether or not you’re a newbie or an skilled golfer it’s a enjoyable afternoon outside.
If you’re on the lookout for issues to do with the entire household, The Youngsters’s Museum is a good place to take youngsters for a enjoyable and academic expertise. The museum options interactive reveals that train youngsters about science, artwork, and historical past.
The Creole Nature Path is a scenic drive that winds by the marshes, swamps, and seashores of Southwest Louisiana. Guests can absorb breathtaking views of the native wildlife and landscapes.
Attend a live performance or occasion on the Lake Charles Civic Heart: This venue hosts quite a lot of occasions all year long, together with concert events, commerce exhibits, and conventions.
Lake Space Adventures affords kayak leases at Prien Lake Park the place you are able to do full or half-day leases on the water.
11. Benefit from the White Sand Seashore North Seashore
North Seashore is a stupendous public white sandy seashore situated on the northern shore of Lake Charles. It is among the few pure seashores within the state. Take a stroll alongside the Lake Charles boardwalk or you may take pleasure in kayak leases and paddleboards or just calm down to absorb the solar.
And one other cool truth is that North Seashore is a part of the Lake Charles Historic District and has been designated as a Louisiana Historic Landmark. The seashore has additionally been acknowledged for its efforts to protect and shield the native surroundings.
12. Bord Du Lac Park (Millennium Park)
If you’re 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. However if you wish to head outside, make your solution 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 youngsters will let off a variety of steam enjoying right here. They’ve even made positive that there’s a rubberized floor to assist maintain everybody secure.
Situated at: 1100 Lakeshore Drive, Lake Charles, Louisiana
13. Spend a while at Lake Charles Casinos
There are a couple of Lake Charles casinos to strive your luck at. L’auberge On line casino Resort is located proper on the lake, as a result of, nicely the on line casino is definitely a ship. Sure, I stated a ship. It’s cleverly engineered to dock inside L’Auberge Resort.
The L’Auberge On line casino Resort itself is on land, however by using a lock-like construction, the on line casino is floated into the resort and secured so nicely that we have been shocked to seek out out we have been on a floating boat within the resort! That is executed to fulfill state regulation. Years in the past, in Louisiana, riverboats could be the one playing possibility, however now by ingenious engineering patrons can go away the boat after they select as a substitute of ready for the boat to dock.
We had a completely large eating expertise with the resort restaurant Ember Grille & Wine Bar. Distinctive service, fantastic wines, scrumptious cocktails, and unimaginable delicacies! In order for you extra slots and enjoyable in Lake Charles, the Golden Nugget is situated subsequent door to the L’Auberge.
These on the lookout for a bit of pleasure can strive their luck on the Golden Nugget On line casino, which affords all kinds of gaming choices, in addition to eating and leisure.
Situated at – 777 Avenue L’Auberge, Lake Charles, Louisiana
14. Get pleasure from Homestyle Southern Cooking
One of many 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 attention-grabbing meals we sampled in Lake Charles was alligator and Boudin. Gator is form of like a cross between hen and calamari. Boudin could be akin to taking a spicy cabbage roll stuffing and balling it up after which deep-frying it. Scrumptious!
Go to the McNeese State College campus: This lovely campus options quite a lot of points of interest, together with the Historic Burton Coliseum, the W.H. Tupper Basic Merchandise Museum, and the Harold and Pearl Dripps Faculty of Agricultural Sciences.
After consuming all that I nonetheless had larger fish to fry, or on this case boil. I’m speaking about an genuine Crawfish boil. My curiosity of this native delicacy had my curiosity peaking.
All through Louisiana, there are numerous rice farms. These rice farms typically double as swampish crawfish farms. Crawfish, crayfish, crawdads, mudbugs. Mudbugs certainly.
They get this nickname for the way in which they destroy folks’s entrance lawns with their mud-pile houses.
15. High-quality Eating in Lake Charles
Whereas the crawfish, PO boys, gator, and gumbo is likely to be on the menu, there are many fantastic eating institutions in Lake Charles as nicely. Due to the cooks on the L’Auberge On line casino Resort and Ember Grille & Wine Bar we ate like kings!
The collection of meals was harking back to a fantastic French Restaurant in Paris.
Mediterranean-Dusted Lamb Lollichops (love the identify), 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. Nonetheless, the present stealer of our eating adventures in Lake Charles was the Ember Prime “Tomahawk”, a 40oz rib eye carved desk facet.
End your meals with Crème Brule, chocolate brownie a la mode, and a fruit medley with a sculptured pastry dish.
Try extra on Eating in Lake Charles
16. Drive-through a Daiquiri Drive-By
Driving as much as 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. Nonetheless, 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 house.
“Pour me one thing tall and powerful;Make it a HurricaneBefore I am going insane.”
If you wish to pattern some real Louisiana spirits e-book a distillery tour to the award-winning Bayou Rum Distillery Louisiana Spirits. Situated a couple of miles outdoors of Lake Charles, the Bayou Rum Distillery supply distillery excursions to see how their top-rated spirits are made.
The place to Keep in Lake Charles
L’auberge On line casino Resort – We stayed at this four-diamond resort in Louisiana. With 70 Vegas-style gaming and 1600 slot machines, we have been proper within the coronary heart 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 seashore, and marina on the bottom of this on line casino resort with 77 recreation tables and 1600 slot machines.
The place Is Lake Charles
Lake Charles, Louisiana is situated banks of Lake Charles, Prien Lake, and the Calcasieu River that feed into the gulf coast of the Atlantic Ocean. It’s the fifth largest metropolis in Louisiana and is situated 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 highway journey. You may verify automotive rental costs at RentalCars.com There you may have it, the perfect issues to do in Lake Charles, Louisiana when you’re ready for the subsequent Mardi Gras Parade!