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USA South
LAKE CHARLES, LOUISIANA, USA – A unique blend of experiences awaits visitors to Southwest Louisiana, the land of Cajuns and cowboys, where the bayous meet the prairie.
Pristine natural habitats surround towns rich with colorful adventurous history, while cosmopolitan full service casino resorts counter with a thoroughly modern flair. Throw in the only sand beach directly on Interstate-10 between Florida and Louisiana and a distinct local cuisine that you can’t find anywhere else and you have a destination that represents the best of all worlds.
A casual, friendly town, the folks that live in and around Lake Charles love to celebrate. In fact, with over 75 annual festivals, this area has gained fame as Louisiana’s festival capital. And in a state like Louisiana, that’s saying a lot!
Undoubtedly Lake Charles’ Mardi Gras festivities, that begin each year in January on Twelfth Night and continue until Fat Tuesday (the day before the beginning of lent), are the most famous, but visitors will find a huge variety of reasons to party with good food, music and fun all year long. In fact it’s a rare weekend in Lake Charles that you won’t find some sort of special event to attend.
Time to Eat
No matter when you visit, prepare to be well fed. You’ll taste Louisiana real and rustic at eateries that range from Mom ‘n Pop style diners and dives to sophisticated upscale restaurants.
Sure seafood is well represented, but you also get the prairie influence. During my short stay we feasted on antelope, partridge, and even alligator in addition to terrific shrimp, crawfish, crabs, and redfish.
Fans of Boudin (pronounced boo-dan) – Cajun pork and rice sausage -- will be thrilled to find themselves in this unique food’s epicenter. Hungry visitors can pick up self guided driving tour maps of the Southwest Louisiana “Boudin Trail” that will guide you to seventeen of the finest boudin purveyors Southwest Louisiana (or the world) has to offer.
24 Hour Fun
The gaming in Lake Charles continues 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Guests who opt to stay at the L’Auberge du Lac Casino Resort (pictured right) can enjoy panoramic river and port views (Lake Charles is the #10 largest port in the United States) from their hotel rooms. This upscale resort offers a huge array of amenities beyond the 30,000 square-foot Las Vegas style casino. Relax at the full service spa, enjoy unique shopping, play a round at the Tom Fazio designed 18-hole championship golf course, or laze in the sun at the luxurious heated pool and float away cares on the lazy river. When you get hungry you’ll find a variety of dining options from casual to elegant.
Those who prefer lake views can opt for the action taking place at Isle of Capri casino, located right on the Lake Charles shoreline, and horseracing fans can enjoy live racing as well as full casino action at the Delta Downs Casino and Hotel.
If staying in a casino hotel is not your idea of fun, check out some of the charming B&B’s housed in the meticulously restored homes in Lake Charles’s Charpentier Historic District. You’ll be in walking distance – down lazy city streets canopied with deep green Live Oak trees – of shops, restaurants, and the heart of historic downtown Lake Charles.
Riding Through Louisiana's Outback
When you’ve had enough of crowds, the noise of the casinos, or the bustle of town you can take a short drive into an entirely new world by visiting “Louisiana’s outback.” The 180 mile-long Creole Nature Trail All-American Road winds through three wildlife refuges offering up-close viewing of some of this country’s most awe inspiring scenery, right from the comfort of your own vehicle.
Even though the area is still recovering from the effects of 2005’s Hurricane Rita, there’s still a lot to see. Along the trail you'll pass through vast marshlands, gulf shore beaches, and the heart of Cajun trapping and fishing territory.
Everywhere you look wildlife and wildflowers abound. Located on one of America’s major flyways, it’s no wonder the Creole Nature Trail was included in the Top 40 Birding Hotspots by Wildbird magazine.
To get even deeper into nature, take a side trip on your driving tour and turn off onto the 3 mile long gravel paved Pintail Drive, which winds directly through the Cameron Prairie National Wildlife Refuge. The nearby Visitors Center can supply you with maps, directions, and a driving tour brochure that can help you get the most from the experience by showing you thing to look for you might have otherwise missed.
Take some time at the visitor’s center to explore their exhibits and take a walk on the boardwalk in the back as you’ll never know what you might see. Our group had the good fortune to spot a recently hatched group of baby alligators.
I guess it’s true what they say about all babies being cute, because the way our group oohed and ahhed at how sweet the infant reptiles looked, you might have thought they were gazing at a litter of furry cuddly puppies. A glimpse at their full grown mama elicited a distinctly different reaction.
With so much wildlife, Southwest Louisiana is perfectly positioned to provide some of the finest fishing and hunting in North America. Freshwater fishermen have their choice of lakes, bayous, rivers and marshes as well as excellent saltwater fishing in the nearby Gulf of Mexico. Hunters find themselves in paradise when massive ducks and geese converge in Southwest Louisiana during their migratory journeys. Seasons for deer, wild turkey, dove and other game attract hunters to a smorgasbord of outdoor experiences.
Indoors or outdoors, alone with nature, or in the middle of a lively and noisy festival crowd, Southwest Louisiana provides a variety of distinctly different travel experiences. The articles in the Related Travel section below will give you more details on what not to miss and some of the best places to eat when visiting Lake Charles and the surrounding area.
For information about visiting Southwest Louisiana or to find lodgings and more travel options phone the Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana Convention and Visitors Bureau at 1-800-456-SWLA or 337-436-9588 or visit their website website at www.VisitLakeCharles.com.
If you’re driving, Lake Charles is conveniently located right off Interstate 10. You can also opt to fly into the Lake Charles Regional Airport. For air travel details, visit their website at www.FlyLakeCharles.com.
The L’Auberge du Lac Casino Resort is located at 777 Avenue L’Auberge in Lake Charles, LA 70601 Visit their website at www.LDLCasino.com.
The 180 mile-long Creole Nature Trail All-American Road starts in Sulphur and winds through Calcasieu and Cameron parishes before reaching its end-point in Lake Charles. You can pick up driving tour maps at the Cameron Prairie Visitors Center which is located at 1428 Hwy. 27 in Bell City, LA 70630. Phone the visitor’s center at 337-598-2216. You can also get info from the Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana Convention & Visitors Bureau.
USA South
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Pristine natural habitats surround towns rich with colorful adventurous history, while cosmopolitan full service casino resorts counter with a thoroughly modern flair. Throw in the only sand beach directly on Interstate-10 between Florida and Louisiana and a distinct local cuisine that you can’t find anywhere else and you have a destination that represents the best of all worlds.
A casual, friendly town, the folks that live in and around Lake Charles love to celebrate. In fact, with over 75 annual festivals, this area has gained fame as Louisiana’s festival capital. And in a state like Louisiana, that’s saying a lot!
Undoubtedly Lake Charles’ Mardi Gras festivities, that begin each year in January on Twelfth Night and continue until Fat Tuesday (the day before the beginning of lent), are the most famous, but visitors will find a huge variety of reasons to party with good food, music and fun all year long. In fact it’s a rare weekend in Lake Charles that you won’t find some sort of special event to attend.
Time to Eat
No matter when you visit, prepare to be well fed. You’ll taste Louisiana real and rustic at eateries that range from Mom ‘n Pop style diners and dives to sophisticated upscale restaurants.
Sure seafood is well represented, but you also get the prairie influence. During my short stay we feasted on antelope, partridge, and even alligator in addition to terrific shrimp, crawfish, crabs, and redfish. Fans of Boudin (pronounced boo-dan) – Cajun pork and rice sausage -- will be thrilled to find themselves in this unique food’s epicenter. Hungry visitors can pick up self guided driving tour maps of the Southwest Louisiana “Boudin Trail” that will guide you to seventeen of the finest boudin purveyors Southwest Louisiana (or the world) has to offer.
24 Hour Fun The gaming in Lake Charles continues 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Guests who opt to stay at the L’Auberge du Lac Casino Resort (pictured right) can enjoy panoramic river and port views (Lake Charles is the #10 largest port in the United States) from their hotel rooms. This upscale resort offers a huge array of amenities beyond the 30,000 square-foot Las Vegas style casino. Relax at the full service spa, enjoy unique shopping, play a round at the Tom Fazio designed 18-hole championship golf course, or laze in the sun at the luxurious heated pool and float away cares on the lazy river. When you get hungry you’ll find a variety of dining options from casual to elegant.
Those who prefer lake views can opt for the action taking place at Isle of Capri casino, located right on the Lake Charles shoreline, and horseracing fans can enjoy live racing as well as full casino action at the Delta Downs Casino and Hotel.
If staying in a casino hotel is not your idea of fun, check out some of the charming B&B’s housed in the meticulously restored homes in Lake Charles’s Charpentier Historic District. You’ll be in walking distance – down lazy city streets canopied with deep green Live Oak trees – of shops, restaurants, and the heart of historic downtown Lake Charles.
Riding Through Louisiana's Outback
When you’ve had enough of crowds, the noise of the casinos, or the bustle of town you can take a short drive into an entirely new world by visiting “Louisiana’s outback.” The 180 mile-long Creole Nature Trail All-American Road winds through three wildlife refuges offering up-close viewing of some of this country’s most awe inspiring scenery, right from the comfort of your own vehicle.
Even though the area is still recovering from the effects of 2005’s Hurricane Rita, there’s still a lot to see. Along the trail you'll pass through vast marshlands, gulf shore beaches, and the heart of Cajun trapping and fishing territory. Everywhere you look wildlife and wildflowers abound. Located on one of America’s major flyways, it’s no wonder the Creole Nature Trail was included in the Top 40 Birding Hotspots by Wildbird magazine.
To get even deeper into nature, take a side trip on your driving tour and turn off onto the 3 mile long gravel paved Pintail Drive, which winds directly through the Cameron Prairie National Wildlife Refuge. The nearby Visitors Center can supply you with maps, directions, and a driving tour brochure that can help you get the most from the experience by showing you thing to look for you might have otherwise missed.
Take some time at the visitor’s center to explore their exhibits and take a walk on the boardwalk in the back as you’ll never know what you might see. Our group had the good fortune to spot a recently hatched group of baby alligators. I guess it’s true what they say about all babies being cute, because the way our group oohed and ahhed at how sweet the infant reptiles looked, you might have thought they were gazing at a litter of furry cuddly puppies. A glimpse at their full grown mama elicited a distinctly different reaction.
With so much wildlife, Southwest Louisiana is perfectly positioned to provide some of the finest fishing and hunting in North America. Freshwater fishermen have their choice of lakes, bayous, rivers and marshes as well as excellent saltwater fishing in the nearby Gulf of Mexico. Hunters find themselves in paradise when massive ducks and geese converge in Southwest Louisiana during their migratory journeys. Seasons for deer, wild turkey, dove and other game attract hunters to a smorgasbord of outdoor experiences.
Indoors or outdoors, alone with nature, or in the middle of a lively and noisy festival crowd, Southwest Louisiana provides a variety of distinctly different travel experiences. The articles in the Related Travel section below will give you more details on what not to miss and some of the best places to eat when visiting Lake Charles and the surrounding area.
Practicalities
For information about visiting Southwest Louisiana or to find lodgings and more travel options phone the Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana Convention and Visitors Bureau at 1-800-456-SWLA or 337-436-9588 or visit their website website at www.VisitLakeCharles.com.
If you’re driving, Lake Charles is conveniently located right off Interstate 10. You can also opt to fly into the Lake Charles Regional Airport. For air travel details, visit their website at www.FlyLakeCharles.com.
The L’Auberge du Lac Casino Resort is located at 777 Avenue L’Auberge in Lake Charles, LA 70601 Visit their website at www.LDLCasino.com.
The 180 mile-long Creole Nature Trail All-American Road starts in Sulphur and winds through Calcasieu and Cameron parishes before reaching its end-point in Lake Charles. You can pick up driving tour maps at the Cameron Prairie Visitors Center which is located at 1428 Hwy. 27 in Bell City, LA 70630. Phone the visitor’s center at 337-598-2216. You can also get info from the Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana Convention & Visitors Bureau.
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