Top 16 Activities in Lake Charles, Louisiana for 2025

Lake Charles is an amazing destination and a great alternative to visiting New Orleans, offering just as much energy, excitement, and adventure as Crescent City. If you are traveling to the Southern United States, make sure to visit Lake Charles or add it to your road trip itinerary. Here is our list of the top things to do when visiting Lake Charles.

1. Explore Downtown Lake Charles

Downtown Lake Charles boasts numerous attractions for visitors to enjoy. Beyond the Charpentier Historic District, you can admire beautiful Victorian architecture and explore The Historic City Hall Arts and Cultural Center. This historic building hosts art exhibitions and cultural events throughout the year. Be sure to check the schedule during your visit to see what’s on display.

If you are looking for night activities in Lake Charles, the Rosa Hart Theatre offers live performances, including plays, musicals, and concerts. It’s the perfect venue to experience local culture through the arts.

Downtown Lake Charles is also known for its delectable Cajun and Creole cuisine. Visitors can savor local specialties like gumbo, po’boys, boudin, and crawfish étouffée at various restaurants in the area. Additionally, the downtown area hosts a variety of festivals throughout the year, such as the Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Festival and the Louisiana Pirate Festival.

For those who enjoy outdoor activities, the Lakefront Promenade is a fantastic place to walk or bike along the lakefront while taking in the scenic views. The promenade features benches and picnic tables, inviting you to stop and relax amidst the beauty of nature.

2. Take the Charpentier Historic District Tour

The Charpentier Historic District Tour is an excellent way to appreciate Lake Charles’ stunning architecture while learning about the historical significance of the various buildings and homes. A.C. Bourdier, a lifelong resident, provides an engaging narrative as a perfect southern gentleman during this horse-drawn carriage ride with J and R Carriage through the charming district.

Ask A.C. to point out the haunted houses and share their intriguing backstories. A.C. is also Chairman of the Landmarks Register for the Calcasieu Historical Preservation Society.

Interestingly, in Southern tradition, the underside of porch roofs and awnings is often painted pale blue. Originally, this practice aimed to prevent haints or spirits from becoming trapped, allowing them to pass on to the afterlife. Additionally, the blue color mimics the sky, deterring spiders and birds from nesting.

3. Hit The Creole Nature Trail and Adventure Point

Nature enthusiasts will love the scenic drive along the Creole Nature Trail, which weaves through the marshes, swamps, and beaches of Louisiana. This captivating trail offers remarkable views of local wildlife and landscapes and can be accessed from Downtown Lake Charles. A great starting point is Adventure Point, where visitors can immerse themselves in Louisiana culture and enjoy engaging, hands-on experiences.

The trail provides numerous photo opportunities as you navigate this stunning byway. Spanning 180 miles throughout Louisiana’s outback, the Creole Nature Trail consists of several wildlife refuges, making it a bird-watching paradise. Despite a chilly visit, we were fortunate enough to spot an American alligator, making Bran’s wish come true!

To fully appreciate the Creole Nature Trail, we highly recommend taking a guided tour. It offers the best chance to observe the abundant wildlife in its natural habitat. The trail is not just for nature photographers; it’s also a fantastic fishing destination—two of my favorite activities. For more information about the Creole Nature Trail, please visit the Lake Charles Website for details.

• Location: 1205 N. Lakeshore Drive, Lake Charles, LA

4. The Imperial Calcasieu Museum

The Imperial Calcasieu Museum serves as a cultural center housed in the historic Central School building, constructed in 1912. This building continued to function as a school until 1979.

Charles Sallier, an early settler of the Lake Charles area and a notable businessman, plays a significant role in the museum’s history. His contributions to the development of the region are honored in the museum’s permanent exhibition dedicated to his legacy. The Charles Sallier exhibit portrays the early settlers of Southwest Louisiana, including the Native American tribes who inhabited the area prior to European settlement.

• Located at: 204 W. Sallier Street, Lake Charles, Louisiana

5. Visit the Mardi Gras Museum of Imperial Calcasieu Museum

The Mardi Gras Museum is a must-see attraction in Lake Charles. Here, visitors can discover the history and traditions of Mardi Gras through exhibits showcasing costumes, floats, and memorabilia from past parades.

We were amazed by the extravagant costumes at the museum and the Royal Gala. Prior to the gala event, the backstage buzzes with Krewes preparing their rich and vibrant costumes, which they’ve worked tirelessly to create all year.

The Mardi Gras Museum of Imperial Calcasieu boasts the world’s largest costume display, and our guide, Adley Cormier, shared the festival’s history with infectious passion.

Note: The museum is currently closed as it seeks a new location, with plans to reopen in time for Mardi Gras 2024.

6. Attend Mardi Gras

Attending Mardi Gras is undoubtedly one of the most enjoyable experiences in Lake Charles. This celebration ranks as the second largest Mardi Gras in Louisiana, featuring various events comparable to those in New Orleans. However, it also offers unique traditions, including the annual chicken run and a dedicated day for children.

• For more information, check out the Royal Gala
• For details, see The Mardi Gras Museum of Imperial Calcasieu

7. Festivals and Special Events

If you miss Mardi Gras, don’t worry! Lake Charles hosts numerous festivals and events throughout the year, making it the festival capital of Louisiana. There are about 75 festivals annually, ensuring a celebration is happening during your visit.

Unique festivals and events you can enjoy include the Cajun French Music and Food Festival, the Black Heritage Festival, and the Downtown Lake Charles Crawfish Festival. For a complete schedule of festivals in Lake Charles, visit the city’s website.

8. Visit the USS Orleck Naval Museum

Among the various museums in Lake Charles, the USS Orleck Naval Museum stands out as a unique experience. This floating museum provides guided tours of the USS Orleck DD 886 WWII destroyer, which served in major conflicts, including WWII, Vietnam, and the Korean War. Fully restored for visitor enjoyment, it presents an insightful look into military life.

History enthusiasts will appreciate the opportunity to tour the ship and hear tales of its storied past. For more information, check out their website.

• The USS Orleck Naval Museum is located at: 604 N. Enterprise Blvd., Lake Charles, LA

9. Sam Houston Jones State Park

Another wonderful outdoor attraction in Lake Charles is Sam Houston Jones State Park. Named after a Texas folk hero, this park is a paradise for birdwatchers, with around 200 species of birds migrating and nesting in the area. Visitors can explore numerous hiking trails and waterways while enjoying the tranquility of nature. Bran particularly enjoyed her experience seeing alligators in the wild here.

• Location: 107 Sutherland Rd, Lake Charles, LA

10. Enjoy the Outdoors of Prien Lake Park

Prien Lake offers a variety of outdoor activities for visitors. You can walk along scenic paths, go kayaking, have a picnic, or rent a paddle boat. For those seeking entertainment, there’s also the Prien Lake Mall or the Capri Casino nearby.

The Prien Lake Park Golf Course caters to all skill levels, making it an enjoyable afternoon for novices and experts alike. Additionally, The Children’s Museum is an excellent destination for families, featuring interactive exhibits that engage kids while educating them about science, art, and history.

Prien Lake Park also provides kayak rentals via Lake Area Adventures, allowing for full or half-day rentals on the water.

11. Enjoy the White Sand Beach North Beach

North Beach is a stunning public beach characterized by its white sandy shores, located on the northern edge of Lake Charles. As one of the few natural beaches in Louisiana, it’s perfect for enjoying the sun, taking a stroll along the Lake Charles boardwalk, or renting kayaks and paddleboards.

Interestingly, North Beach is part of the Lake Charles Historic District, recognized as a Louisiana Historic Landmark. Its environmental efforts and preservation initiatives are commendable.

12. Bord Du Lac Park (Millennium Park)

If you’re searching for family-friendly attractions in Lake Charles, head to Millennium Park. This lakeside park features a fantastic playground designed to entertain children. In addition to a splash park, it includes a pirate ship, trains, and tunnels for kids to explore, all designed with a rubberized surface to enhance safety.

• Located at: 1100 Lakeshore Drive, Lake Charles, Louisiana

13. Spend Some Time at Lake Charles Casinos

Lake Charles offers several casinos where you can try your luck. L’Auberge Casino Resort, located directly on the lake, is built around a boat. Ingeniously designed to dock within the hotel, the casino experience is unique, satisfying Louisiana’s gaming laws. Historically, riverboats were the only legal gambling option, but now patrons have the freedom to leave the vessel at will.

The L’Auberge Casino Resort offers a superb dining experience at Ember Grille & Wine Bar, featuring exceptional service, fine wines, delicious cocktails, and mouthwatering cuisine. Nearby, the Golden Nugget Casino adds to your options with a wide range of gaming, dining, and entertainment.

• Located at: 777 Avenue L’Auberge, Lake Charles, Louisiana

14. Enjoy Homestyle Southern Cooking

One of the most delightful experiences in Lake Charles is sampling its unique southern cuisine. From jambalaya and gumbo to frog legs, gators, boudin balls, and po’ boys, we indulged in the flavors of the region, complemented by local craft beer from Abita.

Adventurous eaters can try alligator, which intriguingly resembles a blend of chicken and calamari, along with boudin, a delectable dish comparable to a spicy cabbage roll filling fried into a ball. It was delicious!

As we savored all these scrumptious dishes, my curiosity was piqued for the local specialty: an authentic crawfish boil. Louisiana is home to numerous rice farms, often double as crawfish farms, the source of these famous mudbugs.

15. Fine Dining in Lake Charles

While there’s plenty of casual food available, Lake Charles also boasts fine dining options. The chefs at the L’Auberge Casino Resort and Ember Grille & Wine Bar certainly exceeded our culinary expectations.

The menu features Mediterranean-Dusted Lamb Lollichops, roasted rabbit loin, and truffled mac ’n’ cheese, alongside a variety of salads that left us wanting more.

A standout dish was the seared foie gras, accompanied by savory stuffed French toast topped with Bourbon Barrel-aged maple syrup. However, the star of our dining experience was the Ember Prime “Tomahawk,” a 40oz rib eye carved tableside.

Conclude your meal with Crème Brule, chocolate brownie à la mode, and a fruit medley delicately arranged.

16. Drive-through a Daiquiri Drive-Through

Stopping at a drive-through window to order hurricane daiquiris is a quintessential Louisiana experience. Please note that drinking and driving is illegal; this option is meant to be enjoyed responsibly! However, there’s something amusing about acquiring an alcoholic beverage to take along to a gathering.

“Pour me something tall and strong;
Make it a Hurricane
Before I go insane.”

For those seeking to explore authentic Louisiana spirits, consider taking a distillery tour at Bayou Rum Distillery Louisiana Spirits, located just a few miles from Lake Charles. Discover the process behind their award-winning spirits through an engaging tour.

Where to Stay in Lake Charles

L’Auberge Casino Resort is a luxurious four-diamond hotel in Louisiana. With 70 Vegas-style gaming options and 1600 slot machines, you’ll be at the center of all the excitement, alongside amenities that include a lazy river, indoor pool, championship golf course, and full-service Spa du Lac.

Golden Nugget is another four-diamond resort boasting a pool, lazy river, private beach, and marina, all set within a bustling casino resort equipped with 77 game tables and 1600 slot machines.

Where Is Lake Charles

Located on the banks of Lake Charles, Prien Lake, and the Calcasieu River, which flow into the Gulf Coast, Lake Charles is the fifth largest city in Louisiana. It’s positioned 206 miles (331 kilometers) west of New Orleans, 127 miles from Baton Rouge, and 59 miles from Beaumont, Texas.

When planning your visit to Lake Charles, we suggest renting a car or setting out on a scenic road trip. You can check car rental prices at RentalCars.com. There you have it—the best activities to enjoy in Lake Charles, Louisiana, while you await the next Mardi Gras parade!