Top 15 Must-Do Activities in Lake Charles, Louisiana

The largest urban area in Southwest Louisiana, Lake Charles is located at the confluence of a series of lakes along the Calcasieu River before it empties into the Gulf of Mexico.

From its waterfront, one can easily envision the schooners that facilitated commerce in the region through Texas and Mexican ports.

Modern Lake Charles is a dynamic city, hosting nearly 80 festivals annually, serving as a centerpiece for Louisiana’s gaming sector, which features two Vegas-style casino resorts situated adjacent to one another along the riverfront.

This area serves as an ideal launch point for those interested in exploring the secluded and aquatic wilderness of Southwestern Louisiana, including the Creole Nature Trail and the rivers that flow upstream from the city.

1. Annual Events

One of the most significant events in Louisiana occurs during the first two weeks of May in Lake Charles.

Contraband Days, also known as the Louisiana Pirate Festival, dates back to 1957 and draws over 200,000 attendees to the city.

The festivities commence with a pirate ship’s arrival at the lakeshore, which sets the stage for 12 days of live performances, a carnival midway, parades, Cajun cuisine, fireworks displays, sporting events, and entertaining contests.

Lake Charles also hosts one of Louisiana’s most extensive Mardi Gras celebrations, featuring a family-friendly atmosphere filled with parades, gumbo cook-offs, and abundant King Cake leading up to Fat Tuesday.

On that day, the Krewe of Krewes Parade takes center stage, showcasing more than 60 krewes.

2. Creole Nature Trail

One remarkable experience can be organized through the Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana Convention & Visitors Bureau located at 1205 N Lakeshore Dr, which offers access to a 180-mile journey into one of America’s last true wilderness areas.

Designated as the Creole Nature Trail All-American Road in 2002, this route provides an opportunity to explore a sparsely populated segment of the state, frequently referred to as Louisiana’s Outback.

Key stops along this trail include the Cameron Prairie National Wildlife Refuge, an extensive marshland area on former rice fields, home to migratory waterbirds, including more than 45,000 ducks and 10,000 geese during the peak winter months.

Another significant location is the Sabine National Wildlife Refuge, which spans 125,000 acres of coastal marsh teeming with wildlife, from American alligators to turtles, river otters, and over 200 bird species.

3. Casinos & Gaming

Lake Charles boasts the largest casino market in the state, featuring two prominent casino resorts located along the Calcasieu River, complemented by three additional properties within a half-hour drive.

The first casino to open in Lake Charles was L’Auberge du Lac Resort in 2005, constructed on a floating platform to adhere to Louisiana’s riverboat casino regulations.

The casino at L’Auberge features 1,600 modern slot machines, 75 table games, the new Barstool Sportsbook, and a diverse array of live entertainment at the L’Auberge Event Center. This establishment also includes 999 guest rooms, dining options, retail shops, and an 18-hole golf course.

Opened in 2013, Golden Nugget Lake Charles is situated adjacent to L’Auberge and offers a similar array of gaming possibilities, featuring 1,600 slot machines, 87 table games, seven live-action poker tables, and a vibrant nightlife experience across six different bars in addition to the Draftkings Sportsbook.

The hotel comprises 1,038 rooms and features a private beach on Lake Charles, a marina, and its own 18-hole golf course.

4. Dining

Lake Charles’ coastal geography significantly influences its culinary offerings, suggesting that the city constitutes the entire southern segment of Louisiana’s Seafood Sensation Trail.

This region is renowned for ultra-fresh shrimp, oysters, and crabs. A must-try dish is the fried oyster po’boy, a true local specialty—recommended venues include Seafood Palace, Leonard’s Food Quarters, and Darrell’s.

The crawfish season spans from late winter to early summer; during this period, Steamboat Bill’s is widely recognized for its exceptional crawfish boils.

Moreover, Lake Charles is situated along the Southwest Louisiana Boudin Trail, which runs parallel to I-10. Boudin, typically crafted from pork, rice, Cajun spices, onions, and parsley, is a regional sausage with over two dozen eateries, butcher shops, and grocery stores on the trail within the Lake Charles vicinity.

5. Sam Houston Jones State Park

North of Lake Charles, where the Calcasieu River converges with Indian Bayou, lies over 1,000 acres of varied wilderness characterized by dense pine and hardwood forests, interspersed with lagoons adorned by imposing cypress trees.

This park is well-suited for camping, hiking, birdwatching, and paddling. It bears the name of Sam Houston Jones (1897-1878), the 46th Governor of Louisiana, recognized for his efforts in preserving this ecologically significant area.

Among its unique features is a rare stand of longleaf pines exceeding 70 acres, recognized as the oldest living southern pine species.

The park’s navigable waterways render it an ideal location for aquatic activities, especially kayaking and canoeing, allowing for an adventurous paddle extending to Calcasieu Lake, 20 miles to the south.

This natural environment is located on the northern edge of a prime birdwatching zone, with nearly 200 bird species documented in the park and its nearby locales.

6. Imperial Calcasieu Museum

The principal museum in Lake Charles is dedicated to the historical narrative of Southwest Louisiana, particularly the five-parish region encompassing Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, and Jeff Davis.

This institution offers a timeline chronicling the history of the area, from Native American times to contemporary society.

Visitors should not miss the exhibit detailing the catastrophic fire of 1910, which ravaged a significant portion of downtown Lake Charles, and take time to appreciate the museum’s impressive collection of period furniture.

At the time of publication, there was also an exceptional Mardi Gras exhibit, featuring artifacts loaned from Lake Charles’ Mardi Gras Museum, which is currently closed.

The Imperial Calcasieu Museum also boasts a notable art collection, including works by Boyd Cruise, John James Audubon, Angel Gregory, and Lynda Benglis, among others.

7. Millennium Park

Easily accessible from downtown, this expansive all-abilities playground situated along the Lake Charles waterfront is designed for families with younger children.

If your children are aged 12 or below, this is among the finest free attractions in the area and has recently been restored following damage from a hurricane.

In addition to a splash park, which is particularly popular during the summer months, the facility features a fossil sand pit, a treehouse, a pirate ship, the Arthur Stillwell Trail, Hazel the Steamer, a tunnel, a tot lot, and much more.

The entire park is surfaced with safe rubberized material and fully enclosed. Millennium Park also houses the Arcade Amphitheatre, alongside expansive lawns and a lakeside path adjacent to Bord du Lac Dr.

8. Charpentier Historic District

Northeast of downtown Lake Charles lies an exquisite array of homes constructed between 1880 and 1939.

The architectural style evident in the Charpentier Historic District is distinctive to southwestern Louisiana. The term “Charpentier,” meaning carpenter in French, honors the artisan architects of the early 20th century who developed a unique architectural identity in Lake Charles.

A defining characteristic of these beautifully crafted residences is their intricate fretwork, the result of the skilled carpentry from that era, allowing for an intimate exploration of the district on foot.

Spanning over 160 acres, the district comprises more than 281 contributing structures, including the Imperial Calcasieu Museum. Its boundaries are rather irregular, extending roughly south of Belden St, west of Enterprise Blvd, and east of Bilbo St.

9. 1911 Historic City Hall & Cultural Center

Confronting the Calcasieu Courthouse, a cornerstone of the Downtown Historic District is this grand former city hall, constructed in the aftermath of the catastrophic fire of 1910.

This elaborate structure, made from red brick and white limestone with numerous quoins, is adorned with a tower featuring a loggia, a clock flanked by cartouches, and excessive eaves supported by decorative corbels.

Since 2004, the 1911 Historic City Hall has operated as a distinctive gallery space, hosting exhibitions from diverse sources, alongside showcases by local and regional artists. Every Saturday morning, the Charlestown Farmers’ Market sets up on the lawn located just behind this remarkable building.

10. Prien Lake Park

Adjacent to Indian Bay on the eastern shoreline of Prien Lake, another venue for appreciating the picturesque waterfront scenery in Lake Charles can be found.

Decorated with trees, flower beds, fountains, streams, and lawns, Prien Lake Park benefits from a refreshing breeze off the water, making it ideal for walks, bike rides, or jogging.

This park features a canoe and boat launch with a dock, alongside other amenities including an amphitheater, several picnic areas, a rentable pavilion, a playground, a SprayGround splash pad, and free Wi-Fi throughout its expansive 29 acres.

For fishing enthusiasts, Prien Lake is home to plentiful speckled trout, croaker, redfish, flounder, and black drum.

11. Sallier Oak

Located on the grounds of the Imperial Calcasieu Museum, the southern live oak, believed to be around 375 years old, is an impressive sight. Its extensive network of branches can be found in the museum’s rear right section.

The Sallier Oak is registered with the Live Oak Society of the Louisiana Garden Club Federation, Inc. and is named after Lake Charles’ first European settler, whose original land grant was located precisely at this site.

Charles Sallier is reputed to have sought shelter and romanced his future wife under the shelter of its expansive branches. Remarkably, this tree has endured an extensive history of storms, including Hurricanes Laura and Delta.

12. Bayou Rum Distillery

Located slightly east of Lake Charles is the distillery for the Bayou Rum brand, a craft operation deeply rooted in South Louisiana.

Bayou Rum’s distinctive recipe utilizes 100% single estate molasses sourced from the nation’s oldest family-run sugar mill.

Each batch of rum is produced in copper pot stills and subsequently aged in 200-liter bourbon and sherry barrels.

For enthusiasts, witnessing this meticulous process firsthand is a must; tours are available from Tuesday to Sunday, offering a General Distillery Tour or a more in-depth VIP Distillery Tour.

As expected, visitors can sample the various offerings at the tour’s conclusion, and the gift shop features a delectable rum cake.

13. Crying Eagle Brewing Company

This craft brewery commenced operations in a modern, purpose-built facility near the campus of McNeese State University in 2016.

Featuring a taproom and brewery, it operates from Tuesday to Sunday, with brewery tours available from Wednesday to Sunday for those curious about the brewing process.

A great place to start is with their flagship beers: Louisiana Lager, Ready to Mingle (Belgian Single), Pistol, Bridge Porter, Hop Blooded IPA, and the newly introduced Things Unsettled Hazy IPA.

The bistro offers a range of dishes that pair well with the beers, including popular homemade pizzas, sandwiches, burgers, boudin, loaded fries, nachos, and more.

14. Paddlesports

One noticeable aspect of Lake Charles and its surroundings is the abundance of water, brimming with life.

Engaging in kayaking or canoeing offers a unique perspective of the natural environment, allowing increased proximity to wildlife such as alligators, turtles, and a multitude of bird species that inhabit this area.

Lake Area Adventures, Paddle Up Lake Charles, and Lloyd’s Country Store provide kayak and canoe rentals.

Ideal paddling locations in the vicinity include Prien Lake Park, Bayou d’Inde, the Calcasieu River, and Indian Bayou, all of which are accessible from Sam Houston Jones State Park.

15. North Beach

A delightful surprise along the shores of Lake Charles is the only white sandy beach found inland on the Gulf Coast.

While the nearby refineries may deter swimming, North Beach serves as an excellent locale to appreciate the surroundings, relax on the sand, enjoy picnics, and engage in traditional beach activities such as volleyball.

The beach is conveniently located directly off Interstate 10, with Exits 29 (Eastbound) and 30A (Westbound), which presents both advantages and disadvantages.