Lake Charles
Featured Cities
On the banks of the Calcasieu River just 30 miles upstream from the Gulf of Mexico, sits picturesque Lake Charles, a thriving city rich with culture and fascinating history. Lake Charles is a city known for its southern elegance as much as its love of a good time, the latter a product of its Cajun heritage.
Lake Charles is located at the center of Southwest Louisiana, which is surrounded by some of the nation's most beautiful natural habitat. From the pine and hardwood forests to the north, to the expansive coastal wetlands to the south, the area is rich with wildlife. Our waters teem with speckled trout, redfish, shrimp, crabs and other "fruits of the sea". There is superb bass fishing in our scenic rivers and freshwater marshes.
The city is a cultural mecca in Southwest Louisiana, home to a popular symphony orchestra, three ballet companies and a variety of active theatre groups, numerous museums and galleries. The Central School Arts and Humanities Center was recently restored and now contains much of the area's art available for public display.
This is a great family destination. For starters, Lake Charles overlooks a freshwater lake bordered by a four-mile long boardwalk and the only white sand inland beach on the entire Gulf Coast. The city more than 30 parks and playgrounds. And Louisiana's Cajun Fun Country hosts more than 75 festivals and events each year, including Contraband Days, when a band of friendly pirates "captures" the city and for two weeks turns the downtown lakefront into a carnival of family fun and excitement for all.
Given how much its citizens love a good time, it's no surprise that Lake Charles boast the biggest Mardi Gras celebration outside of New Orleans. But with festivals year-round, several riverboat casinos and countless restaurants offering spicy Cajun cuisine, Lake Charles offers a great time no matter when you visit.
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There is so much to see and do in Louisiana. Here are a few ideas to get you started.