Overview
Lake Charles is the second-largest city in the Acadiana region of Louisiana, with 87,000 residents in 2022. It is well known for gaming and the great outdoors, culinary delights and rhythm and blues. There are over 75 annual festivals from the splendor of Mardi Gras to the swashbuckling days of the Contraband Days Pirate Festival, there is something going on nearly every weekend.
9 sights · 6 things to do · 8 places to eat · 7 bars & cafés · 2 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Lake Charles
Sam Houston Jones State Park
Swampy lakes, cypress trees, hiking trails, 200 species of birds, and camping. If you like the quintessential southern image of lots of Spanish moss everywhere, this is it. There is a playground and swings amid great sce…
Delta Downs Racetrack Casino
Racetrack casino with hotel, dining, gaming and entertainment.
L'Auberge Du Lac Casino Resort
Resort hotel, golf club, 8 restaurants, spa, pool with lazy river, live entertainment, coffee shop, gelato shop, and shopping.
Imperial Calcasieu Museum
The museum houses an historical collection of artifacts from the five surrounding parishes, as well as a gallery featuring arts and cultural exhibits. Behind the museum stands the 375-year-old Sallier Oak. This is a grea…
Sallier Oak
This 375-year-old live oak tree marked the corner of early resident Charles Sallier's property and is thought to be the 3rd oldest live oak in Louisiana. It stretches to create a canopy with some branches sagging all the…
I-10 Bridge
Built in 1962, this steep bridge has a vertical clearance of 135 feet. Drive slow enough to check out the decorative cast-iron pistols that embellish the railing over the entire length of the bridge. Traveling west-bound…
Plan your trip
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- LCH Lake Charles Regional Airport, Lake Charles — 6 mi away. Directions
- BPT Jack Brooks Regional Airport, Beaumont/Port Arthur — 52 mi away. Directions
- IAH George Bush Intercontinental Airport, Houston — 128 mi away (major hub). Directions
The tri-weekly Sunset Limited train between New Orleans and Los Angeles, run by Amtrak, stops in Lake Charles. Lake Charles station is at 100 Ryan St, north of the city centre.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Imperial Calcasieu Museum, North Beach, Drew Park
- Lunch Steamboat Bill's on the Lake
- Afternoon Creole Nature Trail, Mardi Gras Museum of Imperial Calcasieu
- Dinner Pujo Street Cafe
- Evening OB's Bar & Grill
Day 2
- Morning Delta Downs Racetrack Casino, Sallier Oak, SWLA Convention and Visitor's Bureau
- Lunch La Truffe Sauvage
- Afternoon Prien Lake Park, Historic City Hall
- Dinner Cancun Restaurant
- Evening Big Daddy's Sports Grill
Day 3
- Morning Sam Houston Jones State Park, L'Auberge Du Lac Casino Resort, I-10 Bridge
- Lunch Pappy's Deli
- Afternoon Bord Du Lac Park, SWLA Boudin Trail
- Dinner Seafood Palace
- Evening Luna Bar and Grill
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
By plane
By rail
The tri-weekly Sunset Limited train between New Orleans and Los Angeles, run by Amtrak, stops in Lake Charles. Lake Charles station is at 100 Ryan St, north of the city centre.
Get around
Driving is the best way to get around Lake Charles, although Historic Downtown is a pedestrian friendly area and it is easy to walk to most downtown attractions.
See
See I-10 Bridge
Built in 1962, this steep bridge has a vertical clearance of 135 feet. Drive slow enough to check out the decorative cast-iron pistols that embellish the railing over the entire length of the bridge. Traveling west-bound you will top the crest of the bridge to view a vast landscape of plants and oil refineries. This can be an oddly spectacular sight, especially at twilight.
See North Beach
On the north shore of Lake Charles is the only inland white sand beach on the Gulf Coast. It is also very close to Interstate 10, true. Nevertheless, there are volleyball nets, picnic tables, restrooms, and a full view of the Lake. The waters are not the cleanest (in fact, they did not pass the quality test in 2018) as there are refineries in the area, but it is OK if you're not looking for superclear water.
See SWLA Convention and Visitor's Bureau
The CVB is an attractive building that looks out over the Lake and provides visitors with info, maps, calendars, and brochures covering the Southwest region of Louisiana. There is a deck to relax with some free coffee, a gift shop with unique Louisiana finds, and even an alligator pond! They will tell you about driving tours of the area and events that are going on.
See Bord Du Lac Park
Visit Veterans Memorial park, Bord Du Lac Park, and a fountain that is ok to play in. There are plaques detailing Lake Charles history, geese to feed, and plenty of places to sit and catch the lakeside breeze, including gazebos built onto docks over the Lake.The newly rebuilt Millenium Park is an excellent, very large playground for kids of all ages. Fenced in, whimsical, best playground in town. There are also horse carriage rides. All in all, this is a great area of town for anyone to stop and take a break from a long car ride. Right off I-10.
See Drew Park
Play gyms, swings, a walking trail, picnic tables and oak trees. A community center with indoor activities like pool and video games.
See Prien Lake Park
Walking paths, canoe and boat launches, playground and sprayground, amphitheater, pavilions and free WiFi.
See Sam Houston Jones State Park
Swampy lakes, cypress trees, hiking trails, 200 species of birds, and camping. If you like the quintessential southern image of lots of Spanish moss everywhere, this is it. There is a playground and swings amid great scenery. Lots of picnic spots by the river. The trails are great for bicyclers.
Do
Do Creole Nature Trail
This scenic drive takes you south from Lake Charles, along the Gulf of Mexico, and north again to Sulphur, LA which is just west of Lake Charles. There are plenty of coastal swamplands to see, very natural beaches, and wetlands wildlife. The wildlife refuge has a trail where alligators can be spotted, as well as many docks to go crabbing (which does not require a fishing license). An audio tour is available for download on the website. A detailed map of the route can be found either on the website, or at the Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Do SWLA Boudin Trail
Boudin is considered a staple snack of the Bayou State, seasoned meat and rice formed into a fingerfood, it's perfect for breakfast, lunch or dinner! Pick up a copy of the Boudin Trail brochure at the Visitor's Bureau and travel around Calcasieu Parish trying all varieties of Boudin.
Buy
Shop Charleston Farmers Market
Small farmer's market with fruits/vegetables, specialty jams, candles, artisan breads, etc.
Eat
Eat Pat's of Henderson
Slightly more upscale Cajun food in a relaxed atmosphere. Good luncheon specials. Shamelessly rich- they actually give you the butter that your fish was fried in so that you can dip in it! The crawfish fettuccine is a favorite.
Eat Cancun Restaurant
It transports you to Mexico with their decor and staff. The food is full of flavor that everyone will enjoy.
Eat Tony's Pizza
A Lake Charles staple. Serving the lake area since 1968, Tony's is a favorite of many. Family owned and operated by the Dickson family of Lake Charles, it is a great place to bring the family. With an entire menu of delicious food from Italian pizza, Po-Boys, pasta, and salads, to Greek gyros, it will be impossible to make a bad decision.
Eat La Truffe Sauvage
Fine dining with French, southwest, Louisiana and Mediterranean influences.
Eat Pujo Street Cafe
American, Cajun, and French bistro with a historic downtown feel. Porch seating.
Eat Pappy's Deli
Hole in the wall delicious, mufflettas, poboys, gumbo and fried anything. Has a connected pub with 30 beers on tap.
Eat Seafood Palace
Cajun/Creole, boiled seafood in a family friendly atmosphere.
Eat Steamboat Bill's on the Lake
Cajun (aka fried) seafood, featured in USA Today. You can eat this type of food anywhere in Lake Charles, but Steamboat Bill's appeals to tourists, with a fun atmosphere.
Drink
Drink Luna Bar and Grill
This bar has a hip atmosphere with its exposed brick used to display local artist's work. It has a long, shaded patio with live music on many nights. The drink prices are reasonable, and the food is great, too. Their spinach and artichoke dip is out of this world.
Drink Big Daddy's Sports Grill
Big screen TV for sports, live Cajun music and dancing every Friday night.
Drink Cowboy's
Bar with live music, DJs and dancing.
Drink Frosty Factory
Frozen drinks and beer, Karaoke Th-Sa, pool, shuffleboard.
Drink Cigar Club
Retail cigar store and elegant lounge with full bar.
Drink OB's Bar & Grill
Bar and grill with music, dancing etc.
Drink Stellar Beans Coffee House
Locally owned and operated coffee house with a hip, relaxing atmosphere with Louisiana's favorite "Community Coffee", as well as "Higher Grounds" a fair-trade coffee, roasted in the South. They also have breakfast sandwiches, and rich soups and salads for lunch.
Sleep
Nearby
Sulphur
City / town · 4 listings · 10 mi away
Dequincy
City / town · 2 listings · 21 mi away
Cameron
City / town · 4 listings · 30 mi away
Orange
City / town · 8 listings · 33 mi away
Jennings
City / town · 5 listings · 33 mi away
DeRidder
City / town · 3 listings · 44 mi away
Port Arthur
City / town · 13 listings · 49 mi away
Nederland
City / town · 3 listings · 50 mi away
My experience
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