10 Top Rated Things to Do in Lake Charles, Louisiana
Photograph by Peter O'Carroll, via Wikimedia Commons
Boardwalk Park
#1 in Best Top 10 Places to Visit in Lake Charles
Boardwalk Park located on North Beach is a popular family friendly park with views of the lake. The park features walking & jogging trail, playground, and volleyball courts. Admission to the park is free. Park activities include walking, biking, and natural wildlife viewing.
Photograph by CTtcg, via Wikimedia Commons
Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino
#2 in Best Top 10 Places to Visit in Lake Charles
Golden Nugget is a 18-story casino resort hotel and casino with more than 700 guest rooms. It features lazy river, spa & salon, tennis courts, fitness center, pool, shops, private beach and marina.
Photograph by CTtcg, via Wikimedia Commons
L'Auberge du Lac Casino
#3 in Best Top 10 Places to Visit in Lake Charles
The L'Auberge du Lac is a 26-story resort hotel and casino. The 242 acres resort has 1000 guest room and it features lazy river, restaurants, golf course, spa, and meeting rooms.
Photograph Flickr by Team at Carnaval.com Studios, via Wikimedia Commons
Mardi Gras Museum of Imperial Calcasieu
#4 in Best Top 10 Places to Visit in Lake Charles
Mardi Gras Museum of Imperial Calcasieu is located in the historic Central School Arts and Humanities Building. The MG Museum hosts the second largest Mardi Gras Festival in Lake Charles. The six rooms museum features the largest collection of Mardi Gras costumes in the South.
Photograph by CTtcg, via Wikimedia Commons
Downtown Lake Charles
#5 in Best Top 10 Places to Visit in Lake Charles
Lake Charles downtown area and lakefront offers variety of family friendly activities. The boardwalk along the lakefront attracts number of visitors. Millennium Park and Veteran's Memorial Park offers many kids attraction. The city also hosts events on the lakefront including water sports shows, boat parades, and firework displays. The civic center and Arcade Amphitheater is known as popular venues of live entertainment and shows.
Photograph by imperialcalcasieumuseum.org
Imperial Calcasieu Museum
#6 in Best Top 10 Places to Visit in Lake Charles
The Imperial Calcasieu Museum is a arts and cultural museum. The museum features permanent collection of artifacts and memorabilia depicting life in the old Imperial Calcasieu region from the Native Americans to the present. The 2,500 square foot art gallery hosts visual artists and historic & cultural exhibits throughout year. The grounds of the museum is home to 400 years old Sallier oak tree.
Photograph by Michael Crisp, via Wikimedia Commons
Sam Houston Jones State Park
#7 in Best Top 10 Places to Visit in Lake Charles
The 1,087 acre Sam Houston Jones State Park includes forest lakes, and rivers. The park is home to more than 70 acres of longleaf pines and abundant wildlife. Park is popular for bird watching with nearly 200 species can be seen within 30 miles. Numerous waterways with boat launches on the Calcasieu River provide access to the Gulf of Mexico. Recreation activities include hiking, boating, picnicking, and camping.
Photograph by CTtcg, via Wikimedia Commons
Israel LaFleur Bridge
#8 in Best Top 10 Places to Visit in Lake Charles
The curving Israel LaFleur Bridge is the tallest structure in southwest Louisiana. The 140 feet high bridge goes over the Calcasieu Ship Channel. It was built in 1962 as part of Interstate 210 loop and named after Israel LaFleur. The bridge survived many intense hurricanes.
Photograph by CTtcg, via Wikimedia Commons
1911 Historic City Hall
#9 in Best Top 10 Places to Visit in Lake Charles
The Historic City Hall Arts and Cultural Center is known for hosting exhibitions from around the world as well as regional and local artists. The center features 3 floors of gallery space, a clock tower, and a landscaped brick courtyard. Admission to all exhibitions is free to the public.
Photograph by calcasieuparish.gov
Prien Lake Park
#10 in Best Top 10 Places to Visit in Lake Charles
Prien Lake Park is a 29-acre public park located on the eastern shore of Prien Lake. The park features a public boat launch, walking trails, playgrounds, and picnic areas.
Lake Charles Museums
- Mardi Gras Museum of Imperial Calcasieu
- Imperial Calcasieu Museum
Lake Charles Parks
- Millennium Park
- Prien Lake Park