Lake Charles

By plane

• Lake Charles Regional AirportUnited Airlines serves the Lake Charles Regional Airport with nonstop flights to/from Houston Bush Intercontinental Airport. American Eagle serves LCH with nonstop flights to/from the Dallas/Ft. Worth International Airport.

By rail

• Imperial Calcasieu Museum

  phone: +1 337 439-3797
  address: 204 West Sallier St
  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 great place for a picnic in the shade.

• Sallier Oak

  address: 204 West Sallier St
  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 way to the ground.

• I-10 BridgeBuilt 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.

• North Beach

  address: I- 10 Srv Rd
  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.

• SWLA Convention and Visitor's Bureau

  phone: +1 337-436-9588
  address: 1205 N. Lakeshore Dr
  The CVB is an attractive new 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.

• Bord Du Lac ParkVisit 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.

• Drew Park

  address: 416 Dr. Michael DeBakey Dr
  Play gyms, swings, a walking trail, picnic tables and oak trees. A community center with indoor activities like pool and video games.

• Prien Lake Park

  address: 3700 W. Prien Lake Rd
  Walking paths, canoe and boat launches, playground and sprayground, amphitheater, pavilions and free WiFi.

• Sam Houston Jones State Park

  phone: +1 337-855-2665
  address: 107 Sutherland Rd
  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.

• Creole Nature TrailThis 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.

• Delta Downs Racetrack Casino

  address: 2717 Delta Downs Dr
  Racetrack casino with hotel, dining, gaming and entertainment.

• Isle of Capri Casino

  address: 100 Westlake Ave
  Two casinos, two hotels, four restaurants, live music and entertainment.

• L'Auberge Du Lac Casino Resort

  phone: +1 337-395-7777
  address: 777 Avenue L'Auberge
  Resort hotel, golf club, 8 restaurants, spa, pool with lazy river, live entertainment, coffee shop, gelato shop, and shopping.

• Children's Museum

  phone: +1 337-433-9420
  address: 327 Broad St
  Three floors of hands-on, educational exhibits in a family atmosphere. Features many exhibits including television studio, shopping market, toddler area, and several science exhibits.

• Mardi Gras Museum of Imperial Calcasieu

  phone: +1 337-430-0043
  address: 809 Kirby St
  Largest Mardi Gras costume display in the world, history of Mardi Gras and king cakes, costume design, parade float to climb aboard.

• Historic City Hall

  phone: +1 337-491-9147
  address: 1001 Ryan St
  Restored building which hosts three floors of gallery space for traveling exhibitions. Permanent exhibition of the Great Fire of 1910 which destroyed the building before it was rebuilt in 1911.

• SWLA Boudin TrailBoudin 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.

• 505 Imports

  phone: +1 337-480-6505
  address: 1776 W. Prien Lake Rd
  Exotic imported furniture, accessories and gifts from all over the world.

• French Quarter Antiques

  address: 3529 Ryan St
  Antiques and collectibles flea market

• Expressions

  phone: +1 337-433-6200
  address: 3204 Ryan St
  Fragrances, jewelry, shoes, purses, fleur de lis items, and home decor.

• Brousse's- A Child's World

  address: 542 W. Prien Lake Rd
  Children's heirloom clothing, toys and gifts.

• Gordon's Drugs and Fine Gifts

  address: 2716 Lake St
  Full service pharmacy and unique gifts.

• Prien Lake Mall

  address: 496 W. Prien Lake Mall
  Regional Simon shopping center. Dillard's, Sears, JCPenny's, Kohls.

• Serendipity

  address: 2214 Ryan St
  Brighton jewelry, Sweet Shop chocolates, boutique, home decor, bath and body.

• The Wine Store

  phone: +1 337-477-7017
  address: 4070 Nelson Rd
  Great selection of boutique wines. Specializing in small production, hand crafted wines. Gourmet cheeses. Custom gift baskets. Wine tastings every Th 5PM-7PM.

• Charleston Farmers Market

  address: 1001 Ryan St
  Small farmer's market with fruits/vegetables, specialty jams, candles, artisan breads, etc. 8AM-12PM every Saturday.

• Pat's of Henderson

  phone: +1 337 439-6618
  address: 1500 Siebarth Dr
  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.

• Cancun Restaurant

  phone: +1 337-477-6802
  address: 4001 Ryan St
  transports you to Mexico with their decor and staff. The food is full of flavor that everyone will enjoy.

• Tony's Pizza

  phone: +1 337-477-1611
  address: 335 E Prien Lake Rd
  A Lake Charles staple. Serving the lake area since 1968, Tony's is a favorite by 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.

• Harlequin Steaks & Seafood

  phone: +1 337 310-0077
  address: 501 W College St
  If you're looking for mouth watering steaks go no further than the family run Harlequin Steaks & Seafood. The friendly staff will ensure that you have an enjoyable meal. The Harlequin is great for business trips, with private party rooms and being conveniently located near the interstate, or romantic dinners with a significant other.

• La Truffe Sauvage

  phone: +1 337-439-8364
  address: 815 West Bayou Pines Dr
  Fine dining with French, southwest, Louisiana and Mediterranean influences.

• Pujo Street Cafe

  phone: +1 337-439-2054
  address: 901 Ryan St
  American, Cajun, and French bistro with a historic downtown feel. Porch seating.

• Pappy's Deli

  phone: +1 337-436-2813
  address: 2627 Ryan St
  Hole in the wall delicious, mufflettas, poboys, gumbo and fried anything.

• Seafood Palace

  phone: +1 337-433-9293
  address: 2218 Enterprise Blvd
  Cajun/Creole, boiled seafood in a family friendly atmosphere.

• Steamboat Bill's on the Lake

  phone: +1 337-494-1070
  address: 1004 N. Lakeshore Dr
  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 and convenient location just off of I-10.

• Luna Bar and Grill

  phone: +1 337 494-5862
  address: 719 Ryan St
  This bar has a hip atmosphere with it's 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.

• Big Daddy's Sports Grill

  phone: +1 337-477-9033
  address: 1737 W Sale Rd
  Big screen TV for sports, live Cajun music and dancing every Friday night.

• Cowboy's

  phone: +1 337-474-8010
  address: 5329 Common St
  Bar with live music, DJs and dancing.

• Frosty Factory

  phone: +1 337-474-9019
  address: 4688 Common St
  Frozen drinks and beer, Karaoke Thurs-Sat, pool, shuffleboard.

• Jack Daniel's Bar and Grill

  phone: +1 337-395-7777
  address: 777 Avenue L'Auberge
  Features live entertainment every Thurs-Sat night.

• Cigar Club

  phone: +1 337-562-8889
  address: 1700 E. Prien Lake Rd
  Retail cigar store and elegant lounge with full bar.

• OB's Bar & Grill

  phone: +1 337-494-7336
  address: 1301 Ryan St
  Bar and Grill with music, dancing etc.

• Pappy's

  phone: +1 337-436-2813
  address: 2627 Ryan St
  Deli with connected pub. 30 beers on tap.

• Stellar Beans Coffee House

  phone: +1 337-564-5739
  address: 319 Broad St
  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/salads for lunch.

• L'Auberge du Lac Hotel and Casino

  phone: +1 866-580-7444
  address: 777 Ave L'Auberge

• Isle of Capri Casino & Hotel Lake Charles

  phone: +1 337-226-2054
  address: 100 Westlake Ave
  Casino, hotel, dining, RV park.