Eat Your Way Along The Boudin Trail
The Southwest Louisiana Boudin Trail is a unique thing to do in Lake Charles and the surrounding area, especially if you love Cajun food and want to eat some of the best food in Lake Charles. The trail spans many miles as it twists its way through Lake Charles and the surrounding towns.
The 27 stops on the Boudin Trail are far from tourist spots. Instead, they are local Lake Charles restaurants, butchers and even truck stops, each stop serving its unique take on boudin. If youre wondering how to eat boudin, this is the place to learn all about the Louisiana food favorite.
A Louisiana delicacy, boudins history goes back to the days when local Cajun families would cook using every morsel of the pig in a true farm to table situation. Whether youre new to boudin or already a connoisseur, the Boudin Trail is the best place to explore this porky treat in all of its various shapes and forms.
Although boudin is typically made with pork, rice, green peppers and seasonings, every spot on the Boudin Trail makes boudin differently. Some add liver. Some stuff the casings with other proteins like alligator and shrimp. Some smoke the boudin, while others fry the boudin into crispy fried balls.
In an ideal world, there would be time to hit all 27 stops to sample every type of boudin. On this trip, though, I only had time for two stops.
Do A Little Putt Putt Golf With The Family
If you want to look into more things to do with kids in Lake Charles rather than simply for adults, enjoying some mini golf is a very fun yet affordable way to have fun with the whole family.
Credits: Wikimedia Commons
This fun Putt Putt Golf course is open from 3-10pm on weekdays, 10am-11pm on Saturdays, and 12pm-10pm on Sundays. Maybe visit soon if youre looking for things to do in Lake Charles this weekend. We certainly think this is a great place to visit when youre looking for what to do in Louisiana.
Visit The Lake Charles Casinos
Lake Charles is a gambling mecca with four high-end casinos among the most popular Lake Charles attractions. During my visit, I stayed at the LAuberge Casino Resort, a full-service casino owned by Pinnacle Entertainment.
If you want to check out the Lake Charles casinos, then this is one not to miss. With all of the fun stuff to do in Lake Charles, hanging out at this swanky hotel ranks as one of the best options. Beyond gambling in Lake Charles, its easy to love staying at the LAuberge Lake Charles since the staff is fully focused on creating a luxurious experience. The rooms are super comfortable, and there are several excellent restaurants and shops at all price points.
Beyond being a casino with 24-hour gambling, the property is one of the best Lake Charles hotels and is convenient to many attractions in Lake Charles. For me, as a non-gambler, the highlights at LAuberge Casino Resort were the pool and the spa. The pool is quite massive and has a lazy river with a swim-up bar. Near the pool area, the spa is a relaxing indoor oasis. I felt completely rejuvenated after enjoying a Swedish massage and a dip in the hot tub.
LAuberge Casino Resort is located at 777 Avenue LAuberge, Lake Charles, LA 70601, United States.
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Where To Stay For Sightseeing In Lake Charles
Lake Charles has a wide range of lodging in the area, from large resorts to small budget hotels. If you have a particular interest in downtown attractions or locations, like the Creole Nature Trail just beyond downtown, you are best to find lodging closest to the activities you want to do.
- LuxuryHotels: Without a doubt, the Lake Charles luxury hotel options include the large resort complexes like the Golden Nugget Hotel, which has on-site activities like a championship golf course and lazy river. L’Auberge Resort Lake Charles is located on the waterfront and has luxury amenities like a spa, golf course, and restaurants.
- Mid-RangeHotels: If your Lake Charles trip centers on the outdoors and the Creole Nature Trail, you can stay at the SpringHill Suites by Marriott, which is only a 10-minute drive to the trail, so you can make the most of your day on it. For a location close to town, the Hampton Inn is an option close to the Charpentier Historic District and many of the Lake Charles museums.
- BudgetHotels: It is not hard to find budget hotel options in Lake Charles. The Red Roof Inn & Suites Lake Charles is a family-friendly hotel close to all the main attractions, like the Children’s Museum and the . Another budget-friendly option is the Best Western Plus Lake Charles Inn & Suites, which is centrally located between the airport and downtown attractions.
Get A Couples Massage At The Spa Du Lac

Yall probably know that going to the spa is one of my favorite things. The Spa du Lac is a blissful experience and one worth adding to the memory books.
Covering 8,700 square feet with facial, massage and body treatment rooms, seperate mens and womens locker rooms, saunas, whirlpools and more.
After visiting the spa be sure to indulge in a dip in the pool or take a float on the lazy river.
Learn more about Lake Charles at VisitLakeCharles.org
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Play At Millennium Park
Located on the lakefront the park is complete with splash pad , swings and play sets. There is also plenty of room to run and a walking path, restrooms and picnic area to make a complete day.
Take a boat and guide out to a bird sanctuary and see planet Earth up close and personal.
Thousands of birds flock to this region during migration season. It is an incredible sight to experience.
Sam Houston Jones State Park
Over 1,000 acres are waiting to be explored at Sam Houston Jones State Park. Filled with long-leaf pines, waterways, and an abundance of picnic spots. Its the perfect place to spend an afternoon or an entire day.
The park also offers camping, cabins, disc golf and birding.
uss orleck
Lake Charles Visitor Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 112 reviews
Located off of I-10 towards downtown on beautiful Lake Charles, the Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana Convention and Visitors Bureau is here to serve visitors as a resource center for the region. Among the opportunities that you can learn about here are the Creole Nature Trail All-American Road and the Southwest Louisiana Boudin Trail. In addition, we have local dining, casino, festival, and outdoor activity guides.
Reviewed By Hatwoman – Pomfret, United States
Looking around for some things to do in Lake Charles area stroll around, use the restrooms pick up brochures purchase post cards take photos of some of the alligators and outside topiary figures. Spent almost 2 hrs. Highly recommend.
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Stay At The Charpentier Historic District
Charpentier Historic District was added to the National Registrar of Historic Places in 1990. It is a great place to experience the culture and history of Lake Charles especially if it is your first time there.
Credits: Charpentier Historic District
This district runs for more than 40 blocks that are full of different styled houses and buildings. You can see the home styles with cute porches, eclectic railings, and more. If youre looking for where to stay in Lake Charles, this could be an interesting and fun place to stay with the kids. We also think this is a Louisiana point of interest and part of the downtown Lake Charles, LA that you should not miss.
Kids Activities Near Me: Childrens Museum Lake Charles Louisiana
A long established pillar of the Lake Charles community dating back to its inception in the 1980s, the Childrens Museum has a mission to pique the interest of young visitors and spark a love of learning that will last forever.
The museum extends over three floors with plenty of space for children to explore the permanent exhibitions, which have a strong emphasis on education through art, storytelling, music, and visual stimuli. Aside from that, the museum also organizes and runs special events and workshops throughout the year, including art workshops for budding young artists, and there are special guests featured such as well known chefs, members of the art community, and musicians.
327 Broad Street, Downtown Lake Charles, LA 70601, 337-433-9420
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Visit A Rum Distillery
Rum is a staple of the region, which is no surprise considering the proximity to sugar cane. Louisiana Spirits Distillery is distilling their relatively new Bayou Rum in a state-of-the-art facility. Even better, the craft distillery offers free tours every day from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
During my tour, I viewed the distillerys proprietary method while I learned about the master blender from Cuba, the synthetic corks, the locally sourced ingredients, the bottles made in Mexico and the oak barrels sourced from Kentucky.
The tasting at the end of the tour is a great opportunity to experience Bayou Rum first hand. During the tasting, you can compare and contrast the Silver rum from the barrel-aged Select rum. You can also sip the flavorful Spiced rum and the fragrantly orange Satsuma rum.
Or better yet, you can taste a Bayou Bullfrog cocktail made with Silver rum and lemonade. Without a doubt, if you love rum, then Bayou Rum is one of the best places to go in Lake Charles.
Pro TipPeople under 21 years of age can attend the tour however, they cannot participate in the rum tasting. Due to the age restriction, this rum tasting is one of the most fun things to do in Lake Charles for adults.
Louisiana Spirits Distillery is located at 20909 Frontage Road, Lacassine, LA 70650, United States.
Contraband Bayou Golf Club
This 18-hole golf club is located at the LAuberge Casino Resort in Lake Charles.
This club was built by the famous golf designer Tom Fazio.
This is a wonderful place for golf players to spend.
The design of this 7,077-yard and par-71 golf course complements the typical lowland marshy features of Louisiana.
It has 8 spectacular lakes on the edges.
The natural vegetation and aquatic features challenge the skills of the golfers.
Every cart is equipped with touchscreen GPS.
The staff at the course is friendly and skilled.
You also have a beverage cart service that offers snacks, sandwiches, and cool drinks.
Many of the golf magazines have rated it as the best golf course in different categories.
As a magnificent golf course within a Casino resort, its certainly one of the places you would like to visit.
Whats more?
LAuberge Casino Resort where this golf course is situated is known for its luxurious facilities including hot water pools.
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Walk The Creole Natural Trail
If you are an outdoor lover or love nature walks, taking a stroll on the Creole Nature Trail is a good option for you. Along the nature trail, you can even stop at the adventure point.
Credits: Creole Natural Trail
At this point, depending on the time of year, you will be able to see wildlife and learn the history of the area. Walking the Creole National Park, right before sunset of sunrise, is something we also consider as one of the most romantic things to do in Lake Charles.
Creole Nature Trail All

Nicknamed Louisianas Outback, the 180-mile Creole Nature Trail All-American Road is a driving trail like no other. Beginning in Lake Charles and neighboring Sulphur, drivers are taken south through the swamplands where alligators blend in seamlessly with the scenery, and wading shorebirds rest between migratory flights. The region sits at the confluence of two flyways the routes birds take between North and South America seasonally which means that visitors can see a phenomenal display of feathered friends along the trail. by searching Creole in the App Store or on Google Play.
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Creole Nature Trail & Adventure Point
Along the Creole Nature Trail, you can enjoy the outdoor splendor of southwest Louisiana. As one of only 43 designated All-American Roads in the United States, the trail is 180 miles of Cajun culture and wildlife and more than 26 miles of Gulf coast beaches. The Creole Nature Trail is actually a series of pull-offs and trails that you can do at your own pace.
You will enjoy world-class wildlife experiences as you get a close-up view of preserved alligator populations and more than 400 bird species. This pristine experience is prized among nature photographers and outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy fishing, crabbing, and boating.
Be sure to start the Creole Nature Trail at Adventure Point visitor center where you can learn more about the area and how to look for alligators and experience local Zydeco music. Maps of the trail are available online.
Address: 1205 N. Lakeshore Drive, Lake Charles, Louisiana
The Velvet Pig Cooking Classes
Tap into your inner Cajun chef and explore Lake Charles through a cooking class at the Velvet Pig, located within the Cash & Carry Farmers’ Market. This is a tasteful way to learn about the culinary culture of the area, which is a mix of French, Cajun, German, and Native American influences.
Prepare your own homemade meal of gumbo, eggs benedict, or another southwestern Louisiana favorite under the guidance of local chefs. Most of the ingredients are locally sourced, which is a broader mission of the farmer’s market. Classes are three hours.
Address: 801 Enterprise Blvd., Lake Charles, Louisiana
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Best Things To Do In Lake Charles
Lake Charles, Louisiana, is famous for being a powerhouse of industry and culture in the area. In a nod to the Creole influence in the state, visitors to Lake Charles can enjoy the Creole Nature Trail as well as a host of fusion food-related adventures. There are casinos for those who are feeling lucky along with a plethora of dining options. Indulge your love of the great outdoors in Lake Charles, LA by attending one of the many local festivals held throughout the year. Certain attractions may be temporarily closed or require advance reservations. Some restaurants are currently offering pickup only. Hours/availability may have changed.
What Youll Experience
The National WWII Museum is, no doubt, one of the best and cant-miss Louisiana attractions for families. Eye-opening and educational, the countrys official WWII museum, after all, houses tons of impactful historical artifacts and exhibits.
You can spend hours at this museum following the American experience in the global war that changed the entire planet. Furthermore, your little ones will enjoy the museums visual exhibits and planes. Meanwhile, older kids and tweens will adore the content and interactive exhibits.
As a bonus, the museum is situated near some of the best family hotels in Louisiana.
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Hop From Park To Park
There are many parks spread throughout Lake Charles, so one free activity that you can do with the entire family is take a trip from park to park, something like park-hopping. With over 15 parks to see in the whole area, you will never run out of places to run and play with your loved ones. This is also true if you brought your dogs along for the trip because there are dog parks in Lake Charles as well. Yes, Lake Charles is pet-friendly in certain places. Make taking your pet to a pet-friendly park on your list of your things to do in Lake Charles this weekend.
Is Lake Charles Safe
Use your street smarts, kids, and youll be fine. Like any other city, petty crimes exist, but if youre ok visiting New York City, Miami, Houston, or LA youre good to go to Lake Charles.
Some safe travel tips:
- Walk in groups or pairs
- Keep your handbag or backpack in front of you
- Keep your hands free, phone in pocket and be aware of your surroundings
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Light Displays & Carriage Rides
Is there anything more festive this time of year than a twinkling holiday light display? We dont think so either. Unless, of course, youre soaking up those dazzling sites cuddled up in the back of a horse-drawn carriage with a piping cup of hot cocoa in hand. Carriage rides along Shell Beach Drive take you under a canopy of lighted oak trees to see majestic twinkling houses. Or for a ride of a different kind, take a floating pontoon light tour with Lake Area Adventures! Sulphurs Christmas on the Hill, Cruzes Christmas Light Show in Moss Bluff and the Carlyss Light Show Spectacular all feature light displays synchronized with music playing through your car radio. And while pretty any time of year, Prien Lake Parks giant Christmas tree is perfect for family photos.