Acadian Exploration

October 12, Wednesday - Gear up for a day of exploration!

Hit the Southwest Louisiana Boudin Trail
The Southwest Louisiana Boudin Trail winds throughout Calcasieu Parish and parts of Cameron Parish. The trail has a brochure which plots out places to try boudin as well as attractions along the way. Visitors might want to drive part of the trail or stop in and pick up Southwest Louisiana's favorite finger food - boudin!

Sam Houston Jones State Park
Sam Houston Jones State Park is a gorgeous place to explore nature, with hiking trails, picnic areas and majestic scenery.

GPS activated Hand Held Video Tour of the Creole Nature Trail
The GPS handheld video tour device is available for check out free of charge at the Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana Convention & Visitors Bureau. The knowledgeable staff at the bureau can provide visitors with French and English versions of the tour to take with them as they explore Louisiana's Outback.

Visit the Mardi Gras Museum
The Mardi Gras Museum in Lake Charles houses the largest display of Mardi Gras costumes anywhere in the world. There are themes dedicated to various aspects of Mardi Gras from king cake to costume making to chicken runs and Mardi Gras royalty.

Visit the Imperial Calcasieu Museum
The Imperial Calcasieu Museum is the treasure trove of history in Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana. Furniture, jewelry, fashion and documents, it is a peek into the lives of the founders of Lake Charles and the heyday of the lumber barons.

Visit Local Art Galleries
Local art galleries such as the 1911 Historic City Hall Arts & Cultural Center, the Henning Cultural Center, the Black Heritage Gallery and more are beautiful venues to soak in art.

Carriage rides through
downtown Lake Charles (booked privately - J&R Carriage or Amazing Grace Carriages, click above)
Local carriage companies will take visitors through downtown Lake Charles, along the lake and through the Charpentier Historic District to see Victorian mansions. There is also a detailed brochure on the historic district that will guide visitors through the district, telling stories along the way.