Plan Your Multigenerational Trip to Lake Charles

Camping and RV Parks

Camping and RV parks like Sam Houston Jones State Park and Yogi Bear Jellystone Park are great options for families staying multiple nights. Whether traveling by RV or booking a cabin, these sites give easy access to these popular attractions.

At Yogi Bear you'll find three styles of fully furnished cabins equipped with a kitchenette, bathroom, bunk beds and a loft. Sam Houston Jones State Park cabins feature two bedrooms, one bathroom, a full sized kitchen, a covered patio with fireplaces, and some grant access to fishing piers.

Casino Resorts

Our casino resorts are upscale properties with many on-site amenities including restaurants, shopping, and spas. From slot machines and poker tables to sports betting and horse racing, each offer a variety of gaming options. Golden Nugget Lake Charles and L'Auberge Casino Resort feature waterpark style pool areas with lazy rivers, private cabanas, and swim up bars.

Southwest Louisiana is known as Sportsman's Paradise for our vast waterways and wildlife refuges, rich population of wildlife, and proximity to the Gulf. With 26 miles of Gulf beaches, serene marshes, and being the home of the Creole Nature Trail All-American Road, Lake Charles is a prime location for outdoor adventure.

You can easily spend the entire day exploring the refuges, beaches, and waterways so be sure to pack the essentials as resources are limited the farther your travel along the trail. Must haves for your Creole Nature Trail Survival Kit include sunscreen, mosquito spray, sunglasses, sun hats, and water.

Start your day with blueberry scones and a white lavender latte from The Village Coffeehouse, then choose your outdoor excursion. For a glimpse of what lies along the Creole Nature Trail you can visit Creole Nature Trail Adventure Point, a free attraction and visitor center in Sulphur.

Hands-on exhibits let you play in a Cajun Band, practice crabbing, and discover the scents of popular Louisiana dishes. Friendly adventure guides are available to provide helpful information on what you can expect to see along the trail.

Witness the natural beauty along the trail where you'll spot alligators, colorful wildflowers, and over 400 bird species passing through. There are plenty of fishing opportunities along the Creole Nature Trail, whether fishing from the shore, the banks, or on a guided fishing trip. Guide services like A-Speck Charters and K & J Charters offer full service fishing day trips, while Calcasieu Charter Service, Fishing Tom Guide Service, and Grosse Savanne, offer fishing, hunting, and lodging opportunities.

If you're staying at Sam Houston Jones State Park or Yogi Bear Jellystone RV Park, nature and wildlife is right outside your door. For those who aren't staying onsite, affordable day passes allow access to most of the great features. 

Plan an early morning hike at Sam Houston along one of several trails. Whether you're an experienced hiker or looking for something kid-friendly, you'll find their range of difficulty levels and motorized wheelchairs make this a great group activity. A fishing board walk, playground, picnic areas, and tree-filled lagoons can be found within the park.

At Jellystone you'll find live entertainment and themed weekends year-round. Day passes grant you access to both swimming pools, fishing ponds, mini golf, the Wibit water obstacle course, and the jumping pillow. The concession stand is stocked with favorites like nachos and hot dogs, or pack for the day and bring your treats in.

Once you've worked up an appetite, you'll find plenty of popular restaurants in the region. For lunch head to Dairy Barn for classic burgers and a milkshake. Head to Hollier's Cajun Kitchen and Cajun Charlie's for Louisiana staples like gumbo and pistolettes.

Lighthouse Bend, an RV resort, marina, and restaurant is located along the Creole Nature Trail. With indoor and outdoor dining options, a playground, and scenic views of the Gulf it's easily a favorite for sunset dinners with family.

Pro Tip: Anyone 18 years of age and older must have a valid Louisiana fishing license in their possession. Licenses can be purchased through the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries website or at most sporting goods stores.

Start your second day off with a picture-worthy breakfast or brunch at The Bekery. The French-inspired café located in the beautiful Walnut Grove neighborhood features larger than life pastries and gourmet coffee.

Can't decide which decadent treats to choose? No problem! The Bekery offers mixed dozen and half dozen pastry and croissant boxes with a variety of flavors that can be shared by everyone.

Vacation isn't complete without souvenirs to commemorate your trip. Shops and boutiques like Bux Kajun Korner, Mia's Downtown, The Emporium, Etie's, A Children's Shoppe, and Lydia and Lavender are perfect for Southwest Louisiana trinkets, paintings, vintage memorabilia, books, and clothing.

These locations are near free parking and within walking distance from one another in Downtown Lake Charles and Downtown Sulphur, making them easily accessible for traveling families.

While there are plenty of shopping opportunities in Lake Charles, some of the best souvenirs are those you create! Locally owned art studios offer instructor led courses and private group sessions.

From resin crafts at GP's Creative Corner and ceramic teacups at Paint & Fire to unique pieces made from upcycled materials at Lil Art House and glow in the dark matching canvases at Painting with a Twist, your creativity will shine. Whether choosing the same craft for the entire family or completely different pieces, each craft will hold the memories made on your visit.

Let the creativity continue with a pasta making class at Pasta Lab. Pasta 101, an in depth course covers the equipment and ingredients you need to make delicious pasta. During the class you'll learn pasta making tips and best practices, create your own noodles, and get to try samples. This step-by-step course is great for families and the recipes can be taken back for fun at home after the vacation comes to an end.

Grown-ups in the group can elevate their class by bringing in beverages. Stop by Lake Street Liquor, The Wine Store, or Hokus Pokus Liquor for a great selection of wines and spirits.

Round out your day at Crying Eagle Brewing. Schedule a tour of the taproom where you'll get an up close view of the brewing process complete with a tasting for guests 21 and over. After your tour, grab a table inside or outside and order a round to complement your dinner. Popular beers like the Louisiana Lager are on tap year-round, while others rotate by season.

If you're hoping to hit the ground running on day three, pick up breakfast to go from The Buzz Coffee and More or Helen St. Bakehouse. The Buzz, a quirky bee themed café, offers delicious seasonal coffee drinks as well as ice cream and pastries. Helen St. Bakehouse is a cozy bakery specializing in menu items made from the finest ingredients. With both sweet and savory meals, you're sure to satisfy your group's breakfast cravings.

After breakfast head over to Almosta Ranch in Sulphur for a farm tour and petting zoo. The 39-acre teaching and leisure farm is home to chickens, ducks, tortoises, mini donkeys, goats and more! Tours begin with a hayride around the property. Families will love petting and feeding the animals as you learn more about them. After the tour, hop on a horse or pony for a ride and unleash your inner rancher!

Pro Tip: Farm tours are available Monday through Sunday, but are by appointment only so be sure to book in advance!

Thrill seekers and competitive spirits will find plenty of ways to play in Southwest Louisiana. Bayou Games, a 31-acre outdoor complex, features a range of sporting activities. Gellyball and laser tag are low impact activities great for ages 5 and up. Those seeking more intense gameplay can hit the field for paintball or airsoft.

Game2Life, is a great option for adults and older teens. Pickleball and laser combat are great for those seeking high energy games, while axe throwing and the golf simulator allow for more leisurely game play.

Dine on site at Shooters Bar and Grill where you'll find popular menu items like build your own pizzas and nachos as well as specialty cocktails.

Pro Tip: Activities require booking in advance, so check their website or call ahead for availability.

Flip, jump, climb, and more at Lake Area Adventures! The Airpark features over 10,000 square feet of inflatables and is great for all ages. From vintage arcade games and flight simulators to the Omniverse Virtual Reality Arena, the state of the art gaming lounge is a gamer's dream. 

In addition to the games, the indoor pool makes swimming a possibility year-round. The Terrace Restaurant, led by executive Chef Amanda Cusey, is located on-site and features affordable entrées, desserts, and specialty cocktails.

Urban Air Adventure Park offers three different ticket options with plenty of activities for young children, adults and everyone in between! Popular attractions include the Apex Trampolines, Warrior Course, Slam Dunk Zone, Climbing Walls, Flip Zone Bumper Cars, and Go-Karts. There are also plenty of arcade games, massage chairs, and a café to refuel.

Spend your final day in Louisiana's Playground indulging in a delicious spread from Biscuits n Jamz. Their cozy atmosphere, homemade jamz, and mouthwatering menu items like stuffed French toast and shrimp and grits make this a popular dining breakfast spot for locals so be sure to call ahead with groups of six or more.

Southwest Louisiana is home to several museums showcasing our rich history. In DeQuincy, you'll find the DeQuincy Railroad Museum, a beautifully restored 1923 Kansas City Southern Depot. Inside you'll find railroad memorabilia like vintage maps, uniforms, and model trains. Just outside of the museum, visitors can tour the authentic steam engine, passenger car, and caboose.

The Henning Cultural Center is one of Sulphur's most popular attractions. Located in the downtown district, the stunning two-story site showcases the work of local artists and traveling exhibits and serves as the venue for many community events and festivals.

Located within minutes of Downtown Lake Charles is the Imperial Calcasieu Museum. Here you'll find the historic Sallier Oak, a nearly 400-year-old live oak that has survived numerous hurricanes and major weather events.

The museum displays the history of the five parish Imperial Calcasieu region dating back to its early Native American settlements. In addition to rotating exhibits and permanent galleries the museum has a gift shop and hosts monthly classes and events like Yoga Under the Oak.

Downtown Museums

In Downtown Lake Charles you'll find two popular museums. Historic City Hall, a three story gallery housed in a restored 1911 building features a variety of exhibits and programming throughout the year. Home to the Black Heritage Gallery and Gallery by the Lake, this free attraction is a great way to experience the thriving arts scene in Lake Charles.

Port Wonder, located along the Lake Charles lakefront, is a 32,000 square foot facility housing two popular attractions. Inside you'll find The Children's Museum of Southwest Louisiana and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Nature & Science Center.

The Children's Museum is a larger than life playground with four themed galleries each offering immersive exhibits for children and adults. The LDFW Nature and Science Center gives an inside look at Louisiana's unique ecosystems with more than 15,000 gallons of aquariums, a stingray tank, and interactive displays.

Plan Your Visit

Whether conquering this multi-day itinerary or creating your own adventure, your family will never forget their time in Louisiana's Playground. For more multigenerational trip ideas check out A Must See Museum Guide to Southwest Louisiana or The Ultimate 3-Day Family Itinerary in Lake Charles, LA.