Your browser is not supported for this experience.
We recommend using Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari.
Fall in Southwest Louisiana is a festive time of year, and there is a crispness in the air that is invigorating! When fall is in full swing, everyone craves gumbo, outdoor festivals, shopping events, and spending time in the great outdoors. Check out some of the top things to do (and eat) this fall in Louisiana’s Playground.
“Gumbo Weather” is actually a phrase that you might hear in Southwest Louisiana if you are in the area on a cool day. The base of the gumbo, or the roux in Lake Charles, is a deep brown color, but a little lighter than in some areas of the state – with ingredients varying by location too. The go-to gumbo for Southwest Louisianans is chicken & sausage gumbo, but there is a variety of seafood gumbos to be found as well. Gumbo hot spots such as Seafood Palace, Steamboat Bill’s, Hollier’s, LeBleu’s Landing, Leonard’s Food Quarters and Southern Spice will satisfy your soul on a chilly day. Check out our gumbo blog for more great tips!
There is nothing that warms you up quite like dancing to live music. The calendar is packed with top-name entertainment at area casinos, local bands, and acoustic acts at bars and restaurants. Downtown Lake Charles features Panorama Music House, complete with a rooftop bar, nightly music, food, and an eclectic store with music memorabilia and more. Luna Bar & Grill in downtown boasts live music and a jazz brunch on Sundays. Other popular places to hear live music are Crying Eagle Brewing Company, Rikenjak’s, and Paul’s Rib Shack. Check out nightlife hot spots and live music in the area during your visit!
Kicking off the festivities is the highly anticipated Louisiana Food & Wine Festival, a four-day extravaganza from September 19-22. Culinary enthusiasts and wine connoisseurs gather to indulge in an exquisite fusion of delectable Louisiana cuisine and a curated selection of fine wines. The energy continues to rise with Chuck Fest on October 19. This dynamic event showcases the region's burgeoning arts and music scene, featuring local bands, talented artists, and a vibrant atmosphere that captures the spirit of the community.
Smoke & Barrel on November 16 is a true feast for the senses, combining the allure of smoky, savory barbecue with the smoothness of perfectly paired bourbons, creating an unforgettable culinary adventure. From October 3-5, the Cal Cam Fair captures the essence of traditional Southern fairs. With thrilling rides, live entertainment, and an array of indulgent treats, this event delights attendees of all ages, making it a cherished family tradition.
The arts community has a variety of exhibit spaces and galleries to explore while you are in the Lake Area. Places to see local art include the Henning Cultural Center, located inside of a turn of the 20th Century home with two stories of art to see. In downtown Lake Charles, the 1911 Historic City Hall houses three stories of exhibits and galleries including the Black Heritage Gallery, Gallery by the Lake, and traveling exhibits. Also, located downtown, is Candice Alexander’s Art Studio and the Imperial Calcasieu Museum. In addition to exhibits, check out local artists and their work as part of the virtual Heartbeat Tour in Southwest Louisiana.
The Lost Hollows is a popular Halloween attraction in Southwest Louisiana that features a winding walk through the Deadly Pines Trail. The trail includes full sets to explore, costumed actors along the way, and an imaginative experience through Southwest Louisiana’s natural forest. Shuttles take guests to The Lost Hollows with nightly tours each Friday and Saturday night in October, culminating with the “Lights Out” experience on Halloween Night.
The Living History Cemetery Tour features cast members re-enacting memoirs of the founders and notable people from Lake Charles’ history at their actual gravesites, date TBA. Finally, experience the CYPHACON Halloween Pub Crawl returning to Downtown Lake Charles on Saturday, October 26th.
Flea Fest is a bargain hunter’s dream including antiques, retro & vintage items, handcrafted items, toys, collectibles, artwork, comic books, furniture, plants, and a farmers’ market November 9-10. The Holiday Art Walk kicks off the holiday shopping season on November 30th with local artisans, food trucks, a kid zone, and an open-air market. Mistletoe & Moss Holiday Market from November 15-17 brings together merchants from Louisiana and the surrounding states that offer one-of-a-kind gifts. The following month, on December 5-7, the grounds of the Henning Cultural Center will be covered with local artists, bakers, and custom-made goods at Christmas Under the Oaks and Holiday House!
McNeese State University’s Cowboy fans gear up for football season every year with tailgating festivities. Part of the NCAA Division I Championship Division in the Southland Conference, the Cowboys have an action-packed schedule. Southwest Louisianans bleed blue and gold, so prepare your outfits accordingly! Pre-game, everyone is tailgating with jambalaya, barbecue, gumbo, boudin, beer, or old-fashioned burgers, and you can catch a glimpse of the “Pride of McNeese” MSU Marching Band, cheerleaders, and the Cowgirl Kickers’ dance team as they parade through the tailgate area on their way to Cowboy Stadium. You can see the full schedule and mark your calendar for home games against Southern University on August 31, Alcorn State on September 21, and Homecoming on November 2, when the Cowboys take on Texas A&M Commerce.
Golf in Lake Charles features lush scenery and indigenous plants, making the courses picturesque backdrops for playing a round or two this fall. Mallard Golf Club and Clubhouse is the newest addition to the area which is a Scottish links-inspired design. Contraband Bayou Golf Course at L'Auberge and the Country Club at Golden Nugget are side-by-side courses, with the Chart House restaurant and clubhouse overlooking the course at Golden Nugget. The Chart House includes a full bar, elegant seating, and firepits on the back porch with stunning sunset views. The Max at The National Golf Club of Louisiana has scrumptious Louisiana cuisine with a new clubhouse and pro shop attached in case you need gear. Traditional Cajun/Creole cuisine is served at The Max with an outdoor, screened-in porch with seating, ideal for soaking in a birds’ eve view of the course.
During the fall, the birding population along the Creole Nature Trail All-American Road soars as hundreds of migrating birds make their annual migration and create a convergence of the Central and Mississippi Flyways. Southwest Louisiana is home to more than 400 bird species, making it one of the Top 10 Birding/Birdwatch Destinations in the country. Year-round you will be treated to a seemingly endless array of raptors, waterfowl, wading birds, and shorebirds residing in this rich environment. Pintail Wildlife Drive is one of the best places to see waterfowl in the area from your car, while Grosse Savanne Ecotours can offer a more immersive experience on the water. Another hot spot by the Gulf of Mexico is Peveto Woods Bird & Butterfly Sanctuary. If you plan on coming other times of the year, spring and winter migrations offer chances to see migratory birds in addition to the fall season.
Sam Houston Jones State Park has over 1,000 acres of lakes, trees, and rivers. Recently, the park underwent a series of renovations and now features a brand new 500-foot boardwalk along the river, 10 cabins, and two boat launches. Three hiking trails are available with “old stagecoach road” being of particular interest where hikers may travel to explore the park and the banks of the various tributaries to the Calcasieu River. Prien Lake Park in Lake Charles is a 29-acre park that also includes walking trails as well as a kids’ playground and canoe and boat launches. In Sulphur, there’s an intricate, paved walking path at The Grove complete with landscaping, water features, and a mini free library. Walkers can also enjoy a paved walking trail at Maplewood Commons or McMurry Park.
Mark Chesnutt is one of Country’s true musical treasures. Critics have hailed him as a classic Country singer of the first order…
Join us for a season of "Fire and Light"- the fire and passion of incredible performances and performers, and the light of Music…
Vinton, Louisiana – The Town of Vinton is gearing up for its annual Merry Christmas Celebration, set to take place on…
“I’ve got to the point where it’s all up to me now,” says Multi-Platinum Country star Trace Adkins, 25 years into a career filled…
Mardi Gras makes its flamboyant entrance with the Twelfth Night Parade Extravaganza inside the Lake Charles Event Center Coliseum…
A Full Itinerary for Louisiana Food & Wine Festival Attendees The Louisiana Food & Wine Festival takes place in…
As the invigorating, crisp weather settles into Southwest Louisiana, the excitement for fall festival season begins! For…