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Party it Up in Lake Charles - Louisiana's Playground
PlayList eNewsletter Sign up for biweekly updates on upcoming events, what's new & where to dine.
Steamboat Bills Seafood
Inspiration Guide Request your copy for untold stories, fun round-ups, and what's new in SWLA.

Lake Charles, Louisiana

Southwest Louisiana is the place to be this summer with the unofficial start on Memorial Day Weekend! Pack your swimsuit, little black dress, and flip-flops for a memorable vacation. The event calendar is jam-packed with casino entertainment, live music, food and cultural festivals, and art exhibits. Visit Downtown Lake Charles for incredible sunsets over the water, boutique shopping, and numerous restaurants with dog-friendly patios. 

1. Get On the Waterways 

Explore the beauty of the Lake Area’s waterways from the vantage point of a boat, kayak, or paddleboard! Bayou Adventure offers self-serve kayak rentals in Sam Houston Jones State Park. Have single and tandem kayaks delivered to popular locations or enjoy private and group guided kayak tours from Bayou Glamping Co., a secluded glamping site in Westlake. Popular locations like North Beach, Prien Lake Park, and Riverside Park feature boat launches offering access to the Calcasieu River. 

2. Tour Local Museums

Southwest Louisiana boasts a rich history and culture. Historic City Hall Arts & Cultural Center in Lake Charles is home to three floors of traveling exhibits and two permanent local galleries, the Black Heritage Gallery and Gallery by the Lake. The Imperial Calcasieu Museum and Henning Cultural Center display historical and cultural artifacts and host local fine art exhibits and exhibits featuring local artists. The DeQuincy Railroad Museum showcases the region's railroad history paired with a permanent display of a steam engine, a passenger car, and a caboose.

Port Wonder, home of the Children's Museum of Southwest Louisiana and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Nature and Science Center, highlights the unique experiences awaiting in Southwest Louisiana. With four distinct galleries featuring life-size exhibits that incorporate STEM activities, imaginative play, and a deep dive into Louisiana's biodiversity, it's a must-visit attraction on the Lakefront.

Explore Museums

Black Heritage Gallery

Black Heritage Gallery

  • 1001 Ryan Street
  • (337) 488-0567

The mission of the Black Heritage Gallery is to lead a diverse audience in discovering African-American artists and to nurture…

Gallery by the Lake

Gallery by the Lake

  • 1001 Ryan Street
  • (337) 491-9147

Come visit our gallery located in Historic City Hall to experience an eclectic collection of fine art paintings, pottery, and…

Imperial Calcasieu Museum

Imperial Calcasieu Museum

  • 204 W. Sallier Street
  • 337-439-3797

For nearly 60 years, the Imperial Calcasieu Museum has sat in the shade of the mighty Sallier Oak offering guests to experience…

Henning Cultural Center

Henning Cultural Center

  • 923 S. Ruth St.
  • (337) 527-0357

Explore Sulphur's cultural scene at the Henning Cultural Center, managed by Sulphur Parks and Recreation, and featuring…

DeQuincy Railroad Museum

DeQuincy Railroad Museum

  • 400 Lake Charles Ave.
  • 337-786-2823

Situated at the intersection of the two major railroads - the original townsite in 1895 - the museum has sustained its…

Port Wonder

Port Wonder

  • 1011 N. Lakeshore Drive
  • (337) 426-1559

Port Wonder, located right off I-10 in Lake Charles, is home to the Children’s Museum of Southwest Louisiana and the Louisiana…

3. Sno-cones and Summer Treats 

Visiting Southwest Louisiana in the summer isn't complete without a delicious sno-cone, ice cream treat – or two! Tackle sky-high treats from Lulu’s Specialty Snocones and More, Shuga Mama's, Incredible Edible-Sno-Balls, and PT's Snowballs Coffee & Ice Cream.

For deliciously unique coffee combinations and welcoming interiors, visit coffee shops like The Grind Central Station, The Buzz Coffee and More and Krew's Books & Brews. On the go? Follow along with mobile treat trucks like Magnolia Broux Specialty Coffee and Gifts traveling through Southwest Louisiana.

4. Summer Festivals and Recurring Events 

The annual Downtown at Sundown Concert Series showcases regional acts for four consecutive Fridays beginning in May. Crying Eagle Brewing-University's Summer Concert Series rocks all summer through mid-September. Don't miss Wellness on the Water, a fitness-focused festival celebrating health and wellness at the Lake Charles Event Center. 

The Juneteenth Freedom Festival, celebrating freedom and community, includes a parade, cook-off, and scholarship brunch near the Juneteenth Holiday. Celebrate Cajun music and heritage with delicious food, toe-tapping live music, and crafts at the Cajun Music and Food Festival each July.

On July 4, fireworks will glisten in the night sky over Lake Charles with the Red, White, Blue & You festival! Meet Me at the Market Farmers’ Market features goods, art, and music on the first Saturday of each month! View our full event calendar for many more fun events for family and friends to enjoy.

Upcoming Festivals & Events

Avenue of Flags May 25

Avenue of Flags

The Avenue of Flags is a stunning display of patriotism and is the largest display of memorial flags in the United States. The…

SWLA Pride Fest Jun 13

SWLA Pride Fest

The Annual Pride Fest returns with a new location! Join us on Saturday, June 13, 2026, at the Lake Charles Event Center for an…

5. Make a Splash at Waterparks

Families will love experiencing thrilling waterslides like the Blue Dragon, Green Monster, or the Twisted Serpent at SPAR Waterpark! Youngsters will love playing at Splash & Play Island or Parrot Island. Along the Raging River, guests are propelled in inner tubes by rapids, followed by the relaxing Paddle River shortcut with fewer waves. The Sulphur Parks and Recreation Center offers indoor swimming, racquetball courts, walking tracks, and more.

Spend summer days exploring Lazy Gator Waterpark, a 5-acre complex in Westlake, LA! Float along the Lagniappe Loop, the longest lazy river in Louisiana, at 1,000 feet, or zoom down your choice of four waterslides: The Crawfish Curl, Turtle Tango, Gator Tail, or Pelican Plunge, each more intense than the last! Make laps in the pool or take a break from the water and head to the pickleball court.

Spend the day or an overnight stay at Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park! With two pools, waterslides, and a WIBIT water course set amongst serene campgrounds, it's the ultimate destination for camping and day trips.

6. Play Pickleball

Whether you're a beginner looking for a friendly match or a seasoned player seeking competitive games, Southwest Louisiana has plenty of courts to choose from. North Beach in downtown Lake Charles has features such as volleyball nets, soccer nets, and pickleball courts! In Sulphur, play on indoor and outdoor courts at SPAR Recreation & Aquatic Center or McMurry Tennis Complex. Hilcrest Park is a free, outdoor place to play.

7. Laser Tag, Axe Throwing, and Paintball

Game2Life brings an entirely new level of fun and competitive spirit to the Lake Area with its combat laser tag, axe-throwing, pickleball, and golf simulation. Their newest attraction, Lucky Lagoon, is a white-sand beach surrounding a massive swimming hole, perfect for endless summer fun! In Sulphur, Bayou Games offers tactical paintball, gellyball, and video games for kids of all ages. 

8. Daiquiris - Frozen Adult Treats

Located inside L’Auberge Resort, check out Daiquiris & Dogs for a quick, filling treat. Taste the tropical flavors throughout Southwest Louisiana at popular locations like Frosty Factory, Daiquiri Shack, Crabs & Daqs, Paradise Daiquiris (Lake Charles, Moss Bluff & Sulphur), and Funky Monkey Daiquiris. Most daiquiri spots also have drive-thru options to enjoy your treat on the go!   

9. Fishing, Crabbing & Eco Tours 

Choose from freshwater or saltwater fishing, then hop in a boat or fish from the shore! Surf fishing is excellent along the beaches, and there are plenty of waterways along the Creole Nature Trail perfect for dropping a line! Crabbing is also popular along the Creole Nature Trail. Simply pack a net, string, and chicken necks, and you're sure to catch! Book a trip with experienced fishing guides or enjoy eco-tours on a guided tour with Grosse Savanne Eco-Tours. 

10. Lazy Rivers at Casino Resorts 

While staying at L’Auberge Casino Resort or Golden Nugget, soak in the sunsets beachside and grab a bite from Bill’s Bar and Burger. Spend the day floating in the tropical lazy river at L’Auberge, complete with a swim-up bar. Golden Nugget’s lazy river, rockslide, and swim-up bar is a perfect place to enjoy the warm sun with a frozen drink. Not staying overnight? No worries! Recharge at a poolside cabana available for rent at Golden Nugget.

Casino Resorts

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