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 patio seating.
A fall festival will take place in the old campground area. Local vendors will be selling crafts and food. We will have a kids…
1. Get On the Waterways
Explore the beauty of the Lake Area’s waterways from the vantage point of a boat, kayak, or paddleboard! Lake Area Adventures' newly constructed 35,000-square-foot family entertainment center features an aquatic center, climbing wall, gamers lounge, treasured kayak and pontoon boat rentals, and sunset kayak tours. River Raft Rentals offer kayak and canoe rentals for pick up or delivery to set up your guided tour or watery experience.
Kathryn Shea Duncan
2. Shelling along Gulf Beaches
Stop at Creole Nature Trail Adventure Point for tips on exploring wildlife, walking trails, and driving adventures to see alligators, birds, and indigenous plants. Part of the Creole Nature Trail All-American Road, nature lovers can go shelling along Gulf Beaches such as Rutherford Beach, Holly Beach, Little Flordia Beach, Mae's Beach, and more. Bring a picnic lunch and a bucket to load up on shells and treasures from Mother Nature.
3. Sno-cones and Summer Treats
Visiting Southwest Louisiana in the summer is not complete without a delicious sno-cone, ice cream treat – or two! Lake Charles boasts over-the-top Lulu’s Specialty Snocones and More, Boombox Frozen Pops & Ice Cream, Ant Trail Ice Cream & Munchies, or La Victoria Paleteria & Neveria. In Sulphur, check out K’s Frozen Delights, PT’s Snowballs Coffee & Ice CreamDairy Barn, or the newly opened Brick House Creamery, featuring both ice cream and old-fashioned malts.
Families with kids of all ages will love experiencing the Blue Dragon, Green Monster, Constructor Tube, Superbowl Tube Slide, or the Twisted Serpent – thrilling waterslides at SPAR Waterpark! Youngsters can play 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. Concessions are available as well as indoor swimming, racquetball courts, walking tracks and more.
Kathryn Shea Duncan
6. Volleyball at South Beach
South Beach Volleyball McNeese is a sand beach volleyball complex and food pavilion surrounded by palm trees to add to the feeling of being in an oasis. The restaurant has a casual atmosphere with outside dining and bar areas. You can sit outside, enjoy a good meal and play a game with friends or family. In addition, adult beverages are available, including a wide variety of canned and draft beers and frozen and specialty cocktails. North Beach in downtown Lake Charles has recently added volleyball, soccer nets, and pickleball courts!
Erica McCreedy
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 and axe throwing. Both activities bring two entirely different crowds, but the goal is always the same: to absolutely crush the competition. In Sulphur, Bayou Games offers tactical paintball, gellyball, and video games for kids of all ages.
Your major choice is between freshwater or saltwater fishing, and then, you can decide if you want to fish from a boat or 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, pack a net, string and chicken necks and you're sure to catch a cast. Check out fishing guides or enjoy ecotours and wildlife viewing from a marsh boat with a guided tour by Grosse Savanne Ecotours.
10. Lazy Rivers at Casino Resorts
While staying at L’Auberge Casino Resort or Golden Nugget, soak in the sunsets beachside or grab a bite of Bill’s Burgers. Totally relax 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. If you are not staying overnight on either resort property, the poolside cabanas are available for rent at the Golden Nugget only.
