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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.
Let it snow! Sulphur jumps into the Christmas spirit with “snow” and festive events. Experience Sulphur’s Christmas Under the Oaks…
Step back in time and experience the magic of the holidays at the 1st Annual Dickens in DeQuincy Christmas Weekend! This two-day…
Vinton, Louisiana – The Town of Vinton is gearing up for its annual Merry Christmas Celebration, set to take place on…
Come out and experience Culture Fest at South West Louisiana Charter Academy! Enjoy diverse food, dancing, music and more.
Mardi Gras makes its flamboyant entrance with the Twelfth Night Parade Extravaganza inside the Lake Charles Event Center Coliseum…
Join us for an unforgettable day at the Bookworm Bay Festival where over 80 amazing authors and vendors will gather to show Lake…
The 2025 Mardi Gras Gumbo Cookoff will take place on March 1, 2025 at the Lake Charles Civic Center. After the cooking and judging…
The 2025 Mardi Gras Children's Day takes place on Sunday, March 2nd, prior to the Children's Day Parade at the Lake Charles Civic…
Explore the beauty of the Lake Area’s waterways from the vantage point of a boat, kayak, or paddleboard! River Raft Rentals offers kayak and canoe rentals for pick up or delivery to set up your guided tour or watery experience. 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. Complete your experience by dining at The Terrace.
Southwest Louisiana boasts a rich history and culture. The 1911 Historic City Hall Arts & Cultural Center in Lake Charles is home to three floors of traveling exhibits and two permanent local galleries (Black Heritage Gallery and Gallery by the Lake). Imperial Calcasieu Museum and Henning Cultural Center display historical and cultural artifacts and host local fine art exhibits. The DeQuincy Railroad Museum features railroad history paired with displays of a steam engine, a passenger car, and a caboose.
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, and PT's Snowballs Coffee & Ice Cream. For deliciously unique coffee combinations and welcoming interiors, visit coffee shops like The Buzz Coffee and More and Grounded Coffeehouse. On the go? Follow along with mobile treats trucks like Shuga Mama's and Magnolia Broux Specialty Coffee and Gifts in Sulphur.
The annual Downtown at Sundown Concert Series showcases regional acts for four consecutive Fridays in May and June. Crying Eagle Brewing Summer Concert Series rocks all summer through mid-September. The Juneteenth Freedom Festival has daily events in June leading up to the annual festival on the 19th . On July 4th, fireworks will glisten in the night sky over Lake Charles with the Red White Blue & You event! Meet Me at the Market Farmers’ Market event kicks off with 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.
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.
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!
Game2Life brings an entirely new level of fun and competitive spirit to the Lake Area with its combat laser tag and axe throwing. In Sulphur, Bayou Games offers tactical paintball, gellyball, and video games for kids of all ages.
Located inside L’Auberge Resort, check out Daiquiris & Dogs for a quick, filling treat. Other places to taste the flavors of Louisiana’s daiquiris are the Frosty Factory, Daiquiri Shack, Pincher's Crawfish & Daquiris, Paradise Daiquiris (Lake Charles, Moss Bluff & Sulphur), Funky Monkey Daiquiris, or a number of other daiquiri spots in Southwest Louisiana. Most daiquiris spots also have drive-thru options.
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.
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.