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 patio seating. 

Upcoming Summer Festivals & 4th of July Events

Kayaking on Lake Charles

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. Compete your experience by dining at The Terrace.

DeQuincy Railroad Museum

2. Tour Local Museums

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.

Lulu's Snocones

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 Cream Dairy Barn, or the newly opened Brick House Creamery, featuring both ice cream and old-fashioned malts. 

Fireworks over Lake 2
Dennis Thibodeaux

4. Summer Festivals and Events 

The 25th annual Downtown at Sundown Concert Series showcases regional acts for four consecutive Fridays, May 19, 25 & June 2, 9. Crying Eagle Brewing Summer Concert Series rocks all summer through September 16. The Juneteenth Freedom Festival has multiple events on June 16-19. On July 4th, fireworks will glisten in the night sky over Lake Charles with the Red White Blue & You event! Check out the ProWatercross National Championships on August 6 for thrilling jet ski racing. 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.

Spar Waterpark
Kathryn Shea Duncan

5. SPAR Waterpark 

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
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!

Game2Life
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. 

Daquiris
Lindsey Janies

8. Daiquiris - Frozen Adult Treats

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.   

Kelly Fontenot Fishing with Grosse Savanne
Justin Hoffman

9. Fishing, Crabbing & Eco Tours 

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

Lazy River

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.