The spirited city of Lake Charles, located in Southwest Louisiana, resides along the banks of the Calcasieu River. It is also known for its superb cuisine, festivals, historic district, gambling and rhythm and blues music. The town’s origins date back to the 1760s with the timber industry as its main economy. It wasn’t until 1855 that Lake Charles began to thrive and develop with the advent of a new lumber mill and a schooner dock to export its timber. Due to the city’s latent growth compared with other Louisiana cities, such as New Orleans, Lake Charles developed its own unique character and architecture. These wonderful characteristics and historic architecture are the reason Lake Charles is a popular tourist destination.

The Charpentier (French for carpenter) Historic District represents the finest Victorian architecture in Louisiana. Although wrought iron is noticeably absent, the fine accented detail, wide porches and square-tapered Lake Charles’ columns of these grand Victorian and bungalow homes are stunning. The homes reflect individual appearances since architects didn’t arrive in the city until the early 1900s. This area is a perfect for walking or driving tours. Pamphlets for self-guided tours are available from the Lake Charles Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Another section of town that boasts exquisite homes and estates resides next to the banks of Lake Charles on Shell Beach Drive. This area is not typically in the tourist guides but is a must visit for those interested in early 20th century design. Gorgeous, palatial landscaped grounds and Greek Revival/ Federal homes with their corresponding elaborate gazebo and wrought iron gated docks lie in residence across the road. Shell Beach Drive is one of the most scenic areas in Lake Charles and a wonderful representation of the beginning posh society that developed in the early 1900s.

Museums

Two museums that visitors will find fascinating are the Imperial Calcasieu Museum and the Mardi Gras Museum. The Imperial Calcasieu Museum, located on Sallier St., is celebrating its 45th anniversary. It is a remarkable educational facility, as well as interesting. The museum may be small, but is packed with treasures in its permanent exhibits and Galleries. The Historic Exhibit features period-dressed mannequins and rotating relics portraying life from 1850 through the early 1900s in eye-catching displays. The museum’s Gibson Library houses an extensive collection of John James Audubon prints. And, astonishingly for this small library, the actual ‘Letter of Mark’ for the pirate Jean Lafitte from King Louis XVI! This basically hidden framed artifact is currently located above the door in the Gibson Library. With marvelous rotating exhibitions, a gallery and permanent collection, the Imperial Calcasieu Museum is a great place to visit for the entire family.

The Mardi Gras Museum, located on Kirby St. in the Central School Arts and Humanities Center, is the largest in the South. The six-room museum celebrated its grand re-opening on January 5, ’09 with amazing animatronics and over 257 fantastic, mannequin-adorned and complete Mardi Gras costumes. The exhibit presents the history of the festival, costume design, the Captain’s Den and King Cakes with a glitzy and flamboyant homage that makes for an exciting tour. Actual parade floats, ballroom costumes and parade displays impart the spirit and grandeur of Mardi Gras through a linear progression of rooms. This museum is the best of its kind in Louisiana; make sure to bring your camera.

Festivals and Food

With 100 different festivals, Lake Charles is known as the “Festival Capital of Louisiana.” Of course, the tremendous and royal gala of Southwest Louisiana Mardi Gras begins in January and runs through late February. However, the city also hosts a variety of intriguing festivals that occur year-round, such as the Black Heritage Festival, Louisiana Railroad Days, Cajun Food & Music Days and the popular Contraband Pirate Days. This pirate festival, with almost 100 events, lands on the first two weekends in May. Jean Lafitte and his dread crew of pirates take center stage from the historical perspective of hiding-out from enemy ships along Lake Charles’ waterways. Legends abound with gold and silver buried somewhere within the Contraband Bayou. In addition, pirates and their regalia are afoot throughout the town with the themed event turning Lake Charles into the most coveted pirate experience in the U.S. For additional information on festivals and events, visit Visit Lake Charles - calendar

Cajun and Creole music evolved into the now popular Zydeco music found in Southwest Louisiana. In Calcasieu Parish, Zydeco and rhythm and blues find a large following with popular bands performing live in numerous clubs, events and festivals around the region. Make sure to check out club listings or nightlife to find the current rooster of performers. There is nothing more Louisiana than dancing to the up-tempo beat of Zydeco music or tapping your feet to good rhythm and blues.

Lake Charles is the parish seat of Calcasieu Parish (county) and within Southwest Louisiana, the preeminent city for cuisine. A mixed ethnic ensemble of Creole, Cajun, African and Lebanese influences have culminated in special regional dishes. Mediterranean Kibbie, a mixture of minced beef with bulgur, cinnamon onions and pine nuts is delicious. Louisiana Cajun Boudin, (BOO-dahn) a heavenly sausage stuffed with rice, herbs onions and pork is definitely Acadian. In addition, Gumbo, jambalaya, Creole shrimp and the abundant, fresh gulf seafood provide dinning enthusiasts a virtually unlimited choice of sublime cuisine in Lake Charles.

Three restaurants worth special mention are La Truffle Sauvage, Mazen’s and the Snake River Grill at L’Auberge du Lac.

La Truffe Sauvage, located on Bayou Pines West, confers an intimate and boutique ambience with rare wines, and an exquisite menu for discriminating palates. The cuisine reflects French, Southwest Louisiana and Mediterranean influences. The Louisiana lump crabmeat and the roasted Colorado lamb rack are divine. For dessert, La Truffe’s chocolate soufflé is paramount. The service is impeccable and the experience an unequalled fine dining affair.

Mazen’s, located on W. College St., features a Mediterranean menu with incredible seafood, Kibbie, lamb and a variety of savory fish dishes. The interior is elegant, yet comfortable and the cuisine is excellent.

The renown Snake River Grill at L’Auberge du Lac, located with the L’Auberge du Lac casino, offers a rustic western motif in a chic and fashionable setting. The menu focuses on American cuisine with a subtle western influence with prime steaks prepared to perfection and excellent seafood all with wonderfully attentive service. The ward-winning restaurant definitely serves the best steaks in Lake Charles.

Out on the Town

Lake Charles caters to families and couples with a myriad of events and activities. However, when it’s time for going out on the town and visiting numerous exciting casinos, the city offers an abundance of enticing choices such as, the L’Auberge du Lac Hotel and Casino and the Isle of Capri Casino and Hotel.

The L’Auberge du Lac Casino is decidedly upscale and is the place to dress and look fabulous while playing your favorite game. Many notable personalities frequent this fabulous casino and stay at the sumptuous casino hotel. Moreover, numerous boutiques proffer designer appeal, jewelry, and gourmet sweet shops tempt with magnificent treats. Take a stroll through the L’Auberge and marvel at the surroundings and shops even if gambling isn’t your game.

The Isle of Capri Casino And Hotel is a more casual environment with a bright, Caribbean flare. The hotel’s prices are reasonable and it’s great for families; they even sport a large video games room for kids.

With Lake Charles’ perpetual celebratory atmosphere, friendly residents and numerous events and activities, the city is fun to visit anytime of year. A region with a fascinating history and many stories that tell of marauding pirates, grand mansions, a haunted courthouse and ghostly cows that can still be heard mooing in the fields.

For additional information go to VisitLakeCharles.org

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