Louisiana Destinations ... Travel Across the Bayou State


Lake Charles Civic Center
Lake Charles Civic Center

Lake Charles Tourism Guide

Lake Charles is about 100 miles southwest from Alexandria via U.S. 165, and located strategically on I-10 and the Calcasieu River, as shown on the map below.

The parish seat of Calcasieu Parish, the City of Lake Charles is located near Sulphur, Westlake, Vinton, Iowa, Dequincy, Kinder, Jennings, Cameron and Holly Beach on the Gulf of Mexico.

Lake Charles, the 5th largest city in Louisiana, is known for its Cajun and Creole culture, and its legendary Cajun cooking and fine cuisine.

For more information, contact the Southwest Louisiana Chamber of Commerce and Economic Alliance.

Hotels and restaurant dining in Lake Charles, Louisiana

 

Events and attractions in Lake Charles, Louisiana


Lake Charles is considered the "Festival Capital of Louisiana" with its 75 annual festivals.

  • The Lake Charles Civic Center is the venue for many special events, meetings and conventions. This three-level, three-part complex, located in the heart of downtown Lake Charles, is a massive facility with extremely versatile rooms capable of hosting any number of events. The facility encompasses more than 83,000 square feet, offers on-site parking and is located less than 8 miles from the Lake Charles Regional Airport.
  • Louisiana Pirate Festival - Experience the unique pirate and seafaring festival with events on both land and sea. On the shores of historic Lake Charles, the Louisiana Pirate Festival showcases entertainment by a variety of talented musicians, performers and artists. Join this family-friendly event with cannon demonstrations, costume contests, local arts and crafts, themed souvenirs, games and attractions, including carnival rides and more!
  • Creole Nature Trail: An All-American Road - The Creole Nature Trail All-American Road is a 180-mile byway meandering through the area's beaches and bayous - a great way to see the local wildlife. Creole Nature Trail Adventure Point is the interactive attraction and visitor center, where friendly staff there will help cater your tour.
  • Camerson Prairie National Wildlife Refuge - established to preserve and protect wintering waterfowl and their habitat. Located at the intersection of two major flyways, the refuge has an important role in management for migratory birds. The Wildlife Refuge also offers fishing opportunities at both the Gibbstown Unit as well as the East Cove Unit.

For more information, contact the Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana Convention & Visitors Bureau

 

More about Lake Charles, Louisiana

 

McNeese State University

Lake Charles is also the home of McNeese State University, and serves a large, regional retail area in Southwest Louisiana and Southeast Texas.

McNeese is a public university founded in 1939 as Lake Charles Junior College. It was renamed McNeese State University after John McNeese, an early local educator. It serves nearly 8,000 undergraduate and graduate students.

For more information, link to the website of McNeese State University

Lake Charles Regional Airport

Lake Charles Regional Airport (LCH) began operation in 1961, and today provides commercial air service and serves the air travel needs of the residents of Southwest Louisiana. It is served by the following air carriers:

  • Amerian Airlines with flights to/from Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
  • United Airlines with flights to/from Houston Intercontinental Airport (IAH)

In addition to commercial air travel, LCH also serves general aviation and corporate travel needs with two runways including a crosswind secondary runway.

LCH is also home to multiple helicopter operators that service the medical and offshore oil and gas industries in Louisiana and the Gulf of Mexico. Bristow Group, Inc., the largest offshore commercial helicopter operator in the World, operates a large facility to perform maintenance, repair, overhaul, flight training, painting and other services on their extensive fleet of helicopters.

The Airport is situated on nearly 2,000 acres placing it among the larger airports is Louisiana in terms of total acreage. Over 30 entities currently operate on the airport’s property.

 

More Lake Charles Area Travel Resources

Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana Convention & Visitors Bureau

Lake Charles at LouisianaTravel.com
The Official Travel Website of the State of Louisiana

City of Lake Charles

Calcasieu Parish Government

Port of Lake Charles

Southwest Louisiana Chamber of Commerce and Economic Alliance

Lake Charles Travel Guide at TripAdvisor

 

Earlier Times in Lake Charles

The first people to settle the lake were Mr. and Mrs. LeBleu of Bordeaux, France. They arrived in 1781 and built their home six miles east of the present site of Lake Charles, and known today as LeBleu Settlement.

On March 16, 1867 the area formerly known as Charleston was incorporated into the town of Lake Charles.

Rich in history, the Charpentier Historic District extends over 40 blocks of downtown Lake Charles, and includes one of the finest collections of Victorian architecture in Louisiana, dating from the late 1800s and early 1900s.

Vintage Postcard of Ryan Street, Lake Charles, La, Circa 1020s
Vintage Postcard of Ryan Street, Lake Charles, La, Circa 1020s
City Hall
City Hall in Lake Charles, Louisiana
Steamer in Port
Steamer in port in Lake Charles, Louisiana
Sammy's
Sammy's Restaurant and Cocktail Lounge in Lake Charles, Louisiana
Majestic Hotel
Majestic Hotel in Lake Charles, Louisiana
Crystal Courts
Crystal Courts at 2900 East Broad Street, Highway 90, in Lake Charles, Louisiana ... The South's Most Modern Tourist Court
Calcasieu River Bridge
Calcasieu River Bridge in Lake Charles, Louisiana
Boat Club
Lake Charles Boat Club in southwest Louisiana
Aragon Cafe
The Aragon Cafe on East Broad Street in Lake Charles, Louisiana
Chateau Charles
The famous Chateau Charles in Lake Charles, Louisiana


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