Visit Lake Charles

09/05/2026

Too hot? Rainy day? Or maybe you’re just an indoor person—we’ve got you covered. 😉

From hands-on fun at Port Wonder and local museums to escape rooms, live music, shopping, art classes, breweries, spas and plenty of places to eat and play, there are LOTS of ways to explore Lake Charles and Southwest Louisiana without worrying about the forecast. 🎨🎳🍻🛍️

Save this one for your next indoor adventure! 👇
https://www.visitlakecharles.org/blog/post/top-indoor-things-to-do/

Discover the best indoor activities in Lake Charles and Southwest Louisiana, from museums and boutiques to family fun, w**e bars, and live music nightlife.

09/04/2026

Happy ! 🐊🦦🐢🦋🐬

Southwest Louisiana is WILD in the best possible way. From the coastal marshes of the Creole Nature Trail All-American Road to the forests and waterways of Sam Houston Jones State Park, our corner of Louisiana is home to an incredible variety of wildlife.

Alligators, river otters, bobcats, turtles, rabbits, butterflies, dolphins, roseate spoonbills, herons—and countless other species—are all part of the biodiversity that makes Louisiana’s Playground so special.

Whether you’re driving the Creole Nature Trail, hiking through a state park, paddling a bayou or simply keeping your eyes open along the water, you never know what might make an appearance.

📸 Swipe through for just a few of our wild Southwest Louisiana neighbors!

What’s your favorite species of wildlife?👇

SouthwestLouisiana LouisianaWildlife LouisianaOutdoors

09/04/2026

Welcome, neighbors! 👋 We’re excited to have Lognion’s on the Lakefront coming right next door to the Visit Lake Charles Welcome Center!

The new lakefront development is set to feature 10 microrestaurants, a small amphitheater and outdoor recreation space, giving families plenty of options to eat, gather and enjoy the lakefront. Plans are nearly complete, with groundbreaking expected in the coming months.

We can’t wait to watch this new investment in Lake Charles take shape! 🌊🎉

09/04/2026

You never know what you might find along the Creole Nature Trail! 🪗 Only in Southwest Louisiana — a little live accordion music at Chesson’s Grocery!

09/04/2026

🤠 Headed to McNeese State University? Make a weekend of it!

Whether you’re coming to Lake Charles for a Cowboys game, campus tour, Family Weekend or to visit your favorite student, we’ve rounded up where to stay, eat and explore near McNeese State University. 💙💛

Consider this your guide to making the most of your time in Louisiana’s Playground. 👇

Explore Lake Charles during your next visit to McNeese State University. Browse our guide to budget-friendly hotels, popular restaurants and bars, and game day traditions at Navarre Stadium.

09/01/2026

Lake Charles is in the spotlight!📖 We’re excited to be featured in the September/October issue of Taste of the South Magazine with a five-page spread written by Whitney Durrwachter, showcasing the flavors, culture and experiences that make Southwest Louisiana so special.

Here’s just a peek at two pages from the five-page feature! 👀

The story takes readers all around Louisiana’s Playground, featuring:

🍴 Eat & Drink: Coffee:30 Cafe - Lake Charles, La • The Bekery, LLC. • Biscuits n Jamz • Augustine • restaurant calla • BeauxDines' • Crying Eagle Brewing - Lakefront • Lighthouse Bend • SHUCKS! THE Louisiana Seafood House • Steamboat Bill's • B&O Kitchen and Grocery

🎭 Culture & Entertainment: Mardi Gras Museum of Imperial Calcasieu • Golden Nugget Hotel and Casino - Lake Charles • Historic City Hall Arts and Cultural Center

🌿 Explore: North Beach • Lakefront Promenade • Bord du Lac Park • Charpentier Historic District • Shell Beach Drive • Creole Nature Trail All-American Road • Cameron Prairie National Wildlife Refuge • Pintail Wildlife Drive • Rutherford Beach • Holly Beach

The issue is on stands now, or you can purchase a copy online here:
https://hoffmanmediastore.com/product/taste-of-the-south-september-october-2026/

A big thank you to Whitney Durrwachter and the Taste of the South team for sharing a taste of Louisiana’s Playground with readers across the South! ⚜️

08/29/2026

✈️ Day ONE of Thunder Over Louisiana is in the books! 🇺🇸

The skies over Lake Charles came alive today as Thunder Over Louisiana made its debut at Chennault International Airport — and what a show! From the incredible precision of the U.S. Navy Blue Angels to military aircraft, aerobatic performances, historic warbirds and plenty of action on the ground, Southwest Louisiana had a front-row seat to an unforgettable day of aviation.

Check out some of our favorite moments from Day One, captured by Peyton Sittig (p). 📸

Missed today’s action? We get to do it all again tomorrow, Sunday, August 30! All performers are scheduled to fly both days, including the U.S. Navy Blue Angels. The lineup also includes the F-100F Super Sabre, A-26 Invader, P-40 Warhawk, Titan Aerobatic Team, Kevin Coleman, Smoke-N-Thunder Jet Truck, Eric Hollingsworth and T-6 Texan. ✈️

📍 Chennault International Airport | Lake Charles, Louisiana
🚪 Gates open: 10 a.m.
✈️ Flying begins: 1 p.m.
🏁 Flying ends: 4 p.m.
🚪 Gates close: 5 p.m.

There’s plenty to explore on the ground, too, with aircraft displays and family-friendly activities, including hands-on aviation and STEM experiences.

See you tomorrow for Day Two! 🇺🇸✈️

🎟️ Tickets, parking information and everything you need to know before you go: ThunderOverLouisiana.com

📸 Photography by Peyton Sittig

USNavyBlueAngels