Lake Charles, Louisiana is a kind of “No Man’s Land.” It’s not part of the plantation South or the old West, but it has features of both. It was a favorite stomping ground for pirate, Jean Lafitte. Surrounding small cities like Iowa and Sulphur are usually considered part of the Lake Charles area, and when combined, a weekend in Lake Charles, LA is an amazing, although relatively unknown, travel option. There are so many things to do in Lake Charles that two or three days in Lake Charles has something for every taste, and if the season is right, Lake Charles offers an excellent alternative Mardi Gras option.
From museums that tell Lake Charles interesting story and traditions, to nature adventures that get your blood pumping, Lake Charles has it. There are also several casinos which are always open and entertaining. L’Auberge Casino Resort and Golden Nugget Lake Charles are my favorites. From the casino restaurants to mom and pop places, there are many dining choices. One Louisiana tradition that is very strong in Lake Charles is Mardi Gras. Fat Tuesday is celebrated with a true Louisiana spirit here. It’s the perfect time to visit, but Lake Charles is a great destination any time of year.
I’m Kathleen Walls. I’m originally from New Orleans so Louisiana is in my blood. I’ve visited Lake Charles many times and I love it. I’m giving you a long weekend in Lake Charles, and planning it around Mardi Gras. That makes it a 4 day weekend. But, with the exception of the Mardi Gras events, this itinerary will pare down to a wonderful 2 or 3 day weekend in Lake Charles any time of year. However, if Mardi Gras is on your bucket list, but spending the weekend in New Orleans seems overwhelming, you know where to go next year!
Getting to Lake Charles, LA
If you are flying in, Lake Charles Regional Airport is located about five miles south of the central business district of Lake Charles. Only American and United fly to it. If you are driving, it’s on the I-10 corridor about 200 miles west of New Orleans and about 145 miles east of Houston.
Your Weekend in Lake Charles, LA Itinerary
As a reminder, I wrote this weekend in Lake Charles to fit the Mardi Gras festivities in Lake Charles, running from Saturday through Tuesday. If you can make it then, lucky you! Otherwise, you will see right away which activities to include in a Lake Charles weekend the rest of the year.
Lake Charles Itinerary – Day 1 (Saturday if doing Mardi Gras)
The Bekery
Start your day with breakfast at The Bekery where owner, Rebekah Hoffpauir, bakes everything fresh. She does terrific croissants, muffins, scones, cookies, brownies, cakes, and even gelato. The quiche is excellent.
Creole Nature Trail Adventure Point
This also serves as Lake Charles Visitor’s Center and features interactive displays and dioramas. One exhibit lets you experiment with instruments of Zydeco and Cajun music. There is an exhibit that lets you smell the scents of Cajun cooking. Take a walk onto the boardwalk in back for some real Louisiana outdoors. It is the perfect place to get maps and information.
Creole Nature Trail
This is also a perfect starting point for a short drive on the Creole Nature Trail. It’s about a 45 minute drive from the Creole Nature Adventure Point to Holly Beach.
You’ll pass Intercoastal Park, Hog Island Gully and Wetlands Walkway overlooking the Sabine National Wildlife Refuge.
Watch for alligators and over 400 species of birds. There is a reason the area is called the Louisiana Outback.
Restaurant Calla
Have lunch at Restaurant Calla. It’s a modern tapas restaurant with Louisiana specialty cocktails and large variety of wines. I got to sample some new things here like Bone Marrow and Blue Crab Beignets.
Museums
There are several museums in the Lake Charles area that appeal to different types of visitors, and you must visit a couple during your weekend in Lake Charles. The Mardi Gras and the Imperial Calcasieu Museum are my favorites, but if you like something more industrial, you may prefer the DeQuincy Railroad Museum, or the USS Orleck Naval Museum.
Mardi Gras Museum
Mardi Gras Museum of Imperial Calcasieu, located in the Central School Arts & Humanities Center has the largest collection of Mardi Gras costumes in the South. Here you can learn how Mardi Gras began, all about costume design, the history of king cakes, and the Mardi Gras parades. There is a parade float that you can climb aboard, and you can try on some of the head-dresses.
The Central School Arts and Humanities Center also houses the Art Associates Gallery, the Black Heritage Gallery, and the Children’s Theater.
Imperial Calcasieu Museum
Much of the city’s history awaits you at Imperial Calcasieu Museum, home of the Sallier Oak. The tree is over 375 years old and was on the grounds of the winter home of the founder of Lake Charles, Charles Sallier. The museum also focuses on the importance of an education in the arts for the surrounding communities.
Crying Eagle Brewery
Crying Eagle Brewery’s name comes from the local Native American tribe, Atakapa’s, translation of the local county, Calcasieu. You may get to meet the brewery’s cat, Tom Petty, who handles their rodent control.
Crying Eagle gives free tours and serves craft beers in a landscaped, outdoor beer garden, but it serves some of the best pizza ever in its two-story tap room. There are other choices if you don’t like pizza. It is the perfect casual dinner stop after the 5:00 tour.
Parades
There are two parades on Saturday if you are visiting for Mardi Gras; Krewe of Omega at 2pm Downtown and Mystical Krewe of Barkus at 2pm starting at Civic Center Amphitheater. I love Barkus. All the dogs are in costume and the owners throw beads. There are usually a few other animals taking part.
If you are not familiar with the term Krewe, it is a social club that is set up specifically to put on or host some sort of Mardi Gras event. Each Krewe has its own interests and criteria for joining, as well as requirements. Quite often, those requirements will include working to create the parade floats, like the group in the photo. As for criteria, Krewe of Barkus is a non-profit group that promotes the rescue and adoption of homeless animals.
Lake Charles Itinerary – Day 2 (Sunday if doing Mardi Gras)
Villa Harlequin
Start the day with brunch at Villa Harlequin. It starts at 10. Villa Harlequin was born out of a merging or two of Lake Charles most popular restaurants. The Villa Scramble or, if you have a sweet tooth, their French Toast are my favorites.
Historic District
Take a self guided tour of the Charpentier Historic District, 40 blocks of historic homes and buildings. Many are on the National Register of Historic Places. This is a collection of some of the most spectacular Victorian architecture in Louisiana, dating from the late 1800s to the early 1900s. You can download the app on the Lake Charles website. The site also has the Creole Nature Trail app.
Tia Juanita’s Fish Camp
For lunch mix Cajun with Mexican and you get Tia Juanita’s Fish Camp. Their Shrimp and Grits is an award winner.
Boombox
For dessert head over to Boombox where owner, Nick Villaume, serves hand-made, gourmet frozen pops and ice cream named after 80’s songs and bands.
Bayou Rum Distillery
Bayou Rum Distillery in Lacassine produces Louisiana’s favorite spirits from local molasses. Brothers, Trey and Tim Litel, and their friend Skip Cortese came up with the idea in 2011 and opened Bayou Rum Distillery two years later. Their free tour is informative and fun. Tours are offered seven days a week at 10:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 1:00 PM, 2:00 PM, 3:00 PM, and 4:00 PM
They also opened a coffee shop, Cafe du Bayou, at the distillery in the renovated oldest farmhouse in the Lacassine/Iowa area dating to 1903.
The Children’s Parade
On Sunday the Mardi Gras Children’s Parade downtown at 3:30pm. I was in that one once and had so much fun tossing beads to all the expectant little faces; there were lots of big ones begging for the throws, too.
Ember Grille & Wine Bar
Have dinner at L’auberge Casino’s Ember Grille & Wine Bar. The stone fireplace with its blazing fire and comfortable seating provides a perfect atmosphere.
The choices offer unique items like tender Lamb Lollies and Blue Crab Beignets. Their King Crab Legs are fantastic.
Lake Charles Itinerary – Day 3 (Monday if doing Mardi Gras)
1910
1910 presided over by Chef Andrew Green, is known for its brunch. It has a New Orleans French Quarter feel. The restaurant is located in the Phoenix Building, built after the fire and a testament to the city rising from the ashes. In 1910, a devastating fire swept Lake Charles and destroyed most of its buildings.
Adventure
Time for some outdoor adventure at Lake Area Adventures, take a kayak tour; your choices, the beginner one hour tour, the sightseer three hour tour, or the challenger six hour tour. You are sure to see alligators and lots of birds. You also have an option here to just rent a kayak or other boat.
Darrell’s
For lunch, try a Lake Charles staple, Darrell’s. Susie and Darrell DeRouen opened Darrell’s in 1985. It was originally a bar that served sandwiches. Their popularity grew so they are ranked one of Lake Charles Top Ten. You can get the traditional roast beef or shrimp but Darrell’s Special, a Po’ Boy made with ham, turkey, roast beef and gravy, plus add jalapeno mayo is a one-of-a-kind. I tried one and found out why the trademark question is “How many napkins did you use.” In Louisiana, a po’ boy isn’t good unless it’s messy.
Entertainment
Lake Charles Mardi Gras ball
You need to make a hard choice here. There is a Lake Charles Mardi Gras ball that is open to the public presented by the Krewe of Illusions. It is so professionally done, you think you’re on Broadway. The evening begins with a cocktail hour at 6pm and the ball begins at 7. Formal attire is required for the ballroom entry downstairs. That means full-length gowns and tuxedos. You can do as I did and choose balcony seating where casual attire is allowed.
The Royal Gala
The other choice starts at 7pm also. It’s the Royal Gala. Kings and queens, royal dukes and duchesses, captains, courtesans, and jesters of 50 krewes all parade in costume with music, lights and dancing. You are greeted by The 12th Night Revelers, costumed as jesters and prance around with parasols like New Orleans Second Liners. I loved seeing this event also.
In deciding which to choose, the Royal Gala is less expensive and more informal. The Ball had different rates depending on whether you are in the balcony or the ballroom.
Lake Charles Itinerary – Day 4 (Tuesday is Mardi Gras)
Favorites Southern Kitchen
Favorites Southern Kitchen at L’Arberge is a good choice for breakfast or brunch with some really good choices ranging from typical American Breakfast with two eggs, meats and hash browns, or sweeties like Beignets with raspberry and chocolate syrup.
Iowa Chicken Run
For a different kind of Mardi Gras go on the Iowa Chicken Run. It starts 10:30 at Knights of Columbus Hall in Iowa and is a unique take off on another only-in-Louisiana tradition, the Courir de Mardi Gras. Original this Cajun version of Mardi Gras was for masked horsemen who rode the around the area stopping at homes to collect something to make gumbo. Local residents bring out a chicken, some rice or vegetables, and the revelers dance and sing in return for the food.
In Iowa, there is a slightly different twist. Instead of just horseback riders, they have several trucks decorated as floats. This parade has no set route they just weave around the city. When they see someone holding up a food offering, they stop and everyone gets out of the floats. Some musicians play Zydeco music and dance as a “thank you.” Then the captain releases a chicken and dozens of excited kids race off trying to catch it. Whoever catches the chicken brings it back. And the parade resumes.
The chicken is not harmed and they use four different roosters to avoid stress on the animals. These birds are not the ones that end up in the gumbo pot that day. While the parade is en route, local ladies are preparing the meal you will enjoy upon your return. Of course there is Cajun music and dancing.
You can purchase a ticket and get to ride on one of the floats. I did and had so much fun. Participants come from all over the world as well as locals.
For lunch stay and enjoy the gumbo at the Knights of Columbus Hall.
Mardi Gras Events
There are parades all day downtown starting at 1:00. You can choose from the Second Line Stroll walking parade, Jeeps on Parade and the Motor Gras antique car parade. If that is more parades than you can take in, definitely don’t miss the Krewe of Krewes Parade at 5:30 downtown consisting of a combination of all the local Krewes. This is probably the one you picture when you imagine going to your first Mardi Gras.
The casinos all have Mardi Gras entertainment and are open 24 hours.
Luna Bar and Grill
Chef Dave Evans’ Luna Bar and Grill combines California and Louisiana food calling it ‘Cali-ana’ and mixes in vintage music. It’s close to the parade route making it a perfect dinner choice. The place is filled with musicians’ posters. The dishes get named for family and friends. There will be music in the evenings.
Are You Planning Your Lake Charles Itinerary Yet?
As you can see, Lake Charles offers an exciting group of festivities, and may be the perfect alternative Mardi Gras celebration. But, it is also a destination in itself, with museums, historic districts, breweries, distilleries, casinos, nature trails, kayaking adventures and a whole lot of good eating. We haven’t even discussed the waterfront boardwalk, or that beautiful gulf coast just a ways down the road! No matter what time of year you go, a weekend in Lake Charles is a pleasure.
Don’t let your friends miss the parade… PIN it!
About the Author
Kathleen Walls, former reporter for Union Sentinel in Blairsville, GA, is publisher/writer for American Roads and Global Highways. She is a photographer with many of her original photographs appearing in her travel ezine as well as other publications. She contributes to many online and print publications.
She is the author of travel books, Georgia’s Ghostly Getaways, Finding Florida’s Phantoms, Hosts With Ghosts, and Wild About Florida series. Her fiction includes Last Step, which was made into a feature movie of the same name by Forbes Productions, Kudzu, Under A Bloody Flag and Under A Black Flag.
Member of International Food, Wine, and Travel Writers (IFWTA) and North American Travel Journalists Association (NATJA). You can find her on Facebook, on Instagram, and on Twitter.
