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Your Guide To Lake Charles, Louisiana’s Underrated Playground

Your Guide To Lake Charles, Louisiana’s Underrated Playground

When you consider Louisiana, chances are you’ll instantly envision scenes from Mardi Gras, scrumptious Cajun and Creole meals, and, in fact, its most populous metropolis, New Orleans. By all accounts, many individuals affiliate Louisiana with New Orleans and solely New Orleans. But there’s a metropolis Lake Charles positioned all the way in which throughout the state from Louisiana’s cultural capital, not removed from the Texas border, that’s a mix of down-home heat and taste for days. Here’s all the pieces it’s essential to do and eat in Lake Charles, Louisiana’s underrated playground.

Things to do in Lake Charles

Book a energetic and historic bike tour

Lake Charles is known as after an precise lake that’s one of many metropolis’s most vital pure landmarks. (Technically, town brushes up in opposition to a number of water our bodies, together with Lake Charles, Prien Lake, and the Calcasieu River.) One of the very best methods to see town and admire its lakefront views is to tour it by bike. One well-liked possibility is the Biking Through the Lake bicycle tour. Not your common bike tour, Biking Through the Lake is a celebration on two wheels, with music taking part in as you cruise by way of town and find out about its historical past.

Experience outside past the lake

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Photo: Wirestock Creators/Shutterstock

To see extra of the outside in Lake Charles past the lakefront, go to the Sam Houston Jones State Park. The park has tenting, biking, mountain climbing trails, fishing, glamping, wildlife viewing, and extra for nature lovers. If water actions are of curiosity and also you’d choose customized kayaking, fishing, or tenting excursions on the park, go to Lake Area Adventures. In addition to organizing nature excursions and kit leases, the family-friendly complicated additionally has an aquatics middle, airpark, ropes course, climbing wall, recreation lounge, VR area, and extra indoor adventures.

Visit town’s museums and galleries

One vital cultural landmark in Lake Charles is the Black Heritage Gallery. The Black Heritage Gallery belongs to a bigger attraction referred to as the Historic City Hall Arts and Cultural Center. Both areas spotlight the works of native and regional artists, together with touring exhibitions. A latest exhibition of Lake Charles native Nellie Lutcher included her efficiency robes, records, classic journal covers, images, and different memorabilia.

More historical past awaits on the Imperial Calcasieu Museum, which showcases tales of 375-year-old Lake Charles from the time of its Indigenous inhabitants to the current day. With visible and cultural arts and touring reveals, the museum teaches guests in regards to the space’s variety and heritage. Behind the museum, there’s a stupendous Sallier Oak tree that’s as previous as town, which doubles as the location for 2 enjoyable occasions: Yoga Under the Oak and Art Under the Oak. Dubbed the “Tree of Resilience,” it’s mentioned that for those who hug the tree, you’ll really feel its constructive power and powers.

Explore the downtown core

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Photo: travelview/Shutterstock

Downtown Lake Charles is to not be ignored, significantly for those who like strolling round and purchasing. Pop into town’s many cute boutiques, try the murals and road artwork as you stroll, or cease on the Panorama Music Exchange for classic vinyl records, cassettes, eight-track tapes, and memorabilia. It’s a step again in time and a treasure trove for collectors. After a visit down reminiscence lane, head subsequent door to the Panorama Music House, which not solely serves meals and specialty drinks however can also be a venue for stay music. On any go to, chances are you’ll hear a band play the regional music, zydeco, which originated in southwest Louisiana.

Attend the Louisiana Food and Wine Festival

This previous September, Lake Charles hosted the primary annual Louisiana Food and Wine Festival, bringing a mix of small-town attraction and big-chef taste. The competition included all the pieces from spirits and mixologist demonstrations to Master Classes with famend cooks, together with Louisiana hometown hero Chef Edgar “Dook” Chase IV. Dook wowed the group with the world-famous gumbo he serves at his Chapter IV restaurant in New Orleans and shared some gumbo cooking ideas alongside the way in which. Elsewhere, Chef Tiffany Derry of Top Chef fame put a twist on fish and grits by serving arancini balls with a middle fabricated from grits, herbs, spices, and seafood. If you’re on the town subsequent yr, don’t miss the festivities September 19-22.

Where to eat and drink in Lake Charles

The Golden Doors Tea Room

Part exercise, half culinary expertise, The Golden Doors Tea Room is a can’t-miss occasion middle with particular person rooms decked out with European aptitude. A go to for afternoon tea contains an assortment of delicate sandwiches, scones, petit fours, macaroons, and different delicious desserts introduced on three-tier dessert plates alongside probably the most lovely place settings. With an assortment of teas to select from — together with mimosas and different libations if you’d like them — you’ll take pleasure in each the elegant ambiance and the pleasant hosts.

The Golden Doors Tea Room: 2013 Oak Park Blvd, Lake Charles, LA 70601

Barstool Sportsbook

If you’re a fan of the type of meals you sometimes eat on recreation days, take pleasure in a meal at Barstool Sportsbook positioned within L’Auberge Casino Resort. It’s a sports activities bar, however Chef Lyle Broussard affords regional meals delights past the standard fare. Must-tries embody the catfish sliders, that are mild, flavorful, and crispy; the fried gator, which tastes pleasantly like hen; and the bourbon peach cobbler, which is served within the good dimension mini jar.

Barstool Sportsbook: 777 Ave L’Auberge, Lake Charles, LA 70601

Vic & Anthony’s Steakhouse

For a sublime eating expertise, look no additional than Vic & Anthony’s Steakhouse, positioned within the Golden Nugget resort and on line casino. At first, strolling into the Golden Nugget appears like being in Las Vegas, with its fashionable décor and electrical vibe. Vic & Anthony’s Steakhouse matches the ambiance, complemented by top-notch service with a wonderful menu. I like to recommend sharing appetizers so the desk can pattern — star starters embody the roasted bacon, shrimp and crab martini, and jumbo lump crab cake. For an entrée that’s not a juicy reduce of beef, it’s exhausting to beat the recent fish a la nage, or “within the swim,” which comes with a scrumptious jumbo crab cake and tender veggies swimming in a sherried lobster sauce.

Vic & Anthony’s Steakhouse: 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd, Lake Charles, LA 70601

Twanie’s Terrific Treats

For your candy tooth, a cease at Twanie’s Terrific Treats in downtown Lake Charles is a should. As quickly as you enter the store, your senses are smacked with the candy aromas of a weekly rotating menu of cookies, puddings, and extra. Try the ultra-rich chocolate chip cookies, baked to perfection and so moist.

Twanie’s Terrific Treats: 206 W eleventh St, Lake Charles, LA 70601

Where to remain in Lake Charles

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November 14, 2023 at 08:05PM

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