10 Best Things to Do with Kids in Southwest Louisiana: Family Fun Guide
1. Discover Creole Nature Trail Adventure Point — This indoor adventure brings the great outdoors to life with hands-on exhibits that spark curiosity. Kids can explore bayou wildlife, savor Cajun and Creole scents, jam with a virtual Cajun-Zydeco band, and practice crabbing. It's an inspiring launchpad for outdoor exploration!
2. Drive the Creole Nature Trail All-American Road — Transform your road trip into a wildlife safari. Spot alligators, Louisiana's iconic pink flamingo (the roseate spoonbill), turtles, herons, ducks, and geese. Venture south for pristine Gulf beaches — leading right into our next adventure!
3. Hunt for Seashells on Pristine Beaches — The 26 miles of untouched Gulf beaches along the Creole Nature Trail are perfect for shelling at low tide. Favorites like Holly Beach and Rutherford Beach yield treasures such as whelks, cockles, angel wings, olives, wentletraps, and periwinkles. (Shelling Brochure)
Prime birdwatching territory too — track sightings with our Birding Brochure. (Birding Brochure)
4. Spark Imagination at the Children's Museum — This three-story wonderland in Lake Charles captivates kids and adults alike with daily events, Louisiana wetlands, a fire station, water play areas, and mascot Iggy the Iguana.
5. Play at Millennium Park — Picnic by Lake Charles at this 20,000-square-foot playground featuring a tower, “Shiver Me Timbers” pirate ship, multi-story Louisiana Hurricane slide, and treehouse.
6. Take a Lakefront Carriage Ride — Family-friendly 30-minute tours from downtown Lake Charles highlight historic districts and scenic lake views. Grab treats from boardwalk vendors before or after!
7. Dive into Seasonal Fun & Festivals — Known as Louisiana's “Festival Capital” with 75+ annual events, Southwest Louisiana buzzes with Cajun music and cuisine every weekend. Check www.visitlakecharles.org/events or download the free Lake Charles Events App.
Seasonal highlights include SPAR Waterpark (summer) and the family-friendly Lost Hollows Haunted Attraction's Spooky Timbers trail (Oct 2-31).
8. Tour the USS Orleck Naval Museum — Board this WWII destroyer built in 1945 for guided tours, historical exhibits, and laser tag fun preserving naval legacy.
9. Adventure at Sam Houston Jones State Park — Across 1,087 acres of lakes, forests, trails, rivers, and campgrounds, enjoy birdwatching, biking, hiking, picnics, and camping in nature.
10. Visit the Mardi Gras Museum of Imperial Calcasieu — Celebrate year-round with 250+ costumes, animated mannequins sharing Mardi Gras history, and a kid-sized parade float for practicing “Throw me something, mister!”
These activities ensure unforgettable family memories in Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana. For more, visit www.visitlakecharles.org/things-to-do/kids/. See you soon!
