Mardi Gras in Southwest Louisiana grows more spectacular each year, featuring vibrant parades, elegant balls, lively parties, and unique traditions like chicken runs. Advance planning ensures you catch every highlight. Whether its your first Carnival season or youre a returning enthusiast, this expert-curated bucket list covers essential experiences based on local customs and events. 1. Start your day with king cake for breakfast—its a delicious Mardi Gras tradition! 2. Dance, sing, beg for

As Mardi Gras season approaches in Lake Charles and Southwest Louisiana, right after the holidays, locals eagerly anticipate the iconic King Cake. Its perfect blend of cinnamon, sugar, fillings, and melt-in-your-mouth texture brings joy to all who savor it! While traditional King Cakes from local bakeries and grocery stores are irresistible, innovative tributes to this classic treat add extra excitement. Here are some standout variations inspired by the beloved dessert. If youre a fan of b

Planning a romantic dinner with your special someone in Lake Charles? Explore these highly recommended restaurants, known for their intimate atmospheres, exceptional menus, and perfect settings for celebrations like Valentines Day. 1910 Situated in downtown Lake Charles, 1910 offers a distinctive menu, an extensive wine selection, and a warm, cozy ambiance. Currently featuring special Valentines desserts: Mini Croquembouche cream puffs filled with pastry cream atop cookie butter with caramel

Experience the vibrant energy of Mardi Gras in Lake Charles! The festivities peak on Tuesday, March 5, 2019, a city holiday featuring parades and events throughout the weekend. Heres your authoritative guide to all scheduled activities. 2019 Mardi Gras Schedule Event names link to details and routes where available. Thursday, February 28 Lighted Boat Parade7:00 PMCivic Center Seawall CANCELED: City of Sulphur Mardi Gras Parade6:00 PM (canceled)Cypress Street Friday, March 1 Merchants Para

Planning a Spring Break road trip? Discover Southwest Louisiana for an unforgettable adventure! The best way to immerse yourself in a regions culture is through its cuisine and music. Fortunately, Southwest Louisiana offers an abundance of both—and they often go hand in hand.This season, crawfish tops every visitors must-try list. Local spots serve steaming piles of these spicy mudbugs with buckets for shells. At Isle of Capri Casino in Lake Charles, enjoy all-you-can-eat crawfish every Friday

Whether youre Irish or simply love a good Celtic celebration, Lake Charles offers family-friendly events, live music, pub crawls, and drink specials for St. Patricks Day. Heres your complete guide to the festivities. St. Patricks Day Parties St. Patrick’s Party at MacFarlane’s Celtic Pub Start your day early at MacFarlane’s Celtic Pub with their annual St. Patrick’s Day Celebration beginning at 5:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 16. Enjoy a traditional Irish breakfast featuring cooked meats (bacon,

Spring break is fast approaching—consider a scenic family road trip to Southwest Louisiana. Pack the car and dive into a wealth of attractions offering fun for kids and parents alike. Travel the 180-mile Creole Nature Trail, an All-American Road winding through Cameron Parish marshes and coastline. Spot alligators, 400 bird species, and wildlife while fishing or crabbing. Hunt for shells and sea glass at Holly Beach. Southwest Louisianas Louisiana Outback delivers thrilling family adventures.

Honor Mom this Mothers Day with a relaxing brunch in Lake Charles. Give her a break from the kitchen and explore our citys exceptional brunch destinations. Jack Daniel’s Bar and Grill® at L’Auberge Casino Resort boasts an impressive Bloody Mary bar loaded with add-ins like fresh shrimp, sausage logs, cilantro, pickled green beans, and quail eggs, courtesy of Chef Lyle Broussard. Complement it with mimosas and Louisiana favorites: chicken and waffles, shrimp and grits, or boudin/crawfish Bened

Lake Charles and Southwest Louisiana boast a wealth of free attractions and experiences that deliver endless fun without costing a dime. Discover them below! 1. Free Concert Series Lake Charles hosts multiple free concert series year-round. Enjoy Live at the Lakefront, Groovin’ at the Groove, Downtown at Sundown, Crying Eagle Concert Series, and Catch a Concert during spring and summer. In fall, catch Music at Morganfield. Pack lawn chairs and blankets—dancing is encouraged! 2. Leisurely Str

One of Southwest Louisianas premier tourist destinations has enhanced its appeal with a delightful new addition. Louisiana Spirits Distillery in Lacassine, Louisiana—home to the renowned Bayou Rum brand and just a short drive from Lake Charles—has opened Café du Bayou. This inviting coffee shop occupies a rustic, renovated farmhouse on the distillery property, recognized as the oldest home in the Lacassine/Iowa area, built in 1903 by Indiana rice farmer Cyrus Schrock as part of the Jabez Bunting

Crying Eagle Brewing has evolved far beyond a traditional brewery. Dissatisfied with solely offering their exceptional beer lineup, they expanded into a full-service bistro. Building on that success, theyve launched the Crying Eagle Concert Series, featuring major music acts from April through September. The team at Crying Eagle excels at fostering the communal spirit central to craft beer culture. Bottle-sharing among breweries promotes idea exchange through unique beers, and Crying Eagle el

Downtown at Sundown One of my fondest memories as an event planner dates to 2010, when I worked for the Arts Council of SWLA under Matt Young. It was a sweltering May, and our team had just completed the first week staging the four-week outdoor concert series, Downtown at Sundown, for the City of Lake Charles. As crowds dispersed around 10 p.m. and gear was cleared, Matt and I marveled at the scene. Unbeknownst to us, this event sparked a cultural shift, ushering in ongoing downtown activities t

Avenue of Flags Memorial Day in Lake Charles provides meaningful opportunities to honor those who sacrificed for our freedoms. Visit the Avenue of Flags at Orange Grove and Graceland Cemeteries, where over 1,000 casket flags line the drive in tribute to fallen service members. Flags are displayed from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Memorial Day, featuring a special service at 9 a.m. The site also includes a history circle with replicas of eight historic U.S. flags, displayed again on Veterans Day. Veteran

Mastering the art of peeling blue crabs is one thing, but catching them fresh in Southwest Louisiana is the true thrill. As a lifelong resident of Lake Charles, Ive spent summers crabbing along the iconic Creole Nature Trail All-American Road. Heres my proven guide based on family traditions. Our method: Bait sturdy crab lines with beef melt or turkey necks. Secure the end to a dock or a stick driven into the ground, then toss the bait into the water. Watch for the line to tighten—a sign cra

Southwest Louisiana summers bring intense heat and humidity. Escape the sizzle at these three exceptional pool complexes in the Lake Area, designed for family fun and relaxation during the Gulf Coasts sweltering season. Sulphur Parks & Recreation Waterpark The Sulphur Parks & Recreation (SPAR) Waterpark offers aquatic adventures for all ages. Recently expanded, it features a 600-foot Raging River, Larry’s Lazy River, and the Lagoon Pool for older kids and adults. Younger children delight in

Traveling often disrupts exercise routines, but Lake Charles offers a perfect solution. On June 21, International Yoga Day, join cities worldwide for Summer Solstice Yoga in the Park. This free community event runs from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. at Drew Park, 416 Dr. Michael DeBakey Dr., Lake Charles. Led by local yoga expert Adelaide Saucier, the event is hosted by a collaboration of city yoga studios and instructors. Saucier highlights it as an ideal chance for visitors to connect with locals and imm

While the Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4th, 1776, Independence Day celebrations gained momentum in the 1800s. A June 26, 1903, American Press article described Lake Charles grand plans, including a mock battle and a parade featuring many local ladies. The piece noted, “This in itself is enough to show that much interest is being taken by everybody to make sure the 4th of July celebration in Lake Charles is the biggest event in this section of the country.” Over a century later

Picture this: You and your friends enjoy a perfect day on the water, reeling in your limit. After snapping commemorative photos, what’s next? If cooking your catfish or other catch isn’t your thing, Louisiana’s Catch and Cook program has you covered. This trusted program connects recreational anglers with local restaurants, letting you savor your fresh catch prepared by professional chefs. It enforces strict food sanitation and safety standards for peace of mind. Two Southwest Louisiana rest

Looking for the ideal gift for Dad? Skip the ordinary tools and plan an unforgettable Fathers Day weekend in Lake Charles, creating lasting family memories through unique experiences. FRIDAY: Launch the weekend with dinner and live entertainment at Golden Nugget Lake Charles or L’Auberge Casino Lake Charles. Enjoy country-rock performances by Gretchen Wilson and Clay Cormier & the Highway Boys. Embrace Americana flavors with premium steaks at Saltgrass Steak House or homestyle Southern cuis

National Get Outdoors Day, celebrated annually on the first Saturday in June, promotes the physical and mental health benefits of nature-based activities. In Southwest Louisiana, discover endless opportunities to connect with the outdoors. Creole Nature Trail Adventure Point frequently hosts engaging events, including photo ops with Gumbeaux Gator and free family activities. The Creole Nature Trail offers diverse outdoor pursuits perfect for all ages. No event required—hike the varied trai