Ive always loved music and dancing! When I first arrived in Southwest Louisiana 10 years ago, I had never tried Cajun dancing. In fact, the only coordinated dance I knew was the Watermelon Crawl—and it wasnt pretty.Excited to learn authentic steps, I discovered the Cajun French and Music Association hosts Cajun dance lessons every third Thursday of the month.My first lesson: The iconic Two Step!Explore more Cajun culture at www.visitlakecharles.org/cajun/. Mark your calendar for upcoming dance l

Whether visiting family or vacationing in Southwest Louisiana, immerse yourself in our vibrant culture—from live music and museums to art and exceptional cuisine. For a true taste of the region, dine where locals gather; they know the best spots for every craving. Southwest Louisiana is renowned for its family-owned restaurants delivering outstanding food. Here’s a curated list of my favorite local gems to start your culinary journey. Darrell’s consistently earns praise for hearty poboys and sa

Botskys menu bursts with playful names like MacDaddy & Cheese and Slawdog Millionaire, promising a fun dining experience at this downtown Lake Charles, Louisiana hotspot long before your hot dogs arrive. This standout eatery excels at one thing: premium hot dogs made with Kobe beef. Parking on Pujo Street, I spotted the simple sign on the vintage buildings facade featuring a jackalope—a mythical creature that immediately caught my eye. This quirky detail signaled it was my kind of s

I grew up duck hunting with my dad and little brother. Though Ive never mastered duck calling, Ive always enjoyed honing my skills. Recently, I visited the Faulk’s Game Calls warehouse in Lake Charles, stepping back in time. Each call is still handmade, hand-tuned, and crafted with unmatched passion for the outdoors. Since 1951, Faulk’s Game Calls has maintained the same meticulous attention to detail in producing premium-quality calls. “Growing up, our grandfather demonstrated our calls to crow

One of the most common questions from visitors to Southwest Louisiana is: Whats the difference between Creole and Cajun? Creoles, as an ethnic group, are more challenging to define than Cajuns. Creoles trace their roots to French and European descent, primarily aristocracy who settled in urban areas like New Orleans. Over time, the term expanded to include native-born individuals of African descent, servants, and free people of color. In Southwest Louisiana, Creole refers to traditions native

Visitors to the Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana Convention & Visitors Bureau frequently ask these five common questions. As local experts, were sharing detailed answers to help you plan an unforgettable trip. Take note!   #5-Where can I go crabbing? Louisiana blue crabs are renowned for their exceptional flavor. Theyre easy to catch, making it a fun family activity. Prime spots along the Creole Nature Trail All-American Road in Sabine National Wildlife Refuge include: Northline Re

Last year marked my first attendance at Rouge et Blanc, the annual food and wine fundraiser benefiting McNeese State University’s Banners Series. Tickets for this highly anticipated event sell out faster than popular concerts. The festival continues to expand annually, as noted by Patricia Prudhomme, Director of Banners. “We increased to 1,750 tickets last year due to the larger venue on the McNeese campus,” she shared. Previously, it was held downtown in Lake Charles. The impressive turnout was

Southwest Louisiana, known as the Festival Capital of the state, hosts over 75 annual fairs and festivals. True to our Cajun roots, we cherish good times, dancing, and savoring mouthwatering foods and drinks. Expect staples like fried alligator bites, Cajun jambalaya, and gumbo at most events. Our proximity to Texas influences our love for smoked barbecue ribs, brisket, and pork steaks, prepared in true Cajun cowboy style. At a recent festival, I savored braised pork belly with cracklins and

(Photo above: Haylie Loftin and Jason Labove squeeze and strain their juices fresh every day at Restaurant Calla.) Seasonal. Daring. Progressive. These words define Restaurant Calla, one of Lake Charles premier upscale dining spots. Celebrated for its visionary gourmet cuisine, Calla brings the same dedication to quality and creativity to its bar, overseen by expert bar manager Jason Labove. “We prioritize fresh, original ingredients in everything we do,” Labove explains while straining lime jui

Classic recommendations originally updated June 12, 2017 Sundays in Southwest Louisiana offer endless fun! Dive into these expert-recommended Sunday Funday activities for a perfect day out in Lake Charles and beyond. Indulge in Brunch: Enjoy outdoor seating and live Street Side Jazz Band performances at the patio of Luna Bar & Grill. Their New Orleans-inspired brunch menu shines with local flair—dont miss the Omelet Mamou, a three-egg omelet stuffed with Louisiana crawfish, cheddar/Monte

With kids back in school, summer vibes linger on. Wrapping up our Summer Cocktail Series, we spotlight Blue Martini Lounge at Golden Nugget Lake Charles. Renowned for classic and innovative martinis, their menu boasts an impressive 42 varieties—a delightful dilemma! To guide guests, Blue Martini hosts martini tastings every Friday. Bartenders offer expert recommendations too. Our customer service is top-notch, shares bar manager Marvin Castro. We craft a unique atmosphere where guests feel right

Travelers love snapping photos of Southwest Louisianas vibrant food scene, outdoor adventures, and cultural attractions. While selfies are always fun, nothing excites me more than images that capture the essence and stories of our region. Im always scouting for standout photos that highlight our areas breathtaking landscapes and engaging activities while telling a compelling narrative. One evening on Instagram, I discovered @dlthibos jaw-dropping image—a bold, unique full moon shot unlike any

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. Its 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, Louisianas iconic pink flamingo (the

It was a chaotic and devastating period in Louisiana following Hurricane Katrina, which forever changed south Louisianas landscape. Lake Charles and Southwest Louisiana hosted countless Katrina evacuees in hotels, churches, and public buildings. Just three weeks later, as Hurricane Rita approached landfall in Southwest Louisiana, emergency teams managed both local residents and displaced visitors. When Rita struck, Southwest Louisiana lost about 50% of its trees, which fell on homes, businesses

Every childhood road trip kicked off with a stop at a local convenience store for a frozen Coke Icee, fried tater logs (think giant French fries), and boudin balls. My love for boudin balls lasted years until my dad returned from Holly Beach with two ice chests: one packed with fresh shrimp, the other with smoked boudin links.   My mom breaded the shrimp for frying, while Dad fired up the grill for the boudin. The precooked filling warmed quickly. Sliced into bite-sized pieces, the first

Experience Authentic Local Culture: Discover the heart of Southwest Louisiana at our renowned fairs and festivals. Nearly every weekend, enjoy live local bands, delectable Cajun cuisine, and unforgettable good times! Download the free Lake Charles Events App for instant access to area events right at your fingertips. Top Dining Spots: Savor endless culinary adventures in Southwest Louisiana! Explore Cajun restaurants and local Louisiana food products via this link. For the Top 20 restaurant

Step into Stellar Beans on Broad Street in Lake Charles, and youll be surrounded by stunning handmade pottery—from steaming mugs of dark roast to plates of fresh beignets and large bowls brimming with yogurt parfaits. These exquisite pieces are the creations of local artisan Rex Alexander, known affectionately as Ti Rex. For sixteen years, Rex Alexander has honed his craft, describing his work as profoundly functional. His kitchen shelves overflow with mugs, countertop canisters, and bowls in

Years ago, I first encountered Raejean Clark-Germans captivating fish art. She and her husband, Norman German—a close family friend—fish for redfish off River Road in downtown Lake Charles. Raejean then creates stunning prints from these catches for her paintings and pottery. What stands out is her use of everyday regional elements, transformed into timeless art at her studio, Arts’ Desire, located at 1322 Ryan St. in Lake Charles. “Never throw anything away,” Raejean insists during a tour o

As the digital media manager for Visit Lake Charles, I have the unique privilege of reviewing every photo, post, and pin tagged with #VisitLakeCharles. The exceptional talent among Lake Area photographers never ceases to amaze me. Stunning, otherworldly images frequently cross my desk, often prompting me to pause and truly appreciate their beauty. That’s precisely what happened when I discovered @iraraiz’s captivating shot earlier this month. The vibrant hues of the clouds immediately drew me i

Picture yourself unwinding on a shaded terrace, where live jazz sets a relaxed vibe, gentle breezes rustle banana palms in lush gardens, and boats glide along the Calcasieu River. The enticing aromas of sizzling bacon and fresh coffee fill the air. Welcome to Sunday Brunch at Jack Daniel’s Bar & Grill, L’Auberge Casino Resort. “We add our unique Creole flair to classic brunch dishes,” explains Executive Chef Lyle Broussard. “Take steak and eggs or Eggs Benedict—we elevate them with local