By Elizabeth Eustis Southwest Louisiana is alive with parades, concerts, fireworks, and culinary delights this Christmas season, making it the premier destination for holiday festivities. With an abundance of cheer, selecting events will be challenging! Attending as many as possible could become my new cherished tradition. Photo by Lindsey Janies Photography My mother-in-law and I kick off the season at the Junior League of Lake Charles’ annual Mistletoe and Moss Holiday Market (Nov.

Looking for a memorable long-weekend escape with the family? Discover southwest Louisianas lake area, offering something for everyone—history buffs, science enthusiasts, art lovers, and outdoor adventurers alike. Southwest Louisiana is a water lovers paradise. Calcasieu and Cameron Parishes shine for fishing, boating, crabbing, and alligator spotting. Pack your canoe, kayak, or fishing gear to explore rivers, lakes, and bayous, or rent a pontoon boat, kayak, or stand-up paddleboard on-site.

Southwest Louisiana Marsh by www.monsoursphotography.net Nothing beats the peace and beauty of watching the sun rise over Southwest Louisiana from a duck blind, hot coffee in hand beside my dad. As a photographer himself, he always said our regions sunrises are the worlds most stunning. Hard to argue! Duck hunting has been a cherished family tradition in the Monsour household. Ive joined my dad on hunts since I was two, creating lifelong memories at our camp in Johnsons Bayou. A father teac

www.nhmsc.com Yesterday, I stood on the Lake Charles shoreline—the future site of the National Hurricane Museum & Science Center—alongside elected officials, community leaders, and representatives from State Farm and Entergy. It was a surreal moment, as this vision for a one-of-a-kind educational center has been years in the making. Photo by www.monsoursphotography.net State Farm and Entergy each contributed $500,000 to the National Hurricane Museum & Science Center. These major cor

The Golden Nugget Lake Charles is officially open, bringing world-class hospitality to Southwest Louisiana. The opening of the Golden Nugget has been highly anticipated for the region, said Megan M. Hartman, senior marketing manager for the Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana Convention & Visitors Bureau. Corner Suite by Landrys, Inc. With 740 guest rooms and suites, expansive meeting spaces, retail outlets, a full-service spa, and an innovative casino floor, the Golden Nugget Lake Charles s

Growing up, my fathers photography studio was in a historic early-1900s building in downtown Lake Charles. I spent summers there, answering phones, assisting with photo shoots, and playing hide-and-seek with my brother in the old homes secret spaces. The historic Locke mansion at 929 Broad St., Lake Charles, LA, built in 1910.Photo by www.monsoursphotography.net When my dad bought the home in the early 1980s, renovations uncovered pocket doors stuffed with 1800s newspaper articles. This s

Photo by www.parkerbrandcreative.com By Angie Kay Dilmore Calling all sports enthusiasts, families, and outdoor lovers! The coastal town of Cameron, Louisiana, hosts its annual Fur & Wildlife Festival on January 9-10, 2015. This longstanding event, entertaining attendees since 1955, features thrilling competitions including duck and goose calling, retrieval dog trials, nutria and muskrat skinning, trap setting, skeet shooting, and oyster shucking. Duck Calling Contest.Photo by www.parkerbrandc

Photo by www.monsoursphotography.net My three-year-old son, Banks, is a picky eater who loves sugary treats, but shrimp gives us hope! He enjoys fried shrimp, boiled shrimp (peeled for him), shrimp gumbo, and especially shrimp stew. On this chilly night, shrimp stew is on the menu. From Big Easy Foods in Lake Charles, Ive learned Gulf shrimp boast a robust flavor and impressive nutrition: high in protein, omega-3s, selenium, and vitamin B12. Find Big Easy Foods Louisiana shrimp in the

A few days ago, I embarked on a personal adventure to rediscover the beauty of my home in Southwest Louisiana. As a professional photographer, I chose to begin in the countryside and gradually explore inward. Fair warning: the regions wonders are vast, making it impossible to capture everything in one post. By Brice Perrin Southwest Louisiana boasts some of the worlds most breathtaking landscapes and scenic drives. My journey started just 3 miles south and east of

Photo by www.monsoursphotography.net From elaborate headpieces and flowing gowns to crowns and scepters, Mardi Gras krewes adorn their royal courts in dazzling regalia. In Lake Charles, southwestern Louisiana, over 60 krewes—parading organizations—showcase their finest on the night before Mardi Gras, as exemplified by the renowned Royal Gala. Photo by www.monsoursphotography.net Each year, Southwest Louisianas krewes host a grand public costume pageant, offering a rare glimpse

King cake-inspired creations have exploded as a seasonal sensation in Louisiana. From king cake hamburger buns to boudin-stuffed versions, local businesses are crafting inventive Mardi Gras treats. Try this King Cake Recipe Where to Find King Cakes Photo by David Hill Discover Botskys king cake sweet potato fries, dubbed Krewe de Patate Douce (Krewe of the Sweet Potato). These fries are dusted with traditional purple, green, and gold sugars, capturing the fresh aroma of a classic king cak

I can smell the barbecue pork already smoking on the pit as we gather at KC Hall, 503 E. Highway 90, in Iowa, Louisiana, around 9 a.m. to pay for our parade entry.Smoked meats like sausage and tasso are popular in Cajun Country.Everyone mills about in their Courir de Mardi Gras costumes made of rags, chatting as final preparations are made to decorate the trailers.Cory Cart and Lysa Allman-Baldwin enjoy the festivities atop bales of hay in the back of a trailer on the parade route.We’re in the s

  By Angie Manning When the Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) team set out to showcase not just the attractions of Southwest Louisiana, but the authentic feeling of experiencing this vibrant region through video, music naturally emerged as a key element. Blessed with stunning natural beauty, abundant resources, rich traditions, diverse culture, and delectable cuisine, Southwest Louisiana blends a profound sense of home with lively nightlife. Capturing this essence in a single video

Head to Southwest Louisiana for shrimping armed with just a cast net, a bucket, and a hearty appetite. The bayous teem with fresh Louisiana shrimp, perfect for a home-cooked feast. Spanning 76,000 acres, the Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge offers hundreds of prime spots for shrimping, fishing, and crabbing. As an avid angler and guest of the Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana Convention & Visitors Bureau, this Ohio native quickly discovered that cast netting is a beloved pastime here for all ages. Mas

Southwest Louisiana boasts a vibrant tapestry of history and folklore, from Native American roots and pirate legends to industrial booms and epic fires. Drawing from insights shared by Adley Cormier, Advocacy Chair of the Calcasieu Historical Preservation Society, here are the most frequently asked historical topics. 1. Native Americans in Southwest Louisiana The recorded history of Southwest Louisiana begins with the Attakapas Indians, the regions original inhabitants. In the 1500s, these A

Southwest Louisiana is steeped in fascinating history. This is Part Two of our Most Asked Historic Topics series, exploring key stories that shaped the region. Lets dive in! 1. Toni Jo Henry The sensational trial of Toni Jo Henry captivated the public during the early World War II era. Convicted of murdering Joseph P. Calloway on February 14, 1940, she became the last woman executed by electric chair in Louisiana—in the basement of the historic Calcasieu Parish Courthouse on Ryan and Kirby S

By local accounts, the 45-degree weather feels unusually chilly for late March in Louisiana. A cold front had swept through, shifting the wind from its typical southerly flow to the north. Its a steady breeze—not fierce by Texas Panhandle standards—but enough to notice. From our hotel, its just a short 20-minute drive for my son and me to reach Pelican Point Road and our meeting spot with Big Lake Guide Service. Maps label it Calcasieu Lake, but locals simply call it Big Lake. The nickname

A gentle salt-tinged breeze carried the calls of terns, cormorants, herons, and egrets gliding on the southern wind. The air was a perfect 72 degrees—cool yet comfortable—as the sun dipped below the horizon. From our balcony at the Golden Nugget in Lake Charles, I savored the breathtaking view. In that moment, everything felt perfectly now. Now is the time for your Cajun adventure in Southwest Louisiana—right now! This marked the final evening of a remarkable trip with my wife, capped by e

By Linda Aksomitis Witness the cannon fire on May 2 as the city militia tries to defend the seawall, only to be overtaken by Jean Lafitte. Photo by David Aksomitis. There’s nothing like a captivating pirate tale—or festival—to draw me across 2,000 miles. The Louisiana Pirate Festival in Lake Charles delivered every bit of excitement I anticipated. I’ve long been fascinated by pirates, even playing the role with my grandson in our hot tub from age two. He was always capt

In the summer of 2007, my family and I relocated to Lake Charles, Louisiana. I instantly fell in love with this vibrant state—its music, art, language, landscapes, and customs offered daily adventures. Louisianas culinary traditions stood out, introducing me to unfamiliar dishes that soon became favorites. Take crawfish, for example. In Pennsylvania, we knew them as crayfish—small creatures under rocks that no one ate. During our 2007 “summer of immersion,” we embraced the local culture, includi