If you crave more family time and less screen time, visit Louisiana’s Outback near Lake Charles, where alligators swim lazily by and pelicans glide above. Fly to George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, Texas, before driving for approximately two hours, or take a connecting flight straight into the Lake Charles Regional Airport.

Along the Creole Nature Trail All-American Road, beaches and rolling surf and prairie melt into marsh. One of 43 U.S.-designated All-American Roads, its most frequently travelled section, from Sulphur to the Gulf of Mexico and back to Lake Charles, takes four to six hours. Start at the Creole Nature Trail Adventure Point, where hands-on exhibits and wildlife information prepare you to explore. Smell mouth-watering Cajun/Creole cuisine, and “play along” with a Cajun and Zydeco band too.

NATURAL WONDERS

Before hitting the road, download a guided tour of the Creole Nature Trail that connects to your GPS (in six languages). Along the way, you may see more than 400 bird species and 28 native mammals. Upwards of 15,000 alligators inhabit local wetlands.

Two flyways converging in Southwest Louisiana host migration by up to half of all land birds from eastern North America. At Lacassine National Wildlife Refuge, a massive freshwater marsh is home to one of several Louisiana roseate spoonbill nesting rookeries too. An incredible place to see birds and alligators is along the Pintail Wildlife Drive on the Cameron Prairie National Wildlife Refuge.

“Crabbing” along Price Lake Nature Drive or East End boat launch is great fun. Or fish for one of 132 species at Cameron Jetty Pier and Holly Beach’s Gulf waterfront, plus several wildlife refuges. On professionally led boat charters, catch redfish, king mackerel and more.

CAJUN CULTURE

Experience Louisiana music, cuisine and the arts during summer and fall events. The lakefront Downtown at Sundown concert series features Cajun, Zydeco swamp-pop and classic rock music, plus tabletop galleries by local artists. The Summer Catch a Concert Series and Arts & Crabs Fest are other favourites. 

Or, visit some of the locally owned restaurants in downtown Lake Charles or throughout Southwest Louisiana. Taste from Cajun recipes and enjoy Louisiana’s seafood, seasoned to perfection while you soak in local music and culture.

From water and wildlife to beaches and boating, Lake Charles is a perfect destination to reconnect with loved ones.

TRAVEL PLANNER

Plan your Lake Charles getaway at VisitLakeCharles.org/Coast