Lake Charles, LA

Travel Guide
Lake Charles Historic District featuring a house
Enjoy mouth-watering cuisine, foot-tapping music and summer festivals in this city in the heart of Louisiana’s Cajun country.

Lake Charles is located in the heart of Louisiana’s Acadiana region, also known as “Cajun Country.” The city embraces its heritage with mouth-watering Cajun cuisine and upbeat music on nearly every street corner.

Lake Charles hosts more than 75 annual festivals. Contraband Days is one of the most popular and attracts more than 200,000 visitors. Held over 12 days in May, the celebrations feature Cajun food, live entertainment and music. Mardi Gras festivities also draw huge crowds each year.

Sample a traditional treat such as boudin (sausage) or gumbo, a type of stew served over rice in restaurants in downtown Lake Charles. Visit a bar or club to hear zydeco, a blend of Cajun music, rhythm and blues.

L’Auberge du Lac is a casino resort with a 26-story hotel, 18-hole golf course and a spa. Browse shops and then stop for a meal at an array of international restaurants. Check out the activity on the casino floor or spend time lounging by the pool.

Discover the history of Lake Charles and its surrounding five parishes at Imperial Calcasieu Museum. The space also houses an art gallery. Behind the museum, enjoy a picnic under the shade of the 375-year-old Sallier Oak.

Explore the lake and surrounding swamplands through parks and along the area’s many trails. Wander between swampy lakes and past cypress trees at Sam Houston Jones State Park. Enjoy views of the lake at Bord du Lac Park or North Beach.

Lake Charles is one of the most humid cities in the country. While the weather is comfortably warm for most of the year, temperatures soar during summer months. Go swimming in the lake to cool off in summer.

Interstate 10 connects Lake Charles to Houston in the west and New Orleans in the east. It’s a 2-hour drive to Houston and a 3-hour trip to New Orleans. Lake Charles Regional Airport, located south of the city, offers flights to Dallas and Houston. The easiest way to get around is by rental car.

Where to stay in Lake Charles

L'Auberge Casino Resort Lake Charles
L'Auberge Casino Resort Lake Charles
4 out of 5
777 Avenue L'Auberge, Lake Charles, LA
The price is $118 per night from Jun 5 to Jun 6
$118
per night
Jun 5 - Jun 6
Stay at this 4-star spa resort in Lake Charles. Enjoy free parking, 6 restaurants, and a marina. Our guests praise the pool and the bar in our reviews. Popular ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,847 reviews)
"Lazy river was the best !!"

Reviewed on May 31, 2023

L'Auberge Casino Resort Lake Charles
Golden Nugget Lake Charles
Golden Nugget Lake Charles
4 out of 5
2550 Golden Nugget Blvd, Lake Charles, LA
The price is $208 per night from Jun 6 to Jun 7
$208
per night
Jun 6 - Jun 7
Stay at this 4-star beach resort in Lake Charles. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 7 restaurants. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (2,107 reviews)
"Plenty of dining options, great pool area with lazy river and slides. Beach area with beach-bar."

Reviewed on Jun 2, 2023

Golden Nugget Lake Charles
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Lake Charles South Casino Area, an IHG Hotel
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Lake Charles South Casino Area, an IHG Hotel
2.5 out of 5
1150 West Prien Lake Road, Lake Charles, LA
Fully refundable
The price is $132 per night from Jun 18 to Jun 19
$132
per night
Jun 18 - Jun 19
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Lake Charles. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (556 reviews)
"Welcoming staff and very clean, and comfortable rooms."

Reviewed on Jun 3, 2023

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Lake Charles South Casino Area, an IHG Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Totally Renovated  with Amazing Kitchen, Luxurious Master Suie and Private Pool
Totally Renovated with Amazing Kitchen, Luxurious Master Suie and Private Pool
Lake Charles
Stay at this family-friendly vacation home in Lake Charles. Enjoy free WiFi, private pools, and onsite parking. Our guests praise the pool in our reviews. Popular ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (30 reviews)
Definitely will stay again!
"Barry was great staying in touch making sure all was going well. We really enjoyed the pool although water was a bit cold due to cloudy days. The house is located only minutes away from pretty much everything. This was an absolute plus as it made it very convenient to go back to check on our pups. ..."

Reviewed on May 4, 2023

Totally Renovated with Amazing Kitchen, Luxurious Master Suie and Private Pool
The Peacock Nest
The Peacock Nest
Lake Charles
Stay at this vacation home in Lake Charles. Enjoy free WiFi, onsite parking, and barbecue grills. Popular attraction Kayouche Coulee Golf Course is located nearby. ...
10/10 Exceptional! (1 review)
Great time
"This home was in a great location down the road was a gas station/store and on the other side down the road was a dollar general. Everyone needs a dollar store lol. Wasn’t to far from places to eat maybe 15-20 minutes."

Reviewed on Apr 3, 2023

The Peacock Nest
WE ARE BACK!  Stunning Waterfront Home on Calcasieu Lake
WE ARE BACK! Stunning Waterfront Home on Calcasieu Lake
Lake Charles
Stay at this vacation home in Lake Charles. Enjoy free WiFi, onsite parking, and an arcade/game room. Discover genuine guest reviews for WE ARE BACK! Stunning ...
10/10 Exceptional! (18 reviews)
Highly Recommend
"We rented this beautiful home with another family for Memorial Day weekend. We all agreed that we would love to go back! The home is incredibly spacious, very beautiful and updated, came equipped with all the basic necessities (toilet paper, towels, dish soap, trash bags, laundry detergent, cooking ..."

Reviewed on May 30, 2023

WE ARE BACK! Stunning Waterfront Home on Calcasieu Lake
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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