 Lake Charles Civic Center |
Lake Charles Tourism Guide
Lake Charles is about 100 miles southwest from Alexandria via U.S. 165, and located strategically on I-10 and the Calcasieu River, as shown on the map below.
The parish seat of Calcasieu Parish, the City of Lake Charles is located near Sulphur, Westlake, Vinton, Iowa, Dequincy, Kinder, Jennings, Cameron and Holly Beach on the Gulf of Mexico.
Lake Charles, the 5th largest city in Louisiana, is known for its Cajun and Creole culture, and its legendary Cajun cooking and fine cuisine.
For more information, contact the Southwest Louisiana Chamber of Commerce and Economic Alliance.
Lake Charles Hotels and Restaurants
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Lake Charles is considered the "Festival Capital of Louisiana" with its 75 annual festivals.
- The Lake Charles Civic Center is the venue for many special events, meetings and conventions. This three-level, three-part complex, located in the heart of downtown Lake Charles, is a massive facility with extremely versatile rooms capable of hosting any number of events. The facility encompasses more than 83,000 square feet, offers on-site parking and is located less than 8 miles from the Lake Charles Regional Airport.
- Louisiana Pirate Festival - Experience the unique pirate and seafaring festival with events on both land and sea. On the shores of historic Lake Charles, the Louisiana Pirate Festival showcases entertainment by a variety of talented musicians, performers and artists. Join this family-friendly event with cannon demonstrations, costume contests, local arts and crafts, themed souvenirs, games and attractions, including carnival rides and more!
- Downtown Lake Charles Crawfish & Seafood Festival - held in mid-April annually at the Lake Charles Civic Center in downtown
- Creole Nature Trail: An All-American Road - The Creole Nature Trail All-American Road is a 180-mile byway meandering through the area's beaches and bayous - a great way to see the local wildlife. Creole Nature Trail Adventure Point is the interactive attraction and visitor center, where friendly staff there will help cater your tour.
- Camerson Prairie National Wildlife Refuge - established to preserve and protect wintering waterfowl and their habitat. Located at the intersection of two major flyways, the refuge has an important role in management for migratory birds. The Wildlife Refuge also offers fishing opportunities at both the Gibbstown Unit as well as the East Cove Unit.
- Area gaming casinos include the L'Auberge Casino Resort and the Isle of Capri Casino & Hotel.
- Nearby is the Delta Downs Racetrack, Casino & Hotel
For more information, contact the Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana Convention & Visitors Bureau
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McNeese State University
Lake Charles is also the home of McNeese State University, and serves a large, regional retail area in Southwest Louisiana and Southeast Texas.
McNeese is a public university founded in 1939 as Lake Charles Junior College. It was renamed McNeese State University after John McNeese, an early local educator. It serves nearly 8,000 undergraduate and graduate students.
For more information, link to the website of McNeese State University
Lake Charles Regional Airport
Lake Charles Regional Airport (LCH) began operation in 1961, and today provides commercial air service and serves the air travel needs of the residents of Southwest Louisiana. It is served by the following air carriers:
- Amerian Airlines with flights to/from Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
- United Airlines with flights to/from Houston Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
In addition to commercial air travel, LCH also serves general aviation and corporate travel needs with two runways including a crosswind secondary runway.
LCH is also home to multiple helicopter operators that service the medical and offshore oil and gas industries in Louisiana and the Gulf of Mexico. Bristow Group, Inc., the largest offshore commercial helicopter operator in the World, operates a large facility to perform maintenance, repair, overhaul, flight training, painting and other services on their extensive fleet of helicopters.
The Airport is situated on nearly 2,000 acres placing it among the larger airports is Louisiana in terms of total acreage. Over 30 entities currently operate on the airport’s property.
Earlier Times in Lake Charles
The first people to settle the lake were Mr. and Mrs. LeBleu of Bordeaux, France. They arrived in 1781 and built their home six miles east of the present site of Lake Charles, and known today as LeBleu Settlement.
On March 16, 1867 the area formerly known as Charleston was incorporated into the town of Lake Charles.
Rich in history, the Charpentier Historic District extends over 40 blocks of downtown Lake Charles, and includes one of the finest collections of Victorian architecture in Louisiana, dating from the late 1800s and early 1900s.
Vintage Postcard of Ryan Street, Lake Charles, La, Circa 1020s  |
City Hall |
Steamer in Port |
Sammy's |
Majestic Hotel |
Crystal Courts |
Calcasieu River Bridge |
Boat Club |
Aragon Cafe |
Chateau Charles |
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