Content Produced in Partnership with Visit Lake Charles
If you're looking for a place where you can truly immerse yourself in Louisiana culture and cuisine, we'd like to point you west of New Orleans to a city called Lake Charles. Home to glitzy casinos and a smorgasbord of Cajun cuisine, this southwestern city is on the move — in more ways than one. With a booming hospitality business, a thriving arts and cultural scene, and a plethora of outdoor opportunities, we think you'll find Lake Charles is a destination the whole family can get behind. Ready to visit? Check out the photo gallery for more trip inspiration.
Arts, culture, live music, and history, Lake Charles has it all. The best part? It's all centrally located around downtown. (Photo courtesy Visit Lake Charles)
Lake Charles is located less than 50 miles away from the Gulf of Mexico, offering up plenty of coastline to explore on two legs or four wheels. (Photo by LindseyJanies.com)
Because of its proximity to fresh and salt water, Lake Charles is a foodie haven for bold, Cajun flavors and fresh seafood — so much so your tagline will be, "Put a shrimp on it!"
(Photo courtesy Visit Lake Charles)
Offering championship golf courses, live entertainment, multiple dining and shopping options as well as live horse racing, you’ll feel like you hit the jackpot every night at one of the city’s four casino resorts. (Photo courtesy Visit Lake Charles)
You haven't truly visited Louisiana until you've seen an alligator in the marsh. Be sure to visit Creole Nature Trail Adventure Point before you set out. (Photo by http://monsoursphotography.net/)
More than 400 species of birds migrate through Lake Charles each year. You can spot many of them from the boardwalks along the Creole Nature Trail. (Photo by LindseyJanies.com)
There's always a party to be had in Lake Charles. The city boasts more than 75 annual festivals each year, giving you plenty of reasons to visit again and again. (Photo by Corinne Edmiston)