Lake Charles Louisiana

Lake Charles Louisiana is just a few miles north of the Gulf of Mexico in Southwest Louisiana. Located in the area referred to as “Cajun Country”, Lake Charles is a place to experience the wilds of Louisiana by enjoying the nearby swamps and outdoor adventure of fishing or duck hunting. You can also enjoy the beaches and year round festivals, as well as Lake Charles casinos and nightlife Cajun Style.

The history of Lake Charles is spiced with tales of pirates and buried treasure, especially along the beaches near the Gulf of Mexico. The legends of Jean Lafitte and other pirates came when first French settlers arrived in the late 1700s. The main industry in the early days was lumber mills. Later on it became a center for oil, petroleum and sulfur industries. There is a huge petroleum reserve nearby Lake Charles underground. Not far from Lake Charles is much of the nation"s strategic petroleum reserve, hidden in salt caves since the 1970s.

There is a historic district in downtown Lake Charles which highlights the city's many fine Victorian era homes. Today Lake Charles is one of the largest cities in Louisiana and its beaches and lake make it very popular for outdoor recreation and other recreation and lead to the name the "Cajun Riviera."

In 2005, Hurricane Rita leveled many areas near the beach south of Lake Charles Louisiana. Many locations that have been rebuilt, but some are still recovering, so check with bed and breakfasts and other attractions like the Cajun Trail before your visit to see if they are back in business. The Harrah’s Casinos Lake Charles was closed indefinitely after hurricane Rita as were many other properties.

One of the best casinos Lake Charles Louisiana offers is the L"Auberge du Lac, one of the more luxurious of the Lake Charles casinos. This casino is an upscale property has a 7,000 yard, par-71 championship golf course, a heated pool, poolside bar and a luxury spa. Other Lake Charles casinos include the Isle of Capri, a hotel casino with an RV park. The Delta Downs Casinos Lake Charles is a newly opened hotel and casino with a nearby racetrack. All the Lake Charles casinos have entertainment shows like in Las Vegas, which has given Louisiana the reputation as the Vegas of the South.

Lake Charles LA is also home to many festivals and events like the 20th Annual Cajun Music & Food Festival in July. These festivals are a great way to discover the Southern Cajun food and listen to the Zydeco music that is signature to this part of Louisiana. But one of the must see events in Lake Charles is the Contraband Days festival. In honor of Jean Lafitte, who was said to have hidden his treasures along the beaches and coves of southwest Louisiana, For twelve days, you can experience outdoor concerts, fireworks, children events, carnival rides, and of course, food! Contraband Days gives visitors a chance to travel back in time to a place where pirates ruled the water, enemies walked the plank, and the fascination of buried treasure captivated imaginations.

There are also plenty of outdoor adventures like golfing at the Gray Plantation, which is one of the premiere courses in the Louisiana golf scene. A beautifully landscaped 18-hole course, it received awards as one of "America"s Top Golf Courses". There is an abundance of fishing adventures in Southwest Lake Charles LA, including lakes, bayous, rivers and marshes. You can also find excellent hunting with seasons for deer, wild turkey, dove and others.

If you want a taste of Cajun Country with plenty of fun and games for the adventurer, take a visit to Lake Charles LA and don’t forget to visit the beach!