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Monday, November 24, 2014
Do you and
your family have a free long weekend and you’re wondering what to do? Consider
a mini-vacation to southwest Louisiana for the perfect family getaway! Whether
you and the kids love history, science, art, or the great outdoors, the lake
area has something for everyone.
If there’s
one thing southwest Louisiana has plenty of, it’s water. And where there is
water, there are water sports. Calcasieu and Cameron Parishes are prime
destinations for fishing, boating, crabbing and alligator watching. Bring your
canoe or kayak and your fishing poles and explore the many rivers, lakes and
bayous. Or rent a pontoon boat, kayak or standup paddle board when you get there!
Air Boat or Swamp Tours
Experience
the mystery of marsh grass swamps from an airboat or eco-tour. Call Airboats & Alligators in Grand Chenier, 337-274-2395 or Grosse Savanne Eco-Tours, 337-310-4260.
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| Photo credit: www.wanderwithwonder.com |
Creole Nature Trail All-American Road is one of America’s oldest scenic
byways. This 180-mile driving tour traverses both Cameron and Calcasieu
Parishes. Through marsh grass and wildlife sanctuaries to the Gulf of Mexico
and back again, this unique loop offers fishing, crabbing, hunting, boating,
and nature photography. It’s an excellent place to look for alligators and bird
watch, especially during migration season. There's a free app for your smartphone that's like having a tour guide with you in the car!
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| Search "Creole" to download the Creole Nature Trail tour app. |
This popular
state park offers 78 camp sites for both tents and RVs. There are also eight
cozy cabins. Numerous hiking/biking trails are available, depending on your
fitness level. Boat or fish along the West Fork of the Calcasieu River. The
park is well-known for bird watching. Bald eagles have recently been spotted
there.
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| RV Camping at Sam Houston Jones State Park Photo Credit www.monsoursphotography.net |
Bord du Lac Park and other Area Parks
Southwest Louisiana boasts many parks and recreation centers, but the grandest of them
all is Bord du Lac Park on the lakefront near the Lake Charles Civic Center. Completed in
2013 after the original Millennium Park burned down, this creatively-designed
playground allows children to romp, climb, swing, slide, spin and splash.
Speaking of
splashing, in the warmer months, kids love parks with water features. In
addition to Bord du Lac Park, several other area parks, such as Prien Lake Park
and Pinederosa Park in Westlake, also have so-called “splash zones.” The most
impressive southwest Louisiana water park is at the Sulphur Parks and Recreation (SPAR) facility.
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| The SPAR Waterpark is open in the summertime for kids of all ages! |
Festivals
Southwest Louisiana
is known as the Festival Capital of the state, and with good reason. Over 75
festivals throughout the year celebrate all varieties of food, music genres, wildlife,
and more. Check out www.visitlakecharles.org for the Events Calendar.
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| DeQuincy Railroad Days Festival Photo by www.lindseyjanies.com |
If the
weather doesn’t cooperate for outdoor activities, don’t worry. There are plenty
of indoor activities to entertain children of all ages.
The
Children’s Museum, at 327 Broad St., offers numerous exhibits and activities
that will delight your young ones. Open
Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
The naval
destroyer USS Orleck served in the Korean and Vietnam Wars. She now serves as a
historic naval museum. Located at the north end of Enterprise Blvd. Open
Monday-Friday 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Saturdays
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
If you are
interested in Southwest Louisiana history, visit the Imperial Calcasieu Museum.
They also feature the work of Louisiana artists. 204 W. Sallier St., Lake
Charles. Open 10:00 – 5:00 Tuesday – Saturday.
Affectionately
called Old City Hall, this art gallery showcases traveling art exhibitions from
around the world, as well as a permanent exhibit on the Great Fire of 1910. 1001 Ryan St. Monday
– Friday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
The Henning Cultural Center features contemporary and
local artists. The Brimstone Museum, located in the restored train station next
door, highlights the history of Sulphur. 923 Ruth St. Open
Monday – Friday 10 a.m. – noon and 1 – 5 p.m.
DeQuincy Railroad Museum
Kids love the caboose, steam engine and passenger car on display at the DeQuincy Railroad Museum. And while you're there, don't miss the DeQuincy Town Hall Museum nearby. 400 Lake Charles Ave., DeQuincy. Open Tuesday - Saturday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Kids love the caboose, steam engine and passenger car on display at the DeQuincy Railroad Museum. And while you're there, don't miss the DeQuincy Town Hall Museum nearby. 400 Lake Charles Ave., DeQuincy. Open Tuesday - Saturday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Mardi Gras Museum
The Mardi Gras Museum is always a great one to visit to lift your spirits and prepare for the Carnival Season! 809 Kirby St., Lake Charles. Open Tuesday - Friday 1-5 p.m.
The Mardi Gras Museum is always a great one to visit to lift your spirits and prepare for the Carnival Season! 809 Kirby St., Lake Charles. Open Tuesday - Friday 1-5 p.m.
Lake Charles
has two multi-screen theaters. United Artists at 3416 Derek Dr. and Cinemark at
the Prien Lake Mall, 548 W. Prien Lake Rd.
Bowl a few
games at Petro Bowl, 630 Petro Point Dr., Lake Charles.
Whether you
have three days to spend or a whole week, there’s plenty here to entertain you.
No one can say there’s nothing to do in Lake Charles!
To read more of Angie's adventures, check out her blog, angiekaydilmore.blogspot.com.
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