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Photo courtesy Lake Charles Convenion & Visitors Bureau

‘Real Cajun,’ Lake Charles, Louisiana

Chef Donald Link pays homage to Calcasieu roots

by Cheré Coen | July 21, 2010

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New Orleans star chef Donald Link, who won the James Beard Best Chef South Region Award in 2007, grew up in Sulphur, just outside of Lake Charles. His New Orleans restaurants reflect his heritage as well. In addition to Cochon and Herbsaint restaurants is Calcasieu, Link’s private catering arm that emphasizes contemporary Louisiana cuisine. (Calcasieu is the parish that encompasses Lake Charles; parish the Louisiana equivalent of counties.)

So it’s no wonder Link returned …


Photo by Cheré Coen

DeQuincy Railroad Museum, DeQuincy, Louisiana

Train museum one of the country's best

by Cheré Coen | July 20, 2010

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DeQuincy, Louisiana, is an unassuming little town north of Lake Charles with a great big secret. It’s home to one of the finest railroad museums in the country.

Housed in the 1923 Kansas City Southern Depot, listed in the National Register of Historic Places, the DeQuincy Railroad Museum features a wide variety of railroad memorabilia. Visitors can enjoy the numerous minature trains on display, items from a by-gone time period such as railroad …


Photo by Southwest Louisiana Convention & Visitors Bureau

North Beach, Lake Charles, Louisiana

White sand one of city’s many outdoors offerings

by Cheré Coen | July 15, 2010

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Lake Charles owns its name because, well, it’s surrounded by a lake! And quite a large one at that.

That would be awesome enough for the residents with its cooling breezes, pirateer history and fabulous sunsets, but there’s also a sand beach lining one side of the lake, which comes in handy on those long hot summers.

In fact, North Beach is the only white sand beach that’s inland from Texas all the …


Photo by Cheré Coen

Creole Nature Trail, Lake Charles, Louisiana

180 miles of wild marshes and beaches

by Cheré Coen | July 13, 2010

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There’s something for everyone on the Creole Nature Trail, from fishing and crabbing to hiking and bird watching, not to mention possibly the largest collection of alligators within view in the state.

The Creole Nature Trail extends down from Interstate 10 from both Sulphur and Lake Charles, eventually making a large dip to the south and looping back up the other side. Along the way are wildlife refuges, bird rookeries, fishing opportunities …


Geno Delafose and French Rockin' Boogie perform July 17 in Lake Charles.

Geno Delafose and French Rockin' Boogie perform July 17 in Lake Charles.

Photo by St. Landry Parish Tourist Commission

Cajun French Music Association Festival, Lake Charles, Louisiana

Great music, dancing in a cool environment

by Cheré Coen | July 11, 2010

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When there’s Cajun music playing, it’s time to dance. No excuses.

But come summertime and those outdoor festivals we all love and frequent aren’t as appealing as they are in the spring and fall, which is why you can’t throw a stick in south Louisiana in April or October and not hit a festival.

Lake Charles in July offers a great solution. The 2010 Cajun French Music Association of Louisiana, a …


Families can enjoy L'Auberge’s winding lazy river pool.

Families can enjoy L'Auberge’s winding lazy river pool.

Photo by Cheré Coen

L’Auberge du Lac, Lake Charles, Louisiana

Vegas-style casino attracts big-name entertainment

by Cheré Coen | July 09, 2010

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At the heart of L'Auberge du Lac Casino in Lake Charles lies 230,000 square feet of non-stop Vegas-style gambling with 62 table games and more than 1,600 slot machines. But L'Auberge is also an elegant resort with spa and salon, massive lazy river pool, luxury shops and a tower expansion that includes 252 guest rooms and suites, 10 of which are luxury garden suites with private terraces and butler service.

It’s also a …


Photo by Cheré Coen

Sam Houston Jones State Park

Wildlife haven just minutes from Lake Charles

by Cheré Coen | July 07, 2010

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Visits to state parks near major cities and industry usually result in a wonderful picnic opportunity or cabin experience but it’s rare to see much wildlife. Not so at Sam Houston Jones State Park, north of Lake Charles.

The week we visited we spotting turtles in the wetlands bordering the hiking trails, deers enjoying fresh grass everywhere, armadillos and a host of bird sightings, such as great white egrets, herons and red-headed …


Photo by Cheré Coen

Travel Guide to Lake Charles

Why You Should Visit Lake Charles

by Cheré Coen | July 06, 2010

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It’s all about having fun in this southwestern Louisiana town, whether it’s Cajun food and dancing, gambling at the top-notch casinos, enjoying the great outdoors on the Creole Nature Trail or just sitting back and relishing in relaxed Southern hospitality.

Lake Charles means variety, with something for just about everyone.

Families will love the many festivals, including their full-fledge Mardi Gras in the spring, the weeks-long Contraband Days Pirate Festival honoring …


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lake-charles-mardi-gras

Photo by Monsour Photography, courtesy Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana CVB

Mardi Gras Cajun-Style, Lake Charles, LA

Southwest Louisiana's Fat Tuesday celebrations are a unique treat.

by Sharon McDonnell | February 10, 2010

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Unique in Louisiana, the Royal Courts of over 50 krewes—kings, queens, dukes, duchesses and jesters—will promenade before the public in their feathered, sequined and gilt glory at a Royal Gala Monday, February 15, Lundi Gras, in the Lake Charles Civic Center. Second only to New Orleans in the number of krewes that parade during Mardi Gras, Lake Charles offers this unforgettable spectacle for a wallet-friendly $4 ($5 at the door). Anywhere else, you'd …


Melissa Kapp Bender's photo

Meet the Lake Charles Insider

Melissa Kapp Bender

One day in the fall of 2008, Melissa Kapp Bender woke up and found she… more

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