|
 Lake
Charles is a picturesque city that allures Texans to cross
the Sabine River every day of the year. The first-time visitor
will find unexpected pleasures ranging from the exciting fishing
for a wide variety of fish in the lake - gateway to the gulf,
or a wonderful historic tour, or gaming at Isle of Capri Casino's
48,900 square feet of non-stop casino action (picture to the
right), and much, much more. A Historic District Tour will
be a memorable experience for those interested in historic
homes.
There
are several B & B places to spend the
night and enjoy the activities.
A River's
Edge B&B
2035
Gus Street
Westlake
,
LA 70669
337-497-1525
Aunt
Ruby's B&B
504
Pujo Street
Lake
Charles ,
LA 70601
337-430-0603
CA's
House B&B
624
Ford Street
Lake
Charles ,
LA 70601
337-439-6672
Rivers
Rest Bed & Breakfast
3751
River Road
Westlake
,
LA 70669
337-439-7183
The
Eddy House
722
Pujo Street
Lake
Charles ,
LA 70601
337-436-3980
Walter's
Attic
618
Ford Street
Lake
Charles ,
LA 70601
337-439-6672
(866) 439-6672
 One
of the fascinating things to do is tour the city and see the
intriguing gators that stand in front of residences and business
places (see pictures). The local Convention and Visitors
Bureau, located just past the Isle of Capri Casino
on the opposite side of the bridge will supply you with a
map of various locations of the Gators on the Geaux public
art displays. There are more than eighty of these life-size
gators posed for your viewing. The names are as interesting
as the gators. At the Methodist Church there is the Pearly
Gator - one you don't want to miss. Each gator is done
in lively, vivid, vibrant colors. It will take a full day
to view them, since they are located over such vast area of
the city. The fiberglass gators were part of a fund raiser
for Lake Charles Symphony.
Check
out the gator site at: http://www.gatorsonthegeaux.com/
There
is a great staff of friendly people at the Visitor's Center
to assist you, and you will find one of the nation's finest
brochure displays of things to do in the area, and state,
housed there. Enjoy a tour of their knockout-beautiful
Center while you finish your free cup of coffee.
There
are the usual chain food places to eat, but across from the
Convention Visitor's Center you will find Steamboat
Bill's on the Lake Restaurant . This is one more
great place to dine .
Lake
Charles has a captivating Mardi Gras that
is very family oriented, complete with Children's
Parades, Lighted Boat Parade on the Lake , and the
Grand Mardi Gras Gala which takes place in
the lakeside Civic Center. There is the spacious picture-perfect
Bord du lac City Park, right on the lake,
for the family to enjoy a pleasant and relaxing day. The play
area is more than sufficient to keep the children busy as
the parents sit and enjoy the enchanting view of the lake.
There are some excellent rural Mardi Gras Parades at Jennings,
Elton, and other areas close by that have the traditional
Mardi Gras dress.
For
more information about the many things to see at Jennings:
http://www.travel-info-online.com/hotels/la/jennings.htm
The Elton rural Mardi Gras is an event you will never forget:
For
the outdoors crowd, the Creole Nature Trail All-American
Road Tour is another great day of experiences. There
is bird watching, gator spotting, fishing, and never-to-be-forgotten
marsh scenes around the turn of each bend in the road. Each
new view will hold one captivated. There is the Mardi Gras
Krewe de Louisiana for the Mardi Gras costume enthusiast.
There
are several very interesting web sites to educate you about
Lake Charles, from eating to recreation.
One
is http://www.visitlakecharles.org/
, and an excellent event calendar is located at:
http://www.cityoflakecharles.com/depts/commissions/teamgreen/calendar.asp
Happy
Traveling. 
 
“To
The Ends Of The Earth And Then Some.”
E-mail travel questions to:
jones@photoandtravel.com
|
