Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana has something for everyone- from our glitzy casinos and entertainment to more than 75 fairs and festivals that pack the calendar year round, including Mardi Gras and Contraband Days- the only pirate festival in Louisiana! Don’t forget our scrumptious cuisine that will have you ordering seconds (and dessert!) and the rugged wilderness of Louisiana’s Outback on the Creole Nature Trail All-American Road. Get on the green with our championship golf courses, one ranked by Golf Digest and one designed by Tom Fazzio, or stroll through the Charpentier Historic District, where 20 blocks of registered historic homes beckon you to a simpler time. Kids will have a great time too, at our many parks and recreation facilities and our hands-on children’s museum. See authentic Louisiana artwork and history in our many museums and galleries, or visit Central School, the hub of arts activities in Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana. With so many great activities during the year, there is something going on!