• Restaurants + Bars
  • Entertainment
  • Arts
  • Society
  • City Life
  • Fashion + Beauty
  • Real Estate
  • Home + Design
  • Innovation
  • Travel
  • Sports
  • THE TOP 100
  • City Guide
  • Events
  • Charity Guide
  • Subscribe
  • Cities
  • Austin
  • Dallas
  • Houston
  • San Antonio
  • Fort Worth
Cities
  • Austin
  • Dallas
  • Houston
  • San Antonio
  • Fort Worth
culturemap logo
  • Restaurants + Bars

    THE LATEST

    : Chris Shepherd, CultureMap's new Wine Guy, makes a splash with his first column devoted to his grape love
    the wine guy speaks
    Chris Shepherd uncorks first column as CultureMap's new Wine Guy
    By Chris Shepherd
    Eric Sandler: Tequila and whiskey-fueled Heights bar bringing cocktails and tacos to second location in the East End
    head east
    Heights fave tequila + whiskey bar serves up new outpost in East End
    By Eric Sandler
    CultureMap Staff: Meet the Houstonian behind a local Champagne brand that's the toast of the town, plus the hottest food news
    What's Eric Eating Episode 252
    The Houstonian behind a new local Champagne brand, plus more food news
    By CultureMap Staff

    SPONSORED BY

  • Entertainment

    THE LATEST

    Craig D. Lindsey : Here are the top 14 things to do in Houston this weekend
    weekend event planner
    Here are the top 14 things to do in Houston this weekend
    By Craig D. Lindsey
    Alex Bentley: Lili Reinhart leads dual lives in light and breezy Look Both Ways
    Movie Review
    Lili Reinhart leads dual lives in light and breezy Look Both Ways
    By Alex Bentley
    Steven Devadanam: Houston's superstar Lizzo plays runaway bride in dreamy new video starring famous hunk
    lizzo loves tyson?
    Houston's Lizzo plays runaway bride in new video starring famous hunk
    By Steven Devadanam

    SPONSORED BY

  • Arts

    THE LATEST

    Steven Devadanam: Hilarious Houston lawyers summon audiences to musical comedy romp for a good cause
    court is (back) in session
    Hilarious Houston lawyers summon audiences to fun musical comedy romp
    By Steven Devadanam
    Tarra Gaines: First-ever Houston Theater Week stages BOGO deals for 77 of the season's hottest shows
    prices down, curtain up
    First-ever Houston Theater Week stages BOGO deals 77 hottest shows
    By Tarra Gaines
    Tarra Gaines: 9 vivid and eye-catching August art events no Houstonian should miss
    best august art
    9 vivid and eye-catching August art events no Houstonian should miss
    By Tarra Gaines

    SPONSORED BY

  • Society

    THE LATEST

    Steven Devadanam: Houston leading ladies receive surprise honor as 2023 Women of Distinction
    2023 women of distinction
    Houston leading ladies surprised with 2023 Women of Distinction honor
    By Steven Devadanam
    Steven Devadanam: Longtime leader of Houston's beloved holiday extravaganza closes up shop after 34-year run
    a fond farewell
    Longtime leader of Houston's beloved holiday experience stepping down
    By Steven Devadanam
    Steven Devadanam: Inspiring celebrity sports power couple hosts can't-miss gala with surprise Houston Astros guests
    a home-run cause
    Sports power couple hosts gala with surprise Astros star guests
    By Steven Devadanam

    SPONSORED BY

  • City Guide

    THE LATEST

    : Stages
    Entertainment
    Stages
    : PH Design Shop
    Shops
    PH Design Shop
    : Westin Oaks Houston
    Hotels
    Westin Oaks Houston

    SPONSORED BY

  • Events

    THE LATEST

    : Color Factory
    8.20.22 | 9:00 am
    Color Factory
    : Stardust Entertainment, LLC presents Delta H Con
    8.20.22 | 9:00 am
    Stardust Entertainment, LLC presents Delta H Con
    : Candytopia
    8.20.22 | 10:00 am
    Candytopia

    SPONSORED BY

  • SportsMap
  • Subscribe
  • City Life

    THE LATEST

    Natalie Harms: New and improved trash-removing boat casts off to clean up Buffalo Bayou
    don't mess with BB
    New + improved trash-removing boat casts off to clean up Buffalo Bayou
    By Natalie Harms
    : River Oaks luxury high-rise reps fire back at 'inaccurate' reporting of structural integrity concerns
    royalton responds
    River Oaks luxury high-rise reps fire back at 'inaccurate reporting
    By ABC13 Staff
    Teresa Gubbins: Girl Scouts bake up radical new flavor for 2023 cookie season in Houston
    the next thin mint? (gasp)
    Girl Scouts bake up radical flavor for 2023 cookie season in Houston
    By Teresa Gubbins

    SPONSORED BY

  • Fashion + Beauty

    THE LATEST

    : 5 Houston spas for hands-on help with the delish Hailey Bieber 'glazed donut' manicure
    No Calorie Counting here
    5 Houston spas for that delish Hailey Bieber 'glazed donut' manicure
    By Gabi De la Rosa
    : 5 Houston hot-pink essentials to rock this summer's viral Barbiecore trend
    I'm a Barbie girl, in the Barbie world
    5 Houston hot-pink essentials to rock summer's viral Barbiecore trend
    By Gabi De la Rosa
    : Luxe Uptown boutique fittingly wins best lingerie shop in America title
    a fitting win
    Luxe Uptown boutique fittingly named best lingerie shop in America
    By Gabi De la Rosa

    SPONSORED BY

  • Real Estate

    THE LATEST

    John Egan: Houston ranks No. 3 in U.S. for best ‘bang for the buck’ for new homes, says report
    bayou city bargain
    Houston ranks No. 3 in U.S. for best ‘bang for the buck’ for new homes
    By John Egan
    Hannah J. Frías: Stars at night are big and bright at this stunning $18.5 million Texas ranch
    down by the river
    Stars at night are big and bright at this stunning $18.5M Texas ranch
    By Hannah J. Frías
    John Egan: Retro Hill Country drive-in movie theater premieres on the market at $4 million
    Screen dream
    Retro Hill Country drive-in theater premieres on the market at $4M
    By John Egan

    SPONSORED BY

  • Home + Design

    THE LATEST

    Steven Devadanam: Find treasures from Hines, Smith, and other prominent Houston families at new elite estate sale
    valued treasures
    Find treasures from Hines, Smith, and more icons at new estate sale
    By Steven Devadanam
    John Egan: Texas builder unveils sleek prefabricated luxury homes starting at $600,000
    prefab fab
    Texas builder unveils sleek prefab luxury homes starting at $600,000
    By John Egan
    Katie Friel: H-E-B carts out new home decor and furniture for Texas shoppers
    Milk, Bread, Eggs, Accent Chair
    H-E-B carts out new home decor and furniture for Texas shoppers
    By Katie Friel

    SPONSORED BY

  • Innovation

    THE LATEST

    John Egan: Disruptive Houston business lands on Inc.'s new list of fastest-growing U.S. companies
    Healthy revenue
    Disruptive Houston firm lands on Inc.'s fastest-growing companies list
    By John Egan
    : 2 Nobel Peace Prize-nominated Houston doctors land on prestigious list of most creative in business
    distinguished dynamic duo
    2 Nobel-nominated Houston doctors land on elite 'most-creative' list
    By Shaina Zucker Pherigo, InnovatioMap
    Natalie Harms: Amazon tries on same-day mall delivery in Houston for in-demand items
    PRIME SHOPPING
    Amazon tries on same-day mall delivery in Houston for in-demand items
    By Natalie Harms

    SPONSORED BY

  • Travel

    THE LATEST

    Teresa Gubbins: State Fair of Texas unleashes 10 creative fried foods for 2022 Big Tex Awards
    all's fair
    State Fair of Texas unleashes 10 creative fried foods for 2022 Big Tex
    By Teresa Gubbins
    Stephanie Allmon Merry: 7 spectacular surprises inside Chip and Joanna Gaines' new Fixer Upper castle in North Texas
    Royal revelation
    7 surprises in Chip & Joanna Gaines' North Texas Fixer Upper castle
    By Stephanie Allmon Merry
    Brianna Caleri: New Hill Country festival jams out with 15 Texas wineries and 3 bands
    The Juice
    New Hill Country festival jams out with 15 Texas wineries and 3 bands
    By Brianna Caleri

    SPONSORED BY

  • Sports

    THE LATEST

    Steven Devadanam: Houston Astros honor Uvalde visitors with special Game Day experience and big win
    uvalde strong
    Houston Astros honor Uvalde visitors with Game Day experience, big win
    By Steven Devadanam
    Ken Hoffman: Ken Hoffman reveals the ultimate insider guide to the Little League World Series — and how he fired The Boss
    big little league
    Ken Hoffman's ultimate insider guide to the Little League World Series
    By Ken Hoffman
    Steven Devadanam: Houston Astros hometown hero's big return headlines can't-miss Hall of Fame Weekend
    he's baaaaack
    Houston Astros hometown hero's return headlines Hall of Fame Weekend
    By Steven Devadanam

    SPONSORED BY

  • Charity Guide
  • Tastemaker Awards
Promoted articles are produced by CultureMap sponsors and not by the editorial staff.
Home » Travel
Fiesta time
150-room Wyndham hotel crops up on charming Texas Hill Country winery
Enter if you dare
Spend the night inside infamous Hill Country house of horrors for $400
LATEST NEWS
The Houstonian behind a new local Champagne brand, plus more food news
New Year, New Place

Make time in 2020 for a Mardi Gras trip to Lake Charles, Louisiana

Make time in 2020 for a Mardi Gras trip to Lake Charles, Louisiana

By CultureMap Create
Dec 19, 2019, 12:30 pm
Enlarge
Slideshow
Krewe of Krewe parade in Lake Charles
Mardis Gras in Lake Charles starts on January 3. Photo by Lindsey Janies
Crawfish platter
Indulge in some Creole/Cajun food while you're there. Photo by Lindsey Janies
Krewe of Krewe parade in Lake Charles
Mardi Gras weekend is Friday through Sunday, February 21-25. Photo by Lindsey Janies
Crying Eagle Brewing Co. in Lake Charles, Louisiana
Have a pint at Crying Eagle Brewing Company. Photo courtesy of Visit Lake Charles
Creole Nature Trail in Lake Charles, Louisiana
Dive into nature and explore outdoor adventures along the Creole Nature Trail All-American Road. Photo by Lindsey Janies
Krewe of Krewe parade in Lake Charles
Crawfish platter
Krewe of Krewe parade in Lake Charles
Crying Eagle Brewing Co. in Lake Charles, Louisiana
Creole Nature Trail in Lake Charles, Louisiana

The New Year always invites a fresh start, big ideas, and adventures to be had. Make sure that your 2020 to-do list also includes a trip to Lake Charles, Louisiana, and heaping helpings of Southern hospitality — oh, and Mardi Gras beads.

In Lake Charles, you'll find classic Cajun and Creole cuisine, untouched marshlands, local festivals and festivities, high-rolling nightlife, live music, and plenty of incredible locally owned shops, eateries, and breweries. Lake Charles' Mardi Gras officially kicks off on January 3, and Mardi Gras weekend is Friday through Sunday, February 21-25.

Also, look forward to being pampered in style at the glamorous Golden Nugget Lake Charles and L'Auberge Casino Resort. These properties sit side by side and offer golf courses, spa facilities, restaurants, live entertainment, and amazing pools with a lazy river.

The Isle of Capri Casino & Hotel has games of chance, restaurants, and a dance floor with live entertainment, great for anyone wanting to Cajun two-step. In Vinton, patrons can experience the heart-pounding thoroughbred racing action at Delta Downs Racetrack Casino & Hotel.

Taste the local flavor by strolling through downtown Lake Charles, which is completely walkable with a hyper-local focus. Here, you can experience Alexander Art Studio, complete with a larger-than-life mural on the outside of the building that's a must-stop photo opportunity. You can also find fleur-de-lis paintings, souvenirs, and specialty items there.

Within walking distance, you can enjoy Boombox Frozen Pops and Ice Cream, Botsky's premium hot dogs, and myriad other interesting finds from one of the lake area's favorite restaurants, Luna Bar & Grill, and the newly opened Panorama Music House.

Your taste buds will thank you as you enjoy delicious Cajun and Creole food like gumbo, jambalaya, crabs, and boudin,  Southwest Louisiana's favorite snack. Or you can try the local spirits at Bayou Rum and YellowFin Vodka, and craft beer at Crying Eagle Brewing Company. Crying Eagle features a tap room, beer garden, gift shop, live music, and The Bistro, which serves up hot and delicious stone-fired pizza that pairs perfectly with one of their cold brews.

While you are in town, you owe it to yourself to dive into nature and explore outdoor adventures along the Creole Nature Trail All-American Road. The road features four wildlife refuges, walking trails out over the marsh, Gulf beaches, and endless opportunities to reconnect with nature and unplug from the day-to-day. The Creole Nature Trail is one of only 43 All-American Roads in the nation, and the sunrises and sunsets along the marshlands and Gulf beaches boast some of the most brilliant shades of pink, orange, gold, and violet.

For a relaxing escape, check out places to stay and things to experience at www.visitlakecharles.org.

Read These Next
HTX_30 Alexandra Way
Energy-efficient Richmond home hits the market at $2.8 million
historic downtown brenham mural
Blue Bell Ice Cream is just a start in artsy, barbecue-loving Brenham
downtown rockwall
Small-town charm permeates Rockwall, just 30 minutes east of Dallas
HTX_30 Alexandra Way
Energy-efficient Richmond home hits the market at $2.8 million
historic downtown brenham mural
Blue Bell Ice Cream is just a start in artsy, barbecue-loving Brenham
downtown rockwall
Small-town charm permeates Rockwall, just 30 minutes east of Dallas
  • Latest News
  • Most Popular
  • Houston viral violin virtuoso rocks Hobby Center to launch U.S. tour
  • New seafood restaurant from Heights food star flows into Spring Branch
  • Energy-efficient Richmond home hits the market at $2.8 million
    - promoted -
  • Acclaimed Montrose restaurant marches onto cover of Food & Wine
  • Blue Bell Ice Cream is just a start in artsy, barbecue-loving Brenham
    - promoted -
See All Latest News >
  • Chris Shepherd uncorks first column as CultureMap's new Wine Guy
  • Blood Bros. recruit top talent for new all-day Garden Oaks restaurant
  • Houston's Ho Family back for Season 2, inks exclusive real estate deal
  • Heights fave tequila + whiskey bar serves up new outpost in East End
  • Here's how to get a prescription for medical cannabis in Texas
Vote Now
Whats Eric Eating
8/18
The Houstonian behind a new local Champagne brand, plus more food news
8/12
Meet Eculent's mad scientist chef, plus more hot Houston food news
7/28
Riel talk about Montrose's award-winning restaurant, more food news
Hoffman's Houston
8/15
Ken Hoffman on why an Astros star's most heroic work is off the field
8/9
Hoffman on the Houston stars dominating the Radio Hall of Fame awards
8/1
Hoffman's stone-cold prediction on the demise of a U.S. ice cream fave
Where to Eat Houston
6/23
Where to eat in Houston right now: 9 stupendous new restaurants
4/20
Where to eat in Houston: 9 new restaurants for steak, ramen, and more
3/21
Where to eat in Houston: 10 new restaurants from Wild fare to steaks
Home | About Us | News Tips & Suggestions | Submit An Event | Submit A Charity | Advertise | Media Sponsorship | Jobs | Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy
© 2022 CultureMap LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Be A CultureMap Insider
Get Our Emails
Sign Up

We will not share or sell your email address

Newsletters for exploring your city

Thank you for signing up Please verify your e-mail by following the link we just sent you.
Look for an e-mail from CultureMap <info@culturemap.com>