LOCAL FLAVOR
While the restaurants, history and attractions around Lake Charles are all memorable and worthy in their own right, visitors shouldn’t leave without getting a taste of the culture.
Live music abounds at venues, from downtown Luna Bar and Grill to the area’s luxurious casinos and locally owned breweries.
In nearby Lacassine, you can book a tour of Louisiana Spirits’ Bayou Rum Distillery. Since 2011, the distillery has turned Louisiana cane sugar into award-winning rums. Try a tour of the location followed by tasting a flight of its rums and a quick trip around the gift shop, which features souvenirs and artisan products from around the state.
No trip to this corner of the Bayou State would be complete without sampling some boudin (and packing an ice chest for the trip home). There are countless stops along the Boudin Trail to try this classic Cajun pork-and-rice sausage, but two standouts include In-Laws Cajun Specialties in Iowa, which features ready-to-eat and frozen Cajun favorites like boudin links, fried boudin balls and even fried ribs, and and Insane Sausages in Vinton right off I-10, which is more of a grab-and-go butcher shop that specializes in classic Cajun offerings and some of the most unique sausage and boudin creations.
Must-Dos in Lake Charles
● Try your luck at one of the area’s gorgeous casinos
● Catch some local music at Luna Bar & Grill
● Pull up a seat for Zydeco Brunch at Rikenjaks
● Grab a bag of freshly roasted coffee at Acadian Coffee Roasters
● Pick up a locally made gift at Alexander Art Studio
