Out of all the major cities in Louisiana, Lake Charles tends to get overlooked as a tourist destination in favor of other cities along I-10 like Lafayette, Baton Rouge, and of course, New Orleans. But Lake Chuck has so much to offer! Here are just a few awesome things to do in Lake Charles, Louisiana to make your southwestern Louisiana visit one to remember.

As the fifth-largest city in Louisiana, Lake Charles is a major player in the industrial, cultural, and educational side of southwestern Louisiana.

Fun fact: Lake Charles was originally named Charleston when it was incorporated in 1861. The town was founded by Marco Eliche, who ended up having nearby Marksville named after him. The town has had a few different names in its early days including Porte du Lafitte and Rivière Lafitte. The town was reincorporated as the City of Lake Charles in 1867.

Lake Charles is surrounded by water, which attracts nature lovers from all over.

Of course, there’s Lake Charles (the lake), but you’ve also got the Calcasieu River, Prien Lake, Contraband Bayou, Henderson Bayou, and the English Bayou flowing through the city (or near it).

It’s also only 30 miles from the Gulf of Mexico, and a popular gateway to Louisiana’s scenic All-American Road, the Creole Nature Trail.

Adventure Point is a great starting point if you’re planning on taking this epic road trip. Here, you’ll learn all about the history, culture, ecosystems, and plant and animal life of southwestern Louisiana.

The 180-mile road will take you all the way down to the Gulf of Mexico, with plenty of scenic spots to stop off and wander around.

Including several spots you can do a little crabbing or fishing!

You don't have to travel outside of the city to enjoy the outdoors.

There are several parks around Lake Charles where you can do a little kayaking around the water, or just enjoy the views from land.

From the sandy shores of South Beach...

...to Millennium Park's pristine playground, there are plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy here in Lake Charles.

In fact, most of the parks surrounding Lake Charles are beautiful waterfront parks that are well-maintained and offer plenty of amenities including playgrounds, work-out areas, sports courts, and more.

The downtown scene is just as vibrant as you'd expect.

There are plenty of local restaurants in downtown Lake Charles. Cotten’s is a long-time staple serving up some of the best burgers in town, but if you’re in the mood for a hot dog, you can’t go wrong with Botsky’s.

There's always something to celebrate in Lake Charles, and the downtown scene is always hosting unique festivals and events.

Did you know that Lake Charles has the 2nd largest Mardi Gras festival in Louisiana? Check the Lake Charles tourism page to see what events are on the calendar and start planning your trip to Lake Charles today. If you're looking for a place to stay, this waterfront Vrbo can sleep up to eight people and has some splendid views of the Calcasieu River.

What's your favorite thing to do in Lake Charles? Shout it out in the comments section!