Kid-friendly things to do in Lake Charles
Just moved here
Since moving to Lake Charles several weeks ago, I have been searching for fun things to do with my children, 4 & 6 year old girls. I'm not working currently, so I was on the prowl for free and/or cheap things to do. We actually live in a suburb - Moss Bluff. Right around the corner I found that the local branch of the library has activities every week! Tuesday afternoons at 4pm, it switches between crafting and games. Wednesday mornings at 10am is storytime for the preschoolers. Both items are big successes with my kids!
We also have been searching high and low for all the local playgrounds. From what I understand, there was a great one on the Lake that was recently burned down, so we've been checking out other ones. There's one hidden off of Route 14...3 different sizes of equipment. We've hit the one on Ryan Street with the fire engine - big hit! In Moss Bluff there are playgrounds in the softball/baseball complex...three versions of the same equipment, so don't bother trekking to the other ones to check if they have anything different - they don't.
There are assorted events at the Lake Charles Civic Center - we've been to a Swashbucklers game (arena football) and that was fun.
Children's Museum
I've been to a few Children's Museums in different places, and this was one of the better ones. That being said, I thought the admission prices to be pricey...$7.25 for adults and children, $5.50 for seniors. Even the membership was on the steep side...over $100! Zoo memberships are cheaper. While I thought it was a little too expensive, it was cheaper than going to a movie and certainly more interactive. The Museum advertises 3 floors of things to do, but the third floor only had a few activities...the coolest being a shadow maker...a photosensitve wall and strobe so the kids can see the shadows they make. The first floor has a couple of sections and one under construction. My kids had the most fun on the second floor. There were lots of activities and lots of space to do them. My kids wanted to go back again the next day...but it'll be awhile with those prices.
North Beach
Holly Beach
Beaches
So far we've only checked out North Beach. It was pretty nice. When we went, it wasn't crowded....don't know if that's because the natives don't think it's warm enough yet. (It was snowing when we left Ohio, so 80 with a breeze sounds great for going to the beach to us.) I wasn't sure what to expect, so we weren't full blown beach prepared, so we just waded. The sand was nice, but there were a lot of shells mixed in, so beach shoes are recommended. The access is strange...from the east on I-10, it's easy. Take the exit that says "Tourist info next right" (last one before the bridge) and you loop around. If you're coming from the west, you can't access the beach, but it's right there, so you have to loop all the way around to access. Speaking of the tourist info place, they have a penned in area with young alligators to look at. We'll hit the West Prien Lake beach next.
We took a day trip to Holly Beach on the coast. It was about an hour from Lake Charles. I recommend that you bring anything you may need for the length of your stay, as there aren't many services in the area - despite what mapping websites may tell you!
I understand that there are lots of festivals...can't wait to check them out. There are plenty of places that we haven't hit yet...if you have suggestions comment below!