Travel Tuesday: Celebrate The Best Louisiana Food & Wine, But Not In The City You Think
Long-time readers or anyone who’s ever chatted with us for more than 11 minutes know how much we love New Orleans. It’s such a unique destination, filled with quirky characters and fantastic food.
So over the years, we’ve started to embrace other Louisiana cities, many of which exude the same charms. Our favorites all boast locals with a zest for life and crazy story (or 17) to tell to anyone within earshot.
Last fall, we made a return visit to Lake Charles. Not only is it accessible via quick nonstop flights on American Airlines, it’s 10 minutes closer to DFW than New Orleans, which means you can start your vacation that much sooner!
Any time of year, you’ll find reasons to adore Lake Charles, but we highly recommend building an itinerary around the Louisiana Food & Wine Festival. We attended last September (and even got to judge the food entries!), but it was soooooooooooooooooooooo hot.
Perhaps it was our dramatic self-fanning or sweat-drenched clothes that convinced organizers to thankfully move the event to spring, or our suffering is merely a coincidental side note.
Now with the event scheduled for March 12-15, 2026, everyone can enjoy cooler temperatures. So, when you’re walking around stuffing your face with spicy shrimp and grits, barbecue ribs and juicy burgers, you’ll only have meat sweats to worry about. You can sip and savor wines instead of chugging them to quench your thirst. And if you decide to dance to the live music, you won’t lose five pounds of water weight in the process.
Best of all, you can score early-bird discount tickets now through January 15, with individual event admission starting at only $69. (Weekend events include the Louisiana Best Taste Awards, Fire on the Lake, the Grand Tasting and a Sunday Jazz Brunch.)
We met several LGBTQ people at nearly every spot throughout our stay, too, so that always gives us a warm-and-fuzzy feeling, especially in smaller cities.
Of course, as much fun as you’ll have at the Louisiana Food & Wine Festival gatherings, you’ll want to explore other parts of the city, dine at local restaurants and get a great night’s sleep at a top hotel. Guess what?
We’ve got some recommendations for you there, too.
Where to Stay
L’Auberge Casino Resort Lake Charles has a little something for everyone. If you gamble, there’s a casino. If you like to soak up some rays, float in a lazy river or huddle in the shade of a cabana with a margarita, they’ve got all that, too. You’ll find shopping and multiple restaurants on-site, too.
As for the rooms, they’re very nicely appointed and contemporary, something often lacking in many other Louisiana casino resorts. The rooms are dog-friendly, too, if you wish to bring along Mr. Humpers for a weekend, too.
Where to Eat & Drink
As much as we ate at the Louisiana Food & Wine Festival events, we still managed to find stomach space to dine and drink at six other spots over a quick weekend.
For morning mochas and munchies, head to Stellar BeansCoffee House & Edibles. Or for something more substantial, try one of every pastry at The Bekery (and maybe some egg dishes, too, if you still have room.) If you’re in Lake Charles on a Saturday, the Zydeco Brunch at Panorama Music House will rock your world (and maybe get you up to dance between Bloody Marys).
If you end up booking a room at L’Auberge Casino Resort Lake Charles, make sure to schedule a massage or other treatment in advance at Spa du Lac. Separate men’s and women’s jacuzzis, saunas and steam showers add a relaxing touch before and after your service.
And if you’re traveling with kids (so sorry), Port Wonder will certainly wear them out enough to pass out early so you can hit the slots, the bar or both!
For more ideas and itinerary inspiration, check out:
