Just a short drive from Houston is Lake Charles, Louisiana. If you are looking for a fun weekend getaway this destination has some great spots! My partner, Brice, and I spent the weekend in Lake Charles for his birthday.
Lake Charles is famously known for the two huge casino resorts there: Golden Nugget and L’Auberge. You could easily spend the entire weekend at the casino, poolside drinking cocktails, or at one of the many restaurants inside. While we spent a fair share of our time (and money) playing slots, we decided to venture out and see what else Lake Charles had to offer.
Our first stop of the day was a local distillery called Bayou Rum. They offer daily tour’s every hour between 10am-4pm. We had some time to kill before our tour so we walked the grounds outside browsed the gift shop (I’m a sucker for swag). This was not my first distillery tour, but I still enjoyed re-learning about the process. At the end of the tour we got to try the different rum and liqueur rums. They were all great, but the one that captured our tastebuds was the Gator-bite Coffee Liqueur Rum! We ended up buying it for ourselves as well as gifts for family members. I highly recommend stopping here!
Next on our drink tour was a brewery called Crying Eagle! This brewery has the perfect atmosphere! Plenty of space indoors and out. You can sit on the balcony and overlook the greenery or play corn hole outside, the have tv’s for all your sporting needs and of course some delicious craft beer! When I visit breweries I’ve never been to I like to order a flight so I can try as many beers as possible without getting too full. There is also a gift shop (did someone say more swag?!) and bistro to order from.
Our final stop on the drink tour was Rikenjaks Brewing Company. This spot is much more of a pub vibe with a full bar. There is a great outdoor patio with lights all around and live music making it a great night out! They offer a full dinner menu as well. This spot is very local, fun and laid back!
The last thing I want to mention is something Brice and I both love, and that’s BRUNCH! Two places we stopped at for brunch were Pujo St Cafe and Chez Cafe. Pujo St Cafe has amazing food and great cocktail options. Chez Cafe also has delicious food, but what I loved most about it was their coffee bar with over 20 different flavor combinations— I had the hardest time deciding!
Lake Charles is a great weekend destination and I highly recommend these stops if you are looking to explore the local hangouts that the city has to offer!