Lake Charles Historic District

Lake Charles

Lake Charles Historic District which includes a sunset
Lake Charles Historic District which includes a house
Lake Charles Historic District which includes signage
Lake Charles Historic District
Lake Charles Historic District which includes a high rise building and a sunset

Scattered across dozens of city blocks is a cornucopia of architectural styles that showcase the talents of Lake Charles’ carpenters.

Marvel at magnificent landmarks as you wander the streets of the Lake Charles Historic District. Discover hundreds of buildings, which range in style from Colonial Revival and Queen Anne Revival to Gothic Revival, Renaissance and Spanish Colonial. Some are private homes while others are churches and public buildings. The Lake Charles Historic District reflects the full spectrum of the economic scale, from affluent businesspeople to laborers.

The district’s sights date from around 1880 to 1939 and are the result of a lumber boom that began in Louisiana in the late 19th century. Lumbermen emigrated from the north and brought with them eclectic tastes that complimented the craftsmanship of the city’s French carpenters. Grand porches, porticos, classical columns, gables, turrets and towers are all common features. The district is often called Charpentier Historic District charpentier is the French word for carpenter.

Two striking buildings face each other on Ryan Street. One is the 1911 Historic City Hall, dominated by its clocktower and home to an art gallery. Opposite is the palace-like Calcasieu Clerk of Court. Visit the Church of the Good Shepherd and First Methodist Church, both built in the Gothic Revival style.]

The Temple Sinai is a prime example of Byzantine influence. Adjacent to here is the French-inspired Masonic Lodge. Be sure to visit the Mardi Gras Museum of Imperial Calcasieu. It offers an overview of the Mardi Gras festival and houses one of the world’s largest collection’s of Mardi Gras costumes.

Lake Charles Historic District is part of downtown Lake Charles. Drivers can use one of several off-street car parks in the downtown area. Amtrak Lake Charles train station is about 1 mile (1.6 kilometers) to the north.

Information brochures and a map of the district are available at the Lake Charles Visitor Center. Alternatively, download the free Lake Charles Historic Tour app to your tablet or smartphone and then follow one of the guided tours.


Popular places to visit

Things to do


Top hotels in Lake Charles Historic District

Howard Johnson by Wyndham Historic Lake Charles
Howard Johnson by Wyndham Historic Lake Charles
2 out of 5
825 Broad St, Lake Charles, LA
The price is P3,457 per night from Jul 16 to Jul 17
P3,457
P4,001 total
Jul 16 - Jul 17
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Lake Charles. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
6.6/10 (768 reviews)
"The front desk was very accommodating. There is no coffee pot in the room and breakfast doesn't start until 7am so I missed out due to having to leave to go to work. I chose the hotel based off of the price plus the fact they served breakfast. The staff more than made up for my disappointment in ..."

Reviewed on Jun 20, 2025

Howard Johnson by Wyndham Historic Lake Charles
L'Auberge Casino Resort Lake Charles
L'Auberge Casino Resort Lake Charles
4 out of 5
777 Avenue L'Auberge, Lake Charles, LA
The price is P5,185 per night from Aug 5 to Aug 6
P5,185
P7,374 total
Aug 5 - Aug 6
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star spa resort in Lake Charles. Enjoy free parking, a full-service spa, and 6 restaurants. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (2,395 reviews)
"Overall it is a great place to stay, but the whole system crashing and only being given a small food comp was unfortunate. There should have been more accommodation in handling these situations."

Reviewed on Jul 12, 2025

L'Auberge Casino Resort Lake Charles
Golden Nugget Lake Charles
Golden Nugget Lake Charles
4 out of 5
2550 Golden Nugget Blvd, Lake Charles, LA
Stay at this 4-star beach resort in Lake Charles. Enjoy free parking, a full-service spa, and 7 restaurants. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (3,272 reviews)
"Food and service were amazing at Vic and Anthony's. Will never eat at Claim Jumper again. Service was good. Food was terrible and the hostess was very rude to the man ahead of us waiting for a table. No housekeeping service or clean towels even though requested twice."

Reviewed on Jul 11, 2025

Golden Nugget Lake Charles
Wyndham Lake Charles
Wyndham Lake Charles
3 out of 5
2940 Lake Street, Lake Charles, LA
The price is P5,233 per night from Jul 20 to Jul 21
P5,233
P6,058 total
Jul 20 - Jul 21
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Lake Charles. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
7.8/10 Good! (1,005 reviews)
Affordable
"The hotel was really nice. Beds were super comfy. Check in and out wasn’t bad, nobody was rude but the lady barely speaks to you. The room was spacious. There were people that reeked of weed but you can’t help who stays there. It was nice and quiet. The only valid complaints I have is that the mini ..."

Reviewed on Jul 5, 2025

Wyndham Lake Charles
Horseshoe Lake Charles
Horseshoe Lake Charles
3.5 out of 5
100 Westlake Ave, Westlake, LA
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is P6,157 per night from Jul 14 to Jul 15
P6,157
P8,382 total
Jul 14 - Jul 15
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Westlake. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,147 reviews)
"Five star!!"

Reviewed on Jul 13, 2025

Horseshoe Lake Charles
The Mulberry Hotel
The Mulberry Hotel
3.5 out of 5
917 Mulberry Street, Westlake, LA
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Westlake. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,288 reviews)
Excellent stay
"We stayed here on a vacation. Very well maintained, excellent customer service"

Reviewed on Jul 12, 2025

The Mulberry Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Lake Charles Historic District