Good Times, (and Great Golf) On the Water and Off

What do you get when you cross a station wagon, a water park, and a family vacation? The Great American Road Trip, of course. The nostalgia at the mention of this feat of familial fun-seeking is formidable. But if the idea of miles of asphalt between pit stops, squabbling siblings and the inevitable question, “Are we there yet?” seems too much to bear, consider all that a vacation in nearby Sabine Parish has to offer. Among the options is the popular Toledo Bend Family Adventure Park. The newest addition to the area’s range of family attractions, this three-and-a-half-acre park boasts a variety of aquatic amusements, including three swimming pools, splash pads for the littlest ones, and water slides for everyone from kids to adults. Alongside the water park features, visitors can enjoy an on-site playground, cafe, gift shop, kangaroo jumper, and mini-golf course.

If full-sized golf is what you’re looking for, Sabine Parish is home to the Cypress Bend Resort—site of a nationally recognized 18-hole championship golf course. Beautifully carved into the natural landscape with a design that prioritizes breathtaking views, the course is considered the crown jewel of the Audubon Golf Trail. Truly a destination for the whole family, the newly-renovated Cypress Bend Resort—a Wyndham Hotel property—offers 95 pet-friendly guestrooms, including suites with complete kitchens, full-sized appliances, fireplaces, and condominium-style lodging. Indoor and outdoor swimming pools, on-site dining, and close proximity to lakefront recreation make the resort an easy choice for a family getaway. Sabine Parish also offers numerous hotel/motel, B&B, and RV/campground-based accommodation options. Visit toledobendlakecountry.com/stay-here to get started.

The countryside surrounding Toledo Bend Lake is a playground all year-round. But if it's spirited festivals and annual events you're after, Sabine Parish has you covered, too. Each fall, the Zwolle Tamale Fiesta celebrates the rich Spanish and Native American heritage that is baked into the small town of Zwolle. Held the second weekend of October each year since 1976, the Tamale Fiesta attracts thousands with live entertainment, dancing, arts & crafts, parades, kids' activities; and of course, all the fresh-made, delicious hot tamales you can shake a corn stalk at. Each April, the annual Battle of Pleasant Hill Reenactment & Festival marks the anniversary of a pivotal Civil War battle that took place during the Red River Campaign of 1864. On the second weekend of April each year, more than four hundred reenactors gather in the village of Pleasant Hill, recreating a miniature Civil War town that comes to life with open camp activities, a pageant, parade, period dance, church services, and the battle reenactment itself. Mark your calendars for the weekend of March 30—April 2, 2023 to experience this extraordinary, living history event for yourself.

Gas station gourmets take note: the savory assortment of roadside eats en route to your Toledo Bend getaway includes some of the best food in the area. Notably, Curtis Grocery in Toro offers a full breakfast and daily lunch specials. You won’t want to miss their signature Toledo Bend Dam fries loaded with your choice of assorted toppings, or their crawfish if you visit during the season. With Shop-a-Lott in Many serving breakfast and regional cuisine, and Lakefront Grocery in Zwolle serving an eclectic selection ranging from the town’s famous tamales to Philly cheesesteaks, you won’t have any trouble fueling your family as well as your vehicle. toledobendlakecountry.com/dining