Photo courtesy of Visit Lake Charles.
Port Wonder
Lake Charles tourism plans for Port Wonder to become a major destination across the South.
From the devastation of recent hurricanes Laura and Delta in 2020, Lake Charles is reemerging and restyling itself as an innovative Southern destination with three landmark attractions unveiling in 2025, totaling almost $50 million. A merging of modern design with the city’s culture and natural beauty, the investment will hopefully, according to tourism leaders, bring families flocking to the metropolis.
“We’re thrilled to offer visitors and locals alike experiences that highlight the best of Southwest Louisiana,” said Kyle Edmiston, Visit Lake Charles President and CEO.
Most anticipated among the upcoming attractions is Port Wonder, a 25,000-square-foot lakeside feature debuting in February that will operate as a hub for learning and exploration. The site will house both the Children’s Museum of Southwest Louisiana—chock-full of interactive exhibits for the littles—and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Nature and Science Center—a STEM-forward space with both saltwater and freshwater aquariums.
“Port Wonder is a game-changer for Lake Charles—set to transform our lakefront into a hub of innovation, education, and family fun,” said Matt Young, director of public relations at Visit Lake Charles. “[It] will bring imagination to life, offering something for everyone and helping our community attract further investment. It’s the spark that will ignite economic growth.”
The Children’s Museum, revived after being shuttered following Hurricane Laura, will comprise four distinct galleries: Nature, Health, Tech, and City. In Nature, visitors will wander through oversized nature elements, such as a pollinator garden and alligator’s nest. Kids will learn about the senses and body in the Health section, and delve into a Tinker Lab in Tech. The City will feature a miniature of just that, where children can explore the Kids Port, the Calcasieu Pass Lighthouse Climber, and Cowboy’s Café.
“Port Wonder is a game-changer for Lake Charles—set to transform our lakefront into a hub of innovation, education, and family fun,” said Matt Young, director of public relations at Visit Lake Charles. “[It] will bring imagination to life, offering something for everyone and helping our community attract further investment. It’s the spark that will ignite economic growth.”
Also opening its doors in the coming months is Crying Eagle Brewing-Lakefront, a full-service restaurant with a seafood menu and microbrewery. And just in time for Carnival season, the Mardi Gras Museum of Imperial Calcasieu will roll out its inauguratory welcome with an exhibition of more than four hundred historic costumes spanning fifty years. Nestled in the Nellie Lutcher Cultural District, the museum will also display animatronic figures, such as Norah Jean, the talking dog from the Krewe of Barkus.
