Every October in Southwest Louisiana, attractions and events get into the ‘Spirit’ of Halloween! This year is no different, and there is even an additional attraction that is sure to please

Lake Charles now plays host to two premier haunted attractions, the USS Orleck and The Lost Hollows. This year the USS Orleck Naval Museum which traditionally houses laser tag has been transformed into the BLUDD VESSEL. One month a year they open up the bowels of the ship to release the horrors trapped within. This year an experiment has gone horribly wrong and for those who climb aboard, sheer terror waits! For more information on prices and schedule visit http://orleck.org/bludd_vessel.aspx

The Lost Hollows represents a new face on the Halloween scene. The Lost Hollows features two trails, the Spooky Timbers and the Deadly Pines that you can experience every weekend in October. A firsthand experience of these trails lets me assure you that this first year attraction will not disappoint. Without giving to much info away, the Spooky Timbers offers a fun, family-friendly trail for children of all ages that can be revisited throughout the night. For a more heart pounding experience, Deadly Pines winds its way through the woods and into your darkest fears. For more information on prices and schedule visit http://www.thelosthollows.com/

In addition to these two attractions in the area, there are additional events such as Halloween Costume Parties and Contests, Trunk or Treats, Pumpkin Patches, and Zombie Walk just to name a few. For a list of events visit http://www.visitlakecharles.org/boo/

The Creole Nature Trail All-American Road is home to some of the most beautiful, untouched nature Louisiana has to offer. What makes it better is that it has been made conveniently accessible for people to experience for themselves. There are 26 miles of natural beaches that offer a wide range of activities such as swimming, surf fishing, sunbathing, and shelling!

If your interest is shelling or if you have kids that love to comb beaches for treasures, you’re in luck! Southwest Louisiana offers some of the best locations for these nature hunts, if you know where and when to go, and we will help you with just that!

Having Fun on the Beach

When to Shell?

Shelling is generally best at low tide, or up to 48 hours after rough weather has sent waves crashing onto the shore. Click here for a tide chart on the Lake Charles area.

Where to Shell?

All the beaches along the Creole Nature Trail provide great shelling opportunities, but the beaches to the west of Holly Beach, on the Gulf, usually offer the best results as they are the least inhabited. Be sure to look for shells both where waves are currently hitting as well as where they did hit at high tide. The Gulf often leaves its treasures as the high tide slowly recedes.

So what are you waiting for? Click here for our complete Shelling Guide!

Find us on the web www.visitlakecharles.org,  Facebook & Twitter @LakeCharelesCVB.