Home & Family
NEWCOMER’S GUIDE
Tips for Transitioning to SWLA by Andrea Mongler
Moving is hard. You leave behind family and friends, often to move to a place you’re unfamiliar with — not to mention the logistical headaches related to packing up and transporting all of your physical possessions. But a smooth transition to your new city is the light at the end of the tunnel. If you’re new to Southwest Louisiana, read on for tips to help you make friends, have fun, and experience the local culture.
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GET OUTSIDE.
You don’t have to go far to spend some time with nature. Located just north of Lake Charles, the 1,087-acre Sam Houston Jones State Park offers hiking/biking trails, campsites, picnic areas, a boat launch, and fishing along the West Fork of the Calcasieu River. And within city limits is the 24acre Tuten Park, which is in the midst of a restoration after Hurricane Rita caused major damage in 2005.
LET THE KIDS SPLASH.
Yes, summer is long and hot here, but that doesn’t mean you should spend all your time in the AC. Some local parks — such as Millennium Park downtown and Pinederosa Park in Westlake — offer splash pads for kids that are open for much of the year. Sulphur Parks & Recreation (SPAR) has a water park with slides, a lazy river, and a “raging river” for the whole family to enjoy.
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VISIT THE LIBRARY.
The Calcasieu Parish Public Library has branches in DeQuincy, downtown Lake Charles, Hayes, Iowa, Moss Bluff, North Lake Charles, South Lake Charles, Starks, Sulphur, Vinton, and Westlake. You can check out books, movies, and music, and the library also offers free events and programs for adults, teens, and young children.
HAVE A BEER.
Crying Eagle, Lake Charles’ very own brewery, has a taproom that opens at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, a large variety of beers on tap, and an on-site bistro serving pizzas and po’boys. You can also buy Crying Eagle brews at many restaurants and retail establishments.
April 2018