Million Air May-June 2018

MILLION AIR FLIGHT BRIEFING LAKE CHARLES

Southern charm EXPLORE CAJUN COUNTRY IN THE CULTURAL HUB OF SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA

WHERE TO SLEEP With a premier casino, wide selection of fine-dining options and amenities that include a world-class spa, the Tom Fazio– designed Contraband Bayou golf course and tropical-feel cabanas, L’Auberge Casino Resort, Lake Charles offers everything, with 26 stories and 1,000 rooms, suites and villas. 777 Avenue L’Auberge, (337) 395-7777, llakecharles.com

Historic City Hall

L’Auberge Casino Resort

WHERE TO EAT Pairing sumptuous steaks and seafood with more than 200 top wines from the area’s largest cellar, Ember Grille & Wine Bar (in L’Auberge Casino Resort) is the perfect host for any celebration or special occasion. 777 Avenue L’Auberge, (337) 395-7565, llakecharles.com The Harlequin, a beloved family-run steakhouse, has been a Southwest Louisiana staple since 1956, thanks to award-winning steaks, decadent homemade desserts and a diverse wine list. 501 W College Street, (337) 310-0077, harlequinsteaks.com WHERE TO FLY Million Air Lake Charles meets private jet travelers’ daily refueling, quick turns and special requests with ease. The 64-acre ramp can serve unlimited types of aircraft from helicopter operations to military deployments, and Million Air can handle and park aircraft from Cessna 150s to KC-135s, DC-10s, L1011s, C5s, C17s and the larger Antonov aircraft.

Lake Charles enjoys a reputation as the unofficial capital of Cajun Country, thanks to more than 75 annual fairs and festivals (the most in the South), tranquil golf greens, thrilling casino gaming and an up-and-coming culinary scene. French settler Martin LeBleu and his wife became the first European residents of this cultural capital in 1781, laying the foundation for the rich Franco-inflected heritage known as Cajun or Acadian culture. This means spicy jambalaya, zydeco music and Mardi Gras. In fact, the city’s Mardi Gras celebration rivals that of New Orleans. Lake Charles’s Lenten holiday features similarly spectacular costumes, fun-filled parades and festive activities as the original, but with a decidedly local touch. In that same vein of thrilling decadence, Lake Charles is home to some of the region’s most

popular gaming establishments. Delta Downs Racetrack, the Isle of Capri Casino, and L’Auberge Casino Resort, Lake Charles all offer riverboat- and track-based gambling options, along with excellent accommodations, fine cuisine and entertainment. When you’re ready for a break from all the gaming action, head to the nearby Creole Nature Trail, All-American Road for a tranquil Southern-wetland safari. Scenic driving and walking tours through the beaches and marshlands of Calcasieu and Cameron parishes will open visitors’ eyes to local wildlife, including gators, armadillo, mink, nutria and an array of unique swampland fauna. Fishing is also a must in this sportsman’s paradise, where such major tournament as ESPN’s Redfish Cup and the Redfish Nation Q Series take place each year. Hire yourself a local guide and try your hand at the sport on the still waters of the bayou.

Downs Racetrack

Slots Delta Downs Racetrack

Horse racing Delta Downs Racetrack

MILLION AIR LAKE CHARLES (CWF) Chennault International Airport

4500 Chenault Parkway Lake Charles, Louisiana T (337) 436-4877 F (337) 436-5387 E info.cwf@millionair.com W millionair.com

Photos Shutterstock.com, TRADEMAREK PHOTOGRAPHY