Lake Charles, Louisiana – The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) has officially opened its Nature and Science Center at Port Wonder in Lake Charles, providing visitors with an educational facility that showcases the state’s diverse aquatic ecosystems through interactive exhibits and aquarium displays.

Located alongside the Children’s Museum of Southwest Louisiana, the new center features over 15,000 gallons of fresh and saltwater aquariums housing Louisiana’s native aquatic species. The facility will operate Monday through Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with tickets currently available for purchase at the door and online purchasing options planned for the near future.

Port Wonder is located at 1011 North Lakeshore Drive
Lake Charles, LA 70601. Admission is $6 per person for all ages.

This center represents a significant addition to Lake Charles’ educational and tourism offerings. The space is designed to be both entertaining and informative for visitors of all ages.

The center’s centerpiece is a 2,900-gallon touch tank containing stingrays, allowing visitors hands-on interaction with marine life. Additional interactive exhibits highlight the LDWF’s key conservation and management programs throughout the state.

Beyond the indoor attractions, the facility offers an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant fishing pier along the City of Lake Charles boardwalk. This feature creates a unique educational opportunity where visitors can potentially catch some of the same fish species they’ve just learned about inside the center.

The LDWF is actively developing community engagement initiatives for the Nature and Science Center, including volunteer programs, partnerships with local organizations, and public educational events. These efforts aim to deepen public understanding of Louisiana’s natural resources and the importance of conservation.

For outdoor enthusiasts, educators, families, and tourists visiting Southwest Louisiana, the new Nature and Science Center provides an accessible introduction to the region’s ecological diversity and LDWF’s role in managing these resources.

Further details about upcoming programs and special events will be announced as they are developed, according to LDWF officials.