Port Wonder, a visionary project set against the Lake Charles lakefront, is expected to open in February 2025 and promises to be a transformative addition to the community. This 25,000 square foot development will house the much-anticipated Children’s Museum of Southwest Louisiana, which was shuttered by Hurricane Laura in 2020. It will also house the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Nature and Science Center, offering a dynamic blend of educational experiences and interactive exhibits.
"We’re thrilled to unveil Port Wonder, which will feature four distinct galleries: Nature, Health, Tech, and City," Executive Director Allyson Montgomery of the Children’s Museum of Southwest Louisiana shared excitedly. "Each gallery will offer a unique blend of sentimental favorites and brand-new installations, designed to inspire wonder and curiosity in children of all ages."
The Nature Gallery, described by Montgomery as a "honey I shrunk the kids experience," will immerse visitors in oversized nature features, including a fun banana spider weaving web exhibit, a vegetable pollinator garden, and an interactive alligator’s nest. The Sportsman’s Paradise section will educate children on local industries and recreational activities like fishing and crabbing. She is also excited about the captivating new water cycle water table.
Meanwhile, the Health Gallery will delve into the senses and body systems with tactile interactive exhibits such as the Mr. Bones cycling exhibit and a digestive maze. The Tech Gallery will house a Tinker Lab with rotating STEM activities, alongside other exhibits featuring simple machines, light, air, engineering, chemistry, and physics, many of which highlight local industry processes. The City Gallery will feature a miniature city where children can explore various themed areas like the Kids Port, the Calcasieu Pass Lighthouse Climber, and Cowboy’s Cafe.
Adjacent to the Children’s Museum, the LDWF Nature and Science Center will showcase Louisiana’s rich biodiversity with several aquarium exhibits, including the 1,500-gallon Bayou Tank, 300-gallon Oyster Reef Tank, 6,900-gallon Cameron Jetty Tank, 2,200-gallon Rig Reef Tank, and finally, a 2,900-gallon Touch Tank. Each aquarium represents a different habitat allowing visitors to learn about numerous fish native to Louisiana. Visitors can also engage with interactive displays highlighting Louisiana habitats and marine conservation efforts, with information about Louisiana’s fish hatcheries, coastal restoration, the Rigs to Reefs Program, fisheries management, and a fishing game!
"We’re particularly excited about the educational opportunities the Nature and Science Center will offer," remarked Heather David, Biologist Manager at LDWF. "From the Barrier Island interactive to our fishing pier, these exhibits will educate visitors about Louisiana’s natural treasures and conservation efforts."
Port Wonder’s opening marks the culmination of a collaborative effort between public and private sectors that began in 2018. For more information about Port Wonder and updates on its opening, please visit www.visitlakecharles.org.
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About Visit Lake Charles:
Visit Lake Charles, the official destination marketing organization for Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana, is the only organization in Southwest Louisiana providing advocacy, promotion, and education for the tourism industry. For more information on Visit Lake Charles and things to see and do in Louisiana’s Playground, log on to www.visitlakecharles.org.
