My nephew's first trip outside Texas was just across the state line for a weekend at L'Auberge du Lac Casino Resort. To say the least, the 9-year-old now has a narrow view of Louisiana. But after three days of swimming in the resort's Lazy River, winning more prizes than he could carry at the kid's arcade and sharing in his grandmother's slot earnings, Frank pronounced his readiness to return. 'It's so much fun,' he said on our final day. 'Can we come back next weekend?' We didn't return the next week, but we will this summer. His grandmother and I have been frequent visitors, she to win at the Haywire or Wheel of Fortune slots, me to lose at the roulette tables. Bringing along Frank's parents and his younger sister last year, we discovered that L'Auberge -- with its 1,000-room hotel, luxury spa, Tom Fazio-designed golf course and 30,0000-square-foot casino -- isn't just for adults. A multigenerational family can make an enjoyable getaway with little effort. But don't expect the adults to be able to go off and do adult things on their own. Kids 16 and younger must have an adult with them in the arcade, and the resort does not staff baby sitters. That's by design, says Kerry Andersen, director of community and public relations. L'Auberge is, after all, a casino -- a decidedly adult playground. While Frank says the best part of his visit was 'the swimming pool because it's sort of like Schlitterbahn with the Lazy River and it's just fun to goof around in,' guests without kids needn't fear. They can relax at an adults-only pool with its private bar. Another thing the kids in my family enjoyed -- me, too -- was watching the tugs push barges on Contraband Bayou. We had great views from our rooms and by L'Auberge's boat slips behind the casino. If you're lucky, you might see the resort's seaplane take off or land with casino high rollers onboard. While we never left the resort that weekend, I've since researched nearby kid-friendly activities for our next family trip to Lake Charles: SAM HOUSTON JONES STATE PARK Grab picnic supplies and head for this woodsy retreat 12 miles north of Lake Charles. The 1,087-acre park named for a former Louisiana governor offers five hiking trails, a playground, picnic area and nature center. Entrance fee: $1; free for ages 3 and younger and 62 and older. www.lastatepaks.com DRIVING TOUR If your kids like to see how other folks live, go by the mansions and their private boat houses on Shell Beach Drive. Nearby is the Charpentier Historic District and its Victorian homes. Pick up walking or driving maps of the district -- not unlike Houston's Heights -- at the city's visitors bureau. PLAY AREAS They include a sandy beach on the north shore of Lake Charles; Millennium Park playground on the east shore; and another beach and park complete with a 'spray ground' and playground on Prien Lake. MARDI GRAS MUSEUM It's small, but boasts parade floats and the 'largest Mardi Gras costume display in the world.' Animated mannequins tell the story of Mardi Gras, and Gumbeaux Gator is a kid favorite, says Katie Harrington of the Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana Convention & Visitors Bureau. Open 1-5 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays; $3 adults, $2 children. 809 Kirby. CHILDREN'S MUSEUM Young tourists will enjoy two floors of imagination, exploration and interaction when the museum reopens this summer. It has been closed for renovations since a fire in April. Another level will reopen later. 327 Broad; www.swlakids.org. CREOLE NATURE TRAIL I haven't been on any segments of this 180-mile drive, but Harrington says we could fill a Top 5 list of things to do with kids with stops along this All-American Road. She recommends the walking trails in the Sabine National Wildlife Refuge, where birds and alligators are the stars. Or continue south on Louisiana Highway 27 and go shelling on the Gulf Coast. www.creolenaturetrail.org. SHANGRI LA BOTANICAL GARDENS AND NATURE CENTER Just across the state line in Texas is a miracle garden. The kids will enjoy the boat ride through the cypress-tupelo swamp, the Good to Grow children's garden and the countless birds. Daylight Saving Time hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturdays, noon-5 p.m. Sundays. An all-entry pass for the gardens and the boat tours costs $6-$10. 2111 W. Park in Orange, Texas; www.shangrilagardens.org. 