Things 80s Teens Loved to Do in Lake Charles

Lake Charles, LA [KNGT-FM] - Earlier this week, I found myself thinking about growing up in the 1980s and all the fun things we used to do. What sparked those memories was a conversation with one of my friends from middle and high school, a friend I've known for more than 40 years.

We started talking about the past, the things we did as teenagers, and how we entertained ourselves before smartphones, social media, and all the modern conveniences kids have today. To younger generations, some of the simple things we did for fun in the 80s might seem pretty boring now. But back then, we didn't know any different.

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As a member of Gen X, born in the 1970s and raised in the 80s, I honestly believe we had one of the most memorable childhoods. We didn't have cell phones, iPads, or the technology that keeps kids connected today. We had a wristwatch, and we knew that when the sun went down and the streetlights came on, it was time to head home.

If we needed to check in with our parents, we had to carry a pocketful of change and find a pay phone. And if you wanted to talk to a friend, you actually had to remember their phone number because there was no contact list to save it for you.

Kids today may never understand the struggle of memorizing everyone's phone number, getting up to manually change the channel on the television, or talking on a phone that was attached to the wall by a long cord.

Somehow, though, we managed just fine.

What Teenagers Did for Fun in 1980s Lake Charles

Fill up your vehicle and ride up and down Ryan Street until your tank was almost empty

Hang out at the seawall by the Lake Charles Civic Center with your friends

Go to the Oak Park Cinema Six, Charles Cinema, and the movie theatre outside of the Mall and watch a double feature.

Hover over your boombox with its double cassette player, patiently waiting for your favorite song to come on the radio. The moment it started playing, you’d quickly hit Play/Record and hope the DJ didn’t talk over the beginning of your song.

Go to Skate City on Nelson Road on Friday or Saturday nights and stay for both sessions

Get dropped off at the Mall and walk up and down the mall for hours with no money in your pocket.

Go to Aladdin's Castle in the mall or an arcade at the bowling alley. That's right, kids, we had to physically go to an arcade to play video games until the Atari and Nintendo finally came out.

We found ways to have fun, make memories, and enjoy being kids without having technology at our fingertips 24/7. Looking back, those simple days gave us some of the greatest memories of our lives.