Shreveport, LA – A Place for Southern Fun
Situated in the northwest corner of Louisiana near the spot where the state meets Texas and Arkansas, Shreveport is Louisiana’s third-largest city, and one of its most diverse. Loaded with museums, the city is a haven for art and history buffs. After dark, gamers can try to beat the odds at one of the city’s casinos, or enjoy a live performance by a musical group at a local spot where the nightlife thrives. Beyond its most populated areas, you can explore the city’s hidden natural gems like Walter B. Jacobs Memorial Nature Park. With bed and breakfasts, casino resorts, and plenty of chain hotels to choose from, there are countless opportunities for staying and playing in Shreveport, Louisiana.
Vibrant Nightlife & Entertainment
Both Shreveport and Bossier City, its neighbouring city across the Red River, are home to a number of resort casinos. In Shreveport, there’s Eldorado Resort Casino, where adults can test their luck at the slot machines, play a round of blackjack and other table games, or see how many chips they can collect in the poker room. While the casino offers accommodations, there are a number of other hotels within a few miles. Of course, you don’t have to be a gambling fan to enjoy the city’s rich night life. From lively clubs to cocktail bars, there are many places where you can enjoy live entertainment or a refreshing drink. And, if you’re a real fan of partying, you can plan your trip around one of Shreveport’s outrageous Mardi Gras celebrations. Not only does the city host a series of parades, but live performances and other celebratory events held by local businesses also take place during Louisiana’s famous “carnival season.”
Museum Lovers’ Paradise
Art enthusiasts will appreciate the massive collection of paintings, sculptures, and decorative works on display at the city’s R.W. Norton Art Gallery. It exhibits more than four centuries’ worth of art and is particularly known for its spotlight on Frederic West and Charles M. Russell, two prominent painters of the American West. The gallery’s outdoor azalea gardens are equally as captivating, and more than 15,000 plants cover the property’s masterfully landscaped 40 acres. Shreveport is also home to the Louisiana State Exhibit Museum, which was built as a result of one of the New Deal’s Public Works projects in 1939. There, you can explore lifelike dioramas, Native American artefacts, and local wonders, including regional artwork. Next, stop by Shreveport Water Works Museum, a historic pumping station that displays more than 100 years’ worth of water pumping equipment. Finally, you can get a glimpse into aviation history at the Barksdale Global Power Museum, or browse through more artwork at Meadows Museum of Art.
The Great Outdoors
Though it may be one of the most populous cities in the states, you’ll find more than just restaurants and hotels in Shreveport, LA. In fact, the Walter B. Jacobs Memorial Nature Park has 160 acres of forest, in which pine, oak, and hickory trees thrive. Hikers, bird watchers, and nature lovers can blaze a stretch of the trails that wind their way through five miles of the park, and there are handicap-accessible trails, restrooms, and a pavilion available onsite as well. For a fun-filled day of fishing or boating, head to Ark-La-Text Landing. There, you can rent watercraft to launch at the onsite marina for a trip along the Red River and Cross Lake. If you’re lucky, you might even hook into a hungry bass or catfish while out on the lake. Another outdoor point of interest is The Gardens of the American Rose Center, a botanical garden with more than 20,000 rosebushes, a reflection pool, and sculptures.
Cajun Eats & Comfort Food
While it may be predominantly found in New Orleans, Cajun food is available in most parts of Louisiana, including Shreveport. It was developed originally by the French-speaking Acadians who settled in the region in the 1700s, and its spicy flavours are still used in eateries throughout the area today. Many Cajun dishes and spices feature bell pepper, onions, and celery. Gumbo, a Cajun favourite, is a stew that traditionally includes seafood like crab, shrimp, or oysters, but it can also contain pork or chicken. Seafood is, in fact, a major component in Louisiana cuisine, and the crawfish is an especially popular crustacean that the region is known for. You won’t have to go far in Shreveport to order crawfish etouffee, a dish in which the shellfish are prepared with a light roux and served over rice. Many of the area’s restaurants also offer traditional southern comfort food, like cornbread and fried chicken.