Shreveport and Bossier City
Where you’ll want to return for more because of the food and entertainment
Shreveport and the nearby city of Bossier City are tucked away in the area of northwest Louisiana that borders Texas and are brimming with Texan and Cajun culture. Here, you may enjoy an active nightlife, fine dining, and a vibrant gambling scene at riverboat casinos and entertainment. Here, flavor is a way of life, as evidenced by the well-liked eateries serving gumbo, po-boys, and seafood prepared in the Cajun style. Visit the Noble Savage Tavern to hear live jazz. Attend a play at the Strand Theatre that is off Broadway. Enjoy a relaxing weekend in a quaint bed & breakfast, take in the sights, sounds, and cuisine at a festival, or experience the excitement of horse racing. You will return time and time again to Shreveport-Bossier because of its feisty yet laid-back demeanor.
Nature and Art
After crossing the Red River, head into downtown Shreveport to find Artspace. More than just a gallery or museum, this creative hub hosts live music performances, poetry readings, and exhibits featuring the creations of regional artists. At the R.W. Norton Art Gallery, four centuries of European and American art complete the collection, you can continue your cultural exploration of Shreveport. You can find artwork from many civilizations at The Meadows Museum of Art at Centenary College, which also hosts talks and other activities in addition to a dynamic show calendar. Visit The Gardens of the American Rose Center if you would rather admire the splendor of nature. It’s the largest rose-themed park in the United States, with 65 separate rose gardens. Discover the wild side of nature at Gators and Friends Adventure Park, where you can zip line over a swamp full of gators, race fast go-karts, and, if you’re feeling really daring, even hold or feed a gator.
Culture and History
The Louisiana State Exhibit Museum features Caddo Indian artifacts and dioramas that immerse visitors in the story of the area’s oldest inhabitants. Get a rich sense of the African and African-American experience on the Southern University Museum of Art’s Art & Soul of Shreveport Tour. You’ll see art and artifacts and even have the chance to participate in an African drum circle.
Music and Family Fun
The area’s musical legacy is a thriving part of its culture. Head to Shreveport Municipal Auditorium, where you can go on a backstage music tour of the community’s most important performing arts venue, which hosted legendary artists on its stage. For a major dose of fun, dive into an underwater world of wonder at Shreveport Aquarium, which welcomes visitors to have personal up-close encounters in touch tanks full of jellyfish, starfish and more. In Bossier City, rock climb, go-cart and bumper car to your heart’s delight at Party Central Family Fun Center.
Slow it down at the Louisiana Boardwalk Outlets, where you can score some great deals on beloved brands and the children can entertain themselves at the arcade. Nearby, hang out at Bossier City’s East Bank District & Plaza, offering almost a kilometer of entertainment on Barksdale Boulevard including bars, Flying Heart Brewery, East Bank Gallery, a coffee shop, hotel, salon, antique shops and more.