If you are considering taking a trip to Louisiana, then Shreveport is a destination to consider. It is a city in the Northwest of the state known for music, culture, casinos and southern food. When visiting this city you will find a lot of fun and there is something for all tastes and ages. To help you decide how to spend your time here, here are the top 20 things to do.Shreveport, LAfor first-time visitors.
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20. Tour the Touchstone Wildlife and Art Museum
An unusual attraction in Shreveport is the Touchstone Wildlife and Art Museum. This museum features thousands of stuffed and mounted animals housed in replicas of their natural habitat. Each of the displays has a hand-painted background. In addition to taxidermists, there are displays of Native American artifacts and war memorabilia.
19. Learn about music history on stage at the Stars Music Museum
Shreveport is known for its connections to the music industry, and the best place to learn more is at the Stage of the Stars Music Museum. This attraction is located on Elvis Presley Avenue, which provides the perfect setting for an attraction of this type. Elvis Presley and Lead Belly are just two of the artists on display in this museum. Visitors can enjoy stories about the legendary people and places in this area that influenced the American music scene. An interesting element of a visit to this museum is learning about the Louisiana Hayride, a radio show that helped launch many artists into the music industry. There are some interesting memorabilia at the Louisiana Hayride exhibit.
18. Explore local history at the Spring Street Museum
The Spring Street Museum is one of the oldest buildings in the city, having been built in 1865. Over the years, this building has served several purposes, including a bar and a bank. Its history as a bank is still evident, as the house features a heavy, ornate door. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Visitors can learn about Shreveport's history through various exhibits, artifacts and interactive activities. It should be noted that visiting this museum is free, making it an excellent option for anyone visiting the area on a budget.
17. Visite o Shreveport Railroad Museum
The Shreveport Railroad Museum opened in 2013 and focuses on the use of steam in transportation throughout history. It's located in one of the Shreveport Water Works Museum's annex buildings, so you can enjoy both activities in the same day. It is a project of the Red River Valley Railroad Historical Society. The museum displays artifacts, documents, memorabilia and photographs relating to the railway industry. Other activities you can enjoy are train rides and activities related to train operations.
16. Go to the Shreveport Water Works Museum
This museum is a National Historic Landmark and a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark. Located on North Common Street, it was formerly a pumping station built in 1887. The original filters and pumps are still in place and it is an unusual example of a steam water distribution system. Visitors to this attraction have the option of taking a guided or self-guided tour of the facility. The guided tour is a better option if you want to learn about the operation and history of the waterworks.
15. Go to the Sci-Port Discovery Center
Visitors to the Sci-Port Discovery Center can expect a fun and interactive experience. People of all ages can explore science, math and technology through a variety of interactive activities that are both educational and fun. The objective of the practical activities is to arouse the curiosity of visitors so that they learn something about the world around them. In addition to the interactive activities, there is also an IMAX theater and a planetarium. In the IMAX dome cinema, visitors can enjoy a unique experience as the film captivates viewers in a realistic and emotional way.
14. Visite o Pioneer Heritage Center
A fantastic place to learn more about the area's history is the Pioneer Heritage Center. This attraction focuses on the pioneers who settled in northwest Louisiana. It covers where the pioneers came from, how they adapted the area to their needs, and how the pioneers led their daily lives. Founded in 1977, the Pioneer Heritage Center offers visitors tours of various structures that show how pioneers lived. Visitors can also learn about northwest Louisiana's cultural history and the state's natural environment.
13. Enjoy live music at Noble Savage Tavern
The Noble Savage Tavern is one of the best places to visit in the evening. They have something special all week long and there is live music every night. Music varies according to taste, so you may see rock, Americana or blues bands playing depending on the time of your visit. There is a wide range of beers on tap and they are known for their fun cocktails. The place also serves food, and the menu is diverse with many unusual combinations that you won't find on other menus in the area.
12. Check out the animals at the Jubilee Zoo
A fantastic day out for all the family is a day out at Jubilee Zoo,says vacation idea. This zoo is unusual in that it only has animals that are safe to interact with humans. So don't expect to see lions and tigers on this attraction. Visitors are actively encouraged to interact with the animals by feeding and petting them. Other things to enjoy at this attraction are a safari hay ride, carousel, bouncy castles and a playground.
11. Visite o Barksdale Global Power Museum
The Barksdale Global Power Museum is dedicated to war deterrence efforts and America's success in combat. Visitors can learn about the history of strategic bombing and its involvement with the 8th Air Force and 2nd Bomb Squadron in Air Force Global Strike Command. There are six exhibition galleries that tell the story of strategic bombing, but the highlight for visitors is the variety of aircraft on display.
10. Learn about local history at the Louisiana State Exhibit Museum
Those interested in learning more about the history and culture of Shreveport and Louisiana should visit the Louisiana State Exhibit Museum. It is housed in an Art Deco style building that was built in the 1930s. The museum's portico displays frescoes depicting themes that continue throughout the museum. A highlight of the museum are the dioramas that depict various scenes from life in the area. These include swamps, rice paddies, sugar cane plantations, oil fields and factories. Other parts of the museum cover the role of the state in the War of 1812 and Native American history. Other exhibits cover the state's natural environment.
9. Art Room
Artspace is not just an art gallery, but also an art center that stimulates creativity. There are exhibitions throughout the year showcasing the work of local and international artists. The venue is also used as a space for concerts, dance performances, poetry readings and much more. Before visiting Shreveport, do some research on what's happening at Artspace to see if there's anything that appeals to you.
8. Enjoy Blind Tiger
While many of the tourist attractions can be seen during the day, there's also plenty of fun to be had in Shreveport at night. One of the best places to visit is The Blind Tiger, a legendary downtown hangout. In addition to drinks and music, you can also grab a bite to eat. This location has its own restaurant serving Cajun and Creole food.
7. Visit the Southern University Museum of Art
A popular attraction for art lovers visiting the city is the Southern University Museum of Art. It is the only museum in northern Louisiana dedicated to preserving the culture and art of the African and African-American diaspora. The permanent collection includes West African art and artifacts. There are temporary and traveling exhibitions throughout the year. These usually feature the work of local, regional, or national African-American artists.
6. Watch a performance at the Shreveport Municipal Auditorium
If you want to catch a live performance while visiting this city, the best place to do so is at the Shreveport Municipal Auditorium. Throughout the year, the busy schedule of events includes plays, musicals, dance shows and concerts. It's best to find out about the program before your visit and book tickets in advance if a performance takes your fancy. The building is also interesting to look at as it was built in the 1920s in an Art Deco style. It was initially used as a barracks before becoming an internationally renowned event hall.
5. Enjoy Creole and Cajun dishes at Café Orlando
There are some excellent restaurants in Shreveport, and many of them serve the Southern cuisine the town is known for. One of the most famous places to eat is Orlandeaux's Café. This cafe opened in 1921 and is now the oldest continuously operating family-owned African-American cafe in the United States. The Creole and Cajun style food at this restaurant has been described as excellent by past guests. It is best known for gumbo, stuffed shrimp, po'boys and fish with homemade tartar sauce.
4. Have fun at the casinos
Shreveport is famous as a casino destination, and many tourists come to the city just to spend time in its casinos. While there are many casinos to enjoy, two of the best are Eldorado Resort and Sam's Town Hotel & Casino. In these casinos, you can enjoy all the classic casino games. Both also offer a variety of restaurants, live music venues, bars, spas and an array of other luxury amenities. If you intend to spend a lot of time at the casinos, both are good hosting options.
3. Stroll through the Shreveport Asian Gardens
If you want to spend time outdoors in a peaceful and relaxing environment, you must visit the Asian Gardens of Shreveport. This attraction is a lush oasis meant to represent 15 Asian countries. The gardens are beautifully landscaped and feature a diverse selection of plants, flowers and trees. It is divided into several levels and there are statues to admire at various points. The gardens host various events throughout the year representing Asian culture, food, music and dance.
2. Go to the Shreveport Aquarium
One of the best family attractions in Shreveport is the Shreveport Aquarium. It is home to over three thousand aquatic animals and has been open since 2017. Visiting the aquarium is an awe-inspiring experience as there are replicas of dark sea caves and shipwrecks. The highlight for many visitors is walking through the vaulted gallery with marine life swimming overhead. Children will also enjoy the various touch pools around the aquarium.
1. See the art at Agora Borealis
Ocean Louisiana Travel, the best thing to do in Shreveport, LA for beginners is to check out the art at Agora Borealis. It is an art gallery founded by Katy Larsen who comes from a family of artists and is friends with many other artists. Located in a historic building in downtown Shreveport, the gallery showcases paintings, jewelry, furniture, sculptures and ceramics. Various events and art openings are also held here throughout the year.