Shreveport and Bossier City jointly function as the most popular tourist destination in the state of Louisiana outside of New Orleans. Perhaps it is our sense of Southern hospitality that draws folks in like moths to a lightbulb. The diversity of cultures, as represented in our festivals and attractions, might also be considered a meaningful part of the reason. Certainly, restaurants must be a factor, since residents love to eat. OK, so I am willing to give the casinos their fair share of the credit, but let’s not forget the terrific shopping and interesting nightlife. The best conclusion: all of the above, plus a sense of local pride.
It does appear locals are of two minds on the topic of visitors. First, we love to show out-of-towners a good time. We are the kind of people who will talk to you while standing in line at the grocery store, ask you where you are from, and proceed to tell you the best places to experience the “real” Shreveport and Bossier City (I have included many of them in this book, based on my own grocery store conversations). Of course, we may also have to tell you our life story, invite you over to the porch, or spin some wild yarn about the last time we went hunting or fishing and the big one that got away. In short, we are by and large a friendly, outgoing citizenry.
Second, Shreveport and Bossier City have been our little secret for a long time. The quality of life is great, especially when compared to other areas in the South. We have some of the best public and private schools in the state. We have one of the most diversified economies in the region. Our history is rather unique; we tend to pride ourselves for both our sins and saintliness. It seems we have a medical complex on any corner not already occupied by a church. Many locals tend to like their politics and religion on the conservative side, but recognize the meaningful purpose of diversity and alternative points of view. By sharing ourselves with tourists, our secret might not remain a secret for much longer.
But we are open to change, so come and provide us an opportunity to show you “Louisiana’s Other Side”—a rich heritage and way of life that differ from New Orleans without rejecting the Laissez Les Bon Temps Roulez attitude of our sister city in the southern part of the state. Attend one of our many festivals or attractions and let us show you how we let the good times roll!
While Shreveport–Bossier is perhaps best known today for the five casinos that rest on the banks of the Red River, this area offers both visitors and residents numerous types of attractions usually found in cities much larger than ours. Many of these destinations relate in some manner to the Great Outdoors; since Louisiana is called “The Sportsman’s Paradise,” such an affiliation should not be surprising. As a result, some attractions will appear in other chapters, such as Parks and Recreation. Other sites tell of the area’s rich history while some museums, such as Sci-Port, point toward the future (and the stars).
This chapter has been divided into two sections: Things to Do and Things to See. In the first section, you will find many museums, petting zoos, and water-related sites, while the second section will introduce you to the history of the area by looking at famous architecture, cemeteries, and churches. Most readers will notice the casinos are not mentioned in this chapter; for a description of each facility see the Accommodations chapter as well as its informative Close-up on gambling. Many of the lower-cost attractions take only cash, so be prepared prior to your visit.
Barksdale Air Force Base, the health and movie industries, and the new Cyber Initiatives complex continue to bring families with children into the Shreveport–Bossier area, presenting the ever-growing challenge of how to keep the young ones educated, entertained, and active. We strive to encourage children to drop the controllers of their video gaming devices and enjoy what this area has to offer. Of course, that also means persuading parents and guardians to do the same.
Many of the kid-friendly activities already appear in the Attractions of this book, so be sure to look carefully at those offerings. This brief chapter looks at those unique opportunities that both visitors and residents might normally miss. These activities tend to promote the important parent-child interactions that generate a new level of fun.
While there is so much to see and do in Shreveport and Bossier City, you might want to take a break and explore other offerings in the area. If you are looking for a taste of New Orleans mixed with Southern hospitality, shopping, and good food, then you will want to explore the old city of Natchitoches, where you can discover what plantation life was really like. Outdoor adventure also awaits you at North Toledo Bend State Park. And since we are only a few short miles from the Texas border, you might want to continue the great outdoors theme with a visit to the prehistoric-looking Caddo Lake. A visit to the historic town of Jefferson, Texas, will leave you charmed with its Victorian feel and brick streets, perhaps even tempting you to spend the night at one of its fine bed-and-breakfasts. Depending on what you consider a day trip, remember that Dallas is only 2.5 hours away (drive west on I-20 and take exit 499 for LA 557/US 80 and drive into the city). And given your proximity to one of the greatest archeological wonders of North America, you should consider driving east to visit Poverty Point National Monument to explore an ancient civilization that existed 10,000 years ago. Be sure to stop in the city of Monroe for some good food on your way back. So what are you waiting for? It’s time to generate another set of great memories!