Shreveport on the Red River

The southeastern U.S. state of Louisiana sits on the Gulf of Mexico. Much of the state’s history is reflected in its Creole and Cajun culture. The city of Shreveport in the northwestern part of Louisiana is on the Red River.

The Sci-Port Discovery Center features an IMAX dome and hands-on science exhibits.

The Davis Homeplace dates from 1916. It offers you a look into how people lived in Louisiana in the days of old. The house includes many original items and period curiosities like oil lamps, transoms, and pocket doors. You can take a tour of the home with a docent.

Betty Virginia Park offers a lush green space to relax in. There are scenic picnic areas and walking trails. Children enjoy the playgrounds. Sports fans can play ball on the baseball and softball diamonds.

Walking along in Shreveport you might just spot a celebrity statue of Elvis Presley. The statue is bronze and stands in front of the Shreveport Municipal Auditorium. Back in 1954, Elvis was part of the famous Louisiana Hayride and in remembrance of this, the statue was erected.

The Eldorado Resort Casino is a premium gaming facility with over 50 table games, slots, and video poker machines. The casino also offers live shows.

Huddie Ledbetter also known as Lead Belly statue stands on Texas Street. He originated from Mooringsport in Louisiana. He played many different instruments and had a great impact on a variety of musicians. He was one of the most famous musicians to come from the state.

The J. Bennett Johnston Waterway Regional Visitor Center is the place to get to know the story of the Red River in Louisiana. The center tells about how the river became navigable and became used for recreational activities. There are many exhibits including a theater and static and rotating exhibits. You can get a guided tour.

Holy Trinity Catholic Church is the oldest church in the city. It was built in the Romanesque style entirely of Italian marble. It has more than 60 stained glass window panes. The church is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Barksdale Global Power Museum is part of Barksdale Air Force Base. The museum preserves the history of those who served in the Air Force. There are a range of exhibits telling about the heritage of the Air Force. You can see different aircraft on display and some antique Air Force artwork. Souvenirs are available at the gift shop.

Jubilee Zoo is a place for animal lovers of all ages. There is a petting zoo where you can see animals and the exhibits are interactive. There are carousel pony rides and a safari ride can take you around the zoo. Children can enjoy inflatable attractions and a playground.

Take a visit to the haunted Logan Mansion dating back to 1897. You can tour the house as guides tell you ghost stories about the place. There are also special holiday tours.

The Louisiana State Exhibit Museum opened in 1939 and has exhibits about the Caddo Indians who lived in the area. On display, you’ll see local antique artifacts, frescos, and a historical dugout canoe. More than 20 different dioramas tell the story of Louisiana. The building housing the museum is architecturally impressive and built in a circle shape.

The Shreveport Aquarium will take you through tropical lagoons, dark ocean caves, shipwrecks, and coral reefs. You can get up close to see jellyfish, rays, sharks, and other creatures of the deep. There are also some touch tanks, The freshwater domed gallery shows a large amount of diversity and variety. Visitors can travel to the ocean depths to see strange creatures that hide in the dark of the deepest waters.

The Spring Street Museum is housed in the oldest structure in the city dating back to 1865. It features cast iron grillwork. The building has been home to a bar and a bank and still has the heavy vault door. The museum tells the history of Shreveport and is on the National Register of Historic Places. There are interactive exhibits and artifacts.

Stage of Stars Music Museum is located on Elvis Presley Avenue. The museum showcases artists like Elvis and Lead Belly. It shares stories of legendary places and people who have had an impact on the music scene in America. It displays memorabilia from the Louisiana Hayride, a radio broadcast that helped launch musical careers.

The Touchstone Wildlife and Art Museum has more than one thousand stuffed and mounted animals on display with simulated natural habitats in the background. The museum displays a mix of war memorabilia, taxidermy, Native Indian artifacts, and dioramas. You can get to see artists working on new displays. Other displays of interest are the Civil War, Bonnie and Clyde, and Star Trek.

The Walter B. Jacobs Memorial Nature Park spreads across 160 acres of oak, pine, and hickory forest. There are five miles of hiking trails with interpretive signage as you go. Exhibits feature live animals including deer and the Bird of Prey aviary. There is a visitor center with hands-on exhibits, live animals, and a play area for children. There is a covered picnic area and park staff offer educational programs all through the year.

The Red River Brewing Company lets you take a look into the brewing and bottling process. From the taproom, you can view the downtown skyline. Five to ten taps offer Red River beer. The brewery grew from five barrels to twenty. There are food trucks on the premises as well.

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