North Louisiana - The Undiscovered Country
A Look at Four Cities: Shreveport, Bossier City, Monroe, and West Monroe
By Rochelle Caviness - December 9, 2002
When you think of Louisiana, what comes to mind: New Orleans, Creole food, Cajun Music, and Mardi Gras? While all of these items are integral elements of Louisiana culture and history, there is much, much more to Louisiana than these stereotypes. One of the more overlooked areas of Louisiana is North Louisiana which is aptly nicked named, the Sportsman's Paradise.
One third of the Ark-La-Tex region, Northern Louisiana has it all; including fine food, great music, friendly natives, exciting outdoor adventure opportunities, shopping, gaming, and yes, even Mardi Gras. The only thing they seem to lack is New Orleans. However Northern Louisiana has so much to offer, you'll soon forget that you once even considered New Orleans to be part of Louisiana!.
Northern Louisiana can be divided into to distinct sections. The Western section is centered around the cities of Shreveport and Bossier City, and at the center of the Eastern section you'll find the cities of West Monroe and Monroe.
Shreveport and Bossier City
The cities of Shreveport and Bossier City are so close together that you can pass back and forth between the two cities without ever noticing that you have left one city for the other. You will find that many activities, in both cities, take place along the banks of the Red River, that flows between the two municipalities.
Both cities host a plethora of festivals throughout the year. Events include:
- The Red River Revel Arts Festival an extravagance of food, arts, and mucic.
- You will also find a number of cultural festivals such as the Jewish History Month. Held each October, this month long event is sponsored by the North Louisiana Jewish Federation, and events are held throughout North Louisiana.
A vibrant and exciting region, Shreveport and Bossier City offers visitors something for everyone, ranging from gaming and fine dining to antiquing and museums. In addition to 'city' pursuits, this area also offers a wealth of opportunities for hunting, fishing, hiking, boating, water skiing, and a whole host of outdoor activities - including a variety of gardens that can be visited.
This area can be easily navigated by car or city bus. If you will be on foot, I'd recommend that you stay somewhere in the downtown area of Shreveport. There are many fine hotels in the area, or, if you want to treat yourself to some pampering you can stay at one of the casino hotels, such as the Hollywood Casino Resort Hotel. This hotel has a "golden era of Hollywood" art deco look, the staff is friendly, and best of all the, hotel is conveniently located so that you can easily walk to most of the attractions located in Shreveport. This hotel is also located directly across the street from the new Red River District.
While touring this area, keep an eye out for the public art murals. You cannot miss them, as they appear on everything - including the city busses. The most prominent of all these murals is the 25,000 square-foot Once in a Millennium Moon mural by Meg Saligman. This phenomenal public arts project covers two sides of the A T & T building and is located in downtown Shreveport. It is interesting to note that all the people portrayed in the mural live in the surrounding area and much of the actual painting was done by local residents.
Here is a short list of the varied attractions that you will find the Shreveport and Bossier City area:
- The American Rose Center
- Ark-La-Tex Antique and Classic Vehicle Museum
- Five Riverboat Casino's - The Hollywood Casino, Harrah's Shreveport Casino, Boomtown, Isle of Capri, and the Horseshoe Casino.
- Sci-Port Discovery Center
- The Red River District - highlighting the cultural heritage of Louisiana and East Texas, this entertainment district features a host of attractions including live entertainment, cultural events, and a variety of restaurants such as Bluesiana's Acadian Café. If you happen to stop in, I highly recommend their Sweet Potato Cheesecake - it's well worth the trip to Shreveport just to feast on this tasty treat!
- Mardi Gras Museum of the Ark-La-Tex
Monroe and West Monroe
Like Shreveport and Bossier City, Monroe and West Monroe are sister cities that are divided only by the Ouachita River. And as with Shreveport and Bossier City, many events and festivals easily cross from one city to the other.
This region is especially noted for its outdoor recreational opportunities and its numerous art museums and galleries. West Monroe also boasts of the their famed Antique Alley, were one can easily spend an entire day antiquing.
The only drawback to this area is that it does not have an extensive public transportation system, so you will need access to a car in order to visit the many attractions in the area. Many splendid hotels, such as the new Jameson Inn of West Monroe, are scattered throughout the area. No matter which hotel you choose as your 'home base' you will find that you can easily drive to all the attractions in the area.
Featured attractions in this area include:
Tourism Resources for North Louisiana
- Want to learn more? Check out the Shreveport-Bossier Convention & Tourist Bureau website, located at: http://www.shreveport-bossier.org/
They can also be reached by phone at: 1-888-45-VISIT.
- Looking for more information on Monroe and West Monroe? Then check out the website of the Monroe and West Monroe Convention & Visitors Bureau, located at: http://www.monroe-westmonroe.org/
They can also be reaced by phone at: 1-800-843-1872
This article was originally published in Large Print Reviews. It has been modified, and reprinted on Tundraco.com, with the permission of the author.
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