30 Fun Things to Do in Shreveport, Louisiana

Destguides may receive commissions from purchases made through affiliate links in this article.

Shreveport is a charming city in Louisiana, located around five hours from the well-known city of New Orleans. Home to unique attractions and natural landmarks, exploring Shreveport is well worth it!

There are fun things to do in Shreveport, Louisiana, for all types of visitors. Activities range from walking around the American Rose Garden or exploring the Cypress Black Bayou Recreation District to trying the city's best pie at Strawn's Eat Shop. To discover all the exciting things to do in Shreveport, read on.

Planning a last-minute trip to Shreveport?

Before traveling to Shreveport, book your accommodations ahead of time. See the short list of top suggestions below.

🏨 Top accommodations in Shreveport

• Home2 Suites by Hilton Shreveport (rated highly)
• Homewood Suites by Hilton Shreveport (relax by the pool)
• Hilton Shreveport

30 Fun Things to Do in Shreveport, LA

Fun Things to Do in Shreveport, LA

Kit Leong/Shutterstock.com

Look around the Louisiana State Exhibit Museum

If you want to learn more about Louisiana's history, plan a trip to the Louisiana State Exhibit Museum. Opened in 1939, the museum has exhibits on life in Louisiana in the past, with topics like natural history covered.

You can learn about the animals and plants that have lived in the present-day state over the last thousands of years, as well as about Native American communities. While exploring the Louisiana landmark, you'll also see some regional art and historical artifacts.

Learn new things at the Sci-Port Discovery Center

The Sci-Port Discovery Center is one of the family-friendly attractions in Shreveport. Covering 92,000 square feet, the science museum houses fascinating exhibits, a planetarium, and an IMAX theater. In addition, Sci-Port Discovery Center has a children's museum and a unique open-air escape room attraction with various themed escape games.

🏨 Accommodations in close proximity to the Sci-Port Discovery Center

• Courtyard Shreveport-Bossier City Louisiana Boardwalk (rated very highly)
• Hilton Garden Inn Shreveport Bossier City (unwind poolside)

Let you kids enjoy the PoP Children's Museum

Located within the Sci-Port Discovery Center, the PoP Children's Museum is a fun attraction for younger kids. It has interactive exhibits that help them learn as they play.

Things to do include climbing an indoor jungle gym and exploring a replica of Shreveport-Bossier City, complete with pretend shops, homes, veterinarian offices, and more!

🏨 Places to stay near the Sci-Port Discovery Center

• Homewood Suites by Hilton Shreveport Bossier City, LA
• Residence Inn by Marriott Shreveport-Bossier City Downtown

Marvel at artworks at the R.W. Norton Art Gallery

Visiting the R.W. Norton Art Gallery is one of the best things to do in Shreveport, LA, for art enthusiasts. The museum features over 400 artworks by 100 artists. Pieces date from around 4,000 years ago all the way to the present and include paintings, sculptures, and drawings.

In addition, there's a library that houses around 10,000 books, including rare copies. Before leaving the R.W. Norton Art Gallery, you can also look around a botanical garden, which features trails and an array of plants, flowers, and trees.

🏨 Accommodation in close proximity to the RW Norton Art Gallery

• Home2 Suites by Hilton Shreveport (well-rated)

Shop for craft items at the Red River Revel Arts Festival

If you're visiting Shreveport in October, you won't want to miss the Red River Revel Arts Festival. This annual event features arts and crafts booths, plus music acts, numerous food vendors, and some other activities.

Types of artworks to see and shop for range from paintings and pottery to jewelry and home decor items. After visiting the booths and seeing some musical acts, you can grab food with everything from BBQ dishes to funnel cake and donuts on offer.

Purchase local produce Shreveport Farmers' Market

For those in Shreveport during the weekend in the summer, visiting the Shreveport Farmers' Market is a must. The market runs on Saturdays between June and August.

Vendors include those selling locally grown fruit and veg, jams, flowers and plants, and baked goods. You can also find some non-food items like handmade soaps, and some stalls sell dog treats so your pup can join in on the fun!

Donna Chance Hall/Shutterstock.com

Smell the flowers at the American Rose Center

The American Rose Center is one of the most beautiful Shreveport, LA, attractions, making it a must-visit location. The stunning garden features over 20,000 rose bushes with approximately 100 different varieties on display.

As you explore the 118-acre space, you'll see over 60 different gardens filled with pretty colored flowers. There are also some seasonal events at the American Rose Center, like Christmas in Roseland, a holiday event where the gardens becomes a winter wonderland!

Spot animals at Walter B. Jacobs Memorial Nature Park

If you want to enjoy some fresh air, plan a trip to Walter B. Jacobs Memorial Nature Center. This park features walking trails that take you through beautiful pine-oak-hickory forests. There's also a nature center that features some animals, including birds of prey like owls and eagles.

Treat yourself to ice box pie at Strawn's Eat Shop

Strawn's Eat Shop is one of the fun places to go in Shreveport, Louisiana, if you want to enjoy some of the best desserts in the city! The eatery specializes in ice box pies, and you can order a range of flavors, including strawberry, chocolate, and butterscotch.

Other sweets to order include pancakes and waffles with chocolate chips, blueberries, or strawberries, and whipped cream. You can also get savory diner-style dishes, like burgers or fried chicken.

Spend an evening at Bally's Shreveport Casino & Hotel

Bally's Shreveport Casino & Hotel, formerly Eldorado Shreveport Casino & Hotel, is a little slice of Las Vegas in Shreveport! It's a fun place to head to in the evening to gamble and enjoy other entertainment options. In the casino, you can play poker or table games, and slot machines are also available.

In addition, you can dine at one of numerous eateries, with options like a steakhouse, sports bar, and noodle bar on offer. Those that want to stay later into the evening can also check out Celebrity Lounge and Allure Lounge, both of which are bars and nightclubs.

Go to the Shreveport Aquarium

The Shreveport Aquarium is a relatively new attraction, having opened in 2017. It's home to over 1,000 marine animals from 300 species and has a variety of areas to explore, including a tropical fish aquarium and habitats with turtles, sharks, and alligators.

Other creatures to spot range from eels and seahorses to octopi. After seeing all the animals, there's an area for kids to pan for gold, gems, and other treasure.

Admire artworks at the Southern University Museum of Art

Going to the Southern University Museum of Art is one of the best things to do in Shreveport, Louisiana, for art enthusiasts. The gallery has an array of pieces on display, with a focus on African and African-American artworks and ancient artifacts.

As you explore the museum and view the art, you'll also learn more about the culture and history of many African countries, including Mali, Nigeria, and Cameroon.

Relax with a beer at Great Raft Brewing

Getting a locally brewed craft beer at Great Raft Brewing is the ideal way to relax and unwind a little. The brewery has a tasting room and offers tours, with a taproom also on site. The tap list rotates, but you'll definitely find a beer to please everyone in your group!

At the taproom, you can enjoy some events, like live music nights. Touring the brewery is also one of the best free things to do in the area, and tours are currently offered on Saturdays at 1 PM, 2 PM, and 3 PM.

Watch a performance at Shreveport Municipal Auditorium

Are you wondering what to do in Shreveport, LA, in the evening? Why not go to a show at the Shreveport Municipal Auditorium? The performing arts venue opened in 1929 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

At the auditorium, you can see a wide variety of shows, from concerts and comedy shows to ballets. If you're looking for activities to do with children, some kid-friendly shows are hosted too.

Enjoy a movie at Robinson Film Center

Movie buffs will definitely want to spend an afternoon or evening at the Robinson Film Center. This boutique cinema shows some new releases but mainly has classic, international, and indie films. Before or after watching a movie, you can enjoy food at the cinema's bistro.

At Abby Singer's Bistro, you can order various dishes, from loaded potato chips to grilled cheese sandwiches or cajun pasta. Classic movie-themed cocktails, plus wine, beer, and non-alcoholic drinks, are also available. If catching an early evening movie, you can head to the bistro first for happy hour too.

Visit Holy Trinity Catholic Church

Holy Trinity Catholic Church is a must-see landmark when in Shreveport. The church was constructed in 1896 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984. It's designed in a Romanesque style, featuring a red brick exterior with white accents and turrets.

During a visit, you can admire the internal and external architecture, with the church's interior featuring high ceilings, ornate details, and stunning stained glass windows. This is an active church, so pay attention to service times when planning your visit.

Take your kids to see animals at the Jubilee Zoo

Jubilee Zoo is a petting zoo that's a fun place to take young kids. At the zoo, you'll get to see many creatures, including goats, sheep, ponies, and even zebras and camels. If you live in the area, your kids can also have a birthday party at Jubilee Zoo, and fun events are hosted frequently, like a unicorn tea party!

Go to the Shreveport Water Works Museum

Another of the interesting specialty attractions in Shreveport, LA, is Shreveport Water Works Museum, also called the McNeil Street Pump Station. The museum is housed within a historic water pumping station that was constructed in 1887 and is now a National Historic Landmark.

Visitors to the museum can learn more about the water station's history, and both guided tours and booklets for self-guided tours are offered.

Exercise at Betty Virginia Park

If you want to workout when in Shreveport, Betty Virginia Park is an excellent place to do so. The 23-acre park has some trails for jogging, as well as softball and baseball fields. The park's trails are well-lit, allowing you to run early in the morning or in the evening.

For those looking for somewhere to take their kids to run around, this park is also a great spot, as there's a playground and some lawns to run and play on.

LMPark Photos/Shutterstock.com

Watch a performance at The Strand Theatre

The Strand Theatre is a local landmark that was built in 1923 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1977. It's also a great place to spend the evening watching a performance. Shows to see include Broadway shows, ballets, and concerts. Past shows have included Anastasia, The Nutcracker, and Chicago.

Eat at Marilynn's Place

Marilynn's Place is a popular eatery in Shreveport serving cajun and creole dishes. Menu options include red beans and rice, seafood gumbo, po'boy sandwiches, and salads. You can also indulge in dessert here, with options like bread pudding, vegan brownies, and bananas foster on the menu.

Have a fun day out at Splash Kingdom Oasis

Splash Kingdom Oasis, or Splash Kingdom Waterpark, is one of the most fun places to go in Shreveport, LA, with kids. The water park has numerous slides, a wave pool, and a swimming lagoon. There's also a splash pool with a castle and slide for young kids, cabanas to rent, and a sand volleyball court.

Stroll along the Clyde Fant Parkway

The Clyde Fant Parkway is the ideal place to go for a relaxing walk or bike ride. It's also a great place to jog or walk your dog. As you make your way along the parkway, you can enjoy views of the Red River, and you'll also come across a fun frisbee golf course.

Dare to explore the Logan Mansion

Constructed in 1897, the Logan Mansion is a fascinating yet somewhat spooky residence. Visitors to the house can go on a tour or attend a murder mystery party. The Victorian home can even be rented on Airbnb! Do note this is a private residence that is not always open to the public, visitors can only explore when a tour or event is hosted or if they rent the property.

Have drinks at Bayou Thunder Saloon

Bayou Thunder Saloon is a fun place to visit for a drink or two. The relaxed bar has an extensive drinks menu, plus snacks like taquitos, fried pickles, and wings. You can also enjoy some events at the bar, like live music acts, trivia nights, and karaoke sessions. There are also pool tournaments and drink specials, like happy hours and ladies' nights.

Fun Things to Do Near Shreveport, LA

Say hi to alligators at Gators and Friends Adventure Park!

A fun fact about Louisiana is that it has more alligators than any other state! You can see some of these gators at Gators and Friends Adventure Park.

As you explore the park, you'll get to see lots of alligators as they relax in the water and on the banks around the park's lakes. You can also see other animals, like lemurs, goats, and camels. If you like adventure activities, you can even zipline over a lake filled with alligators!

Spend time at the Cypress Black Bayou Recreation District

The Cypress Black Bayou Recreation District, or the Cypress Black Bayou Recreation and Water Conservation District, is another excellent outdoor attraction near Shreveport. The park is situated about 30 minutes from Shreveport and sits next to the Cypress Bayou Reservoir.

During a visit, you can follow some scenic trails or go boating on the reservoir. There's also a playground for kids and lots of wildlife to spot as you explore.

Allen J.M. Smith/Shutterstock.com

See aircraft at the Barksdale Global Power Museum

The Barksdale Global Power Museum is located in Bossier City, around ten to 15 minutes from central Shreveport. This attraction is an aviation museum managed by the United States Air Force.

At the museum, you can see aircraft used by the military, including those in action during WWII and the Cold War. You can also see an informative video about the history of the Barksdale Air Force Base.

🏨 Stay in close proximity to the Barksdale Global Power Museum

• Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Bossier City (good value)
• Hampton Inn Shreveport Bossier City (well-rated)

Discover unique items at Tubbs Hardware

While going to a hardware store may seem like an odd thing to do, Tubbs Hardware & Cajun Gifts sells much more than tools and the like! The shop has a range of souvenirs and gifts and is a must-visit near Mardi Gras to get decorations and accessories. Along with Mardi Gras beads, masks, and house decorations, you can purchase freshly made king cake here.

🏨 Nearest accommodation to Tubbs Hardware & Rental

• TownePlace Suites by Marriott Bossier City

Follow the Sunflower Trail!

If you're in the Shreveport-Bossier area in June, be sure to check out the Sunflower Trail Festival. You'll be able to see fields of beautiful sunflowers that make a perfect photo backdrop. You can also purchase some sunflowers and there are other things to enjoy, like art and crafts sales and live music.

In Conclusion

This article should have given those wondering what to do in Shreveport, Louisiana, many activity ideas. While in the city, you can visit unique museums, shop at the local farmers market, visit eateries serving classic Southern dishes, and much more!

Give us feedback about this article