We think it’s fair to say that Shreveport is somewhat overlooked when it comes to our friends in Louisiana. Whilst a lot of the fun does happen 300 miles south in New Orleans, that’s not to say Shreveport doesn’t have a thing or two up its sleeve.
If you’re looking for all the fun of Louisiana but without all the hustle and bustle of the big cities like New Orleans and Baton Rouge, Shreveport might be just what you’re looking for. With an abundance of casinos and Louisianan culture, Shreveport offers vibrant nightlife, tasty cuisine and plenty of places to get lost in nature. Read on for our picks on what to get up to in Shreveport; with suggestions on where to eat, drink and stay alongside some activities we recommend, you’ll have your itinerary sorted in no time.
WHERE TO FIND LOUISIANAN CUISINE IN SHREVEPORT
Louisianan cuisine is primarily a creole and cajun mix which goes a long way to satisfying the taste buds. Seafood is another big hitter, and we’ve picked our top three places to find Louisianan cuisine in Shreveport. Of course you could always eat at one of the many burger and steak joints around town, but that wouldn’t be getting the full experience, would it?
- Address: 9370 Mansfield Rd, Shreveport, LA 71118, USA
- Good for: Flavoursome, Louisianan cuisine with a lot of variety.
- Try: The Fried Alligator as either an appetizer or main.
- Address: 120 Texas St, Shreveport, LA 71101–3218
- Good for: Cajun cuisine, southern fried seafood and blackened entrees.
- Try: Voodoo Shrimp; six butterflied shrimp in cayenne pepper sauce.
- Address: 5215 Monkhouse Dr, Shreveport, LA 71109–6511
- Good for: Tasty meals created from scratch near Shreveport Regional Airport.
- Try: Crawfish Monica; sauteed Crawfish tails in a rich and creamy Monica sauce, served with angel hair pasta.
WHERE TO DRINK IN SHREVEPORT
Shreveport is awash with places to get your favourite tipple; whether you’re after cocktails or craft brews, you’ll find it in this northwest Louisianan town. Whilst the famous Sazerac is a must-try in New Orleans, it’s a little harder to come by in Shreveport. This is a city that knows its daiquiris though, and it has plenty of drive-thru options to get your daiquiri fix (we suggest Cajun Daiquiris). If you fancy sticking with an old favourite, you can’t go wrong with a margarita. We’ve heard great things about the hand-crafted margaritas at Parish Taceaux; a cocktail bar which also serves up a variety of Mexican-inspired foodie favourites like quesadillas and tacos. Alternatively, if you happen to be visiting Shreveport around September, the Margarita Pour-Off will be in town celebrating the margarita in all its glory.
Dubbed Shreveport’s most affordable craft cocktail, you can’t leave without tasting a Twisted Mule. A variation of the Moscow Mule; the Twisted Mule is made with ginger beer, vodka, tea syrup and squeezed lemons and is available from Twisted Root Burger Co. for just $5.
Of course it’s not all cocktails in the city with plenty of options in the way of beer too. The Round Bar has over 160 beers available to cater to your needs. Try and make your way through as many as you can during your stay (within reason of course) to get a true taste of Shreveport and its great range of beer.
WHERE TO PLACE YOUR BETS IN SHREVEPORT
Shreveport is, perhaps surprisingly to some, known for its casino and gambling culture. There are six casinos in the Shreveport-Bossier City area to work your way around, so you’re bound to find lady luck waiting in one of them. Nightlife in the casinos is just as exciting as the gambling itself, particularly in the Eldorado Resort Casino’s Celebrity Lounge, and at Sam’s Town Hotel & Casino which often puts on a range of live performances from both local and national musicians.
What’s more, although Shreveport’s riverboat casinos may not rival those found in New Orleans, the city’s stationary counterparts can be found at the likes of Sam’s Town and across the Red River in Bossier City at the Horseshoe Casino & Hotel. Head here for a slightly different take on your casino experience.
WHERE TO EXPERIENCE THE GREAT OUTDOORS IN SHREVEPORT
Shreveport has a lot to offer when it comes to the outdoors. If you’re looking for parks, the Red River National Wildlife Refuge, Walter B Jacobs Memorial Nature Park and Lakeview Park are all located close to the city. We suggest hiring a car to travel to them.
Visitors looking for picturesque views and local heritage should visit the American Rose Center. Hailed as the Nation’s largest park dedicated to roses and sitting at a cool 118 acres, the centre is a must for Shreveport visitors. Around 20,000 rose bushes call the park home, so you will certainly be kept busy — we wouldn’t blame you if you didn’t make it round the whole park though. The ASEANA Gardens in downtown Shreveport and the R.W. Norton Art Gallery are also stunning locations in the Shreveport area with landscaped gardens and walking trails to peruse.
WHERE TO STAY IN SHREVEPORT
Near the Airport
- Ramada Shreveport
- Address: 5555 Financial Plaza, Shreveport, LA 71109, USA
- Average Cost Per Night: $40 — $55
Near Shreveport-Bossier
Downtown
Where’s your favourite place to sip cocktails in Shreveport? Tweet us a picture @travioor or post a comment on Travioor’s Facebook page.
Originally published at www.travioor.com.
