Shreveport skyline and bridge

Shreveport has a vibrant downtown. (Photo: Getty Images)

Weekend Getaways

Enjoy Gambling, Gators, and Elvis Sightings on a Shreveport, Louisiana Weekend

Shreveport, Louisiana’s attractions run the gamut from gambling to upscale dining, Cajun music to Elvis (the King performed here many times). You’ll get NOLA vibes in the entertainment districts — to-go drinks are poured in neighboring Bossier City, across the river — as well as attractions with Louisiana flair: You’ll find an alligator park with 150 of the creatures and a gator zip line, for one, and riverboat casinos plying the mighty Red River, for another.

But Shreveport is also committed to supporting the arts, with several excellent museums and a well-regarded gallery scene. If that’s not enough for you, Bossier City offers live music, Louisiana barbecue and a cool craft brewery just across the river.

As always, check for travel restrictions and closures before planning your trip.

Friday: Discover the Downtown Riverfront District

Cherry blossoms on a tree branch
Cherry blossoms are in bloom March and April. (Photo: Getty Images)

The Downtown Riverfront District is Shreveport’s cultural heart. On your first day in the city, opt for a latte and a jalapeño biscuit at the downtown location of Rhino Coffee, or go big with a Southern-style late brunch at Abby Singer’s Bistro (atop the Robinson Film Center), Shreveport’s only public balcony that’s open for dining.

From there, it’s only a few steps to the Southern University Museum of Art Shreveport, which focuses on art and artifacts created by Black Americans, followed by a stop at Artspace, a community gallery that highlights the work of local visual and performing artists.

Then stop by the Asian Gardens of Shreveport to see cherry blossoms when they’re in bloom (typically March and April) or head to the Shreveport Aquarium, where you can get a hands-on experience with marine life.

Swing by the art deco-inspired Shreveport Municipal Auditorium to pay your respects to the place where Elvis Presley played (a larger-than-life statue of the hip-swiveling crooner greets you at the entrance). Then wander over to the Agora Borealis and find one-of-a-kind pieces from local makers, like tongue-in-cheek needlework samplers from Rebordação Embroidery.

Grab lunch at the Blind Tiger, a classic Cajun seafood joint with dishes like “Voodoo Shrimp” and “Bayou Crab Cakes” — and their Bloody Mary is rumored to be the best in town.

After your meal, cross the Red River into Bossier City for a shopping blitz at the Louisiana Boardwalk Outlets, a complex with more than 60 retailers, several restaurants, a movie theater and a live alligator show at Uncle Buck’s Alligator Bayou.

A well-earned dinner awaits at Lucky Palace, which has one of the best wine lists in Louisiana. Find a glass to pair with the restaurant’s upscale Chinese-inspired plates — think duck scallion pancakes and a Cantonese-style T-bone steak.

Saturday: Go for Gambling, Gators and Good Times

Alligator on a log in a swamp
Louisiana is home to alligators. (Photo: Getty Images)

Flip a coin to decide whether the day starts at Ralph’s Place or sister restaurant Marilynn’s Place, two of the best breakfast spots in town. Ralph’s is known for egg-and-cheese-stuffed savory beignets, while Marilynn’s has bottomless mimosas — you really can’t go wrong.

After a hearty meal, head to Gator & Friends, a bucolic wildlife and education park complete with a zip line over a gator-filled swamp and a petting zoo, where kids can interact with small animals and even hold a baby alligator. It’s the largest such park in northwest Louisiana, with an estimated 150 alligators.

Back in town, stop for a “Shrimp Buster Sandwich” — a riff on the classic po’boy — at Herby-K’s, a local institution since 1936. Then loop north to follow a section of Louisiana’s scenic Boom or Bust Byway.

As you drive, you’ll witness evidence of the economic booms and busts of northwest Louisiana, from the graveyards of old oil field equipment to forests planted decades ago by timber companies. Along the byway are options for hiking, water sports and farm activities — cypress-lined Caddo Lake and (heavenly smelling) Dixie Farms Lavender are the best stops near Shreveport.

After your mini road trip, head to the East Bank District to enjoy craft beer, pizza and cornhole at Flying Heart Brewing & Pub, Bossier City’s first craft brewery.

Don’t miss your chance to throw an ax across the street at Bayou Axe Throwing Co. or head over to Frozen Pirogue for daiquiris and Louisiana oysters before exploring live music and all-night entertainment at Shreveport and Bossier City’s historic riverboat casinos.

Sunday: Find Beauty and Culture in the Quirky Highland Historic District

Start the day with a classic diner-style breakfast in Shreveport’s beloved Highland neighborhood. Go for down-home favorites like Strawn’s Eat Shop or the Cotton Boll Grill, which have both been around for decades. No-fuss eggs, hash browns, homestyle grits, biscuits and gravy await.

Spend the afternoon exploring the quirky offerings and historic architecture (some buildings dating back to 1865) in Shreveport’s eccentric Highland neighborhood, including the Meadows Museum of Art at Centenary College and a variety of parks and green spaces. The Highland Disc Golf Course is located here, if you remembered to bring your Frisbee.

Baklava and ice cream
Treat yourself to mouthwatering baklava. (Photo: Marriott International)

After a pleasant stroll, travel back in time with some antiquing in the Line Avenue Shopping District. Timeline Antiques & Collectibles, Shreveport Salvage, Caboose Antiques and many more dealers have shops along Line Avenue. This busy district also boasts dozens of local boutiques and the Pierremont shopping mall.

For lunch, family-owned Athena’s punches above its weight with Greek and Lebanese classics like falafel and kebabs — whatever you do, don’t sleep on the baklava.

Make a special stop at the city’s largest public museum, R. W. Norton Art Gallery, where an impressive collection of Western art includes works by Rodin and Cassatt. The adjoining 40-acre botanic gardens are at their best in March, when the 10,000 azaleas burst into fragrant bloom.

Round out the weekend at Real BBQ & More, a classic barbecue joint run by Texas-born master Harvey Clay. Save some room for a slice of the decadent icebox pie at Strawn’s Eat Shop — piled high with glazed strawberries and fluffy mountains of whipped cream, it’s no wonder this dessert is famous across the Southeast.