Shreveport sits on the Red River in northwest Louisiana, a onetime frontier boomtown named for Captain Henry Miller Shreve, who cleared the river’s legendary log jam. Today it pairs riverfront casinos and a rich music-and-arts heritage with family attractions, historic theaters and easy-going Southern hospitality alongside its sister city, Bossier City. It also makes a handy base for a wider Louisiana road trip. Here are the 25 best things to do in Shreveport.
Fun Facts About Shreveport, Louisiana
Shreveport is named for Captain Henry Miller Shreve, who cleared the “Great Raft” — a nearly 180-mile log jam that had blocked the Red River for centuries.
Founded in 1836 and incorporated in 1839, it was once the westernmost city in the United States, a gateway to the Republic of Texas.
During the Civil War, Shreveport served as the Confederate capital of Louisiana.
The Louisiana Hayride radio show, broadcast from the Municipal Auditorium, helped launch Elvis Presley, Hank Williams and other music legends.
Shreveport and Bossier City together hold six historic districts and many National Register landmarks — second only to New Orleans in Louisiana.
Louisiana Boardwalk Outlets is a riverfront outdoor shopping and entertainment center in Bossier City, sitting across the Red River from downtown Shreveport. It gathers outlet stores, restaurants, and a movie theater along open-air walkways, making it an easy stop whether you’re chasing a bargain or a leisurely evening out.
Beyond the shops, the complex leans into its setting with sweeping river views and a carousel that draws families. It’s a place to browse, grab a meal, catch a film, and linger by the water, blending retail and recreation into one relaxed riverside outing just minutes from the city center.
Eldorado Resort Casino Shreveport anchors the city’s downtown casino strip along the Red River. This large riverboat-style resort pairs a busy gaming floor with an attached hotel, so you can settle in for a night without leaving the property. It’s a natural first stop for anyone drawn to the riverfront action.
Beyond the tables and slots, the resort spreads out with multiple restaurants covering a range of tastes and sweeping views over the river. Whether you come to play, dine, or simply take in the water from a table by the window, it delivers a full day-or-night downtown outing on the Shreveport waterfront.
Shreveport Aquarium sits downtown on the riverfront, home to more than 300 species spread across a range of tanks. Families come for the sharks and rays, and the whole place is built to draw kids in close to the water.
A hands-on touch pool lets visitors get close to marine life, and an on-site cafe means you can refuel without leaving. It’s a popular family attraction and an easy addition to any day spent exploring the riverfront.
Sitting on the Red River, Sam’s Town Hotel & Casino brings Vegas-style gaming to Shreveport. The casino floor anchors the resort, backed by a hotel tower for guests who want to stay on-site. It’s a compact, all-in-one entertainment stop right on the waterfront.
Beyond the tables and slots, the property rounds out the visit with several dining options and a schedule of live entertainment. Whether you come to game, catch a show, grab a meal, or book a room, everything sits under one roof beside the river.
Sci-Port Discovery Center is a large hands-on science museum on the Shreveport riverfront, packed with hundreds of interactive exhibits. Families and kids can spend hours here experimenting, playing and learning across the galleries, making it one of the city’s most engaging stops for curious young minds.
Beyond the exhibit floor, the center features a planetarium and space dome for star-gazing shows, plus an IMAX theater for big-screen films. It’s an easy, all-weather outing that rewards a full afternoon, blending science, wonder and entertainment for visitors of every age.
Harrah’s Louisiana Downs sits just across the river in Bossier City, an easy hop from Shreveport and a longtime draw for horse-racing fans. The track runs live Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing, so you can watch these powerful animals thunder down the stretch in person.
When live racing isn’t on, simulcast broadcasts keep the action going, letting you follow and wager on races from tracks elsewhere. A full casino floor rounds out the visit, so you can trade the grandstand for slots and tables whenever you fancy a change of pace.
Mall St. Vincent is an enclosed shopping mall in Shreveport, gathering department-store anchors and a lineup of retailers under one roof. The climate-controlled layout makes it an easy stop whatever the weather, letting you browse a range of shops in a single visit.
Beyond the storefronts, the mall keeps a food court where you can pause and refuel between browsing. It’s a straightforward, all-in-one spot for shopping, giving Shreveport visitors and locals a convenient indoor destination for a leisurely afternoon.
Gators & Friends Adventure Park is an alligator park and exotic-animal zoo about 10 miles west of Shreveport in Greenwood, Louisiana. Hold a baby alligator, catch a feeding show, and meet the exotic animals up close. It’s an easy family outing that swaps the city for something wilder just off the highway.
Beyond the reptiles, this family adventure park keeps everyone busy. Race go-karts, ride the zip-line, or let little ones take a pony ride through the pet zoo. The mix of animals and rides makes it a full afternoon rather than a quick stop, with something for every age in the group.
The Shreveport Convention Center is a large, modern events venue downtown near the riverfront. It hosts conventions, trade shows, concerts and community events, drawing visitors and locals alike to a central spot within easy reach of the city’s waterfront attractions.
Its downtown location makes it an easy anchor for a day out, whether you’re attending a trade show, catching a concert or joining a community gathering. The riverfront setting puts nearby dining, entertainment and sightseeing within walking distance once the event wraps up.
Tucked into Shreveport’s Highland neighborhood, Betty Virginia Park is a beloved green space shaded by big, mature trees. Walking paths wind past a gazebo, a playground, and wide-open lawns, giving the whole place a relaxed, welcoming feel that draws locals out for fresh air.
Best of all, it’s free, making it an easy stop whether you’re passing through or settling in for the afternoon. Spread a blanket on the grass for a picnic, let the kids loose on the playground, or simply take a slow stroll beneath the canopy.
Robinson Film Center is a nonprofit arthouse cinema in downtown Shreveport, opened in 2008. Across two screens it shows independent, international and classic films you won’t find at the multiplex, and it rounds out the programming with film-education initiatives for audiences who want to dig deeper.
Upstairs, Abby Singer’s Bistro serves as a full-service restaurant and bar, complete with a dining balcony overlooking the street. It’s easy to turn a screening into a whole evening, pairing a meal and drinks with an independent, international or classic film without ever leaving the building.
Red River National Wildlife Refuge protects a stretch of the Red River south of Shreveport, where wetlands and bottomland hardwood forest shelter abundant birds and wildlife. Trails wind through the habitat, and a visitor center helps you get oriented before you set out.
Admission is free, making it an easy escape for birders and hikers alike. Bring binoculars for the birding, follow the trails at your own pace, and enjoy a quiet slice of protected riverside nature just beyond the city.
The Shreveport Municipal Auditorium is a historic 1929 downtown venue and a National Register landmark that still hosts events today. It’s best known as the birthplace of the Louisiana Hayride, the radio show that helped launch the careers of Elvis Presley and Hank Williams.
Step inside and you’re walking through a genuine chapter of American music history. The auditorium’s live broadcasts turned unknowns into legends, and its enduring presence downtown keeps that legacy alive for anyone drawn to the roots of rock and country.
Duck Pond (A.C. Steere Park) is a small city park in Shreveport built around a pond where visitors come to feed the ducks. It is a quiet, free spot that draws families looking for an easy, low-key afternoon outdoors close to town.
Beyond the pond, the park has a walking path, a playground and picnic areas, so you can stroll, let the kids run around, or spread out a lunch. It is an unfussy place to slow down and spend time outside.
Great Raft Brewing is a Shreveport craft brewery named for the historic Red River log jam known as the “Great Raft.” Its large taproom pours more than 20 house beers, spanning pilsners, lagers and rotating seasonal releases, making it an easy stop for anyone who wants to taste the local scene.
Beyond the beer, an in-house food vendor keeps you fed while you settle in. The atmosphere stays relaxed and unhurried, so you can work through a flight, chat with friends and sample Shreveport’s craft output at your own pace.
The Strand Theatre is a beautifully restored 1925 theater in downtown Shreveport and a highlight of the city’s arts scene. Ornate and richly detailed, this historic performing-arts venue anchors the downtown cultural district and stands as a proud reminder of the golden age of grand American theaters.
Listed on the National Register, it hosts Broadway touring shows, concerts and live performances beneath its elegant restored interior. Whether you catch a musical, a headline act or another stage event, the setting itself is part of the draw, pairing a memorable night out with a genuine piece of Shreveport history.
Held over Memorial Day weekend in downtown Shreveport’s Festival Plaza, the Mudbug Madness Festival celebrates the crawfish, or mudbug, that gives it its name. Cajun cooking takes center stage, drawing crowds to feast on the region’s beloved boiled crawfish and other Louisiana specialties.
Beyond the food, the festival packs the plaza with live music and family fun, making it a lively downtown gathering for locals and visitors alike. It’s a spirited celebration of Cajun culture, good eating and the easygoing energy that defines a Shreveport spring weekend.
The Gardens of the American Rose Center serves as the headquarters of the American Rose Society, tucked into a wooded park just outside Shreveport. It ranks among the largest rose gardens in the country, with thousands of roses spread across dozens of themed gardens.
Wander the shaded paths and you’ll find bloom after bloom arranged into distinct display gardens, each with its own character. Come Christmas, the grounds shift gears entirely for a seasonal light show that draws visitors well after the roses have faded for the year.
Jubilee Zoo is a family petting zoo and play place near Shreveport, built around close, hands-on animal encounters for young children. Kids can meet farm and exotic animals up close, making it an easy, low-key outing for families with little ones in tow.
Beyond the animals, the grounds add pony rides and a playground, so there’s plenty to keep small children busy between encounters. It’s a relaxed, kid-focused spot that pairs gentle farm-and-exotic-animal fun with room to run around and play.
Just north of Shreveport, Walter B. Jacobs Memorial Nature Park is a forested preserve laced with hiking trails through native woodland. At its heart sits a nature center with live exhibits of native animals, making it an easy, family-friendly escape into the outdoors close to the city.
Beyond the trails and animal displays, the park runs educational programs that bring the local ecosystem to life for visitors of all ages. Admission is free or low-cost, so it is a relaxed, budget-friendly stop for families wanting a quiet dose of nature and wildlife.
The Louisiana State Exhibit Museum sits downtown in a striking 1939 Art Deco building. Inside, detailed dioramas trace Louisiana’s history, industry and culture, bringing the state’s story to life scene by scene. It’s a quieter, low-key stop that rewards a slow, curious wander.
Beyond the permanent dioramas, rotating exhibits keep the galleries fresh, so there’s usually something different to discover on a return visit. Admission is free, making it an easy addition to any downtown Shreveport itinerary, whether you have a spare half hour or a rainy afternoon.
The Shreveport Farmers’ Market is a seasonal open-air market set in downtown Shreveport’s Festival Plaza. Local farmers and vendors gather here to sell fresh produce, baked goods, prepared foods and handmade crafts, giving visitors a lively taste of the region’s growers, cooks and makers in one walkable downtown spot.
Wander the stalls to pick up seasonal fruits and vegetables, grab a bite from the prepared-food vendors, or browse crafts from area artisans. It’s an easy, low-key way to sample local flavor, meet the people behind the goods, and soak up the open-air atmosphere of downtown Shreveport.
The Shreveport Water Works Museum occupies the historic McNeill Street Pumping Station, the only surviving steam-powered municipal water plant of its kind. Its galleries showcase 19th-century water-treatment machinery, letting you trace how a growing city once cleaned and pumped the water its residents depended on daily.
The site is a National Historic Landmark, and the preserved engines and equipment make the visit as much about industrial heritage as water science. It is an unusual, hands-on stop for anyone curious about the everyday infrastructure that quietly built early American cities.
The R.W. Norton Art Gallery pairs a free museum with a 40-acre garden in Shreveport. Inside, the collection spans American and European art, with a standout gathering of Western works by Frederic Remington and Charles Russell that captures the frontier in bronze and paint.
Outside, the grounds are just as much the draw. The azalea gardens burst into color each spring, making the surrounding acreage a destination in its own right. Between the galleries and the blooms, you get both art and a leafy walk in one free stop.
The Blind Tiger is a popular casual restaurant and bar in downtown Shreveport, set inside a historic building. It serves Cajun and Creole cooking, and its po’boys make it a reliable stop for anyone looking to taste the region’s signature flavors in a relaxed, welcoming setting.
The lively atmosphere is a big part of the draw, pairing hearty local fare with the easygoing energy of downtown. Whether you come for the food or the buzz, it captures the spirit of Shreveport’s dining scene and makes a fitting spot to sample Louisiana’s Cajun and Creole traditions.
Getting to Shreveport
Shreveport sits at the crossroads of two interstates in the northwest corner of Louisiana. Interstate 20 runs east-west through the metro area, linking the city with the rest of north Louisiana in one direction and east Texas in the other, while Interstate 49 arrives from the south and terminates downtown, connecting Shreveport to central and south Louisiana. A pair of loop routes, the northern bypass and the southern spur, carry through-traffic around the core, so most travellers reach the city’s attractions straight off one of these highways.
The city has its own commercial airport with a handful of regional connections, and many visitors also fly into the much larger hub airport near the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex to the west and drive in, roughly three to three and a half hours along the interstate. There is no direct long-distance passenger train, but intercity bus service and Amtrak’s connecting motorcoach both call at a downtown intermodal terminal, tying the city into the wider rail and bus network.
Getting Around Shreveport
Shreveport is a spread-out, car-first city, and for most trips a vehicle is the easiest way to get around, especially if you plan to combine the downtown riverfront with attractions out toward the suburbs and across the river. The compact riverfront district and the entertainment blocks beside it are pleasant to explore on foot once you have parked, but the neighbourhoods and cultural sights are too far apart to string together comfortably without wheels.
Within the walkable downtown and riverfront core you can leave the car and stroll between the boardwalk, the casino district and the river’s edge. A local bus system covers the main corridors, and rideshare and taxis are reliable for hops between districts and out to the airport. Parking is generally plentiful and cheap by big-city standards, with surface lots and garages near the riverfront and street parking easy to find in the quieter neighbourhoods.
Where to Stay in Shreveport
For a first visit, basing yourself downtown or along the riverfront puts you within walking distance of the boardwalk, the entertainment district and the Red River itself, and keeps you central for driving out to the art gallery and rose gardens. This area suits travellers who want nightlife, dining and the water close at hand and don’t mind a livelier, more urban setting.
If you would rather trade walkability for quiet, the residential neighbourhoods and the districts near the highway interchanges and the airport offer a calmer base with easy interstate access for day trips, while the areas around the city’s university campus tend to be budget-friendly and well served by everyday amenities. Staying near a highway loop is also a practical choice if you plan to spend most of your time driving to attractions rather than lingering in one district.
Where to Eat in Shreveport
Shreveport’s food leans on the Cajun and Creole traditions of Louisiana crossed with the flavours of neighbouring east Texas, so expect gumbo, jambalaya, crawfish étouffée and red beans and rice alongside smoked barbecue and hearty Southern plates. The city has its own sweet claim to fame in a caramel-and-pecan confection born here, and pecan-topped desserts turn up on menus across town.
The riverfront and downtown entertainment districts are the densest places to eat, with restaurants clustered near the boardwalk and the casino blocks, while the older commercial streets and the neighbourhoods along the main avenues hide long-running local kitchens, soul-food spots and seafood houses. Wherever you land, look for a crawfish boil in the cooler months, a plate lunch at midday and a po’boy or a bowl of gumbo any time of year.
Shreveport is known for its riverfront casinos, its music heritage as the home of the Louisiana Hayride (which launched Elvis Presley), the Gardens of the American Rose Center, and a lively arts scene of historic theaters and museums along the Red River.
Is Shreveport worth visiting?
Yes. Between the casino strip, family attractions like the aquarium and Sci-Port, deep music-and-history roots, and easy day trips to gardens and nature refuges, Shreveport-Bossier makes an enjoyable northwest Louisiana getaway. Within a couple of hours west along I-20 you can also day-trip to Tyler, Texas, or head north to the spa town of Hot Springs, Arkansas.
How many days do you need in Shreveport?
One full day covers the riverfront highlights. A weekend lets you add the rose gardens, a nature refuge, a brewery or film-center evening, and time across the river in Bossier City.
What is there to do in Shreveport with kids?
Families love the Shreveport Aquarium, Sci-Port Discovery Center, Jubilee Zoo, Gators & Friends Adventure Park and the many free parks and nature trails around the city.
Does Shreveport have casinos?
Yes — Shreveport and neighboring Bossier City are known for riverfront casino resorts including Eldorado, Sam’s Town and Harrah’s Louisiana Downs, which pair gaming with hotels, dining and entertainment.
When is the best time to visit Shreveport?
Spring and fall bring pleasant weather for gardens, festivals and the riverfront. Spring is especially nice when the roses and azaleas bloom; the Mudbug Madness crawfish festival lands on Memorial Day weekend.
How far is Shreveport from Dallas?
Shreveport sits about a three-hour drive east of Dallas along Interstate 20, making it a popular weekend trip from North Texas.
