9 Destinations Way Up North In Louisiana That Are So Worth The Drive
Southern Louisiana tends to see the spotlight more than the north, and that’s a shame. While southern Louisiana has some beautiful bayous, world-class fishing and, of course, New Orleans, there are many attractions in northern Louisiana that are so worth the drive. Here are some amazing attractions in northern Louisiana to put on your bucket list.
Ready to stop and smell the roses? The Gardens of the American Rose is just the ticket. This stunning spot is located in Shreveport and visitors can tour 118 acres of beautiful rose gardens. It’s the nation’s largest park dedicated to roses, and you’ll want to visit before the end of October so you can see all of the blooms. Don't worry, even if you visit during the winter months, you'll still be treated to a colorful show, especially during the holidays when the gardens transform into Christmas in Roseland, a fantastic Christmas light show the whole family will love.
Address: 8877 Jefferson Paige Rd., Shreveport, LA 71119
American Rose Center, 8877 Jefferson Paige Rd, Shreveport, LA 71119, USA
Gators & Friends is an exotic petting zoo and alligator park that’s fun for the whole family. The adventure park is the largest in Northwest Louisiana and boasts 150 alligators, dozens of exotic animals from around the world, an exhilarating go-kart race track, and an incredible zip-line that will have you soaring over a live gator habitat! The 7-part zip line is the longest and steepest in Louisiana, and a home run for thrill-seekers and animal lovers alike.
Address: 11441 US-80, Greenwood, LA 71033
Gators and Friends, 11441 US-80, Greenwood, LA 71033, USA
Louisiana’s only national forest is comprised of over 600,000 acres sprawled across seven parishes broken up into five ranger districts in central and northern Louisiana. From birdwatching to backpacking, the Kisatchie National Forest is a nature lover’s paradise. Camping in the Kisatchie is a popular past time for outdoor adventurers, and if you want to really take on a challenge, hike the Wild Azalea Trail, the longest primitive hiking trail in Louisiana.
Lake Claiborne State Park offers something for everyone. Visitors can fill their days by fishing, boating, hiking, waterskiing, and so much more. Not only does Lake Claiborne State Park feature a top-ranked disc golf course, but the beach is quite the popular attraction during the warmer months.
Address: 225 State Park Rd., Homer, LA 71040
Lake Claiborne State Park, 225 State Park Rd, Homer, LA 71040, USA
The Cotton Port Historic District of West Monroe has a delightful little strip of antique shops and boutiques for you to explore, known as Antique Alley. More than 40 locally-owned shops are peppered along the street, so be sure to clear your entire afternoon (and some space in your car) so you’ll have time to pop in all of these them.
Built over 3,400 years ago, Poverty Point is an ancient engineering marvel. While the original inhabitant left no written word of their day to day lives, archaeologists are constantly discovering new clues that give us a glimpse as to what this incredible series of earthworks was used for. During your visit, you can view the hundreds of artifacts that have been unearthed, walk the nature trails, and more. Keep in mind there's very little shade on the trails, so be sure to bring a hat and wear some sunscreen.
Poverty Point World Heritage Site, 6859 LA-577, Pioneer, LA 71266, USA
Located in Chatham, Jimmie Davis State Park features almost 300 acres of land and is nestled around the beautiful Caney Creek Lake. Fishermen will love the freshwater fishing opportunities and the cabins are a great way to spend a weekend surrounded by some of the most beautiful scenery in northern Louisiana.
Address: 1209 State Park Rd., Chatham, LA 71226
Jimmie Davis State Park, 1209 State Park Rd, Chatham, LA 71226, USA
Shop 'til you drop at the Louisiana Boardwalk in Bossier City, one of the most popular things to do in the Shreveport Area. You’ll have absolutely stunning views of the Red River, plenty of restaurants to choose from, and unique shops featuring everything from fishing gear to jewelry.
Address: 540 Boardwalk Blvd., Bossier City, LA 71111
Louisiana Boardwalk Outlets, 540 Boardwalk Blvd, Bossier City, LA 71111, USA
Art lovers will rejoice in spending an afternoon at R.W. Norton Art Gallery, where visitors can browse American and European artwork and books. The gardens outside are simply mesmerizing and absolutely worth your while, just be sure to check the art gallery's website ahead of time to make sure the entire gardens are open during your visit.
Address: 4747 Creswell Ave., Shreveport, LA 71106
R.W. Norton Art Gallery, 4747 Creswell Ave, Shreveport, LA 71106, USA
How many of these attractions have you been to? Let us know in the comments below!
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Attractions in North Louisiana
May 16, 2023
Jackie Ann
What are some of the best restaurants in Northern Louisiana?
Some of the best restaurants in Northern Louisiana will quickly become your new favorite eateries. Here are some of the best restaurants in Northern Louisiana:
Herby-K’s: A historic restaurant in Shreveport known for its famous Shrimp Buster, a unique spin on the classic shrimp po’boy.
Fertitta’s Delicatessen: One of the oldest restaurants in Shreveport, known for its signature spin on the muffuletta, called The Muffy.
Restaurant Cotton: A waterfront restaurant in Monroe that overlooks the Ouachita River with a menu full of elevated Southern and Cajun fare.
Northern Louisiana is known for its rolling hills, beautiful scenery, and epic outdoor activities. Louisiana is nicknamed “Sportsman’s Paradise” largely in part to Northern Louisiana’s endless lakes, rivers, and forests that provide the perfect setting for hunting and fishing.
Major cities in northern Louisiana include Shreveport, Bossier City, Natchitoches, Monroe, and West Monroe, though there are plenty of beautiful small towns in Northern Louisiana that are perfect for day trips.
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