A Weekend Getaway in Downtown Ruston

If you’re craving a road trip that feels like a true escape — where you can park the car, put away the keys and wander on foot — Downtown Ruston is calling. This charming 25-block historic district offers a blend of culture, flavor and discovery that makes for a perfect weekend getaway.

Ready to plan your trip? Here’s your curated guide to eating, exploring and relaxing in beautiful Downtown Ruston.

Where to Eat in Downtown Ruston

Coffee

What better way to begin your day than with a freshly brewed cup of coffee from one of the two locally loved coffee shops located downtown. Walk over to Board and Bottle or The Depot to enjoy your morning brew.

Breakfast & Brunch

On Saturday morning, treat yourself to a flavorful, farm-fresh breakfast at Grown and Grazed. For a heartier brunch, make your way to Park Ave Diner, and don’t miss the French toast — you’ll thank us later.

Lunch & Casual Fare

When midday hunger strikes, head to Utility Brewing, a microbrewery known for its house-made beer and wood-fired craft pizza.

Traveling with a group who all want something a little different? The Heard Freighthouse Food Park is a truly unique dining experience, offering scratch-made dishes from several local food trucks. Take your pick from burgers, sandwiches, barbecue, authentic Chinese food and other specialty items.

Sweet Treats

What better way to follow lunch than with a sweet treat? Uptown Downtown has a wide selection of gourmet, like the fan-favorite salted caramel brownie. It’s the kind of treat that earns repeat visits.

Dinner

After enjoying all that downtown has to offer, head to Ponchatoulas, where you can savor authentic Louisiana cuisine — think gumbo, etouffee and po-boys. It's a true taste of the Bayou State right in the heart of Ruston.

Experiences in Downtown Ruston

Street Art & Murals

Downtown Ruston has built a reputation as a hub for the arts in Northeast Louisiana. Talent is around just about every corner of Downtown Ruston in the form of eye-catching murals and public art installations like The Bulldog Project.

North Louisiana Military Museum

Take a five-minute walk from the heart of Downtown Ruston to find one of the most impressive collections of military history in the region. The North Louisiana Military Museum features an extensive collection of war relics and memorabilia and even has a few aircraft and war vehicles on site.

Sharpen Your Skills

If you’re interested in learning how to make a great cocktail, properly trim a brisket or design a photo-worthy charcuterie board, you’ll want to book a hands-on class at the Ruston Farmers Market's Teaching Kitchen. Classes take place every Thursday at 6:00 p.m., in addition to other special events hosted throughout the year.

Shopping in Downtown Ruston

Boutiques & Gift Shops

Whether you like to shop for your wardrobe, your home or your hobby, downtown shops have something for everyone. For your closet, we recommend The Fashion of Ruston, Goldie Boutique and Boutique Barr. For your home, pay a visit to Park Haus, The Collective or The Front Shoppe. 

Local Artwork & Farmers Markets

If you are an artist, check out Creative Exchange for supplies, gifts and local artwork. And you can’t leave without a visit to the Ruston Farmers Market, a year-round open air market featuring local produce, handmade items and more regionally sourced goods.

Annual Events & Seasonal Fun

Downtown Events

One of our favorite things about downtown is all the fun events throughout the year, from beer crawls to sidewalk sales to holiday festivities. Downtown's biggest event of the year is the Louisiana Peach Festival, which takes place on the first Saturday in June. For more downtown events, head over to the full calendar.

Live Music & Performances

Catch the rhythm of Ruston at local restaurants, at a show on the Dixie Theatre stage or at a performance in Railroad Park. 

Check out Ruston's calendar of events

Where to Stay in Downtown Ruston

The Lofts

Nestled in a historic downtown building on North Vienna Street lies the Ruston Lofts. These guest-house-style accommodations offer one common area and three private rooms all designed in a sleek, modern style. And the best part of staying downtown is that you can park your car and leave it until you depart.

See a full list of area accommodations

We hope this itinerary helps you plan your weekend getaway to Downtown Ruston. For more info on the downtown area, visit Experience Ruston’s downtown page, and be sure to follow Downtown Ruston on Facebook and Instagram. See you downtown!