Shreveport - Bossier City

At a Glance

• Known For: Louisiana Boardwalk, historic Shreveport Municipal Auditorium, casinos like Margaritaville Resort Casino and Bally’s Shreveport, annual festivals like Mudbug Madness Festival, Red River Revel
• Top Things to Do: explore the Louisiana State Exhibit Museum or the R.W. Norton Art Gallery, tour the Shreveport Aquarium, shop at the Louisiana Boardwalk, enjoy a Shrimp Buster at Herby K’s
• Major Events: Mardi Gras, Mudbug Madness Festival in spring, Red River Revel, Prizefest in fall

Top Things to Do in Shreveport-Bossier City

Though they’re separated by the Red River, these twin cities share a single metropolitan area famed for its family-friendly festivals, toe-tapping live music, captivating arts and culture, and world-class casinos.

Stop and smell the roses at America’s Rose Garden, a 118-acre park with beautiful blossoms, sculptures and fountains. Enjoy North Louisiana’s restorative fresh air at the Red River National Wildlife Refuge, featuring more than 5 miles of trails, plus fishing, hunting and birding.

Kids — and adults — of all ages will love spending a day at Sci-Port Discovery Center, home to interactive exhibits like the Gallery of Intrigue (an open-air escape room), an IMAX® screen and a state-of-the-art planetarium. At the Louisiana State Exhibit Museum, take a journey through time. And at the Shreveport Aquarium, meet sharks, stingrays, seahorses and even alligators, plus explore immersive displays that highlight both freshwater and saltwater species. Love shopping? Don’t miss the Louisiana Boardwalk, an outdoor retail center with local and national brands, restaurants and live entertainment.

Places to Stay

Looking to stay where you play? Book a room at one of Shreveport-Bossier’s luxurious casino resorts, like Margaritaville Resort Casino, Horseshoe Casino & Hotel or Bally’s Shreveport. If you prefer a more elegant, relaxing experience, try the Remington Suite Hotel and Spa or the Fairfield Manor.

Food & Drink

Shreveport-Bossier’s top restaurants might look unassuming on the outside, but they’re known to pack a punch of flavor. Herby-K’s describes itself as a “classic hole in the wall,” but the Shrimp Buster (a take on the shrimp po’boy) is crunchy, savory and world-famous. Strawn’s Eat Shop is equally unpretentious, but the sweet, piled-high strawberry icebox pie is simply magical. And Fertitta’s Delicatessen is known for creating the muffaletta, a pressed sandwich with savory mustard, cold cuts, multiple cheeses and a famous mix of fresh olives.

Events & Festivals in Shreveport-Bossier City

There’s always a great show on at the Shreveport Municipal Auditorium — an attraction in itself, as it hosted the Louisiana Hayride, a variety show that launched the careers of Hank Williams, Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley. Now, you can see local musicians and performing groups grace the same stage.

Shreveport-Bossier is the place to be during the height of crawfish season. Mudbug Madness is known for its insane crawfish-eating contests and live music, boasting 30 bands across two stages, plus magic shows for the kiddos.

In fall, check out Red River Revel, the largest outdoor arts festival in North Louisiana. Expect beautiful works from dozens of visual artists and live performances on multiple stages, as well as a children’s area with art projects, a Nerf battle maze and a geological dig site.

Travel Tips & Resources

It's easy to navigate Shreveport-Bossier City, especially because it's located at the intersection of I-20 and I-49. If you're flying into town, rent a car or book a rideshare from the Shreveport Regional Airport. Baton Rouge is also a short drive from Biloxi, Mississippi (2 hours), Pensacola, Florida (4 hours), and Houston, Texas (5 hours).