Shreveport, LA Road Trips

Shreveport is also known regionally as a gambling center, due to the number of casinos and racetracks that operate in the area. Despite the fact that Shreveport has a reputation for gaming, there are multiple opportunities for arts, culture, and learning in the city, with a collection of museums, art galleries, symphonies, colleges and universities, in addition to several fine dining opportunities that bring a mix of regional and international cuisine to Louisiana's third-largest city. One thing that often goes unnoticed is that Shreveport was the capital of Louisiana during the Civil War from 1863-1865.

The mansions along Fairfield Avenue give a glimpse into the city's history. The city is located in a region once rich with oil, and the mansions were built by those made wealthy by the industry during the 1920s and '30s. 1 American Rose Center, 8877 Jefferson Paige Road (Go west of downtown on Interstate 20 to exit 5 / Greenwood Road, turn right on the highway, and then left on Jefferson Paige Road. Drive a mile and a half.), ☏ +1 318-938-5402. M-Sa 9AM to 5PM; Su 1-5PM. America's largest garden park dedicated to roses, and is home to the American Rose Society. Any donation amount grants entry to gardens. (updated Aug 2018) artspace, 710 Texas St, ☏ +1 318 673-6535. Downtown art gallery with a cafe. 2 Robinson Film Center, 617 Texas Street, ☏ +1 318-459-4122. Varies. RFC is a venue of independent, international, and classic cinema in downtown Shreveport. In addition to their daily film programming, they offer film and media production classes for all ages. Abby Singer's Bistro is on the second floor of the Robinson Film Center offering a full-service bistro and bar. (updated Aug 2018) 3 R.W. Norton Art Gallery, 4747 Creswell Ave (From Interstate 49, take Exit 203 / Pierremont Ave, and go east for 0.8 miles. Turn left on Creswell Ave and the museum will be three blocks up on the right), ☏ +1 318-865-4201. Th-Su 1-5PM, closed M-W and holidays. World-class art gallery on Creswell Ave., near Line Ave. and Pierremont Rd. It is free to view the collection as well as the grounds, which are finely landscaped and located in a beautiful upscale neighborhood. Free.

1 Wonder Oasis Waterpark (formerly Splash Kingdom Family Waterpark), 7670 W. 70th Street, ☏ +1 318-591-4969. Daily 11AM-9PM Memorial Day through Labor Day. Closed remainder of the year. Small water park in the western part of the city. Slides and other rides available for all age ranges. Standard theme park food is available for moderate prices ($7 for a single meat cheeseburger). Adults $24.95, Under 42 inches $18.95. (updated Sep 2024) 2 Gators and Friends, 11441 US-80, Greenwood, ☏ +1 318 938-1199. F-Su 10AM-6PM. Watch large alligators being fed or look at deer, kangaroos goats, cotamundi, emu, etc; alternatively, do something a bit more bold and hold a baby gator. Also go-carting and ziplining. regular adult $12.50. (updated Sep 2021) There are two casinos located on the Red River in Shreveport. Sam's Town and Eldorado are located on Clyde Fant Memorial Parkway in downtown Shreveport. Just over the Red River in Bossier City are four other casinos. 3 Eldorado Resort Casino, 415 Clyde Fant Parkway, toll-free: +1 877-602-0711. 24 hours. Riverboat casino with full service resort hotel attached. Several restaurants inside. (updated Aug 2018) 4 Sam's Town Hotel & Casino, 315 Clyde Fant Pkwy, toll-free: +1 877-429-0711. 24 hrs. Casino and hotel with an Old West theme. Slots, card and table games available. Several restaurants inside. (updated Oct 2020) CORK. A wine-tasting festival that is held in the fall. Mardi Gras. This is much larger than one would expect outside of New Orleans, as the city streets are filled with many thousands of tourists during this season.

Original Shreveport sites 1 Fertitta's Deli, 1124 Fairfield Avenue (one block north of I-20 at the corner of Sam Fertitta Drive and Fairfield Avenue). M-F 10:30AM–2PM; closed weekends. Oldest continuously operated restaurant in Shreveport; operated by the same family since 1927. Home of the classic "Muffy" sandwich. Pizza, salads, and mint tea served as well. $7-$12. (updated Aug 2018) 2 Strawn's Eat Shop, 125 East Kings Highway (3 miles east of I-49 on Kings Highway, near intersection of Alexander Avenue), ☏ +1 318-868-0634. Daily 6AM–8PM. Classic Shreveport eatery. American dishes like Chicken Fried Steak, Cheeseburgers, and Beef Tips. Home of the "Icebox Pie," with Strawberry Pie being the most desired among customers. $7-$12 a person. (updated Aug 2018) Breakfast 3 Southern Maid Donuts, 3505 Hearne Avenue (North of Hearne Avenue exit on I-20), ☏ +1 318-636-7202. M W–F 6AM–10PM; Sa Su 7AM–10PM; Tu closed. The original Southern Maid Donuts in Shreveport is at this location. One of the oldest donut chains in the US, all remaining locations are around Shreveport and Bossier City. This is reputedly the only company Elvis Presley ever did a commercial for; he sang the jingle for the commercial. $3-4 for two donuts and a coffee. (updated Aug 2018) Original Shreveport Sites 4 Herby K's, 1833 Pierre Avenue (Take Texas Avenue a miles west of downtown, past the I-49 overpass. Turn right on Pierre Avenue and drive half a block.), ☏ +1 318-424-2724. M-Th 11AM–9PM; F Sa 11AM–10PM; closed Sunday.

1 The Blind Tiger, 120 Texas St., ☏ +1 318-226-8747. (updated Aug 2018) 2 Noble Savage Tavern, 417 Texas Street, ☏ +1 318-221-1781. (updated Aug 2018) 3 Strange Brew, 235 Wall Street, ☏ +1 318-222-2337. (updated Aug 2018) 4 The Cub, 3002 Girard Street, ☏ +1 318-861-6517. (updated Aug 2018) 5 Round Bar, 3044 Youree Drive, ☏ +1 318-300-4958. Tu-Sa 2PM-2AM. (updated Aug 2018) Downtown Larry Flynt's Deja Vu Hustler Club, 202 Commerce St. +1 318 221-2638 Royalty Cigar & Hookah Lounge, 211 Texas St. +1 318 218-9083. Sand Bar, 415 N Spring St. +1 318 212-1718

There are numerous hotels around the downtown area and the Shreveport Regional Airport. The casinos have hotels near the downtown area (I-20 east). There are also a selection of mid-range and upscale hotels in the southeastern part of the city. 1 Fairfield Place Bed and Breakfast, 2221 Fairfield Avenue, ☏ +1 318-848-7776. A classic Shreveport accommodation, the Fairfield Place is a late 19th-century home with 6 rooms. Each room has furnishings of the period and a classic feel to it, but still has modern amenities, such as TV, Wi-Fi, and private bathrooms. Hot breakfast served every morning. $75 and up. (updated Aug 2018) 2 Hilton Shreveport, 104 Market Street, ☏ +1 318 698-0900. (updated Mar 2016) 3 Holiday Inn Shreveport Downtown, 102 Lake Street, ☏ +1 318-222-7717. $100 and up. (updated Aug 2018) 4 Wingate by Wyndham - Shreveport Airport, 6245 Westport Avenue, ☏ +1 318-686-0102. $70 and up. (updated Aug 2018) 5 Hilton Garden Inn Shreveport, 5971 Financial Plaza, ☏ +1 318 686-0148. With plush beds, spacious desks and high-tech amenities. (updated Mar 2016)

1 Shreveport Regional Airport (SHV IATA) (located 5 miles west of downtown, at the intersection of Interstates 20 and 220 and Louisiana State Route 3132), ☏ +1-318-673-5370. This is the main airport for the region and the largest commercial airport in northern Louisiana. Allegiant Air has nonstop service from Las Vegas and seasonal nonstop service from Orlando-Sanford. There is nonstop service on Delta from Atlanta, American from Charlotte and Dallas/Fort Worth, and United from Denver and Houston. 2 Shreveport Downtown Airport (DTN IATA) (about a mile north from downtown Shreveport), ☏ +1-318-673-5398. This small airport provides access for smaller, personal aircraft and charters. SPORTRAN, the Shreveport area's public bus system, has a stop at the airport. This is also considered a transfer point for multiple bus routes in the area. The bus stop is directly outside the doors to the baggage claim. Routes 7 & 13 connect to the Downtown Transfer Station, and from there, take Route 20 to connect to hotels, casinos, and points downtown. Buses in Shreveport are free of charge. For those staying at nearby hotels around the airport and west of the Inner Loop (I-220/LA-3132), most have free airport shuttle service. However, in many cases, it is necessary to contact those hotels directly to arrange for the shuttle to pick up, as flights at Shreveport are more infrequent than at airports in larger cities. Taxis are available from the airport and there are usually between 2 and 4 vehicles waiting outside the terminal.

The city is easy to navigate by car and one part of the city can easily be accessed from another via Interstates 20 & 49. In addition, there is an Inner Loop (I-220 and LA-3132) surrounding the city. Clyde Fant Parkway runs along the riverfront and links the downtown area with the southeastern part of the city around LSU Shreveport and the shopping areas of South Youree Drive. Shreveport, like many other mid-sized cities in the Southern states, does not have a well developed public transit system. Most city residents prefer to get around by their own personal cars or motorcycles. That said, the city public transit network will get visitors to most major destinations and attractions in the city. Shreveport's public transit system serves the majority of Shreveport, as well as a variety of areas in Bossier City. Most hotels in town will have a bus stop somewhere nearby. All routes in Shreveport connect at one of two transfer points: the 4 SporTran Intermodal Terminal (Downtown Transfer Hub), at the corner of Texas Avenue and Murphy Street, and the 5 Southwest Transfer Hub, located at the corner of W. 68th Street and St. Vincent Avenue. If travelling between downtown Shreveport and the southern half of the city, you will likely use both transfer stations. Public transportation in Shreveport is free.

Shreveport ranks higher than the national average for every type of crime and in 2007 was rated in the top ten [1] most dangerous metro areas in the nation. Common sense is suggested when visiting the city. Some neighborhoods are more dangerous than others. In general, areas west of Downtown and Interstate 49 and south of Interstate 220 are more dangerous than other parts of the city. Be aware of your surroundings at all times. If it looks like the neighborhood is going downhill it might be best to turn around rather than drive through. It is not recommended to walk alone or in small groups after dark in the downtown district unless you stay in the well populated areas near the casinos and bars.