A Trip to Shreveport

When planning a trip to Shreveport, one might begin the itinerary with an obvious attraction, one of their seven riverboat casinos. Shreveport is actually more than just a place to play the slots. From the delicious and numerous restaurants, to local breweries, and even a zip-line over alligators, Shreveport can be a great choice for your next Louisiana adventure in this northern part of the “boot.” Make sure you pack a pair of comfortable shoes, loose-fitting pants, and your sense of adventure.

The Food

No matter your palate, Shreveport has something for everyone. Whether recovering from a Mardi Gras ball or a late night at the casino, delicious food options are in no shortage. Grab a classic diner-style breakfast at the Cotton Boll, where you will need a big appetite or a few friends to share the Hungry Man combo plate. For a sweet breakfast treat, be sure to visit Whisk, where you can get “fried chicken honey butter whiskuit” or a warm order of fresh beignets. Be sure to get there early, because these popular whiskuits don’t last very long! If you are wanting to keep the last night’s party going, then head over to Marilynn’s Place for a “Boozy Brunch.” Not only can you buy a wrist band and "drink ‘til you drown," but Chief Boz will happily greet you with a smile and a few stories from his former days in the Crescent City a few hours to the South.

Shreveport has a wide variety of locally owned restaurants serving everything from soul food to finer seafood. The Creole Cafe is a genuine hole in the wall. That said, don’t judge this book by its cover. Creole Cafe offers traditional Creole cooking with top notch hospitality. Have you ever had steaks in a convenience store? The Longwood General Store has a steakhouse conveniently tucked behind the rows of snack items and cash register. If you want a beer, they will just grab it right out of the cooler and hand it over! If seafood suits your fancy, then head on over to Herby K’s, which is a staple in business since 1936. Herby K’s has been featured on the History Channel’s American Pickers, and was named “One of the Best Louisiana Restaurants Not in New Orleans.” Make sure you order their trademark Shrimp Buster, which is deep-fried shrimp pounded flat and served with a special dipping sauce.

Breweries

Once you have filled yourself with Shreveport’s top culinary gems, you need to try out a few breweries. Shreveport’s local breweries have a wide variety of beers to satisfy even the pickiest of beer snobs.

The Red River Brewery is a place where you can hang out with a few friends, enjoy a glass or two of beer, and take in some live music. Jared Beville, one of the owners of Red River Brewery, takes pride in crafting a beer Shreveport-Bossier City can call its own. Not only can you try a good beer at Red River, you can also order up a dish from one of Shreveport-Bossier City’s most popular new eateries, The Fat Calf Boucherie, located inside the brewery.

With creative beer names and a friendly atmosphere, Great Raft Brewery is a great place to wind down at the end of a long work week, or meet with friends for some yard games. Great Raft is also the first brewery to open since the prohibition era. Founded by Andrew and Lindsay Nations, these visionaries wanted to bring their passion for beer to their hometown and make Shreveport a better place to visit and call home. When at Great Raft, be sure to try the Reasonably Corrupt and Creature of Habit beers.

Activities

You may have been zip lining in the hot, Texas summer heat, but Louisiana kicks it up another notch with the rather unique experience of zip lining over alligators. Zip lining at Gators and Friends is an excellent choice for a day trip. There are seven zip lines, which allow for great views of the park’s animal residents, including camels and sheep. Once you reach the last zip line, the excitement continues when you not only get to race a friend, but you will both fly together over gator-infested waters. Make sure to keep your legs tucked away from the ground and far from the gators.

A trip to the Shreveport Aquarium is another worthy stop on your “must see” list. Opened in 2017, the aquarium is home to numerous sea animals ranging from crustaceans to sharks. Through its many exhibits, you will learn not only about the animals, but also about different ways to help conserve both sea life and the ocean itself. Be sure to pet and feed the stingrays for a more interactive moment. They are far more friendly than the gators!

Elvis standing outside of the Shreveport Municipal Memorial Auditorium, home of the Louisiana Hayride.

Be sure to stop by Herby K's and try some of their Shrimp Busters. They are a treat not to be missed!

For some, zip lining can be a little scary but for the zip-line thrill seekers, how about zip lining over live alligators!