From art galleries and historic museums, to formal gardens, nature refuges and a trove of family-friendly excursions, Monroe-West Monroe beckons with outdoor and cultural attractions that make for a dream North Louisiana getaway.
The blooming of the tulips at Biedenharn Museum and Gardens is a sight for sore eyes; the retro museum and historic home on Riverside Drive preserve the legacy of Joseph Augustus Biedenharn, known for opening the first Coca-Cola bottling factory in Monroe and forming the beginning of the global franchise we know today. The museum features vintage Coke memorabilia, including an original five-cent vending machine and an old-fashioned soda jerk. The home also recounts the life story of Biedenharn's only daughter, Emy-Lou, a renowned opera singer in pre-WWII Europe, who developed the estate's formal English gardens upon her return to Monroe.
Courtesy of Louisiana Travel
Head over to H2Go Paddle and rent a kayak or paddle board and drift along the scenic waters of the Ouachita River, Bayou Desiard, or the expansive 1,600-acre lake at the center of Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge. If you happen to have little ones in tow, you’ve come to the right place. At the Northeast Louisiana Children’s Museum, children can play doctor at their Discovery Hospital, or embark on a safari boat ride (!) through the swamp habitat at Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo.
Monroe-West Monroe’s creative spirit runs deep, and its epicenter can be found at Art Alley—a collective of eight galleries placing the work of local artists front and center. The best time to experience the breadth of local talent on display, however, is during the Downtown Gallery Crawl, held on the first Thursday of the month in April, June, August, October, and December.
Home to the largest visual arts museum in North Louisiana, the Masur Museum of Art—located in the former Tudor-style home of the Masur family—hosts rotating exhibits that often offer a platform for lesser-known perspectives. Upcoming is the fifty-ninth annual juried art competition, on view from February 24 through May 7. Last but not least, don’t be surprised to see a number of heron sculptures scattered throughout the Twin Cities. Herons on the Bayou is a public art installation consisting of eighty-six unique, life-size herons, each designed by a local artist.
Courtesy of Discover Monroe-West Monroe
Masur Museum of Art
As for the performing arts, the Strauss Theatre Center will perform Neil Simon’s revision of The Odd Couple as part of its spring season, running March 17–26, followed by the musical comedy Company, slated to run April 21–30. For their highly anticipated annual spring showcase, Ballet Under the Stars, the Twin City Ballet will perform at the sprawling Kiroli Park Amphitheater April 21–24. Finally, on May 7, the Monroe Symphony Orchestra will host its annual Kentucky Derby Party, Juleps and Jazz. Watch the “greatest two minutes in sports” on a large screen and enjoy traditional derby food, drink, and derby-themed games.
Running each year from March through September, the popular outdoor concert series at Landry Vineyards are back. Nestled in West Monroe’s hill country, the winery is a scenic setting for enjoying live music, so claim a spot on the grass and grab a glass of Redneck Red or Peach Muscadine. View the full lineup here. Can’t make it? Worry not—the vineyard’s tasting room is open Monday through Saturday, 11 am—5:30 pm.
Courtesy of Louisiana Travel
Landry Vineyards
If you’d rather get your hands on a local craft brew, look no further than Flying Tiger Brewery. The brewery’s military theme pays homage to hometown hero Gen. Claire Lee Chennault, whose Flying Tigers fighter pilots were instrumental in helping Allied forces in World War II.
The contemporary Parish Restaurant & Bar, the brainchild of award-winning Chef Cory Bahr—a Monroe native, champion of the Food Network's Chopped cooking competition, and culinary conservation advocate—offers a creative take on classic Southern cuisine with a menu designed around eating local, emphasizing fresh Gulf seafood, pasta made in-house daily, and prime beef. Standout dishes include hearth-baked Mississippi sweet potato bread, signature duck wraps, and alligator karaage.
Bahr’s culinary influence can also be seen on the menu at Standard Coffee Co., the specialty coffee shop he founded with his wife, Whitney. A lunch menu of hot sandwiches, miso and tonkotsu ramen, and fresh pastries (like the chef’s famous holy biscuits, ricotta toast with honey hazelnut brittle, or king cake scones, to name a few) make it one of the most popular spots in town.
Opening its doors in 1994, the Northeast Louisiana Delta African American Heritage Museum houses Louisiana’s largest and most significant collection of work by renowned expressionist artist Don Cincone. The museum also exhibits talented regional artists including Daryl Triplet and Bernard Menyweather, as well as hundreds of artifacts reflecting Black life and traditions in Northeast Louisiana throughout the centuries.
Courtesy of Louisiana Travel
Don’t leave without stopping by Antique Alley in downtown West Monroe for a coalescence of merchants, antiques shops, specialty stores, and restaurants. Also located in the Cotton Port Historic District, the Hamilton House Inn is a Romanesque Revival-style bed-and-breakfast (and a favorite among locals) if you’re thinking of extending your stay. We wouldn’t blame you one bit. monroe-westmonroe.org
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