Courtesy of Louisiana Travel
Shopping in Antique Alley in West Monroe
From the banks of the Bayou Desiard and the Ouachita River (which also doubles as one of America's ten most beautiful rivers according to the folks at National Geographic), to green spaces and gardens so vast you can get lost exploring them, nature abounds here in the heart of Northeast Louisiana—Monroe-West Monroe.
The Twin Cities’ assortment of attractions offer something for everyone; art galleries and historic museums for the culture buff, a trove of family-friendly excursions to entertain kids of all ages, along with wildlife refuges, parks, and swamps filled with scenic hiking and paddling trails for the outdoor lovers.
As cooler weather heads our way, there’s no better way to enjoy it than getting out on the water. 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. Speaking of, with 5,300 combined acres of lake, cypress-tupelo swamp, and bottomland hardwood forest, the opportunities for adventure are endless at the refuge.
The sprawling Kiroli Park boasts a forest with jogging and nature trails, a fully stocked fishing pond, and gorgeous gardens abloom with seasonal plants. The park also features several playgrounds—including Smiles Park, an all-inclusive playground for kids of all ages and abilities—as well as Raising Cane’s Dog Park.
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 take a break from the heat and play around the splash pad at Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo. Step up to the soda counter to hear the story of Coca-Cola's bottling beginnings at Biedenharn Museum and Gardens, a stunning estate complete with an old fashioned soda fountain and soda jerk.
Courtesy of Louisiana Travel
Biedenharn Museum
Not far from the Ouachita River, this Monroe treasure is tucked away in a charming residential neighborhood, and you'd never guess the wealth of history within its walls. Consisting of three exhibits—the bible museum, the historic home and gardens, and the Coca-Cola museum—that together illustrate the intriguing tale of how the Bayou State became part of the soda brand's origin story.
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—provides enriching community art education and programming, along with rotating exhibits that often offer a look into lesser-known perspectives in the fine art world. Currently on exhibit, Many Rooms: The South Got Something to Say showcases the work of the Black Creative Circle of North Louisiana and will remain on view until November 6.
Monroe-West Monroe’s artistic spirit runs deep, and its epicenter can be found at Art Alley. A collection of ten galleries that feature the works of local artists, this part of town is the kind of place you’ll want to walk around in. Since you’re already outside, start at the Outside Gallery. Experimental in nature, this outdoor exhibition venue is a showcase of large-scale art created by artists that show throughout the country. Meanwhile, the ARENDER studio + gallery and The Palace Gallery exhibit the works of local artists while also showing off Monroe’s culture. Both are best seen during the Downtown Gallery Crawl, held the first Thursday of the month in February, April, June, August, October, and December. monroe-westmonroe.org.
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