In north Louisiana, summer hits different. In the sister cities of Shreveport-Bossier, the long, bright days are best spent on the water—on the banks of Cross Lake, say, or swimming in luxury at a local casino. Long nights draw the community to stages in local venues and at beloved festivals of the season, singing summer ballads late into the night. And the heat, it’s best matched by (air conditioned) inspiration: in science museums, art galleries, and restaurants celebrating the truly distinctive cuisine of north Louisiana.
To get acquainted with the abundant natural beauty of north Louisiana, start your journey at the Red River Wildlife Refuge—a national conservation area with six miles of trails through bottomland hardwoods, cypress sloughs, and swamp, all teeming with wildlife. Bring your binoculars, and your fishing pole! Then, follow the adventure just thirty minutes outside of town, where at Cypress Black Bayou, you can float away the day in the recreation area’s swimming holes.
When the kids are ready to cool off (or you’re ready to wear them out), head over to local mainstay, Wonder Oasis Waterpark (formerly Splash Kingdom)—with its “Kingdom Falls” waterpark, wave pool, lazy river, and “Bonzai” racing slides. Or engage in an epic nerf gun battle (with snoballs!) at The Swamp at Streetcar Station.
If indulgent, kid-free fun is more your speed, check out (or check into) one of Shreveport-Bossier’s many riverboat casinos—from Margaritaville to Sam's Town, where you can play to win at tables, slots, poker, and more. While there, treat yourself to a spa day, a shopping spree, or a drink at the swim-up bar before retiring in luxury for the night.
Summer Days, Drifting Away, But Oh! Those Summer Nights
When it comes to local festivals, there’s something going on year-round here in Shreveport-Bossier. But with the warmer weather comes some of the region’s most beloved cultural celebrations and excuses to gather—kicking off with the Red River Rumble F1 Powerboat Showdown and Mudbug Madness on May 23–25. For more than forty years, Memorial Day weekend has drawn thousands to downtown Shreveport by hosting more than thirty bands performing the best in Cajun, country, pop, blues, and Zydeco—not to mention more than enough mudbugs to fuel all that dancing.
June brings the golden flush of sunflower season in North Louisiana, best experienced along the Boom or Bust Highway for Gilliam’s Sunflower Trail and Festival. Follow these bright beauties all the way to the Main Street Café to spend the day meandering through the work of artists inspired by the flora, live music, as well as an exhibit of local vintage tractors. It’s also, of course, Pride Month—which celebrates North Louisiana’s LGBTQ+ community through a series of events all month long, including QProm, an adult redo of that quintessential teen experience with a focus on self-expression and inclusion.
And then of course, July kicks off on the Fourth lighting the night with fireworks shows on the Red River—best viewed from sites like Riverview Park, Louisiana Boardwalk, South Bossier Park, the American Rose Center, or the Cypress Lake Beach Party. Later in the month, look to the skies once more during the Red River Balloon Rally in Bossier City on July 18–19—two days of live music, balloon races, festival food, and more.
Want more? Catch one of the many upcoming live music performances at the Shreveport Municipal Auditorium, home to the legendary Louisiana Hayride Show, where Elvis Presley played for more than fifty Saturday nights. Upcoming shows include a 90’s R&B Fest featuring Dru Hill and performances by Sir Charles, Primus, and Brit Floyd.
Indoor Explorations
Go deep at the Shreveport Aquarium, which unlocks an underwater world of wonder. Discover brightly colored coral reefs, dark ocean caves, tropical lagoons, and a unique freshwater domed gallery that lets visitors come nose-to-nose with shimmering fish, sharks, rays, and jellyfish. Touch tanks bring many of the aquarium’s coolest creatures closer still, providing opportunities to feed friendly rays, or touch moon jellies and sea stars. Back above the surface, visitors get to mine their own fossils and gems at the aquarium’s Red River Treasure mining sluice.
For more scientific thrills, bring the kids to Sci-Port Discovery Center, where they can solve the riddles to “escape” from the open-air Gallery of Intrigue or journey through the stars in the Sawyer Space Dome Planetarium.
For the right-brainers, Shreveport’s arts scene offers much to be inspired by. See the best of it at the R.W. Norton Art Gallery, where you can bask in the blooms of the azalea gardens before viewing thousands of American and European sculptures, paintings, and artifacts.
Summer Delights
Finally, recharge with delectable delights at some of the city’s best restaurants. Eat with a view at Orlandeaux’s Café, the oldest continuously operating African American family-owned restaurant in the United States. Choose from a variety of Cajun and Creole restaurants, mouthwatering soul food, craft breweries, or locals’ favorite food trucks. Cool off with ice cream and frozen treats at Happy Belly's, and finish off the day with a daiquiri to go at Daiquiri Express.
Plan your getaway today at Visitshreveportbossier.org.
