PLAY
in Bossier
PLAY
Located on the east bank of the Red River where fishing and other outdoor recreation opportunities boom, more and more permanent residents and tourists are drawn to the city each year. With a variety of pastimes at each resident’s disposal providing abundant ways to stay entertained, Bossier Parish is a destination that appeals to all.
From the Louisiana Boardwalk to Barksdale Air Force Base to the roaring nightlife complete with several riverboat casinos, boredom is a concept unheard of in Bossier City.
FIELD OF DREAMS
Largest playground in the State of Louisiana.
EVENTS
experience the area
There are many vibrant, colorful ways to pass the time in the Bossier City area. The area hosts many festivals throughout the year, so there is never a dull time here in Bossier. Our area is a unique combination of two great American heritages – part Cowboy, part Cajun. You’ll find the combination reflected in the sister cities’ food, music and festivals. Whether it’s filling up on all the crawfish you can eat, getting your hands on art by some of the region’s best artists or dancing all night to your favorite musician, when you go to a northwest Louisiana festival you can always count on three things – good food, good music and good times.
If you’re on the lookout for something fun to do in Bossier, you don’t have to look very far. Be Bossier posts a monthly blog listing events in the area that you need to know about.
MARDI GRAS, North Louisiana Style
“Mardi Gras”, French for Fat Tuesday, is the day before Lent, however, the memorable festivities take place in the days and weeks leading up to Mardi Gras. The Krewe of Rex from New Orleans sets the stage for every other krewe and parade in our great state. As for Mardi Gras in Shreveport-Bossier, our festivities have delivered memorable fun for locals and tourists alike since 1990.
In our area, there are a great deal of festivities to take part in during the Mardi Gras season. It all begins with the Twelfth Night celebration, which introduces the royal court to the public. There’s the Krewe of Harambee MLK Day Parade that rolls through downtown Shreveport, the Krewe of Highland parade that rolls through Shreveport’s historic Highland Neighborhood, and even our pets get their time to shine with the Krewe of Barkus and Meoux Pet Parade. The Krewe of Gemini and the Krewe of Centaur are two of the area’s oldest parading krewes, and are Shreveport-Bossier’s two largest parades.
RECREATION
Bossier City offers residents and visitors a wide variety of recreational opportunities from outdoor activities to professional sports. We also have several area lakes for boaters and fishermen alike. Our area was home to six national fishing tournaments in 2019. Please visit the Red River National Wildlife Refuge and take part in their many outdoor recreation opportunities. This community is also home to a variety of fine golf courses, one of which is part of Louisiana’s Audubon Golf Trail. Residents also enjoy tennis at the brand new Bossier Tennis Center. No matter what recreational activities you enjoy, Bossier City has something to offer you!
ARTS & CULTURE
EAST BANK GALLERY
The East Bank Gallery Fine Arts Center is a satellite location for the Bossier Arts Council. It provides exhibition space, office and studios, conference room, and event location. Programming includes quarterly art exhibitions, monthly literary readings, quarterly songwriter events, gift shop, and additional family-friendly events.
GALLERY FINE ARTS
Gallery Fine Art Center opened in May of 2009 and is located in Airline Plaza at 2151 Airline Drive, Suite 200 in Bossier City (between I-220 and I-20). We are an affiliate of Brunner Gallery, one of Louisiana’s most popular and well recognized contemporary fine art galleries, extending their network of local regional and national artists to the Ark-La-Tex. Art patrons and visitors can expect the same professional services along with the highest quality artwork that has become the Brunner trademark over the past 15 years. Rick and Susan Brunner are excited about the affiliation which expands the visual art experience to include photography and film. Exhibitions are rotated every other month. A curator’s circle event and a reception for the artist is planned for each exhibition..
R.W. NORTON ART GALLERY
Free to the public for enjoyment and enlightenment, R.W. Norton Art Gallery is a nonprofit museum built in 1966 which houses incomparable collections of American and European paintings, sculptures and decorative arts spanning four centuries. In addition, the Norton is set amidst 40 beautifully landscaped acres, including azalea gardens complete with more than 15,000 plants.
SHREVEPORT SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
A professional symphonic orchestra that performs a wide repertoire of musical performances.
SHREVEPORT METROPOLITAN BALLET
The Shreveport Metropolitan Ballet was founded in 1973 to promote and preserve the art of classical ballet in our community. As one of the oldest arts organizations in Shreveport-Bossier, the ballet has strived to present full-length classical ballet performances at affordable ticket prices, while providing a venue for local dancers to perform and train with professional choreographers and dancers.
SHREVEPORT OPERA
The mission of Shreveport Opera is to produce professional opera and musical productions of the highest artistic quality and to provide educational programming and outreach to children, youth and adults in the Ark-La-Tex region. Annually, Shreveport Opera produces three professional main stage productions as well as hosts numerous special events including The Mary Jacobs Smith Singer of the Year Competition. Shreveport Opera also tours the Shreveport Opera Xpress (SOX) education and outreach program, reaching approximately 50,000 children, youth, and adults with the performances and their social messages. It is the only opera education and outreach program of its kind in the state!
SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY MUSEUM OF ART
This museum offers visitors a chance to experience the beauty and diversity of the more than 300 exquisite pieces of African and African American art and artifacts on display.
Meadows Museum of art at centenary college
BOSSIER ARTS COUNCIL
The Bossier Arts Council is dedicated to promoting, supporting, and providing cultural events and programming in order to enhance the quality of life and to develop a cultural identity for Bossier Parish. They have various programs and events throughout the year, including their annual fundraiser, ARTini.
EAST BANK THEATER
The East Bank Theatre is one of BAC’s longest running projects. This intimate blackbox seats approximately 120 people and shows an average of one production per month. Utilized by both the Arts Council and local renting companies this theatre sees over 10,000 audience members in one year.
RIVER CITY REPERTORY THEATRE
River City Rep opens the door to a multitude of opportunities for our local students and actors who wish to pursue careers in theatre, while also featuring guest actors, directors and designers from across the nation. The best theatre practitioners from the region can now develop their art right here in North Louisiana, thus contributing to our state’s cultural economy. By tapping into an incredibly deep talent pool, River City Rep also benefits the growing film industry in Louisiana. Patrons can now experience the highest caliber of professional theatre — right here in Shreveport!
ROBINSON FILM CENTER
The Robinson Film Center provides a venue for independent, international, and classic cinema while serving as a resource for film production and media education.
SHREVEPORT LITTLE THEATER
Shreveport Little Theatre, founded in 1922, is possibly the oldest continuously producing Community Theater in America, as the theatre produced without interruption throughout the Great Depression and World War II, and after two fires, longevity unprecedented in contemporary community theatre.
THE STRAND
This restored historic theatre continues to be the home of the highest-quality entertainment throughout the decades including top touring Broadway productions, concerts, and comedy shows.
LOUISIANA STATE EXHIBIT MUSEUM
Unique in both its massive circular layout and its world-renowned dioramas, and acclaimed for its huge fresco and Native American artifacts, the Louisiana State Exhibit Museum (LSEM) houses many dynamic collections and rotating exhibits that offer insight into the history and culture of Louisiana and beyond. Free admission.
MULTICULTURAL CENTER OF THE SOUTH
Through cultural exhibits, musical programs and artistic demonstrations, the center encourages visitors to take a journey to distant lands to learn about the practices and traditions transported to this country by both long-ago and present day immigrants. Exhibits reflect the cultures of Creoles, Hispanics, Italians, Indians and more.
AMERICAN ROSE GARDEN
The spectacular Gardens of the American Rose Center are located on a 118-acre wooded tract near Shreveport, Louisiana. The gardens are home to the national headquarters of the American Rose Society. We are the nation’s largest park dedicated to roses. The gardens were dedicated in 1974, when the American Rose Society headquarters moved to Shreveport, Louisiana from Columbus, Ohio. Today, the American Rose Center features more than 65 individual rose gardens and 20,000 rosebushes, with a variety of companion plants, sculptures and fountains, including the beautiful Dudley Watkins Reflection Pool.
DINING
The Bossier area offers superior dining. There is no need to travel out of the twin city limits to satisfy your taste buds. The Louisiana Boardwalk, located along the Red River, boasts a very inclusive list of restaurants that is sure to please even the pickiest of eaters. From American fare to ethnic eateries, nearly everything is represented. Bossier City has endless options, especially where traditional Cajun-style seafood is concerned. Ralph & Kacoo’s Seafood Restaurant on Old Minden Road will tickle your taste buds. Pizza, pasta, sushi and another Louisiana favorite-po’boy sandwiches-are all within reach in this section of the Ark-La-Tex.
For your fine dining experience or catering to that special client, you may choose one of the many fine dining facilities we have to offer. 2Johns Steak and Seafood on Airline Drive can now “steak” claim to the newest and finest in Bossier-Shreveport dining. Enjoy white tablecloth fine dining, local artistry, a grand piano setting the mood and a luxurious bar stocked with your favorite wines and some signature cocktails at 2Johns Steak & Seafood. And a review of Texas Street Steakhouse reads, “Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful. It was great-one of, if not the best ribeyes I have had. We will mark this as a favorite in Bossier when we come back.”
The Bossier Region will give you the opportunity to taste the world! The 20X49 Blog is a great resource to learn about the new food happenings, along with other great area information and the Eat Here guide is a must have when wanting to try the area’s best food.
SHOPPING
LOUISIANA BOARDWALK OUTLETS
Bossier City’s unique shopping and entertainment destination, The Louisiana Boardwalk Outlets is located across the Red River from downtown Shreveport. Anchored by the state’s first Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World, this location boasts a carousel for the kids, as well as 40+ retail shops and delicious dining opportunities. This shopping destination joined a vibrant casino district nestled along nearly a half-mile of majestic riverfront, which includes 4 top hotels with fabulous accommodations. The boardwalk is the first lifestyle center to open in the state of Louisiana offering outlet shopping, an entertainment district and riverfront dining.
PIERRE BOSSIER MALL
The area’s largest shopping mall with more than 70 shops and a food court with eateries such as Great American Cookie Co. and Raising Cane’s.
STIRLING BOSSIER SHOPPING CENTER
Nearly 30 of your favorite discount stores with enough variety to fulfill everyone’s wish list, from Old Navy, Target and Belk to Best Buy, Bed, Bath and Beyond and specialty stores like Maurice’s, Ulta Beauty and more, all housed in the North Bossier shopping district.
SHOPPES AT BELLEMEAD
A premier shopping destination with 19 top retailers including Talbots, White House/Black Market, Jos. A. Bank, Ann Taylor Loft, and more. Plus, while you’re there you can grab a bite to eat at Cantina Laredo, Chicken Salad Chick, We Olive & Wine Bar, or Buttercups Cupcakes.
LINE AVENUE SHOPPING DISTRICT
A five-mile treasure trove of unique gifts and some of the best in boutique shopping with more than 75 boutiques, antique stores, specialty shopping, shoe stores and more spread throughout neighborhood shopping centers such as Pierremont Mall, Town Oak Square and Uptown Shopping Center. Dine at Superior’s Steakhouse, Pizza Rev or Bistro Byronz located along Line Avenue.
MALL ST. VINCENT
Conveniently located off of I-49 Mall St. Vincent has something for everyone. Fine upscale shopping that features more than 50 stores such as Dillard’s, H&M and Foot Locker.
YOUREE DRIVE
The area south of the intersection of Youree Drive and E. Kings Highway in Shreveport is one of Shreveport-Bossier’s busiest shopping districts. Ranging from “big box” stores like Lowe’s, Target, Barnes & Noble and Best Buy to independent shops like Lewis Gifts, this area is sure to be a hot spot for shoppers.
PIERREMONT MALL
Offers shopping at stores such as Stein Mart, Chantilly Boutique, and Patton’s Shreveport and fine dining at Casa Jimador.
