Monroe, Louisiana: Where Fun is Always on the Agenda! Check Out the Best Things to Do and Places to Visit Now!

Monroe spreads out and the river splits it. Most of the museums, the zoo and the mall sit on the Monroe side, while Antique Alley runs through downtown West Monroe across the water. Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge is the drive worth making, north of everything else. Nothing here is walkable end to end, so a car is the assumption rather than the option. Group the stops by side of the Ouachita and the day gets much shorter. Plan it that way.

Monroe, Louisiana runs on a mix of deep history, live culture and things worth doing. History readers, outdoor types and people who came to eat are all covered. Museums and art galleries sit alongside delicious food and shopping, and the city does not make you choose.

History is where Monroe is strongest. The Biedenharn Museum & Garden holds a collection of Coca-Cola memorabilia alongside its gardens. The Northeast Louisiana African Heritage Museum presents African-American culture through cultural, educational and social events, and belongs on any list. Outdoors, the Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge covers hiking trails, bird-watching and fishing opportunities.

Families have plenty to work with in Monroe. The Louisiana Purchase Gardens & Zoo takes kids through a variety of animal exhibits and adds a train ride. The Chennault Aviation and Military Museum covers the history of aviation and military service in Louisiana, which is the unique stop. Shopping enthusiasts head for Pecanland Mall and its mix of stores and restaurants.

Key Takeaways

Monroe offers a diverse range of activities for visitors, including history, outdoor adventures, family-friendly attractions, shopping, and dining.
The city is home to several museums and art galleries, showcasing the rich history and culture of Louisiana.
Visitors can explore the outdoors at the Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge or enjoy family-friendly activities at the Louisiana Purchase Gardens & Zoo.

A Glimpse of History in Monroe

The history of Monroe, Louisiana has shaped what the city is now. Here is a brief look at the significant events and landmarks that left the deepest marks on it.

Louisiana Purchase

Monroe was once part of the Louisiana Purchase. In 1803 the United States acquired a vast swath of land from France, including what is now Louisiana, and that single historic event shaped the country’s future and set the stage for westward expansion.

Civil Rights Movement

Monroe played a pivotal role in the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. Several key events happened here, including the arrest of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. in 1963. The struggle for equality and justice has not ended, and Monroe remains an important part of that ongoing story.

Selman Field Army Air Corps Navigation School

During World War II, Monroe hosted the Selman Field Army Air Corps Navigation School. The facility trained thousands of pilots and navigators who went on to serve in the war effort. The Selman Field Memorial Park and Museum now commemorates that chapter of the city’s history.

History buff or simply curious about the past, Monroe has enough to fill a day. The Louisiana Purchase, the Civil Rights Movement and Selman Field make for an unusually varied record. Take a stroll through it and see what the city turns up.

Monroe’s Museums

Monroe, Louisiana holds museums covering a wide spread of interests and tastes. Art lover, aviation enthusiast or history buff, there is one here for you. These are the museums in Monroe not to skip:

Masur Museum of Art

The Masur Museum of Art is the stop for art lovers. It holds a collection of contemporary art from local and national artists, with galleries running from paintings and sculptures through to photography and mixed media. Events and workshops run alongside for art enthusiasts of all ages.

Chennault Aviation and Military Museum

The Chennault Aviation and Military Museum is the fascinating one for aviation and military enthusiasts. It is dedicated to the life and legacy of General Claire Chennault, a World War II hero and the founder of the Flying Tigers. Exhibits cover the history of aviation and military service in Louisiana, along with artifacts and memorabilia from General Chennault’s own life.

Northeast Louisiana Delta African Heritage Museum

The Northeast Louisiana Delta African Heritage Museum is a small museum sitting just inside Monroe’s Chenault Park. It is the place to learn about and appreciate African-American culture through cultural, educational and social events. Exhibits and collections cover the history and the contributions of African Americans in Louisiana.

Biedenharn Museum and Gardens

The Biedenharn Museum and Gardens is the stately one. Its exhibits and collections cover the history of Coca-Cola and the Biedenharn family, with artifacts and memorabilia tracking how the company evolved over the years. The gardens outside are built for a leisurely stroll.

Those museums are only a portion of what Monroe puts in front of you. Local or visitor, all of them repay the time.

Outdoor Adventures

After some outdoor adventures in Monroe, Louisiana? These are the places you will not want to miss.

Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge

Nature lovers should head for the Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge. The area is home to alligators, turtles and over 200 species of birds, and you can work through it by canoe or kayak or take one of the many trails on foot. Keep an eye on the banks for those alligators.

Forsythe Park

Forsythe Park is the other one for outdoor enthusiasts. Green space for picnicking and a playground for the kiddos cover the basics, but the walking trail circling the park is the real draw. It is an easy stroll and wildlife turns up along it regularly.

Hiking Trails

For something more challenging, the area carries a good number of hiking trails. Beginners and experienced hikers are both catered for. The Kiroli Park Trail is the gentle option with easy terrain and good scenery, while the Black Bayou Lake Trail runs a tougher trek through the woods.

Whatever kind of outdoor adventure you had in mind, Monroe, Louisiana has a version of it. Grab your hiking boots, pack a picnic and get outside.

Family Fun in Monroe

After family-friendly activities in Monroe, Louisiana? The city has plenty of fun things to do with kids in tow. These are the top picks:

Northeast Louisiana Children’s Museum

The Northeast Louisiana Children’s Museum is the one for families with young kids. Over 25,000 square feet of exhibits gives little ones room to explore and learn, from the Bubble Factory through to the Health Hall. Programs and events run across the year, so check the calendar before you go.

Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo

Kids who love animals will love the Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo. The 80-acre zoo is home to over 500 animals from around the world, from tigers to giraffes to alligators. A train ride and a carousel round the visit out.

Birthday Party Ideas

For a unique birthday party, the Children’s Museum and the Children’s Zoo both take bookings. Their party packages include admission for your guests, a private party room and a special gift for the birthday child. The Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo is the animal-lover’s version, offering a private pavilion, a zoo tour and a visit from an animal ambassador.

Those are the family-friendly activities Monroe does well. Set aside the days and let the little ones run.

The layering is what stays. Monroe holds a Coca-Cola fortune and a Civil Rights arrest inside the same small compass, and neither one goes any distance toward explaining the other. The Selman Field navigation school trained thousands of airmen out of this ground during the war. The African Heritage Museum sits inside a city park and keeps the record that the bigger institutions do not. You do not choose between those versions of the city. You take them in the order the roads give you.

Shopping Spree

After some retail therapy? Monroe covers it across several very different options. These are the places to shop till you drop:

Pecanland Mall

Pecanland Mall is the one-stop-shop option. Over 100 stores cover clothing, jewelry, electronics and home goods, which is most of a shopping list under one roof. Dining options inside handle the refuelling after a long day.

Antique Alley

For a more unique shopping experience, head to Antique Alley. This charming street in downtown West Monroe is lined with antique shops, boutiques and art galleries, and the stock changes often enough that you never know what treasures turn up, from vintage clothing to one-of-a-kind home decor.

Farmers Market

For fresh produce and handmade goods, the Monroe Farmers Market is the stop. It opens every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday with locally grown fruits and vegetables alongside homemade jams, jellies and baked goods. It is the place to stock up on healthy snacks or find a unique gift for a friend.

Shopping spree or just a day that needs filling, Monroe has the options. Happy shopping.

Monroe’s Culinary Scene

Monroe eats well. Fresh produce, good bread and cheese are all local, and the restaurant scene is stronger than the city’s size suggests. These are a few of our favorites:

Waterfront Grill

Waterfront Grill sits on the banks of the Ouachita River and earns the trip for the food and the views together. The seafood is as good as any in town and the Cajun dishes are the ones to order. Their crawfish etouffee is the standout.

Catfish Charlie’s

For good old-fashioned Southern cooking, Catfish Charlie’s is the address. The catfish holds up against anything in the state and the hushpuppies do not last long. The fried okra is a true Southern classic and worth ordering alongside.

Enoch’s

For a more upscale dining experience, head to Enoch’s. The restaurant is known for its steaks and seafood, and the wine list is top-notch. What sets it apart is the attention to detail, since every dish arrives properly presented and the service does not slip.

Seafood, Southern classics or upscale dining, Monroe covers all three. Grab a friend, pick one of those restaurants and eat properly.

Nightlife and Entertainment

When the sun goes down, Monroe comes alive. Live music, craft beers, arcade games and theater shows are all in play. These are the places to check out after dark.

Live Music Scene

Live music fans have options in Monroe. Enoch’s Irish Pub & Cafe (located at 507 Louisville Ave, Monroe, LA 71201) runs a lively room with good drink specials and hosts live music events regularly, so check their calendar for upcoming shows.

The Trial Bar (located at 109 Olive St, Monroe, LA 71201) is the other one for live music. This cozy bar keeps a good selection of craft beers and cocktails and books local bands and musicians frequently. It is where an evening ends up after a long day.

Flying Tiger Brewery

Craft beer enthusiasts should not skip Flying Tiger Brewery (located at 506 N 2nd St, Monroe, LA 71201). This local brewery pours a variety of unique brews and keeps a cozy taproom for drinking them in. Trivia nights, live music events and other activities run through the calendar.

Theater Shows

For a more cultural experience, the theater shows in Monroe are worth the evening. The Strauss Theatre Center (located at 1300 Lamy Ln, Monroe, LA 71201) programs plays and musicals across the year, from classic plays through to modern musicals. The theater itself is historic, which adds to the whole experience.

Whatever kind of entertainment you are after, Monroe has a version of it. Grab your friends, put your dancing shoes on and make a night of it.

Culture and Art

Monroe, Louisiana carries a deep cultural heritage. Art museums through to ballet performances give you several ways into the local culture.

Visual Arts Museum

Visual arts people should make sure of the Masur Museum of Art. It is the largest attraction of its kind in Northeast Louisiana, with a strong inventory of 19th-century and modern art. Inside you will find paintings, sculptures and other works of art from local and international artists alike.

Ballet Performances

Ballet audiences should not miss the Louisiana Delta Ballet. This local ballet company has been entertaining audiences for over 30 years and the standard holds. The grace and athleticism on show carry classic ballets such as The Nutcracker and Swan Lake.

African American Museum

The Northeast Louisiana African Heritage Museum is a small museum founded in 1994 for the promotion and preservation of African-American culture through education and cultural and social events. It sits just inside Monroe’s Chenault Park and is easy to walk past, which makes it worth seeking out. Inside, the exhibits cover the history and culture of African Americans in Louisiana.

Art, ballet or history, Monroe, Louisiana has a version for you. Give the city’s cultural heritage some proper time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find the best Cajun food in Monroe, LA?

Nobody should visit Louisiana without eating authentic Cajun cuisine, and Monroe has the options. For classic Cajun dishes like gumbo and jambalaya, head to the Waterfront Grill. For seafood, try Catfish Charlie’s or the Fish House. For something different again, Crawfish City serves crawfish boiled, fried and several ways in between.

Are there any haunted places to explore in Monroe, LA?

Fans of the paranormal have a few spooky spots in Monroe. The Biedenharn Museum and Gardens is said to be haunted by the ghost of Joseph Biedenharn himself, who founded the Coca-Cola bottling company. For anyone feeling brave, the Old City Cemetery carries the legend of a young girl named Mary said to haunt the grounds.

What’s the best way to spend a night out in Monroe, LA?

For a fun night out on the town, start with live music at Live Oaks Bar and Ballroom or The Hub Music Hall. Move on to Enoch’s Irish Pub for a pint of Guinness and some pub grub. To keep the party going after that, the local breweries are Flying Tiger Brewery and Ouachita Brewing Company.

If I only have one day in Monroe, LA, what are the must-see sights?

Short on time in Monroe? Start at the Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo, where over 500 animals and 10 different gardens fill a morning. Move to the Biedenharn Museum and Gardens for the history of Coca-Cola and a stroll through the grounds. Finish at the Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge, where you can hike, fish or rent a kayak.

Frequently asked questions about Monroe, Louisiana

What is the Selman Field Memorial Park and Museum about?

Wartime navigation, mostly. The Selman Field Army Air Corps Navigation School trained thousands of pilots and navigators here during World War II, and the memorial park and museum keeps that chapter in view. The city has quietly absorbed the site in the decades that followed it. Nothing about the surrounding streets announces what happened on them at all. That is fairly typical of the way Monroe carries its past around.

How long does Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge take?

Allow yourself a morning. Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge holds alligators, turtles and over 200 species of bird across water you can paddle by either canoe or kayak. Trails run through the same ground for anyone who would rather stay dry. The alligators are genuinely present out there, so watch the banks as you go. Fishing is the third option here and the one that takes the longest.

Which Monroe museum covers African-American history?

The African Heritage Museum. Founded in 1994 for the promotion and preservation of African-American culture, it sits just inside Chenault Park and runs on cultural, educational and social events rather than static display. The exhibits cover African-American contributions across the whole of Louisiana. It is a small place, and the scale of it is not the point. Monroe’s Civil Rights history sits behind all of it without ever being signposted.

Keep exploring Monroe, Louisiana