Good things are happening in downtown Shreveport, Louisiana. If you like art, music, architecture, history and food, you will really enjoy spending time in this North Louisiana town. I was surprised by the number of amazing things to do in Shreveport, Louisiana. Here are 27 of the very best places to see how life is coming back to this once very blighted city.

I visited Shreveport for a Central States Meeting with the Society of American Travel Writers and portions of this trip were hosted by the Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau. Many thanks to Visit Shreveport for an amazing trip!

In addition to Shreveport and Bossier City, we also visited Natchitoches. I enjoy seeing some of the sites this amazing area has to offer!

Related reading: 

15 Must Try Foods / Drinks in Shreveport-Bossier City Restaurants

17 Things to Do in Natchitoches La to Bring History to Life!   

The French Market Express, Drive-Thru Daiquiris, Meat Pies & More (Unique Culinary Experiences in Natchitoches La)

The 27 Best Places to Experience Art, History, & Music in Shreveport, LA

Shreveport is the third largest city in the state of Louisiana behind New Orleans and Baton Rouge. It’s 20 miles from the Texas border and 40 miles from the Arkansas border. Its location makes it the perfect distance for a few days away from many major cities.

Here’s how long it takes to drive to Shreveport:

• Dallas, Texas: ~ 3 hours
• Houston, Texas: ~ 4 hours
• Little Rock, Arkansas: ~ 3 hours
• Jackson, Mississippi: ~ 3 hours
• Oklahoma City, Oklahoma: ~ 4 1/2 hours
• Memphis, Tennessee: ~ 5 hours
• Baton Rouge, Louisiana: ~3 1/2 hours

It’s fair to say that downtown has had a rough past. Beautiful, historic buildings fill the downtown Shreveport area but a massive decline in population over the years has left the city blighted, run-down, and vacant. 

Many once-ornate buildings with busted-out and boarded-up windows stand as relics of the past. If you take a closer look, though, you’ll also see a fair number of historic buildings that have been given a new lease on life as art in Shreveport is helping the city forge a new path.

When you visit, many of the amazing things in Shreveport focus on art and history. If you like art, historic buildings, music, and food too, you need to visit! Here are 25 ways to experience art in Shreveport plus a few iconic non-art experiences you might enjoy also.

Touring Shreveport Murals

More and more murals are popping up in Shreveport thanks in part to the #uncommon murals project sponsored by the Shreveport Regional Arts Council. Downtown Shreveport is filled with beautiful murals waiting to be studied and photographed. We enjoyed getting some steps in as we hunted for some on a beautiful weekend day.

Large murals in cities have become a popular and impactful form of public art and bring joy and pride to locals and tourists. They’re aesthetic, instagrammable, they add community pride, and they’re often accessible for most anyone.

Vibrant and creative public art scenes can drive foot traffic to local businesses and generate revenue. Murals are an amazing way to increase tourism and we encourage you to spend a day mural hunting in Shreveport!

We really enjoy mural hunting on our travels and we’ve seen amazing murals in Huntsville, Alabama; Selma, Alabama; Hot Springs, Arkansas; Dubuque, Iowa; Fort Dodge, Iowa; and Kansas City, Kansas. Here are some of our favorite murals that we found in Shreveport.

Once in a Millennium Moon Mural

One of the largest murals in the United States, this 14-story tall mural covers 30,000 square feet on two sides of the AT&T building. It was painted in 2000 by Meg Saligman and features a time capsule of the city of Shreveport. 

Find the Once in a Millennium Moon Mural at 715 Mc Neil St, on the corner of Cotton and Marshall.

From Shreveport With Love Mural 

We loved finding this beautiful mural during our walk around downtown. You can look at for a long time picking out iconic places and unique things about the city in the letters!

What made it even better was meeting one of the artists, Whitney Tates, by happenstance just a few hours later! It’s one of the newer murals in Shreveport and was just finished in December 2022.

Find it at 32 Crockett Street.

Ascension Underpass Mural

The Ascension Underpass Mural was spearheaded by muralist and artist Ka’Davien (KD) Baylor and the The Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Class.

You’ll find it on Marshall Street under the I-20 overpass, part of what Shreveport is calling the Marshall Mural Mile. It’s not far from Agora Borealis and has really transformed an ugly underpass into something beautiful.

Love Your City Mural 

This mural was painted by muralist Chris Opp for The Hub Ministry to help spread their mission of access to a restored life for all citizens of Shreveport. 

I love the quote by Mother Theresa – “Even the rich are hungry for love, for being cared for, for being wanted, for having someone to call their own.”

Find it on Cotton Street.

All There Is Mural

Love the inclusive message of this mural painted by Tama Nathan. You can find it on the back wall of the Korner Lounge, one of the oldest continuously operating gay bars in the US!

Find the Korner Lounge at 800 Louisiana Avenue.

Given Enough Rope Mural

Painted by Jeormie Journell, Given Enough Rope is across the street from Andress Artist & Entrepreneur Center. It’s part of the 12 Uncommon Mural Project in Downtown Shreveport.

Find it at 718 Crockett Street.

Juneteenth Mural 

Located at the corner of Edwards and Milam Streets is another powerful mural designed by Ka’Davien Baylor. It was another collaborative art project completed on June 18, 2022 during the ‘art-ish black art show. Walking from panel to panel to take in this huge mural is very impactful. What a masterpiece!

Find it at 331 Milam Street.

There are lots more murals to find in Shreveport including some amazing art at the Historic 800 Block of Texas Avenue . If you love murals, Shreveport is a great city to explore!

Check out the Historic Buildings in Downtown Shreveport

Voted the #1 community development project in the nation by the National Development Council Academy in Washington (2015-2016), the Shreveport Common is an absolutely amazing community revitalization project.

Working with more than 50 public and private partners including the City of Shreveport, the Shreveport Regional Arts Council, artplace, and the National Endowment for the Arts, a $100,000,000 revitalization plan is underway in a blighted nice block area of the city.

Some of their ongoing “community-changing projects including historic preservation, saving and re-purposing endangered buildings and unused parcels to create mixed rate – mixed use spaces for artist/creatives live/work, market places and makerspaces, unique public art, programming and new community greenspaces.”

What impresses me most about this partnership is that the changes are happening without gentrification. So often we hear about neighborhoods bringing brought back to life, but that inevitably means poorer people are pushed out. Shreveport Common is working very hard to make sure that does not happen here.

As you walk around Shreveport, you can see the changes happening before your very eyes. Here are some of the historic buildings you can see. Note: not all of these buildings are part of Shreveport Common project, but they are all close by.

Shreveport Municipal Auditorium

The Art Deco-style Shreveport Municipal Auditorium was built in 1929. It’s a beautiful national historic landmark and has hosted many famous musicians and performers over the years, including Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Hank Williams, and B.B. King.

These now iconic musicians got their start on the KWKH Louisiana Hayride radio program known as the Cradle of the Stars. This three-hour live music radio show aired in Municipal Auditorium for more than 550 straight Saturday nights, from April 3, 1948, through November 1958. It’s still a great place to enjoy special events and a music concert or two today!

705 Elvis Presley Avenue

Logan Mansion

Built in 1897, the Logan Mansion is a beautifully restored Victorian-style home, one of the last remaining of its type in Shreveport. 

Alleged to be one of the most haunted buildings in Shreveport, this beautiful home now hosts tours and murder mystery parties. And it’s right by the Shreveport Municipal Auditorium.

Find it at 725 Austin Place.

The Strand Theatre

Built in 1924, The Strand Theatre is a beautifully restored theater that hosts live performances, movies, and other events. Apparently, this theater was called the “Greatest Theater of the South.” It was fully air-conditioned when it opened in 1925 and had its own full-time orchestra.

In the 1940s it was changed from being an opera house to being a movie theater. When it closed in 1977 it was in disrepair and in danger of being demolished. Luckily, it was saved from destruction in the late 1970s and was restored to its previous grandeur during a seven-year remodel.

Since 1894, it is once again a premier venue for the performing arts, Broadway shows and more!

Find the Strand Theater at 619 Louisiana Avenue.

B’NAI Zion Temple

The B’NAI Zion Temple was built in 1914 and is a stunning representation of Beaux Arts Architecture. It has been empty since the 1970s.

As one of the state of Louisiana’s most endangered historic buildings, the B’NAI Zion Temple is currently owned by Sanctuary Glass after a negligent owner kept it vacant for more than 50 years. Sanctuary Glass plans to repurpose it into a Glass Arts School. I am so excited to see this transformation!

You can find the B’NAI Zion Temple at 700 Cotton Street.

Andress Artist & Entrepreneur Center

You can read about the remarkable revival story of the former Andress Ford Dealership and Parking Garage here. This stunning building is now home to commercial offices, retail space, and has an artists studio as well. It’s worth your time to walk through this building to understand the significance of the Shreveport Common project.

Find it at 717 Crockett Street.

Visit Art Galleries & Museums

Shreveport is home to so many art galleries and museums that showcase the city’s heritage. With more than 30 to choose from in the Shreveport-Bossier area, here are a few standouts we think you can’t miss.  

The Louisiana State Exhibit Museum features exhibits on the history and culture of the state, while the Spring Street Historical Museum documents the history of Shreveport itself.

The Central ArtStation and ART the Giant Dalmatian Statue

You’ll definitely want to take a walk by the Central ArtStation. This former fire station on Crockett Street in downtown Shreveport has been transformed into a multi-use arts center that includes studio space, galleries, and performance venues.

801 Crockett Street

artspace

Located in the former Montgomery Ward department store, artspace is a beautiful venue for making art accessible for all age art enthusiasts! When we visited, we enjoyed Northwest Louisiana artist Ellen Soffer’s Pink Sky exhibition presented by the Shreveport Regional Arts Council.

You’ll find artspace at 708 Texas Street

The Gallery at Andress

Open to the public on Saturdays and Sundays from noon – 4 pm, this gallery features work from significant Louisiana artists. When we were there, we enjoyed seeing works by Martin Welch. This building is where we met Whitney Tates, pictured above!

Find it at 717 Crockett Street.

R.W. Norton Art Gallery & Gardens

This beautiful art museum houses an impressive collection of American and European art, including works by Mary Cassatt and Winslow Homer and African American folk artist, Clementine Hunter. It’s free to visit and a great way to spend an afternoon or morning. 

Located at 4747 Creswell Avenue.

Southern University Museum of Art at Shreveport – SUMAS

One of the only museums in Louisiana dedicated to African and African American art and artifacts, the Southern University Museum of Art at Shreveport is really neat! The displays include art from several regions in Africa and from the US as well. Interactive art history performances featuring prominent African Americans from Louisiana (like Harriet Tubman, Booker T. Washington, and Clementine Hunter) can be scheduled if you’re interested!

Find it at 610 Texas Street.

The Robinson Film Center

This nonprofit theater is a cultural hub in downtown Shreveport, showcasing independent films, hosting film festivals, and offering film classes.

Find it at 617 Texas Street.

Shreveport Water Works Museum

The Shreveport Water Works Museum is housed in a stunningly restored and awe-inspiring 19th-century waterworks building. With interactive exhibits and informative displays, the museum provides a unique opportunity to learn about the fascinating story behind the supply and delivery of water in Shreveport, such an important part of life that most of us take for granted.

From the inception of the waterworks system to modern day technology, visitors can get a firsthand look into the evolution of water management in the city.

Find it at: 142 N Common Street.

Krewe of Gemini Mardi Gras Museum 

If you’re pretty clueless about Mardi Gras like I was before I visited Shreveport, you’ll want to check out this museum. What you need to know is that social organizations called Krewe (pronounced “crew”) come together to put on parades and other events during Mardi Gras. Krewe members usually wear matching costumes or masks, participate in the parades on decorated floats, and throw beads, trinkets, and other goodies to the crowds lining the streets. We watched the Krewe of Gemini Parade during our trip and it was crazy!!

So, if you’re interested in the history of Mardi Gras and the Krewe of Gemini, you’ll want to visit the Krewe of Gemini Mardi Gras Museum. This fascinating museum is located in downtown Shreveport and offers a comprehensive look at the colorful and festive traditions of Mardi Gras, as well as the history and culture of the Krewe of Gemini.

Address: 2101 E. Texas Street

Shreveport Aquarium

The Shreveport Aquarium is a popular tourist destination for families with young kids. if you’re interested in amazing aquatic creatures like sharks, stingrays, and sea turtles! There are even lots of opportunities to get up-close and personal experience with these live animals!

Located at 601 Clyde Fant Parkway

Sci Port Discovery Center

Fun for the whole family, Sci-Port Discovery Center is a teaching museum, full of interactive exhibits on science, technology, and space, providing hours of fun activities for visitors of all ages. The IMAX Dome theater is always a good time and is another that Sci-Port Discovery Center is a popular tourist attraction.

Located at 820 Clyde Fant Parkway

Barksdale Global Power Museum 

If you’re a fan of aviation, then you won’t want to miss out on the Barksdale Global Power Museum. This incredible museum showcases the rich history of Barksdale Air Force Base, as well as its impressive collection of aircraft. Located at 88 Shreveport Road in Barksdale AFB, Louisiana, the museum is a must-see for anyone interested in military aviation.

Plan ahead if you want to visit this museum. Since it’s on an active Air Force Base, you’ll have complete a Visitor Request Form and then the base will run a background check before allowing you to visit.

Address: 88 Shreveport Road, Barksdale AFB, LA 71110.

Independently Owned Stores & Walk-In Art Classes

We love supporting local and were happy to find that Shreveport is home to a number of fantastic independently-owned shops! These stores offer unique products along with a personalized shopping experience that you won’t get at larger chain stores. Here are a few of the top independently owned shops we highly recommend you visit!

Clean Slate Botanicals

Located in the recently renovated Andress Garage, now the Andress Artist & Entrepreneur Center, you must check out Clean Slate Botanicals. Artist & creative/owner Ben Whalen is just a breath of fresh air and his product offers are fun and one of a kind. You can also sign up for a one-of-a-kind candle pouring experience and other classes offered in this unique artist space!

717 Crockett Street

Cotton St. Farms

If you’re on the hunt for fresh, locally-sourced produce and artisanal food products, look no further than Cotton St. Farms. This cozy shop is actually an indoor urban hydroponic garden! They grow tons of greens and microgreens. We loved chatting with the owner about their mission to feed the people of Shreveport clean, healthy foods!

Located in the heart of downtown Shreveport they offer everything from farm memberships to salad bouquets, local honey, homemade jams, free-range eggs, and local meats as well.

406 Cotton Street

C & C Mercantile & Lighting

For a one-of-a-kind shopping experience, head over to C & C Mercantile & Lighting. This shop specializes in vintage and industrial-style home decor and lighting fixtures, but they also sell a wide selection of eclectic pieces that you won’t find anywhere else!

Find the C & C Mercantile at 1110 Texas Avenue

Agora Borealis 

This unique boutique is a combination art gallery, and store featuring a curated selection of handmade and vintage goods. From jewelry to pottery and clothing, Agora Borealis showcases the work of over 70 local artists and makers.

They also offer “Great Create” art workshops and events to help you unleash your creative side! It’s a really neat place to visit where you can buy one-of-kind souvenirs and talk to the artists and makers in person! Highly recommend a visit.

Find the Agora Borealis at 421 Lake Street.

Sanctuary Glass Studio

You’ll find Sanctuary Glass located inside the Agora Borealis. This incredible Hot Shot is such a find! In just about an hour, you can create your own piece of blown glass art. They have an extensive list of items you can make and the talented instructors will walk you through the entire process. They’ll even mail your project home if you aren’t around to pick it up after it cools!

Find the Sanctuary Glass Studio at 421 Lake Street.

Shreveport Hotels – Where to Stay When You Visit

Shreveport Hilton & Convention Center

There are lots of places to stay in Shreveport. We stayed at the Shreveport Hilton & Convention Center. It was a nice hotel in a central location. But it was also very busy with the convention center right next door.

Book your stay at the Hilton.

The Kallenberg Artists’ Tower 

Located right behind the Central ArtStation and ART the Dalamation, you’ll find the Kallenberg Artists’ Tower or KAT. It’s the former Shreveport Fire Department “Hose Tower” and it’s been renovated into a 5-story apartment! How fun is that!

Book your stay at the KAT on Airbnb.

Remington Suite Hotel & Spa

This luxury hotel and spa is near the Hilton. We popped inside for a quick look and it is absolutely stunning. This is a place I would stay with my husband. We appreciate historic boutique hotels when we aren’t with our kids.

Book your stay at the Remington here.