Shreveport

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Shreveport [1] is the largest city in north Louisiana. It is located in the area of the state designated as Sportsman's Paradise. Many lakes and rivers are in the area and offer recreational activities.

[edit] Get in

Shreveport is served by the Shreveport Regional Airport, in the western part of the city. Interstate 20 cuts through Shreveport and runs west to east, connecting the city to Dallas to the west, and moves through north Louisiana to Mississippi as it goes east. Interstate 49 terminates in central Shreveport, and runs from the city southward toward Alexandria.

[edit] Get around

The city is easy to navigate by car as there are 2 interstates running through, as well as an inner loop (I-220 and LA3132) surrounding the city. Clyde Fant Parkway runs along the riverfront and links the downtown area with the southeastern part of the city.

[edit] See

• The mansions along Fairfield Avenue in Shreveport give a glimpse into the city's history. The city is located in a region once rich with oil, and the mansions were built by those made wealthy by the industry during the 1920s and 30s.

• Shreveport features two Casinos, Sam's Town and El Dorado which offer gambling aboard the always-docked riverboats in downtown Shreveport, just off Clyde Fant Parkway.

• Barksdale Air Force Base is across the river in Bossier City and features a large air show every year during Holiday in Dixie in May. The show is outstanding, as far as air shows go and features aircraft form the Air Force's inventory, as well as other branches of the military. The Navy's Thunderbirds, Air Force's Blue Angels, and the Army's parachuting Golden Knights have performed at the Air Show in the past.

• Norton Art Gallery is a world class art gallery located on Creswell Avenue, near Line Avenue and Pierremont Road. It is free to view the collection as well as the grounds, which are finely landscaped and located in a beautiful upscale neighborhood. http://www.rwnaf.org/information.php

• American Rose Center is America's largest garden park dedicated to roses, and is home to the American Rose Society. See http://www.ars.org/ARC/gardens.htm

[edit] Do

Participate in the city's Mardi Gras festival. This is much larger than one would expect outside of New Orleans, as the city streets are filled with many thousands of tourists during this season. The two largest Krewe's are Gemini and Centaur, and their parades run throughout much of the city. Mardi Gras takes place on the two weekends in mid to late February.

The Independence Bowl, is held in Shreveport during late December ever year, usually after Christmas but before New Years; featuring teams from the Big 12 and the SEC college football conferences. See http://www.independencebowl.org/

The Red River Revel is a fall festival, during mid to late October, that displays numerous locally produced arts and crafts, live music and dozens of booths serving food located near the riverfront in downtown Shreveport. See http://www.redriverrevel.com/

Mudbug Madness is an early summer time festival usually held in late May that features boiled crawfish, local artwork and live music near the riverfront in downtown Shreveport. See http://www.mudbugmadness.com/

The Shreveport Sports minor league baseball team plays May through August at Fair Grounds Field Stadium and is located off I-20 in Shreveport. http://www.shreveportsports.com/index.php

[edit] Buy

A large shopping district has developed in the southern section of Youree Drive over the past decade. Many national chain stores and restaurants are located here.

More upscale boutiques and shops are located on Line Avenue, near the Pierremont area of central Shreveport.

[edit] Eat

The first stop on any trip to Shreveport should be Strawn's Eat Shop. They are known for having the most incredible strawberry pie. If strawberry does not work for you, then you should try chocolate. The original Strawn's is located on E. Kings (between Line and Youree). However, if you are eating late, then head to Strawn's Eat Shop Too which is located on E. 70th (on the corner of Youree). These diners also have daily lunch specials, great breakfast, burgers and all that deep-fried southern food everyone enjoys.

Several popular restaurants with locals are located along Line Avenue, near Pierremont. Superior Bar and Grill is a popular Mexican restaurant, and generally considered some of the best Tex-Mex cuisine in the city. Superior Steakhouse on Line Avenue near the Piermont Ave. is one of the best restaurant's in town, and has one of the best wine lists in the city. Bella Fresca is a high end restaurant also located on Line Ave. near Superior Mexican Bar and Grill. Another popular local restaurant which boasts an excellent wine list is Colombia Cafe, located on Kings Hwy near Line Ave.

Some of the best Cajun food in the city is served at Savoie's Cajun restaurant on E. 70th St. near Clyde Fant Parkway. Another excellent restaurant is Copeland's of New Orleans located on the corner of Bert Kouns and Youree Dr. And among the most notable restaurant's specializing in Louisiana cuisine, Ernest's a New Orleans style restaurant, is located off the service road on Hwy 1 just south of downtown, and has a great view overlooking the Red River.

For excellent sandwiches and Po-Boys go to Herby-K's on Pierre Ave. near I-20 just off Texas St.

There are also several good, local Italian restaurant's including Dominic's on E. 70th St, and Monjuni's which has several locations, one off Youree Dr. near the intersection with Bert Kouns and another closer to downtown on Louisiana Ave. Olive Street Bistro on Olive St. is also an excellent Italian eatery

There are also several local cafes and diners on Kings Hwy near Centenary college including Murrell's', George's Grill, and Lil' Joe's Bar & Grill.

Boiled crawfish can be had when in season and are widely available. You can buy them from vendors on street corners throughout the city (and many other cities in Louisiana). They're all the rage with the locals.

[edit] Drink

There are several bars in downtown Shreveport on Texas St. near the riverfront casinos, including the Blind Tiger, The Noble Savage (Closed down temporarily in early '07) and Mables. One block over from Texas St. downtown on Travis St. is Sully's Tavern. There are also several neighborhood bars on the corner of Youree Dr. and E. Kings Hwy including The Cub, Legends, Sharpies, and Flannigan's.

The Funnybone is a bar and comedy club located in the downtown Red River district just off Clyde Fant Parkway. http://www.funnyboneusa.com/shreveport/default.htm

[edit] Sleep

There are numerous hotels around the airport. The casinos have hotels near the downtown area (I-20 east).

[edit] Get out

WikiPedia:Shreveport, Louisiana World66:northamerica/unitedstates/louisiana/shreveport