Location: Monroe
Top Things to do in Monroe
The 10 Best Things to do in Monroe, Louisiana (LA)
Monroe (historically French: Poste-du-Ouachita) is the eighth-largest city in the U.S. state of Louisiana. It is the parish seat of Ouachita Parish. In the official 2010 census, Monroe had a population of 48,815. The municipal population declined by 8.1 percent over the past decade; it was 53,107 in the 2000 census. After a recheck in 2012, the Census Bureau changed the 2010 population from 48,815 to 49,147. Mayor Jamie Mayo, however, maintains that the Monroe population is more than 50,000 and indicated that he will pursue a continued challenge to the count.
Restaurants in Monroe
1. Twin City Ballet
2. Chennault Aviation and Military Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 137 reviews
Located in one of the last standing buildings from the World War II Selman Field Army Air Corps Navigation School, the Chennault Aviation & Military Museum highlights northeast Louisiana's impact on aviation and military history. Admission is always free. Exhibits feature weaponry, uniforms, photographs, documents and other artifacts. A growing collection of military aircraft is located outside. All branches of the U.S. military are featured, from World War I through the present day, and there are also exhibits on Selman Field (which trained over 15,000 navigators) and Delta Airlines (which was born in Monroe from a regional crop dusting service). An extensive exhibit is dedicated to the life and times of Gen. Claire L. Chennault (a northeast Louisiana native) and his Flying Tigers fighter group.
Reviewed By A6943GEmariar
Housed in one of the last remaining school buildings that comprised the largest navigation school in the United States during World War II, the Chennault Aviation and Military Museum is definitely a must see. More than 11,000 artifacts are on display, with many personal stories from local veterans. The museum docents are extremely personable and knowledgeable as they relate the story of General Chennault, the Selman Navigational School, and the birthplace of one of the largest airline companies, Delta Airlines. The Chennault Aviation and Military Museum is truly a fascinating place to visit. And admission is free, too!
3. Masur Museum of Art
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 17 reviews
The Masur Museum of Art is the largest visual arts museum in Northeast Louisiana. Housed in the former home of the Masur family, the museum is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Our mission is to support and foster visual arts in our community through quality exhibitions, educational programs, and our permanent collection. Because admission is always free, all members of our community can expand their horizons through the museum's many and diverse offerings. The Masur Museum of Art presents an ongoing schedule of temporary exhibitions that are supported by a wide variety of educational programs for children and adults. We offer art classes, summer art camps, workshops, lectures, and artist talks. In addition, we have pARTy 318 for young professionals, Studio 318 for our patron members, and the annual Off the Wall fundraiser. The Masur Museum of Art operates as a partnership between the City of Monroe, which owns and maintains the building, and the Twin City Art Foundation, which supports exhibitions, educational programs, and collections. The museum is a division of the City of Monroe's Department of Community Affairs
4. Southern Escape Room
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 21 reviews
Southern Escape Room is an exciting and interactive entertainment experience that will have your heart pounding and your adrenaline pumping as you race to discover hidden clues and solve cryptic puzzles to find your way out! This game will teach you to think outside the box, to use your senses, and to work as a team. You will be locked in a themed room for one hour. Do you have what it takes?
5. Levee Gallery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
Levee Gallery specializes in contemporary artwork created by emerging and established regional artists. The gallery also hosts events with the goal of broadening the understanding and appreciation of visual arts and culture. Most events are free and open to the public. The gallery is open Tuesday and Wednesday 11am-5pm, Thursday 11am-7pm, Friday 11am-4pm and Saturday 11am-3pm or by appointment.
6. Spartan Adventure Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2 reviews
Spartan Adventure Park houses Monroe's most exhilarating collection of virtual reality rides, virtual golf, extensive trampolines, ninja course & zip lines! Whether you are in need of a corporate outing in our virtual reality golf rooms, a birthday party for your special day or even family fun with our virtual reality rides, Spartan Adventure Park has got you covered!
7. Biedenharn Museum & Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 157 reviews
Built in 1913 by Joseph A. Biedenharn, visitors can tour this historic home and magnificent Elsong Gardens located on the estate.
Reviewed By papertravel - Alexandria, United States
We'd been meaning to go here for years because everyone says it's an amazing experience but we kept putting it off for some reason. Finally went and we were just floored. The house is amazing, every single thing about it is fun, interesting, cool as all get-out. The museum is wonderful too and has a really nice gift shop. Employees are personable. I won't even try to describe the house furnishings, the grandeur, etc. The daughter was an internationally celebrated opera singer and the dad was basically Mr. Coca Cola. Everything is just stunning. The gardens alone kill ... beautiful and elegant and plenty of wow factor. Maybe you have to live in a brick ranch like I do to truly appreciate the grandeur and how above our pay grade to walk such a house and such gardens. Extra nice thing happened day we were there. A group of gorgeous black ladies who all looked like super models were in one particular area of the gardens doing some kind of I think super fancy (as in not standard) yoga class. I love wondrously serendipitous stuff like that in life ... and in gardens, lol.
8. Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 99 reviews
Reviewed By Julestwo - Canton, United States
We were on a road trip from Georgia to Texas. I investigated different places we could stop along the way. So glad I discovered this little hidden jewel. It was only about seven miles from the interstate and kind of tucked away on a side road. The volunteer at the visitor center was super nice telling us exactly where to go and what to see. We did not have much time, but took a stroll down to the side of the pier that is still usable. ( They are making repairs so you could not go all the way across) If you have time they will even rent out a canoe or kayak so that you can explore. There were a few hiking trails to explore too. I enjoyed seeing the bayou and if our travels take us that way again, we plan to spend a little more time exploring this area.
9. Downtown RiverMarket
10. Louisiana Opera
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3 reviews
