Location: Ruston
Top Things to do in Ruston
What to do and see in Ruston, United States: The Best Places and Tips
Ruston is a small city and the parish seat of Lincoln Parish, Louisiana, United States. it is the largest city in the Eastern Ark-La-Tex region. As of the 2010 United States Census, the population was 21,859, reflecting an increase of 6.4 percent from the count of 20,546 counted in the 2000 Census. Ruston is near the eastern border of the Ark-La-Tex region and is the home of Louisiana Tech University. Its economy is therefore based on its college population. Ruston hosts the annual Peach Festival.
Restaurants in Ruston
1. Lincoln Parish Park
2. Eddie G. Robinson Museum
Overall Ratings
5 based on 3 reviews
Reviewed By jumpa23 - Vancouver, Washington
I had some spare time and stopped by the museum. The museum is located in a historically preserved building, (Women's' Memorial Gym). The museum recognized the contributions that Coach Eddie Robinson made to Grambling State University, Louisiana, our country and to college football. It is nice to see the recognition for winning over 400 football games at GSU. Upon entering the museum, there is a bronze statute of Coach Rob. There is a display that you can see that explains significant historical events. You can take your time and work through the display. It was a great way to learn a lot of history regarding the GSU football program, and challenges that were overcome to be successful. There is a section dedicated to athletes that have played professional football and it is quite impressive. It speaks to GSU's rich football tradition. Another section looks like the old locker room. There is a section that resembles Coach's office. The museum is filled with artifacts, memorabilia, trophies, awards, photos, jackets that Coach Rob wore, and the famous briefcase that Coach Rob carried. There is a small section dedicated to the GSU band. There are lots of things to see. The museum is new, well lit. There is parking. This is a fitting tribute to Coach Robinson and you get to "go back in time". One wall houses photos of GSU's Wall of Fame, which recognizes athletes from all sports. Willis Reed is one of the athletes that was recognized for basketball. There are also portions dedicated to Mrs. Robinson. It is nicely done. There was no charge but you could make a donation if you choose. You can take photos. There was a gift shop. I spent approximately 90 mins and I learned a lot. I was very impressed.
3. Louisiana Military Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 13 reviews
Exhibits feature uniforms, weapons, flags, training gear, aircraft and vehicles from almost every conflict in American history. Compare the tools of war from the Civil War era with modern combat technology and learn the stories of local heroes and unknown enemies.
Reviewed By raj0302 - Wilmington, North Carolina
If this review is useful, please give me a “helpful” vote.
1. My Background/Expectations. This was my first visit to the museum. As a retired U.S. Marine Corps Infantry Officer and history enthusiast, I am always on the lookout for military museums when I am travelling for business or vacation. This is a small museum but, nonetheless, very well done and packed with a great deal of weapons, uniforms and equipment and is well-curated. I highly encourage anyone driving through Louisiana on Interstate 20 to make time (no more than 2 hours) to stop here. My comments & observations are organized below by functional area.
2. Details of my visit. I visited the museum on a Monday afternoon in late January 2017. There were only about four other visitors in the museum on the day of my visit (primarily adults).
3. Layout of museum. The museum is in a small two-story building. I would estimate it is approximately 4,000 square feet overall. I believe it initially started off as donations of private collections by local veterans (first floor); and then grew as other local veterans made donations (second floor).
4. Location/Directions/Accuracy. The museum is located at 201 Memorial Drive Ruston, LA (obtained from the museum’s website). I plugged the address into my vehicle's GPS and it took me directly there.
5. Parking/Vehicle Access
5.a. Parking. Parking is not plentiful. I recommend looking at the museum on Bing or Google Maps to get an idea of available parking.
5.b. RV access. I was not in an RV or pulling a trailer on the day of my visit but I realize that many people who visit museums may be on vacations and in an RV or pulling a travel trailer. As with passenger vehicle parking, I recommend looking at the museum on Bing or Google to determine accessibility or to find nearby parking.
6. Admission. FREE; but donations are encouraged.
7. Operating Hours (obtained from the museum’s website). I would highly recommend calling prior to your visit to ensure they are open. It has been my experience that museums staffed by volunteers may close unexpectedly for personal reasons.
7.a. Sunday & Monday. Closed.
7.b. Tuesday - Saturday. 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
8. Different types of tour/length of visit.
8.a. Un-guided tour. Visitors may conduct un-guided tours; it took me approximately 1 1/2 hours to make my way through the museum; reading approximately 75 percent of the informative placards.
8.b. Guided tour. I do not know if guided tours are available.
9. Prohibitions/Permissions
9.a. Weapons. I did not see any signs prohibiting concealed handguns.
9.b. Photography. Photography is permitted in the museum.
10. Food and beverages. Food and beverages are not available.
11. Staff. On the day of my visit, there appeared to be one employee/volunteer.
12. Exhibits/Displays (not all-inclusive).
12.a. U.S. Indian Wars (1865-1891). One display containing weapons, uniforms and equipment.
12.b. Spanish-American War (1898). Two displays containing weapons (pistols, carbines and lever-action rifles), uniforms and equipment.
12.c. U.S. Civil War (1861-1865). One display containing weapons (muskets, rifles, carbines), uniforms and equipment.
12.d. World War I (1914-1918). Two cases containing primarily U.S. weapons (several very nice rifles), uniforms and equipment…but some German items as well (pistols, rifles, machineguns, uniforms).
12.e. World War II (1934-1945). As you can expect, there are multiple display cases containing: U.S., German, and Japanese
weapons (pistols, carbines, rifles, sub-machineguns, machineguns), uniforms and equipment. There is one large display containing a large number of WW II crew-served weapons (mortars and machineguns).
12.f. Korean War (1950-1953). Two displays containing U.S., Korean and Chinese uniforms, weapons and equipment.
12.g. Vietnam War (1965-1972). Multiple display cases containing weapons, uniforms and equipment.
12.h. Operation Urgent Fury (Grenada - 1983). One display case containing weapons, uniforms and equipment.
12.i. Operation Desert Storm (Kuwait & Iraq – 1990-1991). One display case containing weapons, uniforms and equipment.
12.j. Operation OEF (Afghanistan) & Operation Iraqi Freedom (Iraq)
(2001 – present). At least two display cases containing uniforms, weapons and equipment.
12.k. U.S. Weapons of World War I and II. Approximately 30 different versions of rifles and carbines used by different countries.
12.l. Weapons and uniform items unique to the U.S. Marine Corps.
12.m. Weapons, uniforms and equipment unique to the U.S. Navy.
12.n. Miscellaneous uniforms.
13. Handicap access. I am not handicapped but understand that this can affect someone's decision whether or not to visit a site/attraction.
This is a two-story facility; I do not recall seeing an elevator – only stairs.
14. Child friendliness. I do not have children, and on the day I visited there were no children present. I would remind visitors that they should maintain control and enforce discipline of children as a sign of respect and to also ensure that other visitors can enjoy the museum.
15. Amenities/creature comforts.
15.a. Restrooms. The museum has restrooms and a water fountain on the first floor.
15.b. Snack Bar. Food & drinks are not available.
15.c. Gift shop. There is no gift shop in the museum.
16. Other similar attractions nearby. I have personally visited the following attractions and submitted Trip Advisor reviews.
16.a. Chenault Aviation and Military Museum – Monroe, Louisiana (35 miles east). This museum was founded and is administered by LtGen Gen Chenault’s grand-daughter. It contains exhibits dedicated to LtGen Chenault and quite a few personal collections donated by local residents containing WW I, WWII, Korean War, Vietnam War and the Global War on Terror. This museum is near the Monroe, Louisiana airport and is not aboard a military installation.
16.b. Global Air Power museum – Barksdale Air Force Base; Shreveport, Louisiana (65 miles west). This museum contains approximately 18 very nice aircraft from WW II to the 1970s/80s. Of note, they have an SR-71! This museum is aboard the Barksdale U.S. Air Force installation; see my 4 Feb 2017 review for details regarding how to enter the installation.
16.c. National World War II museum – New Orleans, Louisiana (315 miles southeast). I would consider this to be a world-class museum. It began as the “National D-Day Museum” dedicated to the Allied invasion of the European Continent on 6 June 1944. It was later expanded into the “National WW II Museum”. When I last visited (Dec 2013) they had quite a few aircraft in the Boeing pavilion and were about to open the pavilion dedicated to the Pacific campaign.
17. Other similar attractions – not nearby but within several hours drive. I have visited quite a few similar attractions have written Trip Advisor reviews on all of them at one time.
17.a. Mississippi Armed Forces Military Museum; Hattiesburg, Mississippi (235 miles southeast). This is a very nice medium-size (recently renovated) FREE museum. It is located aboard the Camp Shelby U.S. Army National Guard base.
17.b. Battleship Alabama; Mobile, Alabama (335 miles southeast). There is also a WW II era submarine and quite a few very nice aircraft on display (indoors and outdoors as well. This attraction is not aboard a military installation.
17.c. National Naval Aviation Museum; Pensacola, Florida (400 miles southeast). This is a very large FREE world classmilitary aviation museum. It has a large collection (I would estimate over 55) of beautifully-restored aircraft. It is aboard a U.S. Navy installation.
17.d. National Infantry Museum; Columbus, Georgia (485 miles east). This is a very large FREE museum. It is a complex and comprehensive world-class museum that is professionally curated. While it is located aboard the Fort Benning U.S. Army installation, there is no requirement to pass through a manned guard post.
17.e. Texas Military Forces Museum; Austin, TX. This is a very nice medium-size FREE museum. It contains: a number of large (4 ft x 4 ft) dioramas depicting historic battles; and a large selection of uniforms, weapons, equipment and artifacts. Additionally, the museum contains a very nice selection of armored vehicles inside and outside. It is located aboard the Camp Mabry National Guard base.
17.f. Aircraft Carrier Lexington; Corpus Christi, Texas (510 miles southwest). Many of the ships spaces are open to visitors. Additionally, there are several 1950-1980 vintage aircraft on the flight deck. On the day of my visit (Dec 2015) there was at least one WW II aircraft in the hangar bay and they were restoring another. The ship is not aboard a military installation.
17.g. Fort Worth Aviation Museum; Fort Forth, Texas (290 miles west). This is a small/medium-size military aviation museum that contains a very nice selection of aircraft. They refer to this as an “aircraft petting zoo” because visitors can approach and touch the aircraft. This museum is not aboard a military installation. Of note, the interior exhibits focus on aircraft manufacturing in Fort Worth; and the Forward Observation role of the OV-10 Bronco.
17.h. Lone Star Flight Museum; Galveston, Texas (355 miles southwest). This is a medium-size military aviation museum that contains a nice selection of refurbished aircraft; I believe all are in flying condition. This museum is not aboard a military installation.
17.i. Battleship Texas; LaPorte, Texas (325 miles southwest - near Houston). I believe this is the only World War I ship remaining on exhibit. The ship is not aboard a military installation.
4. Joe Aillet Stadium
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5 reviews
Reviewed By Hoach - USA
Typical small college athletic stadium and college needing to compete with others. New facilities show a money trail that supports their team. Facility is average at best and nothing special to see unless you are part of this community.
5. Lincoln Parish Museum
Overall Ratings
5 based on 3 reviews
Reviewed By roughedge - Ruston, LA
The Lincoln Parish Museum tells the history of the area around Ruston through artifacts, exhibits, and a unique audio experience called "Walls that Talk," a presentation that explains murals painted on the foyer walls. The museum director is very knowledgeable and will personally take you through the home's many rooms, explaining the artifacts. The museum is free but limited in hours, so check first.
6. Dixie Center for the Arts
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3 reviews
Reviewed By Walley M - Greenville, Mississippi, United States
Nice Venue with local support. All the people were so friendly and the building was celebrating their 10th year restoration. Great book of the local history of the Peach Festival. And the musicians were students and local people. Very nice
7. Ruston Farmers Market
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3 reviews
Reviewed By Walley M - Greenville, Mississippi, United States
Needless to say during the Peach Festival a lot of people showed up to buy goods. I was looking for Purple Hull Peas, but they had sold out early. Still bought some good jelly, and even had a local bakery selling their goods. Squash/tomatoes/pepper/cucs plus some other local vendors.
8. Rock Island Greenway
Overall Ratings
5 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By BQuigley1976 - Ruston, Louisiana
The City of Ruston took an old abandoned railroad right-of-way and turned it into a scenic, walking trail through the woods on the northwestern edge of town. From the I-20 service road, the Rock Island Greenway goes north to the intersection of Chatauqua Road and W. Kentucky (it's about a mile in length--or two miles if you walk down and back) . The Greenway is a quiet, peaceful place to jog or walk and talk and it's open during daylight hours. Parking is available at the power substation on W. Kentucky.
9. Alvar and Hurrik's
A wonderful place to come play board games, tabletop, and trading card games. Or come browse and assortment of books and other nerdy items!
10. Southern Realms Comics & Games
Southern Realms is a sanctuary for all people who dont fit the mold for normal. Whether it's comics that's your thing or CCG'd or RPG's, come see us
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