Shreveport-Bossier & the Red River Valley

"The Shreveport institution. Crawfish étouffée done right."

Superior has been the standard-bearer for Shreveport dining for over 30 years — Cajun and Louisiana Creole cooking at its northwest Louisiana best. The crawfish étouffée, the grilled redfish, and the gumbo are all excellent.

"The "Shrimp Buster" po'boy. A Shreveport legend since 1936."

Herby-K's has been on Shreveport's Pierre Avenue since 1936, and the "Shrimp Buster" (butterflied fried shrimp, dressed, on French bread) is the signature. Cash only. Small. Lines form. This is local food culture at its most uncompromised.

"The only natural lake in Texas. A Spanish moss-draped cypress labyrinth."

Caddo Lake straddles the Texas-Louisiana border 45 miles east of Shreveport. The 26,000-acre lake is covered with bald cypress trees draped in Spanish moss — boats navigate by channel markers through what appears to be a flooded cathedral. Alligators are common. The paddling routes are extraordinary.

"Louisiana's only National Forest. Longleaf pine and red rock formations."

The 604,000-acre Kisatchie National Forest covers multiple districts across central Louisiana. The Kisatchie Hills Wilderness Area has rare red rock (Catahoula Formation) outcroppings unlike anything else in Louisiana. The Wild Azalea Trail (28 miles) runs through longleaf pine uplands with spectacular spring wildflowers.

"The "Broadway of the South." Restored 1920s entertainment district."

Shreveport's downtown Strand Theatre District preserves a remarkable collection of 1920s movie palaces and entertainment venues — the Strand, the Municipal Auditorium (where Elvis Presley's first professional concert was held), and the historic Texas Street corridor.

"An IMAX and hands-on science for families. Well done for Shreveport."

The Sci-Port Discovery Center has a planetarium, IMAX dome, and interactive science exhibits targeted at the K–12 range. Solid family option for a hot Louisiana afternoon.