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      • Main Dishes: Poultry
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    • free workouts
    • buy chanelle’s eBook!
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Home » Travel » Best Things to Do in Monroe, LA & West Monroe + Where to Eat

Best Things to Do in Monroe, LA & West Monroe + Where to Eat

By: Liz  /  Published: July 22, 2022  /  Updated: July 25, 2022  /   Leave a comment

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With an abundance of scenic outdoor adventures, impressive museums, and a mouthwatering food and drink scene, this list of things to do in Monroe, LA, and its sister city West Monroe will keep you happily exploring for days.

Louisiana‘s Monroe and West Monroe lie on opposite sides of the beautiful Ouachita River with a quick bridge ride between them. You’ll want to spend time in both cities as you enjoy all the attractions here.

Monroe Louisiana skyline

Things to Do in Monroe LA

Monroe mural

Biedenharn Museum

2006 Riverside Dr., Monroe
Website

Biedenharn Museum & Gardens

Visiting the Biedenharn Museum is one of the top things to do in Monroe, LA, without a doubt. It was a definite highlight for me.

Biedenharn Museum & Gardens

The museum complex has a historic mansion, formal English gardens, a Coca-Cola Museum with fun memorabilia, a rare bible museum, and a gift shop. There’s also a Coca-Cola machine where visitors can purchase a Coke for 5 cents!

I’ll be writing an entire post about my experience, so stay tuned for that.

Biedenharn Museum & Gardens

Explore Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge

480 Richland Pl., Monroe
Website

Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge heron

Explore Northern Louisiana’s tranquil outdoors at this 5300-acre wildlife refuge. Whether you hike, fish or kayak, the captivating panorama will relax and restore you.

Start with a short walk on the demonstration prairie loop trail (near the visitor center) to look at native flowers and grasses.

Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife prairie trail

Then take the Nature Trail (to the right of the visitor center). This easy (and accessible) 1-mile boardwalk loop winds you through a bottomland hardwood forest and cypress swamp.

Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge 3
Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge 12

The trail connects to the wildlife pier, which extends out over Black Bayou Lake.

If you spend some time on the pier, you’re bound to spot turtles, alligators, herons, and egrets. It’s a popular vantage point for wildlife viewing.

Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge 14

I visited in February, and the landscape was stunning. I can only imagine how gorgeous it is when the foliage is in bloom.

Black Bayou Lake

Tour the Chennault Aviation and Military Museum

701 Kansas Ln., Monroe
Website

Chennault mannequin

The story of General Claire Chennault and his legendary Flying Tigers of WWII is the highlight of this museum. If you’ve never heard the story, prepare to be wowed.

There are many artifacts to explore, including the emperor’s robe gifted to Chennault for his service to China during the war.

dragon robe

Be sure to walk outside by the hangar where you can see a P-40 Warhawk with the iconic shark nose art.

P-40 WarHawk
P-40 WarHawk

Another interesting gallery showcases the history of Delta Airlines. Founded as Huff Daland Dusters in Macon, Georgia, the company soon moved to Monroe to become the first commercial crop-dusting company.

It was renamed Delta Air Service (for the Mississippi Delta Region) and began passenger service four years later. The rest, as they say, is history.

origin of Delta Airlines

For space flight fans, there’s an area dedicated to James Halsell, Jr., who has been a part of five space shuttle flights. There’s also a collection of space rocks in the museum.

space rock
This NASA rock was collected at the Apollo 17 landing site and is estimated to be 3.8 billion years old.

G.B. Cooley House

1400 S. Grand St., Monroe
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The Cooley House in Monroe was the last of Walter Burley Griffin’s structures to be built in the United States, and it has special historical significance. It’s very rare to find prairie-style architecture in the south, though it was pretty standard in the north.

This surviving architectural example was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2010 and is undergoing extensive restoration. Tours will resume once the repairs are complete. In the meantime, you can drive by for a peek.

Layton Castle (Mulberry Grove)

1133 S. Grand St., Monroe
Website

Layton Castle - Monroe Louisiana
Photo Credit: Layton Castle

Originally named Mulberry Grove, this stunning red brick castle began as a simple two-story raised Creole cottage built in 1814 for Henry Bry. In 1910, his heirs turned it into the rambling 60-room structure it is today. The restored carriage house is available for overnight stays, and there will be monthly tours for the public.

Visit the Grave of a Married Man

Old City Cemetery, Elysian Fields Rd., Monroe

grave of a married man

If you like quirky and weird attractions, make a quick stop at the Old City Cemetery to see this statue. Resting atop the burial vault of Sidney Saunders is a statue of his likeness holding a marriage certificate. His “wife” Annie Livingston installed the figure to quell the rumors that they were never married.

RiverMarket

316 South Grand St., Monroe

RiverMarket

Enjoy the view from the observation deck or find a cozy spot to sit overlooking the Ouachita River.

In the spring and fall, there’s a French-style market with food and craft vendors on Saturdays. But any time of year, people are welcome to take a stroll along the boardwalk.

RiverMarket View

Louisiana Purchase Gardens & Zoo

1405 Bernstein Park Rd., Monroe
Website

Louisiana Purchase Zoo train

Take a boat ride, train ride, or just stroll through the landscaped grounds as you enjoy the many animals and plants, a walk-through greenhouse, and the ZooOasis Splash Pad where kids can get their wiggles out and cool off.

Don’t miss visiting the parakeets in the Budgie Walkabout Aviary, an interactive experience you won’t soon forget. Visitors can walk into the habitat and feed the birds!

Louisiana Purchase Zoo budgies

Northeast Louisiana Children’s Museum

323 Walnut St., Monroe
Website

Kids’ imaginations will soar as they explore this wonderful hands-on, creative space designed just for them. Be a chef, a server, or dishwasher in the cafe, be a doctor, nurse or pharmacist in the hospital or become the president or Secret Service agent in the kid-friendly white house.

Masur Museum of Art

1400 S. Grand St., Monroe
Website

Masur Museum of Art

Built as a private residence and listed on the National Historic Registry for its architecture, this FREE museum has a permanent collection of approximately 500 works of art. The collection consists of masterpieces by regional artists, minor works by world-renowned artists, and commissioned bodies of work by individual artists.

Northeast Louisiana Delta African American Heritage Museum

1051 Chennault Park Drive, Monroe
Website

African American Heritage Museum Art

The museum has several art collections from prominent regional black artists, including world-renowned Don Cincone. There are also hundreds of artifacts on display that honor the heritage of black men and women who’ve impacted history.

Things to Do in West Monroe LA

Antique Alley

Trenton St., West Monroe
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downtown W. Monroe LA

The antique stores of Antique Alley have been drawing tourists to downtown West Monroe for years. But nowadays, those stores happily co-mingle with boutique and specialty shops in this lively and charming part of town.

Cotton Port Antique Mall

I spent a lot of time shopping in West Monroe on Antique Alley and found some really lovely things!

W. Monroe store - Shoppes on the Alley
Shoppes on the Alley
W. Monroe tea shop
Spice and Tea Exchange
The Perfect Find store
The Perfect Find
W. Monroe bakery - Sweet Loves
Sweet Loves Bakery – The King Cake Bars were scrumptious!

Landry Vineyards

5699 New Natchitoches Rd., West Monroe
Website

Landry Vineyards

Landry Vineyards is a family-owned winery established in 1999 in Folsom, Louisiana. It moved to the rolling hills of West Monroe after Hurricane Katrina. All of their wine is produced on-site from grapes grown in their own vineyard or grapes sent in from other wine-growing regions in the US.

Along with the tasting room and winery, Landry hosts family-friendly outdoor concerts, harvest grape stomps, and ‘Grape Escape Getaways,’ where guests can book overnight stays at small cottages or RV sites near the vineyards.

Landry Vineyards

Cruise by the “One Mile of Love” Mural

North Trenton Street, West Monroe

mile long mural
What used to be a mile-long drab brown wall is now alive with color.

You can’t help but smile at the “mile” of children’s artwork adorning the North Trenton Street floodwall in West Monroe.

ARROW (Artists Radically Reinventing Our World) invited Ouachita Parish schoolchildren to submit drawings related to the community and selected 282 for the project. ARROW transformed the pictures into paint-by-number outlines, and community volunteers pitched in to do the painting.

Duck Commander Tour

117 Kings Lane, West Monroe
Website

The Duck Commander Tour is self-guided and at your own pace. You’ll start with a short intro film and then walk through a series of vignettes based on the show and the family history.

Duck_Commander_tour

At the end of the tour, you’ll have the opportunity to put together your own duck call souvenir following a simple tutorial.

Duck Commander Tour

Big Duck Dynasty fans will love the tour as there’s quite a bit of memorabilia and several fun photo ops. If you’re not as familiar with the show and its family, the tour may not mean as much to you.

Duck Dynasty tour

For the biggest Duck Dynasty Fans: Take a self-guided tour of Duck Dynasty film locations throughout the Monroe West-Monroe area.

duck calls

Things to Do in Monroe AND West Monroe

Hunt for Herons on the Bayou

Heron public art 4

As you explore the twin cities, you’ll inevitably spot dozens of long-legged, long-necked herons proudly showing off their colorfully painted plumage.

Heron public art 14

There are over 85 herons throughout Monroe and West Monroe. Each heron has been painted by a local artist and placed on display.

Heron public art 5

I love public art projects like this and have seen creative twists like the Bushy Tail Art Trail in Henry County, GA, but I have a soft spot for these North Louisiana herons. The artwork is absolutely stunning!

Heron public art 7

Get the map, then flock to the birds! See a few or set out to see them all!

heron art

Coca-Cola Murals

Coca-Cola mural in Monroe

If you love Coke memorabilia, you’ll want to see the four vintage Coca-Cola murals in town. They’ve been restored and repainted and are a fun and vibrant addition to the public art scene.

Coca-Cola Mural Locations

  • corner of Trenton Street and Pine Street in Antique Alley
  • corner of Trenton Street and Natchitoches Street in Antique Alley
  • Old Coke bottling building (315 Walnut Street in Monroe)
  • Mohawk Tavern (704 Louisville Avenue in Monroe)
Coca_Cola mural

Restaurants in Monroe LA (Brews & Chews)

Catahoula’s Louisiana Kitchen

5321 Desiard St., Monroe
Website

roast beef poboy at Catahoula's Restaurant in Monroe LA

I visited Catahoula’s Louisiana Kitchen in search of a good roast beef po’boy, and I sure found it. My slow-roasted beef and gravy po’boy was fall-apart tender and exceptionally delicious. I hadn’t had one since my last trip to New Orleans, and my mouth and tummy were so happy.

I was utterly full after my sandwich, but when I saw caramel cheesecake on the menu, I knew I had to order a to-go slice. And good Lord, was it ever good—silky, creamy, and heavenly.

pie from Catahoula's

Lunch at 2 Dudes Brew & Que

436 Desiard St., Monroe
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2 Dudes Brew & Que

I come from a state with great BBQ, and I usually don’t think of Louisiana as competition for that, but DANG, they’re cooking up some great barbeque in Monroe at 2 Dudes Brew and Que.

The smoked BBQ meatloaf is outta this world—it may be the best meatloaf I’ve ever had. The smokiness of the ground beef and that cheesy melted cheddar on top. SO good. The smoked BBQ pulled pork was absolutely delicious as well, but I’ve never had smoked meatloaf before, so that’s what I remember most.

smoked meatloaf at 2 Dudes Brew & Que

Not only did I love this restaurant for its down-home comfort food but also for the cute “Dude” who greeted me at the door as I walked in. Now that’s the kind of welcome I believe in. (Truth be told, he’s behind a barrier in the office area near the front door, but he’s the first cute face I saw.)

Dude
Dude

Not Just Pie (banana caramel pie)

2117 Forsythe Ave., Monroe
Facebook

The banana caramel pie at Not Just Pie is so popular that you’d better get there early to get a slice. But, as the name suggests, the cafe also serves other favorites like po’boys and sandwiches, chicken pot pie, soups, and salads.

Parish

318 N. Second St., Monroe
Website

inside Parish

For an out-of-the-ordinary culinary experience, you can’t go wrong with dinner at Parish. The menu includes familiar Southern food with inventive twists and a regional spin.

Not only does the menu reflect regional flavors, but so does the artwork. Local and Louisiana-based works hang on the walls, and it’s the kind of art that doesn’t take itself too seriously.

Parish restaurant

I ordered the beef bolognese rigatoni with housemade ricotta cheese and the Mississippi sweet potato hearth bread with cane syrup, butter, and sea salt. I can’t even tell you how much I enjoyed that meal.

rigatoni at Parish

Lea’s of Monroe

319 Louisville Ave., West Monroe
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Lea's of LeCompte

Stop in for the famous ham sandwich or a plate lunch with a choice of meat and two or three sides. The baked ham is a house specialty.

The landmark restaurant’s original Cheneyville location opened in 1928 and served sandwiches, pie, and popcorn. Fun fact: Bonnie and Clyde were regular customers.

Lea's of LeCompte sign

Of course, your trip wouldn’t be complete without a slice of the pie. I can certainly vouch for the lemon meringue. It’s ultra creamy with the perfect balance of tangy and sweet.

pie at Lea's

Flying Tiger Brewery

506 N. Second St., Monroe
Website

Flying Tiger Brewery

The brewery is named in honor of General Chennault and the Flying Tigers, and the nose of a P40 Warhawk plane soars over the taproom in homage.

Flagship beers are always on tap or try one of their extremely popular Juiciana (Juicy Louisiana) beers – hazy fruit forward and easy-to-drink ales, hard seltzer, or a barrel-aged brew.

Flying Tiger Brewery

West Monroe LA Restaurants (Brews & Chews)

Trapp’s on the River

113 South Riverfront St., West Monroe
Website

Trapp's - West Monroe

What could be better than Cajun cooking and a great view? Start your visit with a plate of seafood nachos at this casual eatery on the banks of the Ouachita River.

Seafood Nachos

I had the Cajun Grilled Chicken Spud for lunch and loved it. They also have boudin, etouffee, cheeseburger, and seafood nacho spuds. (The stuffed taters are made in limited quantities each day, so when they’re gone, they’re gone).

Cajun Grilled Chicken Spud

Flying Heart Brewing

204 Commerce St., West Monroe
Website

Flying Heart Brewing & Pub pizza and beer
Photo Credit: Flying Heart Brewing

Locals will tell you Flying Heart makes some of the best pizza around, and lucky for you, there’s some dang good craft beer right there to pair with it.

Flying Heart’s six locally crafted flagship beers range from light and crisp to dark and complex, or try one of their seasonal brews. They’re always coming up with creative flavors throughout the year.

Flying Heart Brewery

Visit www.monroe-westmonroe.org/ for more ideas on fun things to do in Monroe and West Monroe.

Read More:

  • Bonnie and Clyde Trail
  • Exploring Central Louisiana
  • Frogmore Plantation
  • Natchitoches Old-Time General Store
  • Shreveport Mardi Gras Season

Related topics
Louisiana Travel

About Liz

Liz is a midwestern mom gone southern (accent in transition). She lives in North Carolina and loves cooking, baking, traveling, movies, crafts, hot and cold tea, wine, pizza and the occasional nap. She also revels in the fact she's a crazy cat lady.

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