Spend the Weekend in Shreveport and Bossier City, Louisiana: A Former Local’s Guide for Families

Shreveport and Bossier City are so much more fun than people give them credit for. I lived here for four years, and coming back for a weekend with our toddler felt like seeing it all again for the first time. 🤍

The two cities sit on either side of the Red River, connected by bridges (one of them lights up at night). Between them you get casino resorts and riverfront views, crawfish and Mardi Gras parades, a science center, an aquarium, an alligator park, and a festival almost every month of the year.

I was a teacher on the Bossier side, but lived on the Shreveport side in the Highlands neighborhood and loved how walkable it is. Every Saturday there are massive amounts of runners all morning, which makes you feel safe and motivates you to be active.

Below is our Saturday with a 14-month-old, the spots I’d send any friend to, where to eat, and every festival worth planning a trip around, month by month.

As always, if you want us to cover anything you see in detail, let us know, because we sure will!

Shreveport vs. Bossier City: The Quick Version

Shreveport is the bigger city, on the west bank of the Red River. That’s downtown, the riverfront museums, the Highland neighborhood, and the Fern Avenue area where we had dinner. Bossier City is right across the river, with the Louisiana Boardwalk, Chasing Aces, the East Bank District, and a lineup of casino resorts. You can drive between them in minutes, so stay wherever you like and do it all.

Bossier has the casinos and the boardwalk, which are a fan favorite. Fast Eddies was our favorite after work spot for darts and pool. While Bossier is phenomenal, I do love my Shreveport side too. While there is a downtown Shreveport, you can also go to Youree and Line Avenue for local restaurants, coffee shops, and shopping. People forget that there is more than a casino in the two towns!

---

Where to Stay in Shreveport-Bossier

We love staying in downtown Shreveport so you’re close to everything, including the interstate. And don’t sleep on the casino hotels. Some of them allow pets, and they have the best food.

We stayed in a VRBO where our pups were allowed in South Highlands.

---

Our Saturday in Shreveport-Bossier With a Toddler

Morning: Gators and Friends

We started at Gators and Friends, the alligator park and petting zoo about 10 miles west of Shreveport in Greenwood. We fed the sheep, met the kangaroos, and watched the gator feeding, and we were done in about two hours. Everything you need for that morning is in our full Gators and Friends guide.

Dinner: Zuzul Coastal Cuisine

For dinner we went to Zuzul Coastal Cuisine in the Fern Avenue Marketplace (1370 East 70th Street). It’s from Chef Gabriel Balderas, who also opened El Cabo Verde, and it’s coastal Latin American seafood made from scratch. It’s also known for its cocktails. We started with grilled oysters and went from there.

We sat down right around 5:30, which is our secret for dinner out with a toddler. The dining room is bright and open, with plenty of room around the tables.

Zuzul has an amazing seafood selection and the staff is the absolute best. It is one of our favorite stops in Shreveport. We love the patio and the vibe.

Sunset: Chasing Aces in Bossier City

Then we crossed the river to Chasing Aces, a golf entertainment spot that opened in June 2025 at the north end of the Margaritaville parking lot (1111 West 2nd Street). It has 30 hitting bays, an 18-hole putting course, and batting cages. We got there around 7:20, right as the sky turned pink, and it was the perfect way to end the day.

The putting course is great with a toddler, with lots of room to roam while you take turns in the bays.

Finley absolutely loved the outdoor putting area with the large tvs. The football game was on, so he watched the game, cheered, and everyone loved to see him putt! You can grab drinks and apps and just hang out- plus its next door to the casino and boardwalk.

---

More of the Best Things to Do in Shreveport and Bossier City

Sci-Port Discovery Center

Sci-Port sits right on the river at 820 Clyde Fant Parkway, and it’s part science center, part children’s museum. If your kids are 8 and under, head to the PoP Children’s Museum on the second floor first. Admission also covers the planetarium, and there’s an IMAX dome theater too.

• Hours: Wednesday to Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday noon to 5 p.m. Closed Monday and Tuesday.
• Tickets: $12 for ages 3 to 12, $15 for ages 13 and up.

Shreveport Aquarium

Just down the street at 601 Clyde Fant Parkway, the aquarium has touch tanks, a shark tunnel, and stingrays you can feed (that part is an add-on). Plan on an hour or two, which is perfect for little ones. Hours change by season, so check before you go.

The Bakowski Bridge of Lights

The Texas Street Bridge between Shreveport and Bossier lit back up in 2022 with 13,000 LED lights that change colors and patterns. Go at dusk. It has walking paths, so you can literally walk from one city to the other. That’s the bridge glowing in the skyline photo at the top of this post.

The Louisiana Boardwalk

Honest mom friend moment: a lot of the shops at the Boardwalk have closed. But Bass Pro is still there, the view of downtown Shreveport across the river is still pretty, and the Boardwalk carousel (with a mudbug, an eagle, and an alligator to ride) just reopened this October after being closed for years.

Red River National Wildlife Refuge

For a free, outdoorsy morning, head to the refuge in south Bossier City (150 Eagle Bend Point). There are 5 miles of trails open sunrise to sunset, and a Nature Discovery Play Area with a tree house, a pretend fishing boat, balance beams, and hollow logs. The visitor center hours depend on volunteers, so call ahead if you want to go inside.

Gardens of the American Rose Center

The American Rose Center at 8877 Jefferson Paige Road is a sweet stroll with little ones, and it’s home to Christmas in Roseland every December (more on that below). In 2026 the gardens are open Wednesday to Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday 8 a.m. to noon.

---

Where to Eat in Shreveport and Bossier City

• Zuzul Coastal Cuisine: where we ate. Coastal seafood and cocktails in the Fern Avenue Marketplace. Closed Sunday and Monday.
• Strawn’s Eat Shop: a Shreveport classic since 1944, famous for its strawberry icebox pie. The original is at 125 Kings Highway, and there are locations on Youree Drive and in Bossier City.
• Marilynn’s Place: a Highland neighborhood favorite at 4041 Fern Avenue, back open under new owners in 2026. Go for brunch.
• The Pearl: a dressed-up oyster bar on Fern Avenue serving Louisiana seafood and steaks, with half price oysters on Tuesdays.

---

Festivals in Shreveport-Bossier: A Month-by-Month Guide

Shreveport-Bossier throws a festival almost every month, and plenty of them let kids in free. Here’s the calendar I’d plan a trip around. Dates shift a little every year, so double check before you book.

January and February: Mardi Gras Season

Mardi Gras here is a whole season, with parades starting in January. In 2026 it kicked off with the Krewe of Sobek on January 17, then Harambee on MLK Day, Centaur on February 7, Gemini on February 14, and the Krewe of Highland on Sunday, February 15, in the Highland neighborhood. There’s even a pet parade, the Krewe of Barkus and Meauxrewe. For 2027, Centaur rolls on January 30 and Fat Tuesday is February 9.

Do not miss the Krewe of Highland- I walk away with pizzas, Little Debbie snacks… DO NOT MISS!

May: Mudbug Madness

Crawfish, live music, and kids’ activities on the riverfront at Festival Plaza over Memorial Day weekend. In 2026 it ran May 22 to 24, a day pass was $10, and kids under 12 got in free.

Summer Saturdays: The Shreveport Farmers’ Market

From late May through August, the farmers’ market fills Festival Plaza on Saturday mornings from 8 a.m. to noon. Go early with a stroller and a snack budget.

June: Let the Good Times Roll Festival

Shreveport’s Juneteenth celebration at Festival Plaza, with music from gospel to R&B. 2026 was its 39th year, June 19 to 21.

July: Red River Balloon Rally

Hot air balloons over Louisiana Downs in Bossier City. It celebrated its 10th year in July 2026.

September: Highland Jazz and Blues Festival

A free, all day festival in Columbia Park in the Highland neighborhood on the third Saturday in September, with three stages, food and artist vendors, and a kids’ area. In 2026 it was September 19.

October: The Red River Revel Arts Festival

Two weekends of art, music, and food at Festival Plaza, with a children’s area full of art projects. 2026 was its 50th year (October 8 to 11 and 15 to 18), and kids 12 and under are always free.

Late October to November: The State Fair of Louisiana

Rides, fair food, a rodeo, and concerts at the fairgrounds (3701 Hudson Avenue). The 2026 fair runs October 29 to November 15, closed Mondays and Tuesdays. Admission is free before 3 p.m. on weekdays, parking is free, and November 5 and 12 are family days.

Late November and December: Christmas in Roseland

The American Rose Center turns into a lit-up Christmas garden with a little train, Santa photos, and s’mores. In 2026 it’s open Friday through Sunday nights from November 27 to December 20, plus encore nights December 21 to 23, with fireworks on December 5, 12, 19, and 23.

I love the amount of Christmas pop ups, which Visit Shreveport-Bossier always shares!

---

Tips for Visiting Shreveport-Bossier With a Toddler

• Plan around Mondays and Tuesdays. Sci-Port, Strawn’s, and Gators and Friends are all closed both days, and Zuzul is closed Sunday and Monday. A Wednesday to Sunday trip makes life easy.
• Do outdoor things in the morning. It stays warm here well into fall.
• Eat dinner early. A 5:30 table and a sunset activity after was our sweet spot.
• Look for free kid admission. Mudbug Madness and the Red River Revel let little ones in free.
• Call ahead. Hours change with the seasons, especially at the aquarium and the refuge.

Shreveport and Bossier City FAQ

What is there to do in Shreveport with a toddler?

Sci-Port’s PoP Children’s Museum (made for kids 8 and under), the touch tanks at the Shreveport Aquarium, Gators and Friends, the Nature Discovery Play Area at the Red River National Wildlife Refuge, and the putting course at Chasing Aces.

Should I stay in Shreveport or Bossier City?

Either one works. The cities are minutes apart across the Red River. Downtown Shreveport keeps you close to the riverfront museums and the interstate, and Bossier has the Boardwalk and casino resorts.

When is the best time to visit Shreveport-Bossier?

If you want a festival, aim for Mardi Gras season in January and February, Mudbug Madness in May, or October, when the Red River Revel and the State Fair both happen. Christmas in Roseland makes December special too.

How far is Gators and Friends from Shreveport?

About 10 miles west, in Greenwood. It’s an easy morning outing on a Shreveport weekend.

Here’s Your Sign to Go

Shreveport-Bossier is easy, affordable, and so much fun with little ones. Go feed a kangaroo, eat the strawberry pie, catch a sunset by the river, and plan your trip around a festival if you can.

Heading to the other end of the state? Here’s our 48 rainy hours in New Orleans. And if you’re planning more trips with your little one, here’s how we did Boston with a 2-month-old.

Tell me if you go! Come say hi on Instagram and tell me your favorite spot. 🤍

Pin this post for your Shreveport-Bossier weekend!

Heads up: this post contains affiliate links. If you buy through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Read our full disclosure.