Located on the border of Texas and Arkansas, Shreveport has all the laid-back personality you’d expect from a Louisiana city. What other state offers drive-through daiquiri bars? But, if you’re like me, whenever you take the kids on an excursion, you try to find activities that provide educational stimulation. And the kids don’t like it. One of my kid’s favorite vacation quotes has always been, “Dad, don’t let Mom ruin this vacation with education.” That’s why I’ve made it a quest to find activities the kids will enjoy that also sneak in a little education. Here’s the family friendly activities in Shreveport, Louisiana you don’t want to miss.
Family Friendly Activities Shreveport LA

Family Friendly Activities in Shreveport, LA

1. Shreveport Aquarium-With over 3000 animals and more than 270 species, you’ll find something for everyone at the Shreveport Aquarium. Kids will be thrilled with the hands-on opportunities to touch animals throughout the aquarium. Knowledgeable employees will gently show the proper techniques for touching stingrays, jellyfish, starfish and more.
One of the most intriguing displays is the room filled with props from the television show, Salem, which filmed in Shreveport for three seasons. The set pieces have been repurposed to fit into the aesthetic, with a ship’s wheel, “rocks”, rigging, and more. The kids will want to explore the conservatory, which includes a skylight, a “river” flowing through the area, and plenty of kid-sized hands-on activities. It’s also a peaceful area for grown-ups to sit and catch their breath! Be sure to check the website for hours before visiting because they vary by season.
Shreveport Aquarium
2. Southwestern University Museum of Art– Located in a historic brick building on Texas Street, the original building opened in 1929 as an upscale clothing store. No African Americans would have been admitted. Today, the building has come full circle and is a treasury of ‘art, artifacts, and other works of Africans, African-Americans and their descendants.’ We were welcomed by museum curator Angelique Feaster Evans, a charming and bubbly woman who welcomed us by having our group sing a traditional African welcome song, Ashe-Ase.
The first floor of the museum is dedicated to temporary exhibits. Since our visit was during February and Black History Month, the exhibit featured works of local African-American artists. I was especially impressed with their display devoted to Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad.
The second floor features African American art, including masks, statues, and other pieces. While we were visiting we participated in a traditional African-American drum circle, where we played drums, shook gourds, and learned the ‘language of the drum” or the many ways the drum was used in African society. The museum is open from 10 AM-5 PM Tuesday, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, 9:00 AM until noon on Friday, and on Saturdays by appointment. Tip: Ask if you’ll be able to participate in a drum circle. It’s a can’t miss experience.
Southeastern Museum of Art
This quilt shows signals used on the Underground Railroad.
3. Pure Louisiana Soul Food Tours, Tastings and Demos– Chef Hardette Harris brings a taste of North Louisiana to the table with her classic “Us Up North” food tours. She singlehandedly crafted the official meal of North Louisiana, prompting it to be passed by the state Legislature. We began our tour at Chef Harris’ shop, located in the former Fuller Grocery Store on North Allen Street in the Highland district. We sampled one of her signature dishes, Mustard and Turnip Greens, served with cornbread. I’m usually not a fan of mustard and turnip greens, but Chef Harris’ were made with a mixture of ham hocks, neck bones, and salt pork, along with onions, garlic, and spices. The combination- along with her moist cornbread and side of tomato cucumber salad- proved to be irresistible. After finishing off our greens, we boarded a shuttle to our next stop.
greens 2

Bergeron’s Boudin and Cajun Meats of Shreveport– After sampling the cuisine at Bergeron’s I had only one thing to say; Where have you been all my life, boudin? Bergeron’s features classic Cajun and Creole cooking with specialties including Cracklins- something like a fried pork rind, only a really tasty version- red beans and rice, chicken wings, and of course, Boudin balls. So, what is boudin? It’s a mixture of pork, onions, green peppers, seasonings and rice ground together and stuffed into sausage casings. I once read a quote stating that most boudin didn’t make it out of the store or the parking lot before it was eaten, and I agree. It’s that good. Bergeron’s has a hot food takeout bar and also sells several types of boudin in the cold section, along with spices, rubs, and cookware.
red beans and rice 2
Eddie’s Seafood & Soul Food Restaurant– If you’re looking for a place where the staff makes you feel like you’re part of the family, this is the place to be. It’s like a visit to your favorite aunt who is a great cook. Mavice Hughes Thigpen, who operates the restaurant named in honor of her father, Eddie, makes sure you don’t leave hungry! We sampled her signature Stuffed Shrimp and her Shrimp Pioneer- a concoction of cheesy shrimp goodness invented by her father. Then, she offered to bring us out other dishes she was preparing; shrimp linguine and homemade biscuits. Who would turn that down? Not us! She made sure we were full and even offered us to go plates. No wonder her restaurant has been listed as one of four of the best Southern Soul Food restaurants by Southern Living. The setting inside is casual, small and intimate. It’s a small nondescript brick building, but don’t let the exterior fool you. The food is big on flavor. Eddie’s also has the distinction of being one of the oldest African-American restaurants in the United States.
Tip: Be sure to try her homemade tartar sauce. It’s more of a remoulade and it is delicious.
Shrimp 2
We also stopped at Alki-Therapy Daiquiri. You can read all about them in our Quest for King Cake.
alky therapy