City Guides: Things to do While Boating in Shreveport, Louisiana
Shreveport, Louisiana, is a city where Red River scenery, Southern history, art and outdoor adventures come together. Whether you’re planning a family getaway, a weekend trip to a private boat lift for rent or simply looking for something different to do in northwestern Louisiana, the city has plenty of attractions worth exploring.
R.W. Norton Art Gallery and Gardens
The R.W. Norton Art Gallery is one of Shreveport’s standout cultural attractions and one of the easiest places to spend a relaxing afternoon while staying at private boat dock rentals. The museum features an extensive collection of American and European art spanning four centuries. Outside, approximately 40 acres of landscaped grounds provide a beautiful setting filled with gardens, ponds, sculptures and seasonal color. Best of all, admission is free.
Shreveport Aquarium
Shreveport Aquarium brings an underwater world to the heart of downtown, right along the Red River. The aquarium features sharks, seahorses, stingrays, eels, snapping turtles and other creatures. Interactive exhibits allow visitors to get closer to marine life, including opportunities to touch live animals and explore tide-pool-style experiences. It is particularly well suited to families with kids, but adults can enjoy it too.
Louisiana State Exhibit Museum
History buffs should make time for the Louisiana State Exhibit Museum. Built in 1939, the museum showcases Louisiana history, art and natural history. One of its most memorable features is a collection of detailed dioramas depicting different aspects of life in Louisiana. Exhibits also cover Native American history, regional culture and local art. The distinctive circular Art Deco building is part of the attraction.
Shreveport Water Works Museum
For an attraction that's a little more unusual, visit the Shreveport Water Works Museum in downtown Shreveport. Housed in the historic McNeill Street Pumping Station, the museum explores the engineering and industrial history behind the city's water system. Historic equipment and machinery help illustrate how Shreveport produced and treated drinking water from the late 19th century through the 20th century. The museum also features railroad-related artifacts and a model railroad depicting downtown Shreveport in the 1960s.
The American Rose Center
Nature lovers seeking things to do from private boat slips for rent near me should head west of central Shreveport to the Gardens of the American Rose Center. Also known as America's Rose Garden, the attraction is a large garden complex dedicated to roses and set amid a wooded landscape. Seasonal blooms make spring and fall especially attractive times to visit, while special events bring additional reasons to return throughout the year. The gardens also host the popular Christmas in Roseland holiday light display.
