ATTRACTIONS

Amusements

• Bayou Paintball
  145 Garr Road • Monroe, LA 71203
  318-343-0703
  Bayou Paintball offers five fields for paintball play. There is also a covered pavilion for picnics, parties and get-togethers.   map

• Majestic Indoor Playground
  3312 Renwick Street • Monroe, LA 71203
  318-340-9990
  An indoor, air-conditioned playground that offers fun for those ages 8 to 12.   map

Historic Homes & Buildings

• Layton Castle (circa 1814)
  1133 South Grand Street • Monroe, LA 71202
  318-325-1952
  Originally the home of Swiss settler, Henry Bry, this European style castle borders the beautiful Ouachita River and features numerous antiques and family portraits spanning over 200 years displayed throughout the house. Group tours are by appointment only.   map

Libraries & Research Centers

• Ouachita Parish Public Library
  1800 Stubbs Avenue • Monroe, LA 71201
  318- 327-1490
  Established in the early 1880s, this large library is known as one of the best libraries in Louisiana and features a huge collection of books, periodicals, books-on-tape, reference materials, magazines, and newspapers. A wide variety of programs for both adults and children are available. more...  map

Museums & Galleries

• Biedenharn Museum and Gardens (circa 1913)
  2006 Riverside Drive • Monroe, LA 71202
  Located in the Historic Garden District
  318-387-5281, 800-362-0983
  Filled with antiques, Coca-Cola memorabilia and rare furnishings, this beautiful house was built by Joseph Biedenharn, the first bottler of Coca-Cola. The magnificent ELsong Gardens and Conservator feature flowering plants, fountains, and fine pieces of art. Be sure to check out the Museum store, open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and on Saturdays 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. more...  map

• Chennault Aviation and Military Museum
  701 Kansas Lane • Monroe, LA 71203
  318-362-5540
  Northeast Louisiana has played an incredible role in aviation and military history. The Aviation & Military Museum of Louisiana, Inc. is dedicated to preserving that heritage and the first-person accounts of the men and women who contributed to it. The Museum is located in one of the last remaining buildings from the WWII Selman Field Army-Air Force Navigation School (opened in 1942). They have a General Chennault display and they continuously add exhibits. Open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sat. and Sun.  more...  map

• Masur Museum of Art
  1400 South Grand Street • Monroe, LA 71211
  318-329-2237
  Located in a home that was donated by the Masur family and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this museum is filled with a fine collection of paintings, prints, photographs, and sculptures, plus features rotating art exhibitions.  map

• Northeast Louisiana Children's Museum
  323 Walnut Street • Monroe, LA 71202
  318-361-9611
  Unique, hands-on educational facility that helps children learn about the world around them through numerous interactive exhibits that include a Kids Cafe, a Toddler Town, an AMR Ambulance, and an “Open Your Mouth and Say Ahhh” exhibit. Special exhibits are also featured throughout the year. more...  map

• Rebecca's Doll House
  4500 Bon Aire Drive • Monroe, LA 71202
  318-343-3361
  Wonderful doll museum that features over 2,000 antique dolls on display including French and German antique bisque dolls, handcarved wooden dolls that portray the Last Supper, artist dolls, and China dolls.  map

National Parks & Natural Wonders

• Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge
  Richland Drive off 165 North • Monroe, LA 71241
  Located 3 Miles North of Monroe
  318-387-1114
  Consisting of 2,000 acres of pristine wetlands with flora and fauna that are characteristic of Southern swamps, this refuge features an observation pier, a Nature Center filled with exhibits, and a boat launch. Fishing and canoeing are allowed.  map

• Upper Ouachita National Wildlife Refuge
  Located Along the Ouachita River
  318-726-4222
  Hunting, fishing, birding, and hiking are just some of the activities available at this refuge that features a flat topography in the Ouachita River flood plain and rolling hills along most of the western boundary.  map

Parks, Gardens & Zoos

• Chennault Park
  8475 Millhaven Road • Monroe, LA 71202
  318-329-2440
  Popular local park that features a scenic 18 hole golf course, a frisbee course, tennis courts, softball fields, and lovely picnic facilities.  map

• Forsythe Park
  Corner of Riverside & Forsythe Avenues
  318-329-2440
  Bordering the Ouachita River, this park offers fun and relaxation for people of all ages and includes a nine hole golf course, tennis courts, volleyball courts, softball and soccer fields, a children's park, picnic areas, and a public boat launch.  map

• High Delta Safari Park
  8 Hobby Newton Road • Delhi, LA 71237
  318-878-8770
  The safari park provides a sanctuary for animals from Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe and South America. Over 25 exotic species of animals currently inhabit the Safari Park. With such diversity; each trip you make to the Safari Park will give you the opportunity of seeing new and different animals in a cageless and free ranging envirnment. more...  map

• Louisiana Purchase Gardens & Zoo
  1405 Bernstein Drive • Monroe, LA 71202
  318-329-2400
  One of the finest collections of small primates in the nation is located at this beautiful zoo that is nestled on over 80 scenic acres and features over 500 animal species and over 700 plants. Train and boat rides take you on a leisurely journey through the park to see animals in their natural habitat. more...  map