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.

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.

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.  

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... 

Aviation & Military Museum of Louisiana 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).  more...

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. more... 

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. 

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... 

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. 

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.

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. 

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. 

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.

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...