Ever been to Bossier City? If you have been considering things to do in Bossier City while you are away, here is a guide just for you.
Bossier City is located in Bossier Parish in the northwestern region of the United States of America, with approximately one hundred and sixty-six square meters.
The Shreveport-Bossier City metro area has the second highest population, with about 62 thousand people.
There are a lot of historical and beautiful sights in Bossier.
Tourism, casino gambling, and many other attractions make Bossier City famous.
It is said to have generated good revenue with specific city projects completed through tourism and casinos.
Planning a trip to Bossier City? Go through our checklist of things to do in Bossier City:
Fun Things to Do in Bossier City
1. Don’t Miss a Thing at the Louisiana Downs Casino & Racetrack
Bossier City is a place for fun and games, and if you want to know why, you should visit Louisiana Downs.
Since 1974, the casino and racetrack have offered guests big wins through horse racing or slot machines.
There are more than 800 slot machines running inside the casino, so you have a great chance to win.
Longtime horse racing supporter and shopping center developer, Edward J. DeBartolo, Sr., built the complex.
He had previously developed two racetracks, Ohio’s Thistledown and Oklahoma’s Remington Park.
Thoroughbred meetings are held at Louisiana Downs from May through October.
Then there is a quarter horse meet from January to March.
You can also bet on the track’s only graded event, the Grade III Super Derby, which has been held every September since 1980.
2. See the Shreveport Aquarium
Bring your family to admire more than 3,000 animals at the Shreveport Aquarium near the Texas Street Bridge.
Its proximity to the Red River District means you can grab a bite before or after visiting the aquarium.
What animals can you find inside?
The aquarium cares for eels, seahorses, paddlefish, sharks, alligators, stingrays, and many more.
Likewise, the aquarium is open seven days a week throughout the year.
The aquarium also allows guests to feed stingrays or touch tanks of jellyfish, starfish, sea cucumbers, cleaner shrimp, and more.
The aquarium also has a freshwater gallery called the Dome on the Bayou.
This gallery hosts largemouth bass, alligator snapping turtles, and more.
Many of the galleries are part of the aquarium’s extensive conservation efforts.
In addition to viewing the animals, you can rent the aquarium for birthday parties or summer camps.
You can even host a wedding there.
3. Play Games at Horseshoe Casino
Located on Horseshoe Boulevard, the casino is the place to be if you’re looking for a good game and some cash attached to your winnings.
At the casino, everyone has the same chance to win, with the casino having many functional slots, from about fifteen hundred slots.
Horseshoe Casino also has about fifty board and table games for those who aren’t so into slot machines or those who just aren’t lucky enough to play them.
The casino also has many gourmet restaurants, so you don’t have to worry about getting hungry and losing during the game.
The casino also has excellent service and hospitality. So rest assured that you will be treated very well and warmly even as you have a great time.
What are you waiting for? Horseshoe Casino is waiting for all those who are lucky and want to play for great winnings!
Things To Do In Bossier City at Night
1. Don’t Miss a Night Out at the East Bank District
Your trip to Bossier City wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the East Bank District, the city’s newest entertainment hub.
This place has become the heart of the city’s nightlife, so don’t hesitate to explore its many possibilities.
Grab a hearty meal at a collection of local restaurants before heading out to other locations, then just choose your direction.
You’ll find places like Flying Heart Brewing Company for a refreshing glass of craft beer or Bayou Ax Throwing Co. for a healthy round of stress relief.
If you gravitate towards people, head to the center of the park, East Bank Plaza, and join the crowd for live music and partying.
The neighborhood is also conveniently a stone’s throw from Bossier City’s top hotels, including the Margaritaville Resort Casino.
2. Have a Drink at Flying Heart Brewing & Pub
Bossier City’s first craft brewery can be found in the East Bank District, adding a pizza kitchen and full bar in 2018.
Flying Heart produces a wide variety of beers to suit every palate, whether you prefer light, spicy, hoppy, malty, or dark.
In this spirit of diversity, the six flagships are Louisiana Amber, Firehouse Blonde, Milk Maid Stout, Six of Hearts (Golden Ale), Barrel 52 (Porter), and Black Heart (Brown Ale).
Many fun creations are infused with creative flavors like cilantro or chili pepper.
As for the pizza, this one is NY-style thin crust, and the pizzas rotate every month, so you can always try something new.
3. Attend a Show at Brookshire Grocery Arena
If a major recording artist is passing through Northwest Louisiana on tour, chances are they’ll perform at this arena, which opened in 2000.
The Brookshire Grocery Arena, which has undergone several name changes in its time, holds 14,000 concert crowds, with comfortable, cushioned seating and free parking.
In the last decade, the likes of Foo Fighters, Cher, Paul McCartney, Pink, Garth Brooks, and Bob Seger have performed here.
This place also hosts rides, family fun, and sporting events.
Things to Do in Bossier City For Couples
1. Shop at the Bossier City Farmer’s Market
If you’re ever in Bossier City on a Saturday, stop by the spacious Pierre Bossier Mall parking lot for the Bossier City Farmers Market.
The city’s continued boom allowed more farmers to join the market, selling farm-fresh produce year-round.
The market is open every year to the public from April to November. Today, over 100 sellers are already registered on the market.
These vendors sell fresh vegetables, drive food trucks, or sell unique handmade products.
Others sell local honey, baked goods, and even handmade clothing. In addition to food vendors, the farmers market is also home to local artists.
They sell handmade soap, jewelry, woodwork, paintings, and mixed media creations.
Several Bossier City businesses got their start at the farmers market, so show your support for the next big cause!
2. Explore the Krewe of Gemini Mardi Gras Museum
Mardi Gras has become a world-famous festival and shorthand for Louisiana.
Even if you’ve never heard of Louisiana in your life, you’ve definitely heard of Mardi Gras.
Experience the giddy joy and celebration of the festival when you visit the Mardi Gras Krewe of Gemini Museum in Bossier City.
The museum offers a variety of colorful and shiny costumes and exhibits that appear in Mardi Gras.
The exhibits arranged in the museum radiate ships full of color, shine, and glamour.
Likewise, the museum is celebrating more than a decade of Mardi Gras in North Louisiana.
Its exhibits also continue to acquire memorabilia housed inside the 10,000-square-foot space.
This huge space allows the museum to host special events from time to time.
3. Appreciate Nature at the Marlene Yu Museum
Marlene Tseng Yu centers around the magnificence of nature and its dynamic presence and significance to our current circumstances.
Established in 2014, the Marlene Yu museum has been a fun place to visit for all who love the art of nature in all its glory.
What’s not to love about a museum dedicated to preserving nature and the Earth’s beauty? This is why he became the target of many.
It doesn’t end there. Marlene Tseng Yu aims to show the world the beauty of nature but also the influence of humans on nature and why they need to protect it.
The Marlene Yu Museum is a great place to visit with your kids because it is an educational environment, and they can learn a lot from the tour.
Things to Do in Bossier City For Kids
1. Let Them Play at Party Central Family Fun Center
Treat your family to a day of family fun by bringing them to Party Central Family Fun Center in Bossier City.
For 18 years, this center has entertained families with various exciting games and equipment.
You can race your kids on go-kart tracks, ride bumper cars or boats, and play mini golf.
Otherwise, you can let them loose on children’s rides, arcades, or climbing frames.
You can also practice your home run swing at the batting cages.
There are also several other facilities, such as a bungee trampoline and climbing walls.
You can head to the pizzeria and share a nice family meal when you’re done playing.
2. Teach Them Science at the Sci-Port Discovery Center
Sci-Port Discovery Center will teach your kids everything they need to know about science, technology, math, and engineering.
Plus, your kids will learn in a fun way with interactive, hands-on exhibits and programs that will keep them engaged.
They also have a planetarium for kids who dream of becoming astronauts.
In addition to the planetarium, they can also climb the solar observatory and find exhibits about the Sun.
Then you can take them on Peggy and Aaron Selber’s Space Walk, where they can feel like they’re walking through a star field.
The 15-foot-long tunnel features an array of sparkling lights and mirrors that zoom in on a vast area full of stars unfolding in all directions.
3. Let Them Play With Furry Pets at Shreveport Dog Park
This place is excellent for those who have their pets as noble companions and would not enjoy going without them.
Shreveport Dog park is a haven for dog owners and their pets because the park makes it a great place for you and your pet to have fun.
Located at the Stoner Boat Launch, the park has pet owners’ seating areas that offer excellent views of the river.
Designed to be fun for both pets and their owners, the Shreveport Dog park has a variety of great amenities, such as a skateboard park, boat launch, and bike trails.
So you might as well go wild in the park because your dog is doing his own thing elsewhere in the park. It’s a great setup.
The park is located on Stoner Avenue at Clyde Fant Parkway and is open seven days a week during the day, depending on daylight saving time.
Indoor Activities to Do in Bossier City For Adults
1. Go Bowling at Holiday Lanes
Since 1960, Holiday Lanes has entertained Bossier City families, residents, and visitors.
Bring your family and friends for a little friendly competition, with bragging rights at the top prize.
The best part is that Holiday Lanes are affordable, so you don’t have to stick to a strict budget.
Your kids will enjoy playing on the bowling lanes while you play with your friends, siblings, or cousins.
Likewise, Holiday Lanes offers a COOL Glow Bowling mode where you can play with the lights off and the music on.
You also get great special lighting effects, so you really feel like you’re in the city.
In addition, you can enjoy excellent food there.
2. Experience the Thrills of the Logan Mansion
Built in 1897, Logan Mansion was originally built as an ice company and operated as a beer distribution company.
Over the years, the castle has changed from a boarding house to a radio station and a church. It has been in constant use over the years.
Over roughly one hundred and eighteen years, the Logan mansion has undergone many uses and functions and has become a tourist destination for many.
It is believed to be haunted and brings much attention from skeptics and those who wish to communicate with the supernatural.
In fact, people visit the Logan mansion looking for the thrill of the moment because it is a haunted-themed mansion.
The mansion has been standing for over a hundred years, and many great stories and historical events and their stories can be accessed at the Logan mansion.
3. See the Shreveport Railroad Museum
If you have children interested in railroads, or perhaps you are interested in railroads and their operation, the Shreveport Railroad Museum is the place for you.
True, the museum is small; however, it has many historical artifacts from the Civil War, and the visitor is treated to great stories and historical reports.
The museum also offers a miniature working model railway which visitors with children would find fascinating as it has intricate details.
The museum is great for parents and their kids as it is free and not too far from the water museum.
Since the museum is small, it only takes about an hour and thirty minutes to tour, which is perfect for those who might be pressed for time.
What don’t you like about the place? Despite its small space, the museum is beautiful, well worth a visit, and a great place to bring your kids.
Romantic Things to Do in Bossier City
1. Go Shopping at the Louisiana Boardwalk
What should you do with your big casino winnings?
Take your family to the Louisiana Boardwalk for an afternoon of shopping and delicious food.
This outdoor mall is located between Margaritaville Resort Casino and Horseshoe Bossier City.
The Louisiana Boardwalk is also one of the largest shopping malls in the state.
During your visit, you can find several outlet stores such as Nike, retail stores, various restaurants, and IMAX cinemas.
The mall also features Bass Pro Shops, Justice, Banana Republic, and other high-end brands.
2. Spend the Weekend at the Margaritaville Resort Casino
Located along the Red River, Margaritaville Bossier City Resort Casino offers guests a carefree stay full of fun and luxury.
The experience is a combination of high-stakes Las Vegas-style gaming and typical Louisiana island life.
Likewise, the resort sprinkles impeccable hospitality in between.
Stay in luxurious accommodations, be pampered in the nearby spa, and enjoy the delicious flavors of the resort’s international restaurants.
Then chill with friends at the 5 O’Clock Somewhere bar with delicious cocktails.
Plus, who wouldn’t want to play at the happiest casino in the state?
Margaritaville Casino offers only top slot machines and new versions of classic games.
In addition to gaming, the resort’s casino also offers facilities for weddings, corporate meetings, and special events.
3. Visit the Southern University Museum of Art
Southern University’s only central campus is located at Southern University of the Arts, Shreveport. A trip to this place proves to be very enlightening.
The art museum includes a collection of artifacts and works of art of African American origin. The museum has a great view and a generally warm welcome.
Because the museum is located in the southern university, it brings a sense of nostalgia for those who were in the university environment.
The service in the museum is good and makes it easy to navigate. The artworks in the museum are fascinating to look at and create a great picture.
If you come with a group of more than ten individuals, we recommend that you book a place for the visit for a nominal fee.
So, either way, the Southern University Museum section is a great place to visit if you’re looking for educational outings with friends and family.
Free Things to Do in Bossier City
1. Experience Local Culture at the Bossier Arts Council
The state of Louisiana is one of the most culturally dynamic states in the country, and organizations like the Bossier Arts Council help keep it that way.
The group is dedicated to promoting and developing Bossier Parish’s rich cultural heritage.
In 1980, a local art group and the city of Bossier established an arts council. Their partnership continues to this day.
During your visit, you will find various artworks displayed in the gallery. These artworks come from regional artists looking to build successful careers.
On the other hand, the council also organizes workshops led by experienced artists and instructors.
You can enroll in bonsai, photography, and carving classes, to name a few.
2. Explore Downtown Shreveport
The Red River Entertainment District was originally opened as a 12,000-square-foot development in downtown Shreveport.
The builders built buildings designed according to 19th-century architectural styles, giving the whole area a historical feel.
You’ll find this vibrant neighborhood in the heart of Shreveport’s waterfront.
Several residents and tourists enjoyed the wide variety of restaurants, live entertainment venues, and other establishments.
Paint the town red with friends or have fun with your family.
You can walk over the Texas Street Bridge to get some shade or listen to some nice afternoon music.
You can also bring dogs as the neighborhood is pet friendly.
3. See Antique Buildings at the Spring Street Museum
Spring Street Museum is located in a historic building that has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1979.
You will also notice that the original exterior and interior of the building remain intact.
In 1866, Tally’s Bank became the building’s first occupant, although people believe the building was there before the Civil War. Since then, several banks have occupied the building.
In 1977, the Spring Street Museum opened to the public with a large number of artifacts from the area.
Here you will find samples of period clothing circa 1835, antique firearms, period swords, toys, plantation records, Persian rugs, and antique maps.
Likewise, you will find here furniture from the 18th and 19th centuries, together with valuable paintings.
Visit the museum and discover unique objects left in history.
Cheap Things to Do in Bossier City
1. Visit the Barksdale Global Power Museum
Reminisce Air Force history in Bossier City by viewing the Barksdale Global Power Museum exhibits.
At the Barksdale Global Power Museum, you will learn about the history of strategic bombing.
You’ll also pay homage to the home of the 8th Air Force, 2nd Bombardment Wing, and Air Force Global Strike Command.
The museum celebrates the country’s battlefield success and recognizes the equally important efforts to prevent war.
World War II bombers such as the B-17 and B-24 and their accompanying P-51 Mustang aircraft are among its various exhibits.
You’ll also find Cold War-era aircraft like the B-52G Stratofortress and the fastest jet ever built, the SR-71 Blackbird, capable of reaching Mach 3 and above.
2. Learn About Local History at the Shreveport Water Works Museum
The Shreveport Waterworks Museum, formerly the McNeill Street Pumping Station, is a unique historical landmark in Shreveport.
The Smithsonian believes it is the last municipal waterworks in America that operated with steam power.
The station thus became a national cultural monument of civil engineering and a national cultural monument.
The station opened in 1887 and became Shreveport’s first waterworks.
In 1890, the station began filtering water, which was rare at the time. Then, in 1911, the station became one of the first facilities in the US to introduce chlorine into the treatment process.
After decades of operation, the water plant retired its aging steam pumps in 1980, the country’s last remaining steam water plant.
Today, you can still find the intact physical premises with the original equipment in the original locations.
Marvel at the technology of over a century ago and a rare example of a completely intact steam waterworks.
3. Visit Touchstone Wildlife and Art Museum
Here is another great place to visit for entertainment and art lovers. Wildlife Touchstone is a contemporary museum suitable for educational purposes.
You can find the museum on Highway 80, La Downs, about two miles east. Its environment is very hospitable with excellent services.
The museum has many realistic paintings and sculptures depicting various wildlife and their respective habitats.
The touchstone of wildlife and art museums is undoubtedly a destination for parents who want to give their children an art experience in one of its finest forms.
The museum also offers beautiful artifacts and works of art different from the nature reserve, which makes the place wholesome.
Visiting the Touchstone Museum of Nature and Art is one of the best fun things to do in Bossier City.
Cool Places to Visit in Bossier City
1. Shreveport Riverview Park
Looking for a great place with a good view and a place to have fun? Shreveport Riverview Park could be just that place.
Beautiful locations and features, such as the water fountain in the park, with beautiful light and music to accompany it.
There is also a garden for those who like the view but don’t want to get wet by going near the water fountain.
The park also has a floating boat dock approximately three hundred feet long and even a natural stone waterfall.
A lookout point at the bottom of the waterfall offers a great view of the waterfall and its beautiful flowing river.
Riverview park proves to be a great place for individuals, parents, and even children to have a good time and relax.
2. Pierre Bossier Mall
There is an enclosed shopping center with about 80 tenants at the intersection of Interstate 20 and Airline Drive in Bossier City.
As with most malls, occupancy at Pierre Bossier Mall has decreased a bit in recent years, but there is still a long list of familiar names.
Think JCPenney, Foot Locker, Forever 21, Dillard’s, Claire’s, GameStop, Hot Topic, and Kay Jewelers to get the picture.
When it comes to dining, there is a cluster of chain restaurants along Airline Drive, from Red Lobster to Waffle House, Arby’s Subway, Taco Bell, and Burger King.
3. Mike Wood Memorial Park
South of the airbase is an attractive 30-acre park that has seen a lot of investment in recent years.
First, Mike Wood Memorial Park is home to one of two public swimming facilities in Bossier City that is open Memorial Day weekend through school summer vacation.
It also has tennis courts, a disc golf course, a great modular playground, and a walkway recently improved with ten fitness stations.
One more motivation to come to the park is to draw nearer and take a gander at the airplane taking off and arriving at Barksdale Flying Corps Base, including the impressive B-52s.
Conclusion
Bossier City isn’t just a casino town; it’s a growing city with plenty of art, history, and culture to share.
Take a trip, and you won’t be short of things to do in Bossier City: from museums that are truly rich in historical artifacts to great works of art and warplanes, etc.
The city is also right next door to its sister Shreveport, whose sights and attractions complement what you enjoyed in Bossier.
Why wait a minute more? Book that trip today!
