Shreveport :: Road Trips from Fort Worth

Visit Shreveport with the family.Looking for family friendly outings, a night at the casino, or just some warm Louisiana hospitality? Plan a visit to the Greater Shreveport area, which includes its neighboring city to the east, Bossier City.

From downtown Fort Worth, Shreveport is about a three-hour drive east on I-20, just on the other side of the Louisiana border. The area is rich with the state’s famous seafood dishes, world class gambling, and alligator sightings.

What to Do

Gators and Friends Adventure Park // Here you can ride go-carts, play in the arcade, and zip line, as well as pet a baby alligator and see other exotic animals.

Great Raft Brewing // This is Shreveport’s first brewery to open since prohibition. There is plenty to choose from with over a dozen brews on tap. Brewery tours are available every Saturday.

Harrah’s Louisiana Downs Casino // With 130 days of live racing every year, Louisiana Downs is an experience unlike any other. There are also slot machines and several restaurants and bars onsite.

Sci-Port Discovery Center // The discovery center admission includes science exhibits, a children’s museum, planetarium, and an IMAX movie, all for $15 per person!

Shopping // From antique shops to Louisiana Boardwalk Outlets, there’s a variety of shopping throughout the Shreveport area.

Shreveport Aquarium // Feed stingrays and touch a moon jellyfish at the Shreveport Aquarium. Shark and alligator snapping turtle feedings are also a must see along with many other unique exhibits. Parking is free.

Where to Eat

Bergeron’s Boudin and Cajun Meats // Bergeron’s is a restaurant serving burgers, po’boys, and salads. It is also a deli and market where you can get freshly made, boudin, cracklins, crawfish pies, stuffed pork chops, and more.

The Cajun Asian // The Cajun Asian’s menu boasts all your favorite Asian dishes, such as banh mi, fried rice, and pho, alongside cajun boiled seafood and po’boys.

Copeland’s of New Orleans // Copeland’s features New Orleans dishes, including hot crab claws, gumbo, and crawfish bread. Don’t miss its artichoke and spinach dip with fried bowtie pasta.

Ernest’s Orleans Restaurant and Cocktail Lounge // Ernest’s is a dining destination for Italian classics, steaks, and seafood. The world famous marinated crab claws are a must.

Herby-K’s // Herby K’s is a Shreveport institution, a hole in the wall serving burgers, po’boys, and fried seafood specialties. The house specialty is the shrimp buster — a different take on the shrimp po’boy where the shrimps are butterflied thin and served with secret “buster sauce.”

Lucky Palace // Lucky Palace serves gourmet Chinese food with an extensive wine list. You’ll find many seafood and duck dishes, as well as alligator with garlic sauce. Its lunch menu is a steal: For under $11 you get a main dish of your choice, crab rangoon, fried rice, and a cup of soup.

Parish Taceaux // Parish Taceaux is a downtown spot great for happy hour and interesting tacos. Try the Korean BBQ, crispy catfish, or Nashville hot.

Where to eat, stay, and play in Shreveport, LouisanaRalph and Kacoo’s // Ralph and Kacoo’s features the finest Louisiana seafood and steaks. Fried seafood platters and King Louie salads are favorites. Don’t miss $1 raw oysters, open to close on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Rotolo’s Craft & Crust // Rotolo’s is the spot for pizza, pasta, and wings. It has a variety of pizza styles, including Chicago deep dish and calzones. Try the Figgy Piggy, which features mozzarella, fig spread, prosciutto, goat cheese, asiago cheese, and a balsamic reduction. Gluten free and cauliflower crusts available.

Superior Grill // Maybe suggesting to a bunch of Texans that they should eat TexMex while visiting North Louisiana seems crazy, but hear us out! Known for its mesquite-grilled fajitas and strong fresh lime margaritas, Superior Grill does not disappoint.

Walk-Ons Sports Bistreaux // Walk-Ons isn’t your normal sports bar. Try the duck and andouille gumbo, the Avery Island salad topped with Tobasco pepper jelly vinaigrette, or choose from 20 different sandwiches. This is a great late-night option as they have reverse happy hour every night 9:00 p.m. to close.

Where to Stay

2439 Fairfield Bed & Breakfast // Stay where Southern Living Magazine calls “The Only Place to Stay in Shreveport.” 2439 Fairfield is a Victorian home built in 1905 situated in the historic district. It is a kid-friendly option with manicured gardens and in-room jetted tubs.

Courtyard Marriott Shreveport // Located right by the Boardwalk Outlets and near Louisiana Downs, this Courtyard Marriott is 100-percent smoke free. It has a 24/7 fitness center and indoor pool.

Eldorado Resort Casino // Eldorado Resort is the only AAA Four Diamond Resort in Shreveport. It has four restaurants, a day spa, more than 1,000 slot machines, and 50 table games. Eldorado is pet friendly and offers free valet for resort guests.

Fairfield Place Bed & Breakfast // Fairfield Place, built in 1870, has many amenities including a pool, courtyards, and complimentary welcome beverage. It is centrally located and affordable, doubles start at $79 per night.

Gavel Falls Campground // Gavel Falls has luxury cabins, RV sites, and a lodge with a pool that sleeps up to 10. The property has several stocked ponds for catch-and-release fishing.

Horseshoe Bossier City // Horseshoe is a huge hotel with more than 600 rooms situated on the bank of the Red River. There are several dining options, a day spa, a concert venue, and a casino with slots and table games. Though it is a kid-friendly resort, the pool is 21+ only.

pool, beach ballMargaritaville Resort and Casino // There are many casinos in Shreveport, but Margaritaville has all you need to feel like you are on an island adventure. It has a pool, several dining options, and a spa.

The Remington Suite Hotel & Spa // The Remington is a historic gem in downtown Shreveport. The 22 rooms feature exposed brick and kitchenettes with mini fridges. Rooms are pet friendly and stocked with spa products.

Sam’s Town Hotel & Casino // Guests at Sam’s Town enjoy all their favorite casino games on a 19th-century paddlewheel docked in the Red River. The hotel amenities include pool, fitness center, and four dining options.

Springhill Suites Louisiana Downs // For those who don’t want to be away from the action, Springhill Suites is located on the property of Louisiana Downs. Features include complimentary breakfast and an indoor heated pool.

For more driving destination ideas, check out Fort Worth Moms “Guide to Road Trips from Fort Worth.”

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Sarah is a writer for FWM.Sarah is a writer for Fort Worth Moms. Read more articles by Sarah here! Originally from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Sarah met her husband in college where they were both pursuing music degrees. After several fast-paced years in New York City, they settled in the Fort Worth area in 2013. Their greatest adventure began in early 2019 with the birth of their daughter Eleanor. Sarah currently works in the real estate industry. She enjoys practicing yoga, watching “bad” tv, perusing restaurant menus online, and pretending she can cook and host like the Barefoot Contessa.