West Monroe is a charming city in Ouachita Parish, Louisiana. It is located on the shores of Ouachita River and directly facing the neighboring city of Monroe. Both cities are commonly called the Twin Cities of northeast Louisiana.
There are many attractions, entertainment options, and various things to do in West Monroe, LA, for people of all ages. Tourists across the globe come to the city to experience the different fascinating tourist attractions it offers, ranging from museums to art galleries, shopping locations, and many others.
Outdoor lovers will also enjoy their stay in the city as it offers various outdoor attractions, such as gardens and parks, several golf courses, and a wildlife sanctuary.
Let’s explore the top things to do in West Monroe, LA.
Things to Do in West Monroe, LA
1. Lazarre Park
Lazarre Park is an outdoor recreational space nestled along the Ouachita River. It is a perfect location for visitors to launch kayaks and boats on the river.
If you are into boating or kayaking, this Park is an ideal place to visit. You can also have some playtime at any of its two 18-hole disc golf courses.
Throughout May, the Park holds the Ronald McDonald House Annual Big Bass Tournament, which everyone is welcome to participate in.
In addition, Lazarre Park offers a covered pavilion ideal for diverse occasions, such as class and family reunions, parties, picnics, etc. Bring a fishing pole to catch some fish, and prepare for a fantastic fish fry.
Visiting Lazarre Park is one of the best things to do in West Monroe, LA. So, if you happen to be around town, be sure to drop by to have a fun-filled day.
Address: Corner of Hamilton & Thompson Street, West Monroe, LA, United States
2. Kiroli Park
Kiroli Park is a 150-acre park with numerous natural features and diverse outdoor activities for entertainment and pleasure. Visiting this Park is an ideal way to enjoy your vacation and should be on your list of the best places to visit in West Monroe, LA.
Amenities in this Park include a conservatory, tennis courts, hiking trails, fishing ponds, a dog park, multiple playgrounds, picnic sites, and many gardens.
Much of the Park is wooded and can be easily accessed via paved trails and streets with exciting features, such as a covered bridge, high walkways, an observation tower, and a suspension bridge.
There is much to do in this Park for you and everyone you come with all day. Admission into the Park will cost you a little token which is worth it. Dog owners can bring their four-legged companions to play in the dog park.
Address: 820 Kiroli Rd, West Monroe, LA 71291-4945, United States
3. Restoration Park West Monroe
One of the best ways to experience West Monroe is to visit Restoration Park, a destination for anyone seeking a fun-filled weekend with loved ones or friends.
This wetland and forest Park covers 70 acres. It is an ideal destination to check out on a relaxing autumn day. Throughout the autumn, the orange-colored trees and the beautiful sunset views are what to expect from the Park.
Popular activities to do in the Park are walking and jogging. The Restoration Park also features a serene lake that has Cypress trees where visitors can unwind and admire the natural beauty surrounding this place.
The Park is open every day from dawn to dusk. It is an excellent place to spend the weekend with family.
Address: 700 Downing Pines Rd, West Monroe, LA 71292, United States
4. Antique Alley
Antique Alley is situated in the CottonPort District of Central West Monroe, LA, along the shores of the Ouachita River.
Antique Alley offers varied shopping experiences covering antique malls, Independent stores, a bed and breakfast, specialty shops, boutiques, and spaces for meetings and events.
There is something for everyone at Antique Alley, as it offers visitors a unique shopping adventure. This historical landmark ranks amongst the best places to visit in West Monroe, LA, making it a must-see for everyone.
The numerous stores and shops in the area offer treasure hunters the opportunity to explore the many options available to them to get that unique piece they have in mind.
Address: Trenton Street, West Monroe, Louisiana, LA 71291, United States
5. Two Warriors Meadery
For Mead enthusiasts, one of the best ways to enjoy your vacation in West Monroe is to check out the Two Warrior Meadery, a renowned meadery in the city known for its delightful mead.
Two Warriors Meadery is a local meadery established by two army veterans with disabilities who had a mutual passion for producing and uncovering historical recipes.
The Meadery utilizes homegrown honey and various locally gotten ingredients in preparing its alcoholic drinks. They abstain from commercial flavors and additives. Instead, they use natural fruits and spices to actualize a natural taste in their mead production process.
Be sure to visit their tasting room to enjoy their exceptional flavors, such as the Bayou Blues Berry, Lemon Zinger, Oden Love, or Battle Weary. You can also buy some drinks to bring back home.
Address: 95 McClendon Ave Ste A, West Monroe, LA 71291, United States
6. Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux
Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux
Whether or not you are a sports enthusiast, one thing that stands absolute is that the delightful menu and dining experience in Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux will leave you yearning for more.
Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux is a duo package, a restaurant, and a bar that provides its patrons with the best Louisiana dishes in a cozy and cheerful environment—an ideal place to unwind and even meet up with a friend.
Furthermore, to complement the delicious Louisiana cuisine, Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux offers a large selection of quality beers for your enjoyment. Their services are top quality with a friendly and helpful staff.
This sports bar also offers take-out options, which allow you to enjoy late-night dining right from the comfort of your lodging. It is open from Sunday to Thursday between 11 am to 11 pm and Friday to Saturday from 11 am to 12 am.
Address: 205 Basic Dr, West Monroe, LA 71292, United States
7. The Spice and Tea Exchange of West Monroe
Spice and Tea Exchange of West Monroe is a popular spice store in this part of the country, providing a diverse selection of quality spices, homemade seasonings, slats, sugars, loose-leaf teas, unique gifts, and so much more.
Spice and Tea Exchange of West Monroe are renowned for their 85 plus homemade seasonings, mixed by the hand daily in the store. Visitors can also browse a fine selection of Louisiana gifts and accessories when visiting the city.
It does not matter if you are a newbie in the cooking industry, a food business owner, or just seeking to add a little spice to your daily life, their amiable and well-experienced staff are readily available to assist you in discovering the ideal menu additions.
Everything to find at the store will surely interest you, so drop by.
Address: 229 Trenton Street, West Monroe, LA 71291, United States
8. Excalibur Family Fun Center
If you are looking for an idyllic venue for a day filled with fun with loved ones or friends, check out the Excalibur Family Fun Center. Exploring the Center is among the fun things to do in West Monroe, LA.
Excalibur Family Fun Center is a fun destination in West Monroe with arcade games and a large indoor playground. Their vast selection of activities is fun and suitable for every age at affordable rates.
Fun attractions available at this fun Center include laser tag, go-karts, bumper karts, a 1,200-square-foot soft playground, virtual reality, hydraulic racing, a kids’ zone, and over 50 arcade games for people of all ages.
Excalibur Family Fun Center is a perfect location to host your next party; be it a group or private party, they have you covered. Their services are excellent, and their staff are friendly and helpful.
Address: 455 Cheniere Drew Road, West Monroe, LA 71291, United States
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9. Biedenharn Museum & Gardens
Biedenharn Museum & Gardens
Biedenharn Museum & Gardens is another fascinating place in West Monroe. If you are a history lover, visiting this place is a must. If you are not really into history, you can still stop by to peruse and enjoy a walk in its beautiful gardens.
When there, you can learn about the captivating story of the origin of Coca-Cola from their friendly staff at the soda counter and have delightful Coke for five cents served to you with a beautiful smile.
You can browse through the Coca-Cola memorabilia on display within and outside the Museum, enjoy a self-guided tour of Joseph’s Biedenharn home, or stroll the stunning Elsong Garden located at the back of the house and browse through its Bible Museum and many others.
The Biedenharn Museum & Gardens has enchanting fountains, statues, and flowers that produce a lovely scent. To conclude your tour, you can drop by their retail store to buy coke-related items, souvenirs, and others, as keepsakes of your memorable adventure.
Address: 2006 Riverside Drive, Monroe, LA 71201, United States
10. Surge Entertainment Center
Another fantastic place you should not miss out on while vacationing in West Monroe is the Surge Entertainment Center.
Surge Entertainment Center is a prime entertainment location and ideal place for groups and families to spend their day having fun. This attraction proudly boasts diverse, exciting activities and games for people of all ages to enjoy.
Challenge your groups or teammates to supremacy by partaking in exciting activities like laser tag, arcades, bowling, indoor ziplines, sports simulator, dodgeball wipeout, climbing equipment, ninja course, and karaoke.
After all the fun, you can chill out by dining at the Surge Prime Bistreaux, a kid-friendly spot that offers a vast range of tasty meals.
Address: 220 Mane Street, West Monroe, LA 71291, United States
11. Frenchman’s Bend Golf Course
Go golfing at Frenchman’s Bend Golf Course, a public golf facility in Monroe, La, about 25 minutes from West Monroe. Frenchman’s Bend Golf Course was established in 1994. David Marr and Jay Riviere designed it, and both were professional golfers.
It is an 18-hole championship golf layout with five separate tees, a par 72 rating, and tips played at a length of 6,988 yards. The golf course and its greens and fairways are well maintained, and you can easily walk around as it is flat terrain.
After many rounds of golfing, you can take some time off to unwind and relax at the bar and grill, which offers diverse food and drink options for you to enjoy.
Address: 1484 Frenchmans Bend Road, Monroe, LA 71202, United States
12. Layton Castle
Layton Castle
Are you looking for an idyllic place to spend the afternoon in West Monroe? A highly recommended site for you to check out is Layton Castle. Layton Castle is a beautiful brick house constructed initially as a plantation residence in the early 1800s.
The initial construction of the Layton Castle aligns with the classic Louisiana architectural style, which featured a hipped roof. However, the binding was thoroughly renovated during the 1910s.
Layton Castle was initially known as Mulberry Groves and was established by Judge Henry Bry, a Swiss emigrant, in 1803.
This original 1814 house was transformed from a Creole cottage to a castle containing about 60 rooms and is available for group tours and private meetings.
Address: 1133 S Grand St, Monroe, LA 71202, United States
13. Landry Vineyard
Landry Vineyard, founded in 1999 in Folsom, LA, was created via the combined efforts of husband and wife duo Jeff and Libby and their four sons; family and friends also supported them.
This Vineyard is currently nestled on the stunning hill region of West Monroe, on a 50-acre land that comprises a new winery, tasting room, vineyards, camping sites, and cottages.
Landry Vineyard is dedicated to cultivating wine grapes that flourish in the growing conditions of North Louisiana. They presently maintain 16 acres of vineyard with an annual grape production of 50 to 70 tons.
Visitors to Landry Vineyard will be able to sample various wine options with cheese and bread in their tasting room. There are over 24 wines to select from, ranging from red and dry wines to semi-white, red, and port wines.
You can also try out their Blackberry Merlot, Redneck Red, Cotton Rogue, Crimson Cabernet, and many more.
Address: 5699 New Natchitoches Road, West Monroe, LA 71292, United States
14. Louisiana Purchase Gardens & Zoo
Visiting Louisiana Purchase Gardens & Zoo is highly recommended for anyone planning a vacation to West Monroe, especially if you will be visiting with family or as a group, to enjoy its various exciting features.
This zoological Park occupies over 80 acres of land and proudly boasts a meandering waterway, ZOOasis Splash Pad, and an exciting jungle cruise.
Louisiana Purchase Gardens & Zoo features a diverse selection of more than 450 species of animals, together with the Louisiana Purchase Exhibit that displays the original animals acquired in the Louisiana Purchase.
Animals to find at this zoo include mountain lions, bald eagles, black bears, elks, baboons, zebras, gibbons, and many others from across the globe. The zoo also offers boat rides and has a children’s zoo.
Address: 1405 Bernstein Park Drive, Monroe, LA 71210-0155, United States
15. Northeast Louisiana Delta African American Museum
Northeast Louisiana Delta African American Museum
Delve into history by visiting the Northeast Louisiana Delta African American Museum to explore the Museum’s diverse collection of African-American art, history, culture, and other unique artifacts.
Furthermore to its collection, the museum houses furniture from ancient slave cabins, authentic sacks utilized for collecting cotton, and cotton farming equipment.
The Museum also showcases realistic exhibits of prominent African American pioneers like Frederick Douglass, Madame C.J. Walker, and Mary Bethune, alongside their contributions to society.
Northeast Louisiana Delta African American Museum is 15 minutes from West Monroe. Be sure to drop by to partake in this unique experience.
Address: 1051 Chennault Park Dr, Monroe, Louisiana, LA 71202, United States
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Plan Your Trip to West Monroe
Wondering what to do in West Monroe? The city offers plenty of breathtaking outdoor escapades, remarkable museums, charming restaurants and bars, and other fascinating attractions.
Ensure to refer to our carefully-curated list of some of the best things to do in West Monroe, LA, to help you plan your trip for a worthwhile experience.