Steeped with southern tradition coupled with modern progressiveness, Caddo and Bossier Parishes offer a variety of attractions, festivals, nationally-acclaimed sporting events, art galleries and museums. Linked together by the nation's largest neon-lit bridge, Shreveport and Bossier City offer abundant shopping, accommodations and fabulous specialty foods such as Tex-Mex, Cajun, French, Italian, and Oriental. If fast-paced activity is your style, race forward to Louisiana Downs, the area's premier thoroughbred racetrack, or "Roll on the Red River" with three dockside riverboat casinos. For family fun, a trip to [Hamel's Amusement Park and update: History of Hamel's Amusement_Park] Water Town U.S.A. is a must. Or enjoy a leisurely stroll through the Gardens of the American Rose Center and the Barnwell Garden and Art Center. An unmatched joy for life and fun is celebrated with year-round festivals commemorating Mardi Gras, Spring, roses, art, chili cooking, crawfish, Black heritage, July 4th, hot air ballooning, horseracing and Christmas. Sports enthusiasts will find just what they are looking for in Shreveport-Bossier, home of professional Texas League AA baseball, Canadian Football and Continental Basketball. Nationally-acclaimed sporting events include the PGA Nike Golf Tournament, Champion Lake Pro Classic Waterskiing and the NCAA Independence Bowl football game.

A true sportsman's paradise, the community is surrounded by tranquil lakes. With over 3,000 acres of landscaped parks, the area is brimming with jogging paths and nature trails. Caddo and Bossier Parishes are culture-filled with a metropolitan ballet company, opera, symphony, art galleries, theater and museums. Our diverse museums cover everything from oil and Indian relics to farm equipment, vintage aircraft and automobiles to historical memorabilia, hands-on science to sports champions. Because there's year-round entertainment, just pick a month to visit and we'll supply the fun. Shreveport-Bossier: a winning combination.

Webster Parish in Northwest Louisiana boasts superb hunting and fishing in beautiful Lake Bistineau, Caney Lakes and Kisatchie Forest. Minden, the parish seat, is a historic town where old brick streets still lead down Main street. The Historic Residential District includes both antebellum and Victorian homes. Seven miles north of Minden is the site of Germantown Colony Museum, a communal village settled in 1835. The colony is open to the public Wednesday through Sunday. Interstate 20 passes through South Webster, making travel easy across the entire state. North Webster is bounded by the state of Arkansas. One would be hard-put to find a more inviting spot for retirement, vacationing or rearing a family than beautiful Webster Parish.

Located in northwestern Louisiana, Claiborne Parish is situated in some of the most scenic hill country in Louisiana. Beautiful flowering plants and trees or colorful autumn foliage greet the visitor. Extensive forests, fields, streams, Corney Lake, and Lake Claiborne create a sportsman's haven. Unique hunting lodges offer deer and quail hunting packages. Also, for the livelier set, numerous festivals and the Claiborne Parish Fair in Haynesville are a must. Play a round of golf, attend country and bluegrass music shows or the annual rodeo. History buffs may step back in time in Homer at the H.S. Ford Museum and Claiborne Parish Courthouse, famous as one of four pre-Civil War courthouses still in use. In Summerfield, visit the only two-story log house in Louisiana. Historic churches, villages, cemeteries and folklore abound. Enjoy unique country cuisine served with a friendly smile and genuine Southern hospitality. You are welcome in Claiborne's "View from the Top."

DeSoto Parish, a diamond in the forest, is located on the mouth of the Sabine River and at the beginning of the Toledo Bend Lake. The Louisiana Blueberry Festival is held the fourth weekend in June on the courthouse square in downtown Mansfield. River City Fest is held the first weekend in May in downtown Logansport. Duel on the Border is held in Logansport on the Toledo Bend Reservoir, in which drag boats race down the river at speeds up to 200 mph. Visit the Mansfield State Commemorative Area, located on Hwy 175. The Museum is open seven days a week. See the Historic Rock Chapel, built in 1891. Visit the original Log Courthouse built in 1843. It is the only surviving courthouse of its kind in the state.

Louisiana Tourism Information -- Louisiana Page Locale Adapted from the Louisiana Office of Tourism site.