Anyone from Louisiana?

[blueshirt2003]

I'll be there for about 4-5 days this week. Is there anything I should see or do while I am there? I'll have my kids with me so no bars, etc.

[blueshirt2003]

Thank you for the recommendations!

I'll be in Mansfield so about 40 minutes from Shreveport.

[honeybadger]

We just left the Shreveport/Bossier City area. H was stationed at Barksdale for 3 years.

For the kids: Sci-Port center, Alligator & Friends. Both are inexpensive and lots of fun!

About an hour south is Natchitoches. Steel Magnolias was shot there and it is the CUTEST, most charming little southern town. Great shops and restaurants.

The base has a pretty good Air Force museum. Our son loved strolling through there and then along the bomb run.

Brown Lee Park has a great splash pad, picnic area, covered park etc for super hot days.

All of the cajun restaurants are worth trying. Youree Drive has the best shopping. And get yourself a daquiri from one of the many drive thru daquiri shops. Obviously, drink once you get back to your hotel/wherever you're staying

[iluvmytxrgr]

I'm originally from SE LA. I lived in Shreveport for a couple years when I was little, though. It's been a while since I've been up there. There are a few casinos up there. You could look and see if there are any shows while you are there.

[honeybadger]

Natchitoches would be just down 49 from Mansfield. There's a gator park/petting zoo there and also a Chimpanzee sanctuary!

[blueshirt2003]

Thanks for the suggestions so far!!
Oh, I've heard of those drive thru drinks! It seems so weird.

[honeybadger]

Aug 20, 2012 9:54:10 GMT -5 @blueshirt2003 said:

Thanks for the suggestions so far!!
Oh, I've heard of those drive thru drinks! It seems so weird.

It was strange at first. But there was one right outside of the main gate to base that did buy one get one free for happy hour. And they always managed to stay frozen until we got home because they are huge so it was fun on pool days during non-gestating summers

[Smurfette]

Aug 20, 2012 8:11:32 GMT -5 honeybadger said:

We just left the Shreveport/Bossier City area. H was stationed at Barksdale for 3 years.

For the kids: Sci-Port center, Alligator & Friends. Both are inexpensive and lots of fun!

About an hour south is Natchitoches. Steel Magnolias was shot there and it is the CUTEST, most charming little southern town. Great shops and restaurants.

The base has a pretty good Air Force museum. Our son loved strolling through there and then along the bomb run.

Brown Lee Park has a great splash pad, picnic area, covered park etc for super hot days.

All of the cajun restaurants are worth trying. Youree Drive has the best shopping. And get yourself a daiquiri from one of the many drive thru daiquiri shops. Obviously, drink once you get back to your hotel/wherever you're staying

All of this. I find it strange that I thought drive thru daiquiri shops were normal

[honeybadger]

Oh! Duh. I can't believe I forgot the Louisiana Boardwalk on the Red River! Google it.

[blueshirt2003]

I guess there isn't an Open Container law (alcohol) in Louisiana?

[blueshirt2003]

Aug 20, 2012 8:18:50 GMT -5 honeybadger said:

Natchitoches would be just down 49 from Mansfield. There's a gator park/petting zoo there and also a Chimpanzee sanctuary!

Is Gator Park also a part of the Zoo? Or is it separate?

[blueshirt2003]

Aug 20, 2012 8:18:50 GMT -5 honeybadger said:

Natchitoches would be just down 49 from Mansfield. There's a gator park/petting zoo there and also a Chimpanzee sanctuary!

Ok, looks like we are going to the Sanctuary and then to the Gator Park this afternoon. Thanks again ladies!

[honeybadger]

The petting zoo, bird area, etc is one area and the gators are in another area, you can view them from a safe distance. they have feeding shows every hour I think.

[blueshirt2003]

The Chimpanzee Sanctuary is only open 7 times a year.

[blueshirt2003]

Aug 21, 2012 10:40:41 GMT -5 honeybadger said:

The petting zoo, bird area, etc is one area and the gators are in another area, you can view them from a safe distance. they have feeding shows every hour I think.

Oh ok, good!

[honeybadger]

Aug 21, 2012 10:43:02 GMT -5 @blueshirt2003 said:

The Chimpanzee Sanctuary is only open 7 times a year.

That def must be a change.

[blueshirt2003]

Yea, weird huh? I called and that's what they said. The SciPort museum was closed too! We went to the Louisiana State Museum at least.

[blueshirt2003]

Oh, ok. I was talking to my husband and he said when he got one they didn't do that. That would make sense to do it though.