Trail Blog

December 03, 2010

Hot Item » Plan a Holiday Getaway to Northwest Louisiana

One simple road trip along our Red River Riches Trail can turn your family Grinch into Santa’s biggest fan. The holiday cheer is contagious when you take in the region’s top-notch Christmas light displays and sample the sweet confections. Work up an appetite as you explore these attractions, and then indulge at one of the many tasty restaurants.

Work up an appetite: See the historic city of Natchitoches dressed in its holiday best during the Christmas Festival of Lights that draws more than 100,000 visitors. Each night through Jan. 6, Front Street, along Cane River Lake, sparkles with thousands of holiday lights. There are displays—including the addition of New Orleans Saints Super Bowl Champs tribute—along the banks of the lake. Colorful strands crisscross overhead as you walk along Front Street. Even the Church Street Bridge twinkles with lights. Visit www.christmasfestival.com to view a schedule of the festival’s many events, which include live entertainment, a holiday tour of homes, and fireworks on Saturday nights. Arrive in town early to enjoy shops, such as Cane River Kitchenware, in the historic district, and end your evening with a charming carriage ride.

Eat, drink and be merry: If you’re in town for breakfast or lunch, stop into Lasyone’s Meat Pie Restaurant . Of course, they are known for delicious meat pies, but their chicken strip; crawfish pie; and red beans, rice and sausage are all tops too. For dinner, try The Landing Restaurant & Bar. Start with the appetizer sampler platter, then try one of their signature seafood or Louisiana dishes, and finish with bread pudding for dessert.

Work up an appetite: Moms, dads and kids alike enjoy the hands-on exhibits at Sci-Port: Louisiana’s Science Center in Shreveport. Lie on a bed of nails; stand inside a tornado; check the speed of your fast pitch; and experience the state-of-the-art planetarium. During the holidays, you can even help Santa’s elves catch up on their work during the Toy Making Workshops, Saturday, Dec. 18, through Thursday, Dec. 30, at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Other holiday programming includes IMAX presentations of Santa vs. the Snowman and The Light Before Christmas.

Eat, drink and be merry: After a morning at Sci-Port, head to lunch at Abby Singer’s Bistro. This bistro and bar is located on the second floor of The Robinson Film Center , which shows independent, international and classic films. Named after entertainment industry legend Abby Singer, the bistro serves lunch and dinner Tuesday through Friday and dinner on Saturday. Soups, salads and sandwiches make up the bulk of the menu, but there are a few surprises too. Try the chicken and waffles, a Belgian waffle topped with a crispy chicken breast and a delectable maple beurre blanc sauce.

Work up an appetite: Artspace  is a jewel in the crown of Shreveport’s creative community. This free downtown arts center hosts everything from art exhibitions to poetry readings to music concerts. It even embraces the culinary arts with a monthly Someone’s In the Kitchen meal, which includes cooking demonstrations from local chefs. And now through January 29, the Mainspace exhibition features the latest work from Shreveport native William Joyce. The author, illustrator and filmmaker, along with Brandon Oldenburg and others at Moonbot Studios, has recently completed the short film The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore. The exhibition takes you through the creative process of how the film was made. See miniature sets from the film as well as original concept sketches and more. Next up, mosey on over to the Barnwell Garden and Art Center, home to art exhibitions and a lovely garden and conservatory. During December, the center will also feature a Holiday Laser Light Show in the conservatory on Thursday and Saturday nights. The show, timed to holiday tunes, begins at 6 p.m. and runs every 20 minutes until 8 p.m.

Eat, drink and be merry: For more than 60 years, Shreveporters have enjoyed dinners at Ernest’s Orleans Restaurant. Though the exterior isn’t likely to impress, do reserve a table and enjoy a meal that takes you back to a time when dinner out was a true event. Ernest’s menu features fresh Louisiana seafood, steaks, and pasta and brings some New Orleans flavor to North Louisiana. The marinated crab claws and snapper Ernest are two popular menu items. If you’re particularly hungry, try the crabmeat au gratin (fresh lump crabmeat baked in a cream sauce and smothered with cheese). It’s enough for two—or more—to share. It’s tempting to fill up on their large servings, but save room for the flaming desserts, like the bananas Foster, prepared tableside.

Work up an appetite: For many families, a trip to Christmas in Roseland at the Gardens of the American Rose Center in Shreveport is an annual tradition. Throughout much of the year, the picturesque park is decorated with more than 20,000 roses. But come December, bulbs, not blooms, draw crowds wanting to walk through the dozens of light displays and see the Christmas Cards to the Community, created by area school children. On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 19, from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., take in the winter wonderland, visit with Santa, and board the Roseland Express.

Eat, drink and be merry: Visit Roseland’s concession stand and warm up with a hot chocolate.

Work up an appetite: Haven’t finished your holiday shopping? Don’t fear. The Louisiana Boardwalk in Bossier City has something for everyone on your gift list. Shops include Bass Pro Shops, Banana Republic, Build-A-Bear, Kitchen Collection and more. This outdoor shopping and entertainment district boasts a carousel and trolley rides, and for the holidays, it creates a snow show each night at 7 p.m.

Eat, drink and merry: Dining options at The Boardwalk run the gamut from sandwich spots to steakhouses. Consider Copeland’s Cheesecake Bistro, sister restaurant to Copeland’s of New Orleans. The menu is lengthy and varied, with items like crawfish egg rolls, homemade pizzas, burgers and seafood platters. And then, of course, there’s the cheesecake! With more than 20 different flavors, you won’t leave hungry.

If perhaps you need a snack for later or want to pick up a gift for your sweet-toothed friend, stop by The Chocolate Crocodile. If you’re lucky, you might catch owner Jim Ragon in the store giving a chocolate demonstration. You won’t believe the variety of dipped apples, from the traditional caramel apple to the monster Butterfinger apple. But there is much more to choose from—chocolate-covered pretzels and popcorn, flavored barks, fudge, and truffles. Santa might even prefer chocolate-covered strawberries instead of the traditional cookies this year.

Learn more about these destinations and the Holiday Trail of Lights at www.shreveport-bossier.org and www.christmasfestival.com.