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If you want to steer the family away from all the hustle and bustle of the city and relax near the water, a good choice is the Charles and Marie Hamel Memorial Park. Clean, well-maintained and serene, the scenery is a nice break from all of the city's fast-paced activity and mainstream attractions. Over the park's seventeen acres, you'll find the perfect spot to have a picnic and enjoy the river view. The hours are dawn until dusk, so plan a day full of wide open spaces with the Hamel Park as your only destination.

Artbreak takes place every April and May. Students from Bossier and Caddo Parish take part in several hands-on art projects and also serve as judges for the various pieces that are completed. This festival is a weekend of dance, music, theater, food, fun and even a 5K race.

The pages in your old history books come alive at the Pioneer Heritage Center, as true-to-life exhibits portray what life was back between the 1830s and the 19th century. The challenges that the earliest settlers of the area faced are dramatically presented in an amazingly authentic manner that does not only illustrate their plight, but brings that history alive as it connects us to the present day.

Instead of jeans and t-shirts and the usual laid back date, get dressed up for a romantic night out. Reach into the back of your closet for that suit or cocktail dress you rarely wear and step out to enjoy the Shreveport Symphony Orchestra. With various performances scheduled throughout the year, it's a great opportunity to absorb some classical music and soar with some of the area's culture vultures instead of the usual bar flies.