B.C.T.C.

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.

If it's a less formal but fun nightlife atmosphere you're looking for, then Fatty Arbuckle's Pub is just for you. It attracts both the younger crowd as well as the older set, not only for its late-night bar charm but also because it is within walking distance from two casinos in the Red River District underneath the Neon Bridge. Music, dancing, arcade games, and a great menu that features such tasty choices as half shell oysters, make Fatty Arbuckle's Pub a great destination to spend your evening with friends.

Before there was the internet or computers of any kind, photos and manuscripts joined disciplined engineering practice and mathematics to aid in construction plans for important city buildings. The documented preliminary work that went into the planning and execution of these projects is housed at the Karpeles Manuscript Library. It's not only a history lesson, but a testament to our forefathers' ingenuity and perseverance to establish the landmarks that serve as anchors of Shreveport's history.

From the natural beauty of flowers and other regional foliage to the quest of the Native Americans, you'll see the various artistic essences of these subjects captured in the works on display at the R.W. Norton Art Gallery. Aside from the impressive paintings and photographs, there are various series of speakers and multimedia presentations that tell the stories behind some of these mesmerizing creations.