Howard Johnson

If you've been moving too fast and haven't taken the time to stop and smell the roses, the Gardens of the American Rose Center will give you so many opportunities to take in the pleasant aroma and sight of the beautiful flower. Over 20,000 blooms can be seen throughout the 42-acre research and garden attraction, so there's no excuse for missing the chance to take a break from your busy-pace-rat-race to literally smell these roses.

Undoubtedly the African American culture has had a rightful influence on American society, but to fully appreciate its origin and history, check out the Stephens African American Museum. Through paintings, relics and other items and art works, you'll get a sharply developed picture of the various African American contributions to our development and the importance of continued awareness of this fascinating component of America's story.

For 89 years, the Shreveport Little Theatre has been consistently staging productions that have put smiles on the faces of countless audiences. The entertainment venue relies on the talents of local actors and actresses to perform in their varied but consistently entertaining schedule of plays. From The Little Shop of Horrors to Hairspray, you're not far from a fun at this local tip-of-the-hat to the magic of Broadway.

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.