Jeannie Newlin, Realtor

Shreveport's Mudbug Madness Festival all started when people began to view the people in Shreveport more as Texans than natives of Louisiana. In response to that erroneous perception, a group of citizens wanted to stage the largest crawfish boil in the downtown area, add lots of music and fun, and reinforce the Cajun culture and attitude in the city. What started as a two day festival has become a four-day tradition that happens every Memorial Day Weekend and draws as many as 56,000 people in one day.

Want to monkey around and actually learn something about chimpanzees? The place to do just that is Chimp Haven. Not only is it a great learning opportunity for the whole family, but you'll get the opportunity to interact with various chimps on site. During your visit to this attraction, you'll learn about a chimp's natural habitat as well as how they help scientists uncover answers to several biological questions.

If taking a break from your usual scene and expanding your world view sounds like fun, then check out the various collections of art on display at the Meadows Museum of Art. The museum's holdings include pieces that date back to the 1800s as well as pieces by American Impressionist Alfred Maurer, German Expressionist George Grosz, and Texas Regionalist Don Brown. It's a visually captivating trip that's sure to invigorate your senses.

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.