The Pet Zone

The expanse of the 200-acre Oxbow Lake at the C. Bickham Dickson Park is the first clue that the natural allure of the water and all of its outdoor surroundings will create a picturesque moment that you will look back on with a smile. This amazing 585-acre park is the largest in Shreveport.

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.

What's a trip to Louisiana without a glimpse of a gator? Gators and Friends Alligator Park and Exotic Zoo is an attraction that gets you up close and personal with giant alligators as they feed and frolic in their natural habitat. And if the gators aren't enough wildlife, there's a fully stocked petting zoo where you can see such sights as miniature horses, kangaroos, llamas and a camel! Plus, you can even help feed the animals when it gets to their feeding time. Get ready for a fun, interactive romp with nature you and your family will never forget!

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.