All The Ways To Double the Downtown Fun in Monroe-West Monroe, Louisiana

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Located on the banks of the Ouachita River in North Louisiana the dual-city destination of Monroe-West Monroe, right off I-20, is a fun spot for a getaway filled with variety of ways to double the downtown fun.

Where To Shop In Downtown West Monroe

Of course there is shopping. In historic downtown West Monroe you find Antique Alley. They offer a diverse shopping experience with their antique malls and individual stores, boutiques and specialty shops. The variety of shops here also includes the creative collection of local artwork in Courtyard on Cotton’s art gallery and sculpture garden, furniture and home décor at Walsworth & Company and the wide-ranging assortment of goods at The Shoppes on the Alley. Adding a little spice to the collection of specialty businesses is JAC’s Craft Smokehouse, Louisiana’s first smokehouse restaurant. They serve everything from finger-licking good sandwiches to large meat entrees, all featuring gourmet sauces and seasonings.

Where To Shop In Downtown Monroe

Downtown Monroe has variety, too. Art Alley features vibrant hand-painted murals on the buildings which house an eclectic variety of shops. There is an exclusive selection of apparel, accessories and housewares, both vintage and modern, at The Good Daze. For a retail excursion like no other Revival Design and Consign, is the place. A stellar combination of home and garden items fill the shop. These are only the beginning and there are so many options, shoppers might want to take a break and plan their retail strategy with a beverage at Standard Coffee Co.. Created by local chef Cory Bahr, the shop has cool vibes and an impressive menu selection.

Where To Take An Art Stroll

Art lovers have plenty to appreciate here. The variety ranges from the historic setting of the Masur Museum of Art, which features permanent collection of paintings, prints and sculptures as well as different exhibitions throughout the year, to the interactive fun at The Makery, a studio specializing in prints, notebooks, coloring books and workshops.

Downtown Gallery Crawls are held on the first Thursday bi-monthly (starting in February) in both Monroe and West Monroe. These festive events are a great time to discover the amazing collections of art from the eight galleries that participate. Food, drinks and live music are always a part of the evening events.

Where To Dine In Monroe-West Monroe

Downtown dining offers plenty variety, too. Waterfront restaurants here give diners a range of menu options along with views of the river.

Trapp’s is on the Ouachita in West Monroe, with views of downtown Monroe, and serves Cajun favorites in a casual atmosphere. Mom Bourque’s Seafood Nachos, with its fresh-made chips piled high and covered in creamy goodness, is a local favorite.

In Monroe, the inventive menu at Planter’s Gastropub includes duck pizza, gas station fried chicken and more and it keeps flavor at the forefront.

At Parish Restaurant & Bar the creations of award-winning Chef Cory Bahr show off his passion for food and local ingredients through seafood dishes, steaks and more. He uses a variety of techniques to put his own spin on classic dishes from his beloved Delta region.

For a more casual dinner, Victory Pizza & Flying Tiger Brewery is a favorite. The pizzeria is located inside this locally themed brewery and serves handcrafted pizzas using fresh ingredients and dough made daily.

Where To Stay In Monroe-West Monroe

There are plenty of well-known branded hotels to choose from when staying in Monroe-West Monroe. For a unique downtown option, many choose Hamilton House Inn bed and breakfast. This two-story historic building in Downtown West Monroe offers five unique guest rooms and outstanding homemade breakfasts.

For an off-the-beaten path option, and a chance to enjoy one of the local wineries, a stay at Grape Escape cottage at Landry Vineyards can’t be beat. The cozy cottage is located near rows of grapevines and guests even get a complimentary bottle of wine and a free tasting.