Serving as the seat of Ouachita Parish, Monroe is one of the largest cities in northern Louisiana. It lies along the banks of the Ouachita River and was once home to Joseph A. Biedernharn, an American businessman, who is credited as being the first person to bottle Coca-Cola in 1894.
Things to do in Monroe
North of Monroe is the Biedenharn Museum and Gardens, which preserves a beautiful residence that was built as the home of Joseph A. Biedenharn. Join a guided tour to explore its period-furnished rooms and stroll through the Four Seasons Garden. Also within the picturesque grounds are an Oriental Garden, a Musical Grotto and a museum dedicated to Coca-Cola.
A short drive south of Monroe is the Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo, which is home to more than 500 animals from across the globe. You can get up close to American black bears, Cape buffalos and alligator snapping turtles, as well as hippos, lions and spotted hyenas. Walking paths wind their way through the zoo and there’s a boat tour that allows you to observe its resident primates.
Monroe makes an ideal base for exploring the Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge, which encompasses swamps and bottomland hardwood forests that provide a habitat for native animals. Occupying a restored plantation house is the visitor’s centre, which lies adjacent to an arboretum planted with native Louisiana species. From here, you can follow the raised boardwalk and nature trail to spot alligators, coyotes and white-tailed deer.
Getting around Monroe
Monroe Regional Airport is a 15-minute drive from the city centre and has flights to Atlanta and Dallas-Fort Worth. The larger Shreveport Regional Airport is 1.5 hours away. Long-distance buses connect to Monroe while local services travel throughout the city.