Check Out Shreveport-Bossier on Your Way To or From Essence Music Festival

Shreveport-Bossier, located in northwest Louisiana, is only 2 ½ hours east of Dallas on Interstate I-20. It’s a great destination to stop before or after your amazing trip to New Orleans for the annual Essence Music Festival, June 30-July 4, 2022.

The sister cities are connected by the Red River and offer many opportunities for gaming, food, attractions, festivals, and events. If you want to start the party before you arrive in New Orleans for Essence or keep the party going afterward, Shreveport-Bossier invites you to game and play! 

On your way to or from New Orleans, below are some recommendations of places to visit that are right off the exits on Interstate 20. Plan your trip by browsing this website! Find more Black-owned businesses at www.ShreveportBlackRestaurants.com and on the Shreveport-Bossier African American Chamber of Commerce's website including dining, dance studios, and beauty salons


Shreveport Stops

  • 708 Texas Ave
  • (318) 673-6535

Artspace, located in downtown Shreveport, features art exhibitions, poetry readings, music concerts, and locally made jewelry and crafts. This museum is free.

  • 617 Texas St
  • (318) 459-4122

A full-service restaurant and balcony bar located in the Robinson Film Center. Enjoy seafood gumbo, chicken and waffles and other menu items. Closed Mondays.

  • 451 Clyde Fant Pkwy
  • (318) 220-0711

Bally’s Shreveport Casino & Hotel offers the ultimate in gaming excitement with a 30,000-square-foot gaming floor with more than 50 table games and more than 1,500 of the newest slots and video poker machines.

  • 204 Texas St
  • (318) 458-3739

Haze on Texas is Shreveport's premier, upscale nightclub. Live bands perform every Friday and great food tops off the experience. Guests can arrange bottle service and reserve a VIP section. The club is open Monday, Friday and Saturday and other days for special engagements.

  • 104 Market St
  • (318) 698-0900

311 rooms and suites. Amenities include breakfast available, restaurant, bar, room service, outdoor pool, fitness center, business center, meeting space, airport shuttle, casino shuttle, guest laundry, free Wi-Fi, microwave and refrigerator. See a 360° view of the Shreveport…

  • 102 Lake St
  • (318) 222-7717

190 rooms. Amenities include breakfast available, restaurant, bar, room service, outdoor pool, fitness center, business center, meeting space, free airport shuttle, free casino shuttle, guest laundry, free Wi-Fi, microwave and refrigerator.

  • 224 Spring St
  • 318-681-9960

JOSH Lounge (JOSH stands for "Jazz Old School Heritage") is a night club featuring jazz and R&B music, live DJs and bands. Located in downtown Shreveport near the Shreveport Convention Center.

  • 1881 Texas Ave
  • (318) 848-7002

Louisiana Daiquiri Café is a full-service bar. Located in a renovated, historic building in Shreveport, this is a great place to enjoy great daiquiris named after Shreveport neighborhoods like the Highland, Mooretown, and Allendale.

  • 5301 S Lakeshore Dr
  • (318) 688-7777

Orlandeaux’s Café is a Creole and Southern restaurant serving up Shreveport's famous stuffed shrimp, gumbo, chicken fried steak, pork chops, po'boys, and more. Orlandeaux’s Café occupies the space that formerly housed the owner's father’s restaurant, Brother’s Seafood to Go…

  • 220 Travis St
  • (318) 425-5000

22 rooms and suites and 1 penthouse. Amenities include breakfast available, bar, indoor pool, fitness center, business center, meeting space, guest laundry, pet-friendly, free Wi-Fi, kitchenette, microwave and refrigerator.

  • 315 Clyde Fant Pkwy
  • (318) 424-7777

Sam’s Town Hotel and Casino offers an enjoyable experience with nonstop gaming, live performances, a signature spa, and wide variety of culinary experiences. The casino offers three floors of gaming with blackjack, craps, roulette, mini baccarat, Mississippi stud poker, and more…

  • 610 Texas St
  • (318) 670-9631

Browse the extensive collection of African and African-American art and artifacts at Southern University Museum of Art. Located on the campus of Southern University in downtown Shreveport.

  • 1956 Hollywood Ave
  • (318) 631-9082

Named one of the "Best Soul Food Restaurants in the South" by Southern Living magazine (October 2015), Eddie's Seafood and Soul Food Restaurant is a small neighborhood eatery that is world famous for their version of "Shreveport-style" stuffed shrimp. The restaurant also serves…

  • 1520 Texas Ave
  • (318) 947-9237

Shreveport-Bossier’s newest brunch spot dishes up the most important meal of the weekend on Saturdays and Sundays. Guests can enjoy brunch classics such as pancakes, chicken and waffles, shrimp and grits, and mimosas in a cheery atmosphere.

  • 515 S. Pierre Ave
  • (318) 519-0957

Take a tour of Shreveport-Bossier on a glow bicycle. Groups can have "socially fit fun" while exploring area restaurants, bars and historic landmarks. Call for ride schedules and locations. Find SB Rides on Instagram, Youtube, and Facebook.

  • 500 Texas St
  • (318) 734-3817

Pop N Pizza is home of the injected breadsticks, pizza fries, no dough pizza bowls, calzones and delicious pizza.

Bossier City Stops

  • 501 Barksdale Blvd
  • (318) 584-7169

BeauxJax Crafthouse is a restaurant and bar located in Bossier City's East Bank District serving Cajun and Creole classics such as chicken and sausage gumbo, po-boys, beignets, and more. The restaurant also features a 21 and up game room and bar called The Rouxgaroux Bar. Outdoor…

  • 300 Riverside Dr
  • (318) 746-0711

At Boomtown you can experience more than 30,000 square feet of gaming space on three levels, with more than 1,100 slot machines and more than 16 table games. Enjoy great dining at one of three on-site restaurants.

  • 630 Barksdale Blvd
  • (318) 741-8310

Walk around art exhibitions featuring regional artists and shop for local artisan gifts in the gift shop at East Bank Gallery, a program of Bossier Arts Council.

  • 700 Barksdale Blvd
  • (318) 584-7039

Bossier City’s first craft brewery, Flying Heart Brewing and Pub, is a craft brewery and pub featuring brick-oven pizza, several flagship beers, limited edition seasonal offerings, Louisiana beers, and a cocktail menu. Outdoor seating available. Tours are available by appointment…

  • 701 Barksdale Blvd
  • (318) 747-7777

Established in 1984, L'Italiano serves classic Italian dishes in a casual atmosphere. Located across the street from East Bank Theatre in Bossier City.

  • 540 Boardwalk Blvd
  • (318) 752-1455

The Louisiana Boardwalk Outlets consists of more than 60 retail stores and restaurants located on the scenic riverfront in Bossier City. From video games to ice cream, sporting goods to kitchenware, latest fashions to great food, Louisiana Boardwalk Outlets is the place to visit.

  • 777 Margaritaville Way
  • (318) 698-7186

Situated next to Louisiana Boardwalk Outlets, Margaritaville provides its guests with a comfortable atmosphere and memorable entertainment experience. The single-level casino offers more than 1,200 slot machines and 54 table games including craps, blackjack, roulette and many…

Plan Your Trip Today!