If you want to steer the family away from all the hustle and bustle of the city and relax near the water, a good choice is the Charles and Marie Hamel Memorial Park. Clean, well-maintained and serene, the scenery is a nice break from all of the city's fast-paced activity and mainstream attractions. Over the park's seventeen acres, you'll find the perfect spot to have a picnic and enjoy the river view. The hours are dawn until dusk, so plan a day full of wide open spaces with the Hamel Park as your only destination.
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.
For a little slice of Las Vegas without the stifling desert heat, find your way into the Eldorado Resort and Casino. Not only are the accommodations top notch, but the gaming is excellent, featuring some of the loosest slots in town. The amenities and attractions of this first-class casino will make your stay unforgettable.
If you've been moving too fast and haven't taken the time to stop and smell the roses, the Gardens of the American Rose Center will give you so many opportunities to take in the pleasant aroma and sight of the beautiful flower. Over 20,000 blooms can be seen throughout the 42-acre research and garden attraction, so there's no excuse for missing the chance to take a break from your busy-pace-rat-race to literally smell these roses.
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!
How about keeping everyone rolling through a fun afternoon? The best way to make sure everyone in your family will do that is to have them lace up a pair of skates and experience the rink at the Hot Wheels Skating Palace Roller Skating Rink. Whether you have family members just starting out on skates or the kids are already pros, you'll find the rink's fun, family atmosphere will make skating around a comfortable, stress-free experience you'll return to again and again.
Want to find a whole day of family fun in one place? The fine staff at Party Central makes fun possible by not only being helpful, but working hard to ensure that you and your kids are safe while riding park attractions like the bumper cars, go karts, and boats. If you prefer to steer away from the rides, show off your gaming skills on the latest arcade games for all ages!
Making science cool can be a difficult challenge, but at Sci Port: Louisiana's Science Center, learning and discovering are what the adventure of science is all about. Experience the Space Planetarium, the IMAX Theater, and several interactive exhibits and attractions that will draw you into the world of math, science and astronomy. By the time your day is done, you'll be amazed at how much you've learned!
Going on a safari is an adventure all within itself, but getting to interact with the animals you see takes the whole safari idea to a higher level. And that's exactly the level you'll be on when you visit Shreveport's Jubilee Zoo. That safari, by the way, reflects Louisiana flavor as it performs double duty as a hayride! There's also a petting zoo, a moonwalk, picnic areas and carousel ponies, just to mention a few of the fun attractions you'll experience on this all-day adventure. All of nature's wildlife is within your reach, and when it is all gathered together in such an accessible, engaging place like the Jubilee Zoo, you'll want the celebration to continue for as long as possible.
Great rides, an excellent place for parties, and a surprisingly delicious menu all make Splash Kingdom Water Town the place for lots of great family fun and water recreation. And even though the older kids will enjoy the bigger slides, the younger members of the family will enjoy the wading pools and play areas.
The Robinson Film Center isn't just a place to watch movies. It is a portal to the future of film making in Shreveport, with special programs designed to create interest and awareness in the art of movie making and all that goes into their production and marketing. Various summer camps, lectures and seminars are held to bring this fascinating field to those interested in developing their talents in front of or behind the camera. Also, the Robinson Film Center does offer the chance to screen new releases, which sometimes include artier films that don't get shown in the commercial multiplexes.
Taking a hike is always fun, but it's even more of an adventure when the terrain that you're exploring is as picturesque as the Walter B. Jacobs Memorial Nature Park. The trails are as inviting as the pine-oak-hickory forest in which they lie, and several naturalists are available by appointment to guide you through your trek. The park also offers special programs for students and various school groups, as well as day camps and other special events and attractions.