A Northeast Louisiana Arts and Culture Itinerary

See some of the best arts and cultural attractions in northeast Louisiana.

Biedenharn Museum & Gardens

See verdant gardens and learn about the history of Coca Cola at the Biedenharn Museum.

North Louisiana is full of wonderful arts and cultural attractions. Symphonies, visual arts, museum exhibits — you’ll find these and more. Here are some suggestions for a road trip through some of the region’s top cultural destinations.

Start your journey in Monroe. After breakfast downtown, stroll down to the Masur Museum of Art — the largest visual arts museum in northeast Louisiana. There you’ll find both contemporary works and those of modern masters Picasso, Rodin and Dalí. 

Head to Biedenharn Museum & Gardens, a sanctuary of plants and home to historical relics. The museum was started by the family of Joe Biedenharn, who in the 1890s was the first person to bottle Coca-Cola. Today you can see century-old memorabilia in the museum including the world’s first Coca-Cola delivery truck, as well as lush English-style gardens. Visitors will not want to miss the Bible Museum where pieces from daughter Emy-Lou Biedenharn's extensive Bible collection are on display.

Northeast Louisiana’s arts scene is thriving. You’ll find galleries and art shows in downtown Monroe hosted by The Palace and many others. Across the river in West Monroe, you’ll find the Ouachita River Art Gallery, which is the oldest and largest artists’ cooperative in Louisiana and home to dozens of works by Monroe area artists.

After gallery-hopping downtown, be sure to seek out some of Monroe’s eclectic restaurants near the Ouachita River waterfront. Restaurant Cotton and Warehouse No. 1 Restaurant are among Monroe’s culinary highlights.

End the evening with a symphony. The Monroe Symphony Orchestra plays classics and more contemporary fare. A Beethoven symphony and scores from blockbuster Hollywood films have been featured in the orchestra’s past seasons.

In the morning, fill up the tank and drive east to Winnsboro. There you’ll find The Old Post Office Museum, which houses work by local artists and includes a stunning Depression-era mural depicting Franklin Parish in the 1930s. Stroll along Winnsboro Main Street and shop local.

Next, visit Poverty Point World Heritage Site, where you’ll find ancient art on a grand scale—hand-decorated artifacts that were made millennia ago are on display.