Best hotels in Monroe
TownePlace Suites Monroe
4919 Pecanland Mall Drive, LA, 71203
Tailored towards those who want an extended stay, TownePlace Suites is next to the Pecanland Mall and close to many of the city’s main employers. Rooms come with kitchens or kitchenettes, while the outdoor BBQ area is ideal for al fresco cooking in the warmer months – as is the outdoor pool.
Logtown Plantation
1463 Logtown Loop, LA, 71202
Sample some southern hospitality at this charming B&B just a few miles south of Monroe. This mid-19th century home sits in a pecan orchard close to the Ouachita River. The rooms have vintage touches, such as original stained-glass windows or perhaps a four-poster bed. Breakfast are freshly prepared each morning, and the house has a barn built for weddings and celebrations.
Hamilton House Inn
318 Trenton St, LA, 71291
In the lovely old town section of ‘Antique Alley’, this is a brilliantly located B&B. Rooms are modern and well-furnished and may include a double-head shower or a claw foot bathtub perfect for a deep soak after a day’s exploration.
Best restaurants in Monroe
Parish Restaurant & Bar
318 N 2nd St, LA, 71201
Celebrated local chef Cory Bahr elevates classic southern food at this striking restaurant. Moreish sweetcorn and crawfish fritters come with crab boil aioli, the ‘Double Double’ burger with addictive bacon jam. Reserve a little space for the superior lemon pie on the desserts menu.
Catfish Cabin
1400 Louisville Ave, LA, 71201
Grab an authentic taste of Louisiana at this reliable spot, serving up catfish specialties for around 50 years. There are great all-you-can-eat deals on everything from catfish to frog’s legs, crawfish when in season, and a great grilled tilapia with jambalaya.
Restaurant Cotton
101 N Grand St, LA, 71201
Flavors of the Southern Delta are dished up in a convivial setting at this local favorite that’s big on atmosphere delivering lovely river views. The duck wraps have a cult following and the blue crab gnocchi is an indulgent appetizer. Whatever you choose as an entrée, grab a side of the duck fat fries.
What to do in Monroe
Biedenharn Home and Gardens
2000 Riverside Dr, LA, 71201
Built in 1913 by Joseph A. Biedenharn – the first man to bottle Coca Cola – this house-turned-museum is set in lush, landscaped gardens. Take a leisurely stroll around those, then head inside for interesting artifacts and antiques. There are mini-museums here dedicated to bibles and Coca Cola.
Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge
480 Richmond Pl, LA, 71203
Spanning 1,700 acres, this lake is a popular getaway from the city, and full of trails for those who want to explore the rich flora and fauna of Louisiana. There are places for birdwatching, fishing, an arboretum, an observation deck and boardwalks over the water. You can also hire a canoe and take to the water.
400 Chennault Aviation and Military Museum
701 Kansas Ln, LA, 71203
Pioneering the celebration and preservation of Louisiana’s aviation history, this excellent museum is housed in a former Selman Field Navigation School classroom – used to train pilots in World War Two. There are intriguing artifacts, as well as a focus on Delta Airlines, which began as a crop dusting company in Monroe.