Overview
Monroe is the third-largest city in Northern Louisiana, largest city in Northeast Louisiana, and the parish seat of Ouachita Parish. It is also home to the University of Louisiana at Monroe and their sports team, the ULM Warhawks. Founded as Fort Miro, it took on the name of Monroe after the paddle-wheeler James Monroe that came to town in the early 19th century, and, by extrapolation, the former president James Monroe. An interesting bit of trivia is that Monroe was once the headquarters of Delta Airlines, which got its start as the crop dusting operation Delta Dusters in nearby Tallulah.
Slathered down with highly religious views and the effects of years of racial inequality, Monroe can have a rather gritty appearance imbued with a fragrant aroma from its paper mill, but, well, take heart, Wikivoyage traveler.
6 sights · 1 things to do · 2 places to eat · 1 bars & cafés · 4 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Monroe
Masur Museum of Art
A local art space.
Biedenharn Museum & Garden
Take a guided tour of this aristocrat's mansion and English garden and Coca-Cola museum if you're okay with fussy things like that.
Louisiana Purchase Gardens & Zoo
The zoo can look a bit shabby, but the animals may be happy to see you.
St Matthews Catholic Church
Chennault Aviation & Military Museum
Learn about this military personality named General Claire Chennault and WWII stories and visit a vintage plane out in the yard.
Northeast Louisiana Delta African American Heritage Museum
This museum focuses on Black art and history.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Mar–May, Sep–Nov. Summer highs reach about 93°F; winter lows dip to about 35°F. Very hot (Jul, Aug) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: Dec and Jan. (climate data from nearby Arcadia)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- MLU Monroe Regional Airport, Monroe — 5 mi away. Directions
- ELD South Arkansas Regional Airport at Goodwin Field, El Dorado — 64 mi away. Directions
- MSY Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, New Orleans — 205 mi away (major hub). Directions
Monroe is located on Interstate 20, about 100 miles east of Shreveport and 75 miles west of Vicksburg.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning St Matthews Catholic Church, Northeast Louisiana Children's Museum, Masur Museum of Art
- Lunch Trapp's
- Afternoon Louisiana Purchase Gardens & Zoo, Biedenharn Museum & Garden
- Dinner Warehouse No 1 Restaurant
- Evening Enoch's Pub and Grill
Day 2
- Morning Chennault Aviation & Military Museum
- Afternoon Northeast Louisiana Delta African American Heritage Museum
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
By plane
By car
Monroe is located on Interstate 20, about 100 miles east of Shreveport and 75 miles west of Vicksburg.
Get around
Monroe Transit has several routes to get you around the metro area.
See
See Chennault Aviation & Military Museum
Learn about this military personality named General Claire Chennault and WWII stories and visit a vintage plane out in the yard.
See Northeast Louisiana Delta African American Heritage Museum
This museum focuses on Black art and history.
Do
Try a Warhawk game at the [https://www.ulm.edu/ University of Louisiana Monroe]
Explore an intriguing forested parkland with pond, covered and suspension bridges, and nature trails at [https://www.cityofwestmonroe.com/facilities/facility/details/kiroli-park-5/ Kiroli Park] at 820 Kiroli Rd in West Monroe, or check out [https://www.cityofwestmonroe.com/facilities/facility/details/kiroli-park-5/ Restoration Park] with its impressive swampy boardwalk at 700 Downing Pines Rd nearby.
Or for a real treat, try Black Bayou Lake or [https://www.fws.gov/refuge/darbonne D'Arbonne National Wildlife Refuge]. You'll be able to capture some eerie shots of bald cypresses rising out of a swamp that is quintessential Louisiana, along trails or at various viewpoints, but actually the experience might be enhanced with a boat or at least mosquito spray.
Buy
Eat
Eat Trapp's
Cajun restaurant on the Ouachita River with dock dining.
Eat Warehouse No 1 Restaurant
More upscale restaurant overlooking the Ouachita River.
Drink
Drink Enoch's Pub and Grill
Irish pub with occasional live music.
Sleep
Nearby
Ruston
City / town · 16 listings · 30 mi away
Winnsboro
City / town · 3 listings · 33 mi away
Jonesboro
City / town · 3 listings · 39 mi away
Arcadia
City / town · 2 listings · 47 mi away
Winnfield
City / town · 7 listings · 51 mi away
El Dorado
City / town · 2 listings · 58 mi away
Lake Providence
City / town · 2 listings · 58 mi away
Minden
City / town · 2 listings · 68 mi away
My experience
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