Monroe and West Monroe have eclectic shopping, art and a variety of local dining options
Photo Credit: Brad Arender
MONROE-WEST MONROE, LOUISIANA–FEBRUARY 2024–The cities of Monroe-West Monroe offer double the possibilities for those looking for downtown fun. Located on the banks of the Ouachita River in North Louisiana, this dual-city destination off I-20 is a fun spot for a getaway filled with variety.
Of course there is shopping. In historic downtown West Monroe, Antique Alley (100-300 Blocks of Trenton Street, West Monroe, Louisiana 71291; 318-387-1933) offers a diverse shopping experience with its antique malls and individual stores, boutiques and specialty shops. The variety of shops here also includes the creative collection of local artwork in Courtyard on Cotton’s (102 Cotton Street, West Monroe, Louisiana; 318-348-6045) art gallery and sculpture garden, furniture and home décor at Walsworth & Company (311 Trenton Street, West Monroe, Louisiana 71291; 318-323-1454) and the wide-ranging assortment of goods at The Shoppes on the Alley (215 Trenton Street, West Monroe, Louisiana 71291; 318-366-2676). Adding a little spice to the collection of specialty businesses is JAC’s Craft Smokehouse (401 Trenton Street, West Monroe, Louisiana 71291; 318-855-8680), Louisiana’s first smokehouse restaurant. They serve everything from finger-licking good sandwiches to large meat entrees, all featuring gourmet sauces and seasonings.
Downtown Monroe has variety, too. Art Alley features vibrant hand-painted murals on the buildings which house an eclectic variety of shops. There is an exclusive selection of apparel, accessories and housewares, both vintage and modern, at The Good Daze (111 Art Alley, Monroe, Louisiana 71201; 318-732-9248). For a retail excursion like no other Revival Design and Consign, (300 Walnut Street, Monroe, Louisiana 71201; 318-381-8191) is the place. A stellar combination of home and garden items fill the shop. These are only the beginning and there are so many options, shoppers might want to take a break and plan their retail strategy with a beverage at Standard Coffee Co. (411 Desiard Street, Monroe, Louisiana 71201; 318-570-4127). Created by local chef Cory Bahr, the shop has cool vibes and an impressive menu selection.
Downtown dining offers plenty variety, too. Waterfront restaurants here give diners a range of menu options along with views of the river. Trapp’s (113 South Riverfront Street, West Monroe, Louisiana 71291; 318-855-6428) is on the Ouachita in West Monroe, with views of downtown Monroe, and serves Cajun favorites in a casual atmosphere. Mom Bourque’s Seafood Nachos, with its fresh-made chips piled high and covered in creamy goodness, is a local favorite. In Monroe, the inventive menu at Planter’s Gastropub (101 North Grand Street, Upstairs at Cotton, Monroe, Louisiana 71201; 318-325-0818) includes duck pizza, gas station fried chicken and more and it keeps flavor at the forefront.
At Parish Restaurant & Bar (318 North 2nd Street, Monroe, Louisiana 71201; 318-376-2423) the creations of award-winning Chef Cory Bahr show off his passion for food and local ingredients through seafood dishes, steaks and more. He uses a variety of techniques to put his own spin on classic dishes from his beloved Delta region. For a more casual dinner, Victory Pizza & Flying Tiger Brewery (506 North 2nd Street, Monroe, Louisiana 71201; 318-547-1738) is a favorite. The pizzeria is located inside this locally themed brewery and serves handcrafted pizzas using fresh ingredients and dough made daily.
Art lovers have plenty to appreciate here. The variety ranges from the historic setting of the Masur Museum of Art (1400 South Grand Street, Monroe, Louisiana 71202; 318-329-2237), which features permanent collection of paintings, prints and sculptures as well as different exhibitions throughout the year, to the interactive fun at The Makery (208 Trenton Street, West Monroe, Louisiana 71291; 318-816-2003), a studio specializing in prints, notebooks, coloring books and workshops. Downtown Gallery Crawls are held on the first Thursday bi-monthly (starting in February) in both Monroe and West Monroe. These festive events are a great time to discover the amazing collections of art from the eight galleries that participate. Food, drinks and live music are always a part of the evening events.
Where to stay
There are plenty of well-known branded hotels to choose from when staying in Monroe-West Monroe. For a unique downtown option, many choose Hamilton House Inn (318 Trenton Street, West Monroe, Louisiana 71291; 318-366-2412) bed and breakfast. This two-story historic building in Downtown West Monroe offers five unique guest rooms and outstanding homemade breakfasts. For an off-the-beaten path option, and a chance to enjoy one of the local wineries, a stay at Grape Escape cottage at Landry Vineyards (5699 New Natchitoches Road, West Monroe, Louisiana 71292; 318-557-9050) can’t be beat. The cozy cottage is located near rows of grapevines and guests even get a complimentary bottle of wine and a free tasting.