Alexandria, a major hub for culture, education, and business in Central Louisiana, incorporates many of the stuff that humans associate with the state’s southern regions. One of these is a vibrant Mardi Gras culture, with up to 20 crews marching through the streets on the Sunday before Fat Tuesday. There are lots of interesting things to do in Alexandria Louisiana.
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Top 16 things to do in Alexandria LA
The city is located across Red River itself from a smaller neighbor, Pineville, and there is a trail on the levee as well as plenty of recreational opportunities in a larger environment of bayous and lakes. Downtown Alexandria has a thriving arts district that hosts a variety of events all year. There are also several high-quality galleries, a renowned zoo, as well as several large-scale arenas for conventions, concerts, and other events. Let’s explore the best things to do in Alexandria LA.
1. Kent Plantation House
The Kent Plantation House preserves a screenshot of pre-Civil War living in Central Louisiana in all its complexities. This is the region’s oldest surviving building, built around 1796 by black slaves in the Creole new settlement Pierre Baillio II.
The residence is on the native land granted from the King of Spain to its owner and is an obvious case of French Colonial architectural style. The property was used for a variety of purposes before being restored and started opening as an exhibition in the 1970s.
Artifacts help to paint a portrait of life on a working planting for a wealthy Creole family and the subjugated people that made this way of life possible.
2. Zoological Park of Alexandria
CENLA’s top zoo, Alexandria Zoological Park, has been accessible in some shape for almost a century and is dedicated to preservation as a participant of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) as well as participating in over 20 Species Survival Plans.
Alexandria Zoological Park is home to approximately 160 organisms in beautiful wooded scenery of cypresses, oaks, and wood.
The Louisiana Habitat, which features native species ranging from American crocodiles to red wolves, the Roman American-themed Property of the Jaguar, the Australian Walkabout, and the African Experience, which includes a stunning lion habitat with a 17-foot fountain, are among the displays.
3. The Alexandria Museum of Art
Alexandria’s highly regarded art museum, established in 1977, is located downtown, contrary to City Hall. The gallery’s collection focuses on modern and contemporary artwork by Louisiana artists, painters from the South, and painters influenced by the South.
Head in this for very well selections from that vast collection, as well as traveling exhibitions from around the world and solo exhibitions by regional modern artists.
The Alexandria Museum of Art engages the community through extensive programming, including camps, courses for all ages, a teen craft club, free entry on the second Saturday of each month, major annual events, and much more.
4. Nation History of Forts Randolph and Buhlow
Pierson Lake in Ideal position is rich in Civil War history, as it was the site of something like a pair of Confederate earthen dam fortifications built in October 1864.
Forts Randolph and Buhlow were built by 1,500 troops and service member workers, as well as 500 enslaved African Americans, to oppose another progress by Union General Nathaniel P. Banks going to follow his excursion in summer 1864.
That attack never came, and there was no fighting at this location. The earthworks are preserved at the government historic site, which includes a visitor center, interpretive trails, a Red River overlook, and an increased boardwalk.
5. Park on the Alexandria Levee
A paved path runs the length of downtown Alexandria’s riverfront, beginning in the north at this park near the Rapides Regional Medical Center.
If you’d like to spend a little time by the Red River, this is a nice place to go. It has a shelter, grates, upwards of 20 picnic tables, a play area, a multiple boat launch, a wharf, and a picturesque overlook to appreciate the river.
The levee, which houses the Alexandria Riverfront Amphitheater, is the site of many outdoor venues, particularly balloons displays.From here, the trek travels down, passing along the green grass heavily forested riverbank, underneath the Gillis William Long Bridge, and then cutting inland at Ideal position under US Route 167. Visiting this park is one of the fun things to do in la.
6. Theatre at Coughlin-Saunders Performing Arts Center
This proscenium arch theatre, controlled by the Arts Council of Central Louisiana, is another cornerstone of Alexandria’s Cultural Arts District.
This contemporary venue, constructed on the site of the old Wellan’s Department Store, was launched to the public in 2004. The state-of-the-art theatre has 615 seats, with no bad seats in the house.
With performances, this season by the Rapides Symphony Orchestra and going on tour in classical outfits, as well as starts playing, musicals, start dancing, and more, the coding is rich and diverse.
7. Lake Buhlow
A manmade lake, more than 280 acres in size, is located north of the government’s historical landmark. Lake Buhlow must have been built in part on grassland that used to serve the Central Louisiana State Hospital dairy.
Sunsets are particularly beautiful from the eastern and southern shores near the public boat launch whether you’re just here for the scenery. Lake Buhlow is a popular fishing spot for largemouth bass, white croaker, and black crappie, both from the financial institutions and by boat.
This is also a popular watersports destination, with an antiquity of outboard lap record earning it the moniker “Fastest Lake in the USA.”Do visit this place if you are wondering what to do in Alexandria.
8. Rapides Parish Coliseum
This 10,000-person capacity arena on Louisiana Highway 28 west of Alexandria was completely renovated in 2017.
This job restored life into an aging facility, contributing a stunning new lobby, continuing to expand passenger capacity, and upgrading every element of the Coliseum’s amenities.
The Rapides Parish Coliseum, with its remarkable dome, is the access to a high-quality venues for event center events ranging from WWE to sideshow shows to concerts by well-known recording artists. This comes in the list of things to do in Alexandria la for adults.
9. Randolph Riverfront Center No
The Gillis decided to post on the levee The William Long Bridge is Central Louisiana’s premier national conference and meet and greet facility, as well as a valuable asset to Alexandria.
The Randolph Riverfront Center’s Main Exhibit Hall does have a capacity of 2,600 people and serves as the venue for a variety of regional events.
Trade shows, conferences, dog shows, markets, sporting events, concerts, festivals, traveling exhibitions, or graduations are examples. Notwithstanding the being in the heart of downtown Alexandria, there is plenty of free parking nearby.
10. Square Arts Center at River Oaks
This center, which creates a framework for artistic talent from CENLA, strengthens downtown Alexandria’s position as a central focus for the arts.
The main tower block on 3rd St houses three art installations for exhibitions in various media, as well as an arts academy and 25 studios, one of which is a full-size ceramics production company with four kilns.
The James Wade Bolton House, built in 1899, is located in the back of 2nd Street. This historic domicile, with Alkaline capitals on its porch, houses more studios as well as the center’s outstanding gift shop. This is the most fun thing to do in la.
11. Alex River Festival Alex River Festival
We’ve already seen the Alexandria packs a cultural smash, and this extends to events that draw millions of people visiting downtown.
The three-day Alex River Fête, held in late April or the beginning of May, is the main annual festival. Alex River Fête, which takes place next to City Hall, includes live music, local food distributors, a classic car demonstration, and the ArtFête, which is organized by the Central Louisiana Arts Council.
On Friday nights, the Alexandria Museum of Art hosts a cavalcade as a portion of the accumulation to the Louisiana Dragon Boat Races. Best festival on the list of things to do in Alexandria LA.
12. R.E.E. House Children’s Museum is the number
The Rapides Exploratory Education House (T.R.E.E.) The museum is a pleasant atmosphere created to promote a lifelong love of learning for youngsters from the age of 12.
Through interactive exhibits that engage all of the senses, children will learn about science, media studies, basic arithmetic, and the social sciences. People under the age of two are admitted free, as well as a Toddler Corner to ensure that the youngest visitors have a memorable experience.
Other displays also include Kid TV Studio, the Youth League Mini Mart, this same Listening Center, Lighting Station, and Construction Tables, as well as turtle and golden eagle native animals displays.
13. AlexWinter Festival
Every December, Alexandria hosts a free four-day carnival that has managed to earn countywide recognition, featuring snow sports that are not available anyplace else in Louisiana.
A large outdoor skate park will be open for the entire four days. The conventional tree-lighting celebration and Jesus’s arrival at Santa’s Town at the Alexander Ellenton Mini Park 3rd St. kick off from the event.
This officially kicks off a weekend packed with playful events and activities, including food stalls, a parade, caroling karaoke, face painting, a film night, musical performances, cook-offs, a 5k running club, and much more, all capped off with firework displays on the levee. You cannot miss this festival on the bucket list of things to do in Alexandria LA.
14. 14th of February
Even though Alexandria is really just north of Cajun country, Carnival is still an important cultural custom and an authoritative holiday, drawing up to 150,000 people.
There are over 20 crews in the city, most of which have been doing this for decades. The Krewe Parade, held on the Sunday before Mardi Gras, features New Orleans-style floats, brass bands, and personal appearance by celebrity guests, often as Grand Marshals.
The Grand Marshal of the Crewe Parade in 2022 was NFL defensive tackle Ed Oliver. On Weekend, there is a children’s parade, which is predated by the Collegiate Cheerleaders & Classic Automobiles Parade on Friday. Get this amazing experience in list of things to do in Alexandria LA.
15. The Carlyle Group
At one time, this historic Georgian-style mansion was the epicenter of Alexandria’s social and political activities. After the house was finished in 1753, wealthy British vendor John Carlyle and his parents moved in.
The mansion has been restored and is now available for public tours. The house’s owner, NOVA Parks, took great care to obtain as many other original interior parts as possible, providing an interesting sneak preview into what residences of the era would’ve have looked like. This mansion is perfect fit in the list of things to do in Alexandria LA.
16. Mileage on King Street
Bookshelves, cafes, eateries, antique shops, beauty parlors, art galleries, home retail chains, and boutiques selling efforts to address, wood carving, stationery, and vintage pieces, to name a few.
Along the way, you’ll notice several colorful murals that are ideal for stopping to photograph. Maybe this is one of the coolest thing to do in Alexandria LA. This area also has some of Alexandria’s finest coffee shops!
FAQ
What is Alexandria LA
Alexandria is the church seat of Rapides Parish, Louisiana , and the 9th city in the nation of Louisiana.
Is Alexandria Louisiana a good place to live?
Yes, it is absolutely a good and safe place to live.
Conclusion
Hope you enjoyed the best things to do in Alexandria LA. Alexandria is a fewer tourist attraction known for its plentiful natural beauty, exceptional dining and nightlife, lively cultural events, and rich culture and heritage.
There’s never a dull moment in Alexandria, Louisiana, particularly with this reviews of the top items to do!You’ll never be bored in this wonderful city, unless you’re here on holiday or consider it your residence away from home.
Have a great time exploringthe Alexandria LA!
