Alexandria is an underrated tourist destination located in Central Louisiana.
It is known for its abundant natural beauty and rich history and culture.
It’s home to remarkable art centers, outstanding museums, zoos with a broad array of exotic animals, enchanting lakes, a mesmerizing river, historic sites, dense forests, and vibrant festivals.
Alexandria offers something for everyone through all four seasons.
The lakes, river, and sprawling greenery provide access to hiking, camping, biking, boating, wilderness exploration, wildlife viewing, fishing, and so much more.
This is an ideal place to plan your next vacation.
Here’s a list of the best things to do in Alexandria, Louisiana:
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Founded in 1926, this zoo is one of Alexandria’s prime tourist attractions.
It features over 500 exotic animals belonging to diverse species.
Encounter African lions, black howler monkeys, African tortoises, Australian tree frogs, Chilean flamingos, rattlesnakes, tarantulas, swans, cotton-top tamarins, foxes, giant anteaters, herons, Indian blue peafowl, jaguars, squirrel monkeys, tigers, among many others.
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You can also see various kinds of fish, otters, alligators from the underwater window exhibit.
Enjoy the miniature train ride that offers spectacular views of towering trees and dense foliage.
The zoo also hosts many entertaining events at its premises throughout the year.
This place is a must-visit in this city.
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Established in 1971, this museum emphasizes the local history of Alexandria and Louisiana.
It features various historical exhibits and local memorabilia, including thousands of photographs, vintage postcards, historical documents, medals, and other artifacts.
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The quaint building dates back to 1907 and includes the Alexandria Genealogical Library.
Tour the museum and learn about the region’s people, culture, Native American history, and more.
Admission is free for all.
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Encompassing over 280 acres, this picturesque lake is a popular spot for fishing.
You can also enjoy other recreational activities like motorboat racing, boating, and hiking.
It is home to catfish, bass, bream, turtles, and more.
Watch the heavenly views of the sunset and enjoy a refreshing evening stroll here.
They host a wide array of entertaining events here all year round.
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Constructed in the 18th century, this former plantation house is currently a museum that highlights the regional history of Louisiana.
It was the home of Pierre Baillio II and his family, who later sold it to a wealthy planter from Maryland in 1842.
The building boasts French colonial architecture and is one of the oldest standing structures of this region.
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The house was maintained to accurately represent the lifestyle of Louisiana’s elite during the late 18th and mid-19th centuries.
Tour the historic house, slave quarters, milk house, blacksmith shop, and kitchen.
The original furniture, china, paintings, photographs, piano, and other items belonging to the families that resided here are kept on display.
Billy Hathorn, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Billy Hathorn, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Established in 1977, this award-winning museum is affiliated with the Louisiana State University at Alexandria.
It organizes numerous exhibitions throughout the year, featuring works from its permanent collection.
The museum also showcases creations by various internationally acclaimed artists.
In addition to displaying visual arts, they host free yoga sessions, musical concerts, movie screenings, educational programs, and fundraisers.
Tour the museum and look at thought-provoking and outstanding pieces of artistic works.
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These two historic forts are located on the banks of the Red River and date back to the Civil War period.
Here, you’ll get to learn more about Louisiana’s history while enjoying the beauty of nature.
The site features towering trees, dense foliage, a spectacular river overlook, remains of an ancient dam, a visitor’s center with historical artifacts and local memorabilia, and verdant walking trails.
Watch the re-enactment film at the visitor’s center, check out the Civil War exhibits, feast your eyes on the views of the mesmerizing river, and hike to explore the historic site.
Home to numerous diverse birds, this site is also very popular for birdwatching.
This is a fantastic place to visit if you are traveling with kids.
It is a museum that aims to help children learn new things in a fun way through interactive exhibits.
It features a playground, dress-up room, kids TV studio, animal exhibits, a clinic, a model railroad with trains, dioramas, a bank, grocery store, sheriff’s car, a free library, and more.
Children love this place.
Enjoy a fun-filled day and spend quality time with your loved ones here.
Over 120,000 people flock to Alexandria every year to attend this vibrant annual festival.
It features a multitude of colorful parades, vintage car shows, motorcycle shows, and parties.
Guests can also enjoy delicious food and drinks, animal encounters, live music, brilliantly colored costumes, and much more.
It is one of the most significant events of this city.
Be a part of the festivities and experience Alexandria’s incredible local culture.
Alexandria’s farmers market in Alexandria takes place once a week all year round.
It’s one of the best places to catch a glimpse of the city’s local culture.
Here, you can avail yourself of fresh vegetables, fruits, jellies, flowers, honey, plants, dairy products, poultry, jams, bakery goods, and more.
All the products are sourced from local farmers and producers of Central Louisiana.
Don’t forget to try out the mouth-watering tamales at this market.
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Constructed in 1965, this arena can accommodate 10,000 patrons during events.
It is the most prominent place in Alexandria for holding sporting events, trade shows, concerts, monster truck shows, circuses, rodeos, WWE shows, and other live performances.
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The Rapides Parish Coliseum has also hosted President Ronald Reagan and Martin Luther King.
The coliseum also has meeting spaces for rent, which guests can use for private events.
Watch an entertaining show here or get tickets to a game and have an unforgettable experience.
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This historic Roman catholic church dates back to 1817 and was the first church in the city.
The former building caught fire in 1895, and the current one replaced it in 1899.
It is known for its grand Gothic revival style architecture, beautiful glass windows, and hand-carved woodwork.
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This church was the only building left in the city after the Civil War.
Spend some peaceful moments here praying and appreciating the aesthetically pleasing interiors.
Check out the kaleidoscopic rose window at this church, the largest in the state.
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Billy Hathorn at the English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
You’ll find this state-of-the-art theater in downtown Alexandria.
It’s a popular venue for ballets, musical concerts, plays, orchestras, and musicals.
The Coughlin-Saunders Performing Arts Center is operated by the Arts Council of Central Louisiana and can accommodate over 600 patrons.
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In addition to live performances, they organize weddings, art shows, and other events in their lobby and terrace.
This is an amazing place for a wonderful evening’s entertainment.
There’s so much to do and enjoy in this recreation area.
Located between Buhlow Lake and the Red River, it features a playground, verdant hiking trails, disc golf courses, picnic areas, grills, and sports fields.
Nature lovers will appreciate that you can also enjoy access to the serene river, a lake, and sprawling greenery.
Hike on the scenic trails and explore the wilderness, indulge in a game of baseball or soccer, fish for bass in the lake, test your skills in the disc golf course, make some delicious burgers on the grills, enjoy boating, and appreciate nature’s astounding beauty.
This is the perfect place to take a break from your routine and escape into nature.
This museum exhibits historical artifacts from the World Wars.
It showcases military uniforms, tanks, historical letters, personal items belonging to soldiers, guns, artillery, cannonballs, and several others.
The exhibits highlight the story of the Louisiana Maneuvers during the Second World War.
The library here features over 3,000 volumes that visitors are welcome to explore.
Admission to the museum is free.
Housed in the historic Bolton family home, this contemporary visual arts museum was established in 1984.
It features multiple galleries and studios that display works by numerous regional artists.
Nearly 25 exhibitions are organized at this museum every year.
Additionally, they offer art classes for all age groups.
Over 40 artists reside here, including painters, ceramicists, sculptors, and photographers.
Visit this museum and appreciate outstanding pieces of regional and local art.
This museum dates back to 1931 and highlights the history of the region’s municipal government.
It is housed in a building that was formerly the city’s fire station, jail, police department, and city court.
Its courtroom also used to function as a public library.
Tour the historic building and explore the exhibits.
Admission is free.
Pamela’s Bayou in a Bowl offers exquisite American cuisine.
Try out their red beans and rice, juicy burgers, and mac and cheese.
The menu here is very pocket-friendly and delicious.
Grab lunch at Outlaw’s Barbeque, which is extremely popular for its burgers and briskets.
Gorge on mouth-watering seafood at Steamboat Bill’s.
The menu here is inexpensive, and the place is known for its Crawfish dishes and Cajun preparations.
If you put your kids at the heart of your trip to Alexandria, Louisiana, take them to Quirky Artz to get their creative juices flowing!
This art facility is loaded with art workshops and camp classes to help them make new friends in a fun and interactive setting.
The teachers at this camp are amiable and take the time to help you and your children, so you can relax knowing that you’re in good hands.
They teach you the basic painting techniques to help you bring out your inner art enthusiast and create your very own masterpiece.
There’s plenty of paint here for anyone who wants or needs more!
Within the city’s broad spectrum of movie theater options, Grand Theatre 16 provides a unique way to watch movies.
It features in-theater dining options so you can enjoy an expansive lineup of premium cocktails and beers or some fine wine.
It offers an experience unlike any other, with luxury leather recliners and new technology like Christie Laser Projection, Dolby Atmos Surround Sound, and Real D 3D.
It’s incredible how much this movie theater has all of these to offer, especially with its diverse array of foods and convenient options for seating.
The movie selection here is phenomenal, with new cinema technology that makes watching movies more enjoyable, like ticketing options with your cellphone and excellent sound quality.
Whether you are watching a blockbuster movie or enjoying your favorite film for the hundredth time at Grand Theatre 16, you can expect a luxurious escape from the everyday realities of life.
Escape rooms are an underrated pastime; they let you build teamwork, spend quality time with family and friends, or get your mind off things for a little while.
If you’re looking for something fun to do while you’re in town, then look no further than Key2Escape.
At this brilliant escape room, you team up with other people and work together in a themed room to try and get out in the given time.
While there are rules set on what kinds of clues you may find in each game, it’s really up to your problem-solving prowess as a team when it comes down to figuring them out.
You can try Key2Escape’s Pop’s Diner, where you and five other people are tasked to find and steal Pop’s secret milkshake recipe before an hour runs out.
Everyone can have fun at Four Seasons Bowling Center, regardless of age.
This entertainment complex features bowling, an arcade, laser tag, glow bowling, and a complete bar and restaurant.
The 40-lane bowling alley has a helpful and kind staff, and the service is excellent.
Although occasionally technical difficulties develop due to the facility’s aging infrastructure, the personnel is always helpful and accommodating.
You can get some fantastic meals at the snack bar for a reasonable price, and it has weekly deals that sometimes include shoe rentals.
Beginning at this park near the Rapides Regional Medical Center in the north, a paved trail runs the length of the riverside in downtown Alexandria.
If you want to relax by the Red River, you’ve found an excellent site to do so.
It has a covered pavilion, barbecue pits, over twenty picnic tables, a children’s playground, a three-lane boat launch, a pier, and an observation deck for taking in the river below.
The levee is where many Alexandria events, especially fireworks displays, occur.
The path continues southward, passing by the Gillis William Long Bridge and the river’s grassy, forested bank before crossing inland at Pineville under U.S. Route 167.
Even if you’d planned on working out at the hotel while on vacation, you’d e pleased you joined a yoga class at Yoga Ya Ya.
Though tucked away on a quiet side street, the apartment has the comforts of home once you step inside.
Instructors at this facility frequently provide belly dance and tai chi sessions besides yoga lessons.
Its founders adhere to the Baptiste Yoga Methodology, which views physical exertion as the key to personal fulfillment.
Each class incorporates Power Vinyasa Yoga’s foundational principles.
Breathing and movement smoothly transition from one pose to the next, bridging the physical and mental realms.
Considering its reasonable prices and accommodating hours, Yoga Ya Ya should be on every Alexandria traveler’s itinerary.
At Spa Belleza, you’ll discover more than simply a wide variety of beauty services—you’ll also find a soothing and energizing environment.
While getting a massage or manicure, you may unwind to the relaxing music and pleasant ambiance.
Compared to other spas and salons, what sets Spa Belleza apart is the level of detail it puts into its treatments.
You’ll appreciate the positive effects of relaxation on one’s body, mind, and spirit.
You can always find a massage that suits you since they provide a wide range of services, including deep tissue, Thai, and Swedish.
Or, treat yourself with an aromatherapy facial to pamper yourself.
Want to do some aesthetic shopping?
At Treasure Chest, the past meets the present.
Candles, handcrafted ornaments, clothing, antiques, and curiosities are just some of the home décor products in this flea market.
Each seller has their unique stock to sell.
New stocks arrive daily and weekly, so there is always something different to see and buy.
Gifts for family and friends include Christmas ornaments, vintage toys, homemade lotions, and anything else of value.
Furniture shoppers may easily update their homes and closets by purchasing items from this store.
Even while many stalls feature the items of antique dealers and flea market vendors, you may also find shops selling the work of talented local artisans.
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Located about 30 miles from Alexandria, this site features dense verdant forests, swamps, prairies, serene lakes, rolling hills, springs, and diverse wildlife.
Enjoy an invigorating hike on the miles of trails that meander through the scenic landscapes of the densely forested region and view the outrageously colored wildflowers that spread throughout the site.
You can spot numerous deer, turkeys, bears, woodpeckers, snakes, hummingbirds, armadillos, butterflies, beavers, and plenty more.
Camp here at night to explore the wilderness and gaze at the stars. The lakes and the Kisatchie Bayou provide access to fishing and boating. Encompassing over 600,000 acres, Kisatchie forest is a perfect place to enjoy a lovely picnic against stunning backdrops.
It is also popular for mountain biking and horseback riding. Visit this place and experience the astounding natural beauty of the region.
Just 11 miles from Alexandria, you’ll find the Gone Wild Safari.
At this wildlife preserve, visitors can witness a multitude of exotic animals.
It is home to kangaroos, camels, ostriches, giraffes, zebras, deer, Indian peafowls, goats, tortoises, among several others.
You can feed the animals here as well as pet them.
The place also features a playground, snack bar, a mining company, fossils, and Toucan Pavilion.
It is fun for guests of all ages.
Enjoy the adventure and get close to the animals.
This is also a popular venue for various social gatherings and events.
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Encompassing over 1,800 acres, this historic cotton plantation dates back to the 19th century.
It features ancient slave quarters, Native American mounds from the 1700s, wagon trails, a mansion, and a cotton gin.
The farm continues to operate to date and produces 900 bales of cotton daily.
Tour the plantation, view and learn about the cotton farming methods, explore the historic buildings and gins, and visit the ancient mounds.
The site is a one-hour drive from Alexandria.
The city of Alexandria is considered a lesser-known tourist destination known for its abundant natural beauty, remarkable dining and nightlife, vibrant festivals, and rich history and culture.
It’s never boring here, especially with this list of the best things to do in Alexandria, Louisiana!
Whether you’re here on vacation or consider this wonderful city your home away from home, you’ll never run out of fun activities.
Have a blast exploring!
Discover the world.
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