Drive along Interstate 20 between Shreveport and Monroe in northern Louisiana and you’ll encounter a destination with stylish boutiques, a lively historic downtown, a thriving arts scene, live music, a tranquil lake, and nature trails to explore. College stadiums roar with cheers, cocktail glasses clink at chef tables, and sweet peaches are plucked from their orchards. Visit Ruston and Lincoln Parish, home to Louisiana Tech University and Grambling State University, to make your next vacation truly your own.
Experience the enticing outdoor recreation this region boasts at nearby state parks: Jimmie Davis State Park, Lake Claiborne State Park, and Lake D’Arbonne State Park—all within 30 miles of Lincoln Parish. Spend a blissful day on Lincoln Parish Park’s 10-mile mountain bike trail—be sure to check out the World’s First Waterfall MTB Hub—and then head to the sandy beaches of its lake for some kayaking and fishing. Search for winged wonders along the James Lake Birding Trail in Dubach, north of Ruston in Lincoln Parish. Go off the beaten path at Ruston’s Rock Island Greenway, a linear park designed for you to walk, run, or cycle.
For all things local, Downtown Ruston is where you’ll want to go. As you browse through shops you’ll find fashionable boutiques, beautiful home decor, fun gifts, and everything in between. While you’re downtown, don’t forget to check out the many local restaurants that serve delicious dishes with unique flavors. If you’re in Ruston on a Saturday, be sure to head to the Ruston Farmers Market from 9am-1pm for fresh produce and other local products.
If you’re on the hunt for live entertainment in Ruston and Lincoln Parish, you won’t have to look far. Downtown’s Railroad Park frequently hosts community events and local restaurants have weekly live music line-ups sure to satisfy everyone in the family. Look for the neon glow of the Dixie Center for the Arts sign downtown for a list of upcoming productions and concerts at this 1928 restored silent film theater. Louisiana Tech University’s music and theater departments and Grambling State University’s Floyd L. Sandle Theatre performances are also open to the public.
There’s even fun for the whole family in Ruston and Lincoln Parish. Embrace your inner warrior at Bayou Axe in Downtown Ruston, our local axe-throwing attraction and restaurant. Take the whole family to check out the trails at Lincoln Parish Park or head to the splash pads at one of these three Ruston parks for a fun time in the outdoors: Cook Park, Duncan Park, Mayfield Park.
Plan your visit around the many events in Ruston and Lincoln Parish—like the Louisiana Peach Festival—to experience the culture of this region first-hand. Come discover this northern Louisiana destination for yourself!
