Monroe
Around Monroe
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Metro area · Louisiana · 221k people
Monroe
Locals say Twin Cities · “Twin Cities”, “Hub City”, “Birthplace of Delta Air Lines”
Where the Ouachita flows and the welcome is warm
goldmaroon
Welcome to the Twin Cities, Monroe and West Monroe, where the Ouachita River brings everyone together. Enjoy the cypress swamps, the friendly folks, and the best fried catfish you'll ever taste.
Clubs for Monroe
No clubs for Monroe yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Monroe. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Monroe. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo City zoo with gardens and a train ride.
- Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge Cypress swamp boardwalk and birding.
- Chennault Aviation and Military Museum WWII aviation history at the former airbase.
- Biedenharn Museum and Gardens Coca-Cola history and formal gardens.
- Kiroli Park Large park with trails and playgrounds.
- Ouachita River Fishing, boating, and riverfront views.
- Outdoors Fishing on the Ouachita River
- Outdoors Hiking at Black Bayou Lake
- With kids Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo
- With kids Kiroli Park playgrounds
- Evenings Live music at downtown bars
- Evenings ULM Warhawks game nights
- Locals love Riverfront parks
- Locals love Cypress swamps
Through the year
Humid subtropical climate with hot, muggy summers and mild winters. Best times are spring and fall. Best: Spring and fall are the best times to be out.
Talk like a local
- “Twin Cities”
- Local name for Monroe-West Monroe.
- “Ouachita”
- Pronounced WASH-i-taw, for the river and parish.
- “Geaux”
- Local spelling of 'go' used for LSU and ULM sports.
- “Y'all”
- Southern plural 'you'.
Getaways
- Ruston Home of Louisiana Tech and peach orchards.
- El Dorado Music and arts scene in Arkansas.
- Vicksburg Civil War battlefield and river town.
- Natchitoches Historic French colonial town.
Local flavour
Teams
- ULM Warhawks NCAA Division I (Sun Belt Conference)
Also rooting for New Orleans Saints (NFL), LSU Tigers (NCAA), New Orleans Pelicans (NBA)
Eat and drink
- Hot tamales A regional specialty, often served with chili or sauce.
- Fried catfish A staple of Louisiana cooking, often paired with hushpuppies.
- Crawfish étouffée A rich, spicy stew served over rice, common across the state.
- Sweet tea The quintessential Southern drink, often served over ice with lemon.
- Gumbo A hearty soup with okra, andouille, and often chicken or seafood.
Where people go
- Riverfront parks Along the Ouachita River, offering walking trails and scenic views.
- Cypress swamps Iconic wetlands with moss-draped trees, ideal for kayaking and wildlife viewing.
- Historic downtown Antebellum architecture and antique shops in Monroe and West Monroe.
- Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo A local landmark with themed gardens and a zoo.
Heritage and traditions
Monroe is proud of its river heritage, its role as the birthplace of bottled Coca-Cola, and its friendly Southern hospitality. The Twin Cities of Monroe and West Monroe share a close-knit community spirit.
Say it like a local: “fixin' to” — about to do something
Festivals
- Louisiana Corn Festival June Held in Winnsboro each June, celebrating the corn harvest with food, music, and a parade.
- RiverFest September A September event along the Ouachita River featuring live music, food vendors, and family activities.
- Christmas Parade December A festive holiday parade through downtown Monroe in December.
Landmarks with a story
- Masur Museum of Art Housed in a historic 1929 home, it is the region's largest art museum.
- St. Matthew's Episcopal Church A historic church in Monroe with a distinctive Gothic Revival style.
- Ouachita Parish Courthouse An imposing 1930s courthouse with classical architecture, a local landmark.
- West Monroe Historic District A neighborhood with well-preserved early 20th-century homes and a small-town feel.
Food traditions
- Coca-Cola floats Monroe is the birthplace of bottled Coca-Cola, so a Coke float is a nostalgic local treat.
- Crawfish boils In spring, families gather for crawfish boils, a Louisiana tradition that has spread north.
- Fried catfish dinners Often served with hushpuppies and coleslaw, a staple of local restaurants and fish fries.
- Sweet tea A constant presence at meals, often served over ice with a slice of lemon.
- Hot tamales A local specialty, especially during the holidays, often sold at festivals and roadside stands.
Music and arts
- Blues tradition Monroe has a deep blues heritage, with local artists like Silas Hogan contributing to the genre.
- Country music The region enjoys country music, with local venues and events celebrating the genre.
- Monroe Symphony Orchestra A professional orchestra performing classical and pops concerts throughout the year.
- Visual arts at Masur Museum The museum hosts rotating exhibitions and educational programs, fostering local art appreciation.
A little history
- 1785 Fort Miro founded
- 1819 Renamed Monroe after the steamboat James Monroe
- 1894 First Coca-Cola bottling plant opened
- 1940s Chennault Air Force Base active
- 1950s Blues musician Silas Hogan records
Rivalries
- ULM Warhawks vs Louisiana Tech Bulldogs College football rivalry with Ruston.
- Ouachita Parish High vs West Monroe High Local high school football rivalry.
- Monroe vs Ruston Friendly competition for business and sports.
- Game day ULM Warhawks football
- Game day Friday night lights
- Outdoors Fishing on the Ouachita River
- Outdoors Hiking at Black Bayou Lake
- With kids Masur Museum of Art
- With kids Monroe Civic Center
Locals speak with a Southern drawl, often using 'y'all' and 'fixin' to.' The accent is more inland Southern than Cajun, with a slower pace and a tendency to drop 'g's in '-ing' words.
Only here
- The first Coca-Cola bottling plant in the world operated in Monroe.
- The Twin Cities of Monroe and West Monroe are separated by the Ouachita River.
- The Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo is a unique attraction combining gardens and a zoo.
- The Ouachita River offers a scenic divide and recreational hub.
New here? A few tips
- Get used to hot, humid summers; air conditioning is essential.
- You'll need a car—the area is spread out and public transit is limited.
- Sweet tea is the default drink; try it before asking for unsweetened.
- Embrace the friendly Southern hospitality—people often wave and strike up conversations.
- Try a hot tamale from a local stand or festival—it's a regional specialty.
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Part of Monroe area
Nearby
Every areaRustonLouisianaWhere the pines meet the peaches, and Saturdays are for football.WinnfieldLouisianaWhere the pines whisper and the crawfish boilWinnsboroLouisianaWhere the Mississippi meets the cotton fieldsEl DoradoArkansasWhere piney woods meet the oil derricksHomerLouisianaWhere the pines meet the red dirt.MindenLouisianaPiney woods, warm smiles, and Southern comfort.VicksburgMississippiSteeped in history, flowing with charm.NatchitochesLouisianaThe original Louisiana
Monroe, LA. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.