Shreveport & Texarkana "Twin Cities" Guide

Hey y'all! If you're a Texan suffering from the "everything's bigger but my weekend plans" blues, I've got the perfect antidote. On my Southern U.S. road trip, I discovered two quirky border towns that make for ideal half-day escapes from Dallas or Houston. Are they life-changing? Nah. But are they solid options for scratching that wanderlust itch without booking a flight? Absolutely. Let's dive into this double-feature destination guide! 🗺️ The Logistics: Your Texas-Louisiana-Arkansas Triangle From Dallas: Shreveport, LA: 3 hours (190 miles) Caddo Lake: 3.5 hours (210 miles) Texarkana, TX/AR: 3 hours (180 miles) From Houston: Shreveport, LA: 4.5 hours (240 miles) Caddo Lake: 5 hours (280 miles) Texarkana, TX/AR: 4 hours (215 miles) Perfect Itinerary: Leave Saturday morning, hit Shreveport by lunch, spend the afternoon, overnight in Texarkana, explore Sunday morning, and be home by dinner. Easy peasy. 🌟 Shreveport, Louisiana – Where the Red River Meets Elvis Shreveport is Louisiana's third-largest city, but don't let that intimidate you—it has a small-town soul with just enough spice to keep things interesting. Nestled on the Red River, it's a mishmash of antebellum charm, riverboat casinos, and classic Southern hospitality. 📍 Downtown Core: History & Neon Shreveport Municipal Auditorium 🎸 Elvis played here. Elvis. The "King of Rock and Roll" shook his hips on this stage in the 1950s. The art deco building is a temple of music history, with a neon marquee that still lights up the night. Even if you can't catch a show, walk around and feel the ghosts of Johnny Cash and Hank Williams. The Strand Theatre 🎭 Built in 1925, this movie palace turned performing arts venue is pure Gilded Age glam. The restored interior (gold leaf, velvet seats, a 1,000-pound chandelier) is breathtaking. Catch a classic film screening or just gawk at the lobby. 🎰 Eldorado Resort Casino – For the Gamblers Not my cup of sweet tea, but if you want to "Laissez les bon temps rouler" without driving to New Orleans, this riverboat casino is your spot. Slots, blackjack, and all-you-can-eat buffets. 🐠 Shreveport Aquarium ⭐ Surprisingly excellent! This isn't your typical fish prison. The shark tunnel lets you walk beneath swimming predators, the sea turtle rescue exhibit is heartwarming, and the jellyfish room is pure Instagram gold (they pulse to music). The alligator snapping turtle is a living dinosaur. It's clean, educational, and perfect for kids or a rainy day. Pro Tip: The aquarium backs onto the Red River. Walk the small park behind it for epic reflections of the Texas Street Bridge in the water—a shot that looks like Nashville but without the bachelorette parties. 🛍️ Louisiana Boardwalk Outlets ⭐ The real MVP of Shreveport. This riverfront shopping center is more than stores—it's a lifestyle experience. Stroll the boardwalk, watch the river flow, grab beignets at River City Café, and catch the fountain show at sunset. It's people-watching heaven: families, couples, street musicians, all framed by the Red River's lazy beauty. 🔬 Sci-Port Discovery Center If you have kids (or are a kid at heart), this hands-on science museum is a solid hour of fun. Interactive exhibits on space, physics, and Louisiana ecosystems. The IMAX theater shows nature documentaries that'll make you want to hug a tree. 🌲 Caddo Lake – The Hidden Gem Between Them I have to pause here because Caddo Lake deserves its own spotlight. Straddling the Texas-Louisiana line, this is the largest natural lake in Texas and one of the most mystical places in the South. What to Do: Rent a kayak or canoe and paddle through cypress groves draped in Spanish moss. It feels like a Louisiana bayou but it's pure Texas. Caddo Lake State Park has easy hiking trails and historic cabins built by the CCC in the 1930s. Photography: The misty mornings here are straight out of a fantasy novel. Fishing: It's a bass fishing paradise. Timing: Fall (Oct-Nov) for peak fall colors. Spring (Mar-Apr) for wildflowers and active wildlife. 🌟 Texarkana – The City That Couldn't Pick a Side This is the strangest, most delightful border town in America. The name says it all: Texas + Arkansas. The state line literally runs down the middle of State Line Avenue, splitting the city into two separate municipalities with two mayors, two police forces, and two of everything. 📍 Perot Theatre 🎭 No, not that Perot (but yes, it's named after the same family). This 1924 vaudeville palace is a jewel box of gilded grandeur. The lobby's marble staircase and original Mighty Wurlitzer organ are worth the visit alone. Show schedule is sporadic, but you can usually sneak a peek during business hours. 🦆 Spring Lake Park A peaceful 220-acre park with a spring-fed lake, walking trails, and a confusing dual-state address. The playground is on the Arkansas side; the picnic pavilion is Texas. It's bureaucratic absurdity at its finest. #US #Texas #Dallas