Major city · United States
Shreveport
Give Shreveport 2 nights as a Red River casino-and-museums stop on I-20, not a destination trip: downtown riverfront plus one Bossier casino night.
Shreveport is Louisiana's third-largest city and the main city of the Ark-La-Tex, a three-state region where Louisiana, Texas and Arkansas meet. It pairs a small downtown riverfront with riverboat casinos, a free art gallery and a science centre, and it works best as a 2-night stop on the I-20 drive between Dallas and Jackson rather than a standalone trip. Bossier City sits directly across the Red River and holds most of the casino hotels.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Mar–May, Oct–Nov
- avoid Jul–Aug (heat and humidity), late Feb Mardi Gras weekend if you want quiet
- Airports
- SHV · DTN
- Nights
- 2
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Shreveport911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Shreveport, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyShreveport has pockets of property crime; stay in well-lit areas downtown and in Bossier City at night, keep the car locked…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportSHV Shreveport Regional Airport (5 miles west of downtown at I-20/I-220; nonstop to Atlanta, Charlotte, Dallas/Fort Worth, Denver, Houston…
- Getting aroundA car is the practical choice: I-20 and I-49 cross the city and the I-220/LA-3132 Inner Loop rings it.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$3–6
- BeerDraft beer at a bar$5–8
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)5 km (3.1 mi) rideshare3.1 mi (5 km) rideshare$10–16
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum entry (most city museums)R.W. Norton and the Louisiana State Exhibit Museum are free; Sci-Port charges (check).Free–$15
- Budget bedFamily room (up to 4), a night, per roomUS$140
- Mid-range bedChain-hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$140
- High-end bedChain-hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$220
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$70 · Mid US$140 · High US$260
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- SHV Shreveport Regional Airport (5 miles west of downtown at I-20/I-220; nonstop to Atlanta, Charlotte, Dallas/Fort Worth, Denver, Houston, Las Vegas, plus seasonal Orlando-Sanford) · DTN Shreveport Downtown Airport (Small field about a mile north of downtown; personal aircraft and charters only)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Feb
Avoid*
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Mar
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Apr
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
May
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Jun
not flagged
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jul
Avoid
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Aug
Avoid
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Sep
not flagged
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Oct
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Nov
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Dec
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Best: Mar–May, Oct–Nov. Avoid: Feb, Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Aug (35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)), coolest Jan (3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C) low), wettest Jan (9 rain days), driest Sep (7). Averages, not a forecast.
* only part of the month (early, mid or late).
Weather and climate
Shreveport: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
9 rd
Feb
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
8 rd
Mar
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
9 rd
Apr
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
8 rd
May
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
9 rd
Jun
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
8 rd
Jul
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
9 rd
Aug
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
8 rd
Sep
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
7 rd
Oct
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
7 rd
Nov
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
8 rd
Dec
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
9 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
A car is the practical choice: I-20 and I-49 cross the city and the I-220/LA-3132 Inner Loop rings it. SporTran buses cover most of Shreveport and parts of Bossier City and are free of charge, but routes are slow and thin in the evening. Rideshare (Uber, Lyft) works well downtown and at the airport; taxis are few.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Bossier City
goDoor to door: About 15 min
Drive or rideshare across the Red River, 5–10 min from downtown
Casino hotels, Louisiana Boardwalk shops and restaurants; easiest add-on to a Shreveport stay.
Mansfield, Louisiana
goDoor to door: About 45 min
US-171 south by car, about 40 min
Civil War battlefield site; pair with a half-day loop.
Logansport, Louisiana
cautionDoor to door: About 50 min
US-84 west by car, about 45 min
Texas border town on the Sabine River; thin on sights, fine as a drive.
Coushatta
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h
I-49 south then LA-1/LA-6, about 1 h
Small town and casino; only worth it if you are heading south anyway.
Ruston
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h
I-20 east by car, about 1 h
College town with a small historic centre; a half-day at most.
Arcadia, Louisiana
skipDoor to door: About 1 h
I-20 east then LA-9/LA-147, about 1 h
Too little to justify the drive on its own.
Monroe, Louisiana
overnightDoor to door: About 1 h 30 min
I-20 east by car, about 1 h 30 min
Better as a night on an I-20 run east than a return day trip.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Downtown Shreveport riverfront
Walk to the aquarium, Sci-Port, artspace and the two downtown casinos; quiet at night outside casino floors.
Bossier City (across the Red River)
Casino hotels and the Boardwalk shopping area; 5–10 min by car from downtown Shreveport.
Youree Drive / South Shreveport
Chain hotels, malls and restaurants; needs a car for everything.
Airport area (west, near I-220)
Cheapest beds and free hotel shuttles; nothing walkable.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $60–100 excl. bed
- Mid
- $110–180 excl. bed
- High
- $200+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Chain-hotel double room1 × 2 nights × US$140 | US$280 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × US$140 | US$560 |
| Rideshare airport to downtown, one way2 × US$20 · check | US$40 |
| SporTran bus, one day2 × US$0 · Fares are free of charge (check) | US$0 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15 | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$91 |
| Trip total≈ US$250 per person per day, bed included | US$1,001 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $3–6 |
| Po-boy or plate lunch | $10–18 |
| Boiled crawfish, per pound (in season)Late winter to spring; check the market price. | $6–10 |
| Draft beer at a bar | $5–8 |
| 5 km rideshare | $10–16 |
| Museum entry (most city museums)R.W. Norton and the Louisiana State Exhibit Museum are free; Sci-Port charges (check). | Free–$15 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Summer heat and humidity from June to August; plan indoor stops midday.
- The Municipal Auditorium area is fine by day but avoid it after dark.
- Casino floors are 24 h and cash-heavy: set a limit before you walk in.
- I-49 through downtown has been under construction: use I-220/LA-3132 to connect the two sections.
- Tornado season runs spring and late autumn in this part of Louisiana: check warnings.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
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ShreveportShreveport
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
No embassies in Shreveport; most countries keep consulates in Houston, Dallas or New Orleans and embassies in Washington, DC.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- SHV airport → downtown, taxi: $15–25, about 15 min (check)
- SHV airport → downtown, rideshare: usually $15–25 (check)
- SporTran bus: free of charge (check)
Say or show
- Thank you — Thank you (English is the everyday language here)
- Where is the bathroom? — Where is the bathroom?
- How much is it? — How much is it?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- To this address, please — To this address, please
Tipping is expected: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 a drink, 15–20% taxis.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Shreveport. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–May, Oct–Nov · avoid Jul–Aug (heat and humidity), late Feb Mardi Gras weekend if you want quiet · month by month →
- 2 airports and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 7 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for SHV: SporTran route 7/13 to the Downtown Transfer Station, taxi and rideshare fallbacks, hotel shuttle rung.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: downtown riverfront, Texas Street arts block, Fairfield Avenue mansions, South Youree Drive.
- Place pages with verified hours (R.W. Norton, Sci-Port, Spring Street Museum, Louisiana State Exhibit Museum) and eat pages with last orders.
- Festival fixtures for Mardi Gras, Mudbug Madness and Red River Revel so date-gated pages can go green.