Central Louisiana: Explore the Heart of the Bayou State

Filled with inspiring flavors, rich history, and a culture all its own, Central Louisiana is truly one of a kind. Enjoy convenient access to indoor attractions and outdoor recreational areas with unique destinations just a short drive away including art galleries, performance theaters, museums, regional festivals and more. Families enjoy a wide array of kid-friendly activities in Central Louisiana where children can learn and grow through sports, fishing, camping and the arts. 

Alexandria’s downtown arts district features special attractions tailored to children, such as the T.R.E.E. House Museum which offers 7,800-square-feet of hands-on educational fun for children ages one to 12. 

Favorite museum features include an oversized indoor playhouse, art studio, and creative music and play centers such as a gallery of miniature trains traveling along tiny landscapes, and an interactive television studio.

 The opportunities for adventure are endless with many wildlife attractions unique to Central Louisiana. The award-winning Alexandria Zoo features 33-acres of rare and endangered species and is home to the only pair of white-tailed sea eagles at a North American Zoo. A Louisiana section features animals native to the state’s distinct ecosystem, such as red wolves, alligators, and otters. Additional highlights include a snake house and Galapagos tortoises. A popular draw for young and old alike is Bayou Le Zoo Choo Choo, a scale model of a C.P. Huntington steam engine that circles the complex, providing visitors a chance to get an up-close look at zoo animals. 

For an even closer look at exotic animals, visit Gone Wild Safari in Pineville – a 50-acre preserve where families can spend the day interacting with animals as they graze and roam free in lush, natural settings that mimic their natural habitats. The park is home to camels, giraffes, kangaroos, ostriches, zebras and many other herbivores, and filled with tall oak trees, lush palms and ponds for waterfowl. Visitors ride in open-air vehicles through the park, where they can view and feed many of the animals. Gone Wild Safari also features an animal themed playground, Parakeet enclosure, petting zoo and the “Mining Company” where visitors can pan for minerals and fossils. 

The diverse selection of kids’ activities in Central Louisiana offer engaging, family-friendly fun year round. With so much to explore, you’ll want to stay awhile! 

Plan your trip at alexandriapinevillela.com.