Bossier City Louisiana Travel Guide
Bossier City is located in northwest Louisiana, in the Ark-La-Tex Region, along Interstate I-20, in Bossier Parish. It lies along the eastern bank of the Red River, just across from Shreveport, and has a population of about 62,000 residents.
I-220 forms a loop around the northern part of Bossier City and Shreveport. U.S. Highway 71 runs to the south, connecting with the Natchitoches and Alexandria areas. State Highway 3 heads north, to places like Benton and Plain Dealing, and southern Arkansas.
It is home to one of the largest military bases in the United States: Barksdale Air Force Base. The area economy is strong based on the base, and the tourism and gaming industries as well.
Shreveport restaurant reviews, at TripAdvisor Reviews of tourist attractions and things to do in Shreveport - Bossier
Vacation Home Rentals in the Bossier City - Shreveport AreaPlanning a trip to Bossier City and need a vacation rental?
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The Brookshire Grocery Arena to attracts first-rate country stars, rock star concerts and special events such as Disney on Ice. Bass fishing tournaments are now regularly held on the Red River.
 Louisiana Boardwalk, Bossier City (Courtesy of Shreveport-Bossier Convention Tourist Bureau) |
The Louisiana Boardwalk, located at 540 Boardwalk Boulevard, is a beautiful shopping mecca located on the banks of the Red River. It features dozens of upscale shopping venues such as Wet Seal, Dress Barn, Fossil, Lane Bryant and much more. Dining opportunities include Hooters, Copelands Cheesecake Bistro, Salt Grass Steakhouse, Joe's Crabshack and other restaurants.
The Boardwalk also includes the Regal Cinema an Courtyard by Marriott, and nearby Bass Pro Shops.
Bossier City and Shreveport are home to four major riverboat casinos:
- Bally's Shreveport Casino & Hotel
- Horseshoe Bossier City Hotel & Casino
- Boomtown Casino & Hotel
- Margaritaville Casino and Resort
Louisiana Downs Casino & Racetrack, a first-class thoroughbred racetrack with slot machines, is located on the east side of the city at the junction of I-20 and I-220.
For more information on area attractions, visit the website of the Shreveport-Bossier Convention & Visitors Bureau
Barksdale Air Force Base
 Early aerial view of Barksdale Field in Bossier City |
Another major element of the Shreveport-Bossier City economy is Barksdale Air Force Base, long a major Strategic Air Command (SAC) facility. Construction began on Barksdale Field in 1931, and the facility was dedicated on February 2, 1933.
Since that time, the base has hosted a number of key operational and training elements of the Air Force. Today, it is serves as Headquarters of the Eighth Air Force, among other units, and is one of only two air bases at which B-52 Stratofortress bombers are stationed.
Read more about Barksdale Air Force Base
Defenders of Liberty Air Show
 Blue Angels in Flight (US Navy Photo) |
A popular event at Barksdale AFB is the Defenders of Liberty Air Show. The most recent 2023 Defenders of Liberty Air Show was held on March 25-26, 2023 and featured the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, other aerial groups and static displays.
Barksdale Global Power Museum
The Barksdale Global Power Museum (formerly known as the 8th Air Force Museum) is located at Barksdale AFB and is a major national repository of historic Air Force airplanes. It is free and open to the public, accessible via the Barksdale north gate. Visit the museum's website for details on how to obtain an access pass.
Among the aircraft collection are the B-29 Superfortress, B-47E Stratojet, B-52 Stratofortress, B-17G Flying Fortress, KC-135A Stratotanker, F-84F Thunderstreak, FB-111A, Lockheed SR-71 and other vintage aircraft and related equipment.
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The Barksdale Global Power Association operates independently of Barksdale AFB and supports the facility thru a variety of projects, events and services. The GPM Association is not part of Barksdale AFB and is a separate organization that operates independently.
Dedicated in 1979, the facility is visited by 50,000 visitors annually. We have visited there, and highly recommended it.
Read more about the Barksdale Global Power Museum and how to obtain access passes
More About Bossier City Attractions
For more information about Bossier City, we recommend a visit to the web site of the Bossier City Chamber of Commerce, and the Shreveport-Bossier Convention & Tourist Bureau.
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More Bossier City InformationShreveport - Bossier Convention & Tourist Bureau Bossier City at LouisianaTravel.com |
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Bossier City History
In the 1830s Bossier City was known as Bennett's Bluff, and then in 1843 a section of land was divided out of the Great Natchitoches district and Claiborne Parish areas and was called Bossier Parish. In the 1840s, many settlers passed through the region on their way to the wild west, and later over 200 wagons a week passed through Bossier City.
Shed Road, the first all-weather turnpike in the American South, operated in Bossier City from 1874–1886, running for 9 miles from Red Chute to the Red River. This covered road made the transportation of goods easier before the arrival of the railroads.
Ever since the Red River was cleared and made newly navigable by Captain Henry Shreve, who removed a 180-mile long logjam, the area has exhibited an entrepreneurial spirit that remains strong even today. In 1994, the Red River was again made navigable, this time by the U.S. by the Army Corps of Engineers with the completion of a series of lock-and-dam structures and a navigation channel.
Historic images of Bossier City
Amber Inn Drive-In Restaurant, E. Texas Street, U.S. Highway 80 Bossier City, Louisiana |
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Barksdale Motel Bossier City, Louisiana |
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Bridge across the Red River connecting Bossier City (bottom) to Shreveport (top) |
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Shreveport-Bossier Barksdale Bridge across the Red River, looking east towards the Barksdale Main Gate |
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Barksdale AFB Main Gate |
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