A Weekend in Ruston, Louisiana

By: TLP's Partners

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Whether you are traveling from nearby Monroe Airport, or stopping off I-20 for a quick visit, Ruston, Louisiana, is a quaint town full of surprises. As visitors drive through Ruston, they will be delighted by the public art displays and murals that dot the 25-block historic downtown district. Additionally, the area boasts a variety of locally owned shops and boutiques, engaging attractions, and a diverse culinary scene just waiting to be devoured. Let’s dive in and explore the best things to see and do during a weekend in Ruston.

Bulldog Sculpture Tour

In Ruston, locals sure do love their dogs—bulldogs that is. Ruston’s Louisiana Tech University boasts a bulldog named Tech as its official school mascot. Following suit, the town has unofficially adopted man’s best friend as its town symbol.

Start your visit to Ruston with a drive around town to spot an array of larger-than-life and ornately decorated bulldog statues. The unique town fixtures are part of The Bulldog Project, a public art installation that consists of 11 bulldog statues that were each designed by local artists. Grab the list of bulldog sculpture addresses and turn the adventure into a fun scavenger hunt with friends and family as you search for them all. Be sure to snap a photo at each bulldog and share your adventure on social media using #TheBulldogProject.

The Everyone Loves Breakfast bulldog sculpture in Ruston features a bright blue colored bulldog with an over easy egg over the right eye and images of bacon and coffee on the dogs body. — Everyone Loves Breakfast

The Farmers Market bulldog sculpture in Ruston features a black colored bulldog with images of colorful vegetables and fruits throughout its body. — Everyone Loves Breakfast

The Flower Power Bulldog in Ruston features pastel pink and blue colors on the head and a color array of hand painted flowers throughout the body. — Flower Power

Downtown Dining and Shopping

A table full of food platters from the Heard Freighthouse Food Park in Ruston

After working up an appetite on your bulldog scavenger hunt, head downtown for a bite to eat. Local favorites include beer and brick-oven pizza at Utility Brewing, Ruston’s only microbrewery, or New Orleans inspired cuisine at Ponchatoulas. For a truly unique dining experience, head down the street to the nearby Heard Freighthouse Food Park. Here you will find savory BBQ at Bad Wolf BBQ, craft burgers at Grown and Grazed, specialty sandwiches and cookies at Staple Sandwich Co., Southern classics at Grace Wins, and authentic street tacos at Taqueria La Mexicana. Grab a seat at one of the outdoor picnic tables and give one—or many places a try. Either way, there’s something for everyone to love at the food park.

Once your hunger has been satisfied, take a stroll through downtown and enjoy the sights. Many buildings are lined with gigantic colorful murals that bring a breath of freshness to the historic district. Pop into a few shops along the way, like the Goldie Boutique for fashion-forward clothing, or Number 9 Books and Record for gently-used gems. For art lovers, don’t miss a stop at Creative Exchange, a cozy art marketplace that features fine art and unique gifts by local artists and artisans.

Historic Stops

The North Louisiana Military Museum in Ruston

As you venture out of downtown, there are several stops you can’t miss during your trip to Ruston, starting with The North Louisiana Military Museum. This unassuming museum houses an impressive collection of uniforms, weapons, flags, training gear, aircrafts, and war vehicles from World War I and II, Korea, Vietnam, and the Gulf Wars. The museum is a delight for any history buff, but will also fascinate visitors of all ages. Sports fans, on the other hand, will enjoy a tour through the Eddie G. Robinson Museum. This landmark institution celebrates the life and legacy of the famous Grambling State University coach who stands as the second winningest coach of all time in NCAA Division I football.

Off the Beaten Path

Next, get outside and head to Mitcham Farms and Peach Orchard. A staple of the Ruston community for over 70 years and home to Louisiana’s largest peach orchard, Mitcham Farms offers fresh peaches in the summer months, along with a variety of peach products and treats like fresh peach soft-served ice-cream. For another dose of produce, head to the Ruston Farmers Market. This year-round market offers seasonal fruits and vegetables, meat, eggs, honey, jams, salsa, and other locally produced goods, along with live music every Saturday.

Lastly, a trip to Ruston would not be complete without a trip to Lincoln Parish Park. With a new and improved 10-mile mountain biking trail, Lincoln Parish Park was recently voted the best mountain bike park in the country. Beyond biking, the park has much more to offer. Enjoy a walk through the park to take in the towering pines and lush foliage, or make plans to stay at the parks on-site camp ground. In addition to fishing and swimming at the gorgeous Hoogland Lake that sits in the middle of the park, there is also an accessible playground for kids of all capabilities, making Lincoln Parish Park the perfect location for a quick visit or family getaway.

Plan your weekend in Ruston by visiting RustonLincoln.com.