Hit these spots, and try out the best things to do in Ruston! Read on to find out all about them.
Ruston, situated in the heart of northern Louisiana, is home to great artwork, exciting history, and fun outdoor activities to please any traveler. There are around 22,000 people who reside here, but don’t let its small size deter you from visiting the numerous attractions this city has to offer. Here are 6 ways to get the most out of your trip to Ruston.
1. Surround yourself in the arts at the Dixie Theater
A member of the National Register of Historic Places, the Dixie Theater, originally the Astor Theater, has been the premier source of the arts in Ruston since 1928. The theater hosts events for all ages, and offers enough to please even the most discerning of guests. You can catch concerts, theatre performances, and even screenings from independent filmmakers from the area throughout the year.
The theatre seats 570 people, split between the performance hall and balcony. It is available to be rented out for wedding ceremonies, recitals, meetings, and theatrical events. Prices for each event varies, so be sure to check the schedule online or call for more information.
Dixie Theater
Address: 212 North Vienna Street, Ruston, LA 71270
Contact: +1 3182551450
Website: Dixie Center for the Arts
2. Satisfy your sweet tooth at the Louisiana Peach Festival
If you find yourself in Ruston in June, head on over to the Louisiana Peach Festival. Here you will find an assortment of peach-related events, including pageants, a rodeo, rides, a kids fishing contest, and arts and crafts. There’s even a baby photo contest if you’ve got a little one with you. The festival attracts around 23,000 people each year and has been providing fun for the whole family for over 60 years.
Filling your weekend with the sweet taste of peaches is never a bad idea. And if you overindulge on dessert, there’s a 5K race you can enter to work off some of those calories.
Louisiana Peach Festival
Address: 2111 N Trenton St, Ruston, LA 71270
Price: 10 USD for a day pass, 15 USD for a weekend pass. Kids under 8 get in free
Website: Louisiana Peach Festival
3. Test your football knowledge at the Eddie G. Robinson Museum
College football fans will love this one. Ruston is home to the Eddie G. Robinson Museum, which serves as a tribute to one of the greatest football coaches in history. Robinson is the third winningest college football coach in the country, having bested the opponent in 408 games throughout his 56 year coaching career. The museum recognizes the impact Robinson had on the game and the players who were coached by him.
Visitors can view memorabilia, awards, and various exhibits as they learn more about the College Football Hall of Fame inductee.
Eddie G. Robinson Museum
Address: 126 Jones St, Grambling, LA 71245
Hours: Monday through Friday: 10 am – 6 pm
Price: Free, but welcomes donations
Website: Eddie G. Robinson Museum
4. Step into the past at the Louisiana Military Museum
The Louisiana Military Museum is not just for history and military buffs. Anyone can appreciate that no square inch of the museum goes to waste thanks to its expansive collection of weapons, uniforms, training gear, flags, aircraft, and vehicles. World Wars I and II, Korea, Vietnam, and the Gulf wars are their most represented conflicts, though nearly every conflict the US took part in has a display at the museum.
Pay the Louisiana Military Museum a visit to learn more about how America got to be where it is today. You may find yourself more interested in military history than you were before you arrived.
Louisiana Military Museum
Address: 201 Memorial Drive, Ruston, LA 71270
Hours: Tuesday through Saturday, 10 am – 4 pm
Price: Free, but welcomes donations
Website: Louisiana Military Museum
5. Work up a sweat at Lincoln Parish Park
The Lincoln Parish Park is well-loved for being one of the best mountain bike trails in the country. Experienced riders and beginners alike will find enjoyment out of the 10-mile-long (16 km) trail, filled with excitement and challenges around every turn. When you’re done on the trail and want to call it a night, there’s no need to leave the park. An RV campground is available on the premises with full hookups, including water, sewage, and electricity, at each site. Or get more in touch with nature by taking the primitive tents-only option.
Lincoln Parish Park offers plenty of options for those not so interested in cycling. You can find both residents and visitors fishing, swimming, geocaching, playing on playgrounds, and hiking or running throughout the park.
Lincoln Parish Park
Address: 211 Parish Park Rd, Ruston, LA 71270
Camping Price: Tent – 17 USD/night, RV – 25 USD/night
Contact: +1 3182515156
Website: Lincoln Parish Park
6. View local art at Louisiana Tech University's School of Design
While it may be a technological institution, Louisiana Tech University boasts a nice selection of artwork in the galleries of the School of Design. This is far more than just a few paintings on a wall. Here you can find all forms of media, including video, printmaking, drawing, sculpture, ceramics, photography, fiber, and digital works. There’s something for everyone.
Perhaps the best part of the gallery is that anyone at least 18 years old who isn’t in a degree-seeking program at the university can submit their own artwork for consideration. The gallery also exhibits nationally recognized contemporary artists for the students and community to view and learn from.
The School of Design at Louisiana Tech University
Address: F. Jay Taylor Visual Arts Center, 1 Mayfield Avenue, Ruston, LA 71272
Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 am – 4 pm
Price: Free
Website: The School of Design
Explore the world of northern Louisiana
It’s easy to think the only vacation stop in Louisiana is New Orleans, but if you head up north a bit, you’ll find some unforgettable experiences. Take a summer trip to Ruston to enjoy its many outdoor activities, then cool off with some peach ice cream and a trip to the theater. But if the southern summer heat is too much for you, a visit during the cooler months will be just as memorable.