Things to Do in Monroe

Layton Castle

Built in the early 1900s around a cottage that was home to Henry Bry in the 1800s, Layton Castle is open to group tours by appointment only (admission charged).

One of the original descendents lives there now, and to help defray the cost of upkeep, rents out portions of it as apartments.

One of my friends rented an apartment there for a while, so I was able to have my own private tour. He lived on the third floor, and his living area was within one of the turrets. A simply fascinating place, complete with its own ghosts. Seriously. My friend actually saw one, and I experienced one of its more playful hauntings.

He eventually moved out because of a water problem, although he was tired of having to hunt for his wallet every time the ghost decided to move it.

Address: 1133 South Grand

Phone: 318-322-4869


	The Pink House	Tip Rating:

By Small_World

on June 26, 2005

This landmark stands out above anything else here, because everyone sees it as they drive by on the Interstate. Legend has it that the owner of the building built it for his wife. I'm not sure how it ended up pink; you'd think someone was invovled in Mary Kay cosmetics, or something.

Nobody lives there, as far as I know; I'm pretty sure it is only a home to hundreds of pigeons.

I was out rollerblading with a couple of friends one day, and as we passed the building, one of them suggested that we climb up the fire escape and explore the pink house. I was open to the adventure until my other friend who is a doctor advised against us being exposed to all kinds of nasty diseases from the pigeons who lived there.

Don't you just hate it when the voice of reason speaks louder than the voice of adventure?

Address: Downtown Monroe


	G.B. Cooley House	Tip Rating:

Updated By Small_World

on June 26, 2005

G.B. Cooley House

This prairie house was designed by Walter Burley Griffin, a protege of Frank Lloyd Wright, and is more than likely the only example of Griffin's work in the South. It is said to be Lousisiana's only known Prairie Style house.

According to my source, it was built for Capt. G.B. Cooley and, thus, looks a bit nautical.

Next door to Layton Castle, the Cooley House has a few ghosts as well.

The house is currently on the market.

Address: 1011 South Grand

Directions: Next to Layton Castle


	St. Matthew's	Tip Rating:

Updated By Small_World

on June 26, 2005

St. Matthew's

I've admired St. Matthew's for years and often wondered how something of such beauty could be here under my nose without my ever having been inside it, so when a friend whose grandfather attended St. Matthew's invited me to go with her for a tour, I jumped at the chance.

The original St. Matthew's served the original settlers of Monroe, and some of them are buried in the church cemetary.

Address: Jackson Street


	Northeast Louisiana Children's Museum	Tip Rating:

By vigi

on May 16, 2004

Learning is fun here! A small place, with all types of toys & games... Kids Cafe, Health Hall, The Think Tank, Stuffee, Toddler Town, and organize birthday parties for kids.

Address: 323 Walnut Street, Monroe

Phone: (318) 361 9611

Directions: From I-20, take the Civic Center exit. Go north to Pine Street & turn LEFT. Go to Walnut Street and turn LEFT. Look for the purple building.

Website: www.nelcm.org


	Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge	Tip Rating:

By vigi

on May 18, 2004

This is another beautiful must see. Cannot imagine Monroe have some many nice Bayou. The existing refuge consists of pristine wetlands associated with a 1600-acre, shallow, cypress-studded lake, riparian areas, and reforested farm fields in the watershed. The area provides excellent habitat for wetland-dependent fish and wildlife such as waterfowl, wading birds, neotropical migrants, reptiles, and game fish. Several endangered redcockaded woodpecker clusters are found on the refuge. The refuge is open year round during daylight hours for permitted uses. There are no entrance fees.

Address: 11372 Highway 143, Farmerville

Phone: (318) 726-4400

Website: southeast.fws.gov/BlackBayouLake/

Other Contact: northlarefuges@fws.gov


	Aviation Historical Museum of Louisiana	Tip Rating:

By vigi

on May 16, 2004

Selman Field was to serve a vital role during World War II as the training grounds for both American and Allied military, in the field of navigation . also offered the only complete navigation course in the U.S.

The Aviation Museum is currently housed in a building that was built during World War II, and it is the only surviving building from Selman Field. From the outside it looks a bit unimpressive. But as the saying goes, you cannot judge a book by its cover, and this museum justifies the rule. Not only is this museum jam-packed with artifacts related to aviation - artifacts running the gamut from a World War I pilots uniform to astronautical paraphernalia, donated by astronaut Jim Halsell, a West Monroe native. Colonel Halsell has logged over 1,250 hours in space!

Phone: (318) 361-9020


	Aviation Historical Museum of Louisiana	Tip Rating:

By vigi

on May 16, 2004

This museum is a real work of love. Most of the material in the museum has been donated, and it is almost entirely staffed by volunteers. Many of these volunteers are veterans of World War II, and their stories alone are worth a visit to the museum. By the time you look through the exhibits, and listen to the 'guides' you will have a much better understanding of the role aviation has played in modern warfare, and the extreme sacrifice that so many men and women have made while serving in the U.S. military.

Phone: (318) 361-9020


	Black Bayou Natlional Wildlife Refuge	Tip Rating:

By turnip2000

on August 23, 2006

by turnip2000,
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Beautiful 1800 acre cypress-studded lake, nature trail, pier, wildlife observation deck, visitor/education center, arboretum. Fishing and hunting opportunities....but it is a bit full of chiggers, snakes and the like. They don't bother me, but just thought I should mention it. It really is a nice place to take photos.

Directions: North on 165.


	Louisiana Purchase Zoo

By vigi

on May 16, 2004