Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Ruston, Louisiana

An appealing college town, Ruston is located off I-20, nestled between Shreveport and Monroe in North Louisiana.

The city’s origins trace back to a settlement established along the Vicksburg, Shreveport, and Pacific Railroad in the 1880s. It is fitting that Railroad Park, on the former grounds of a depot, continues to serve as a center for concerts and festivals over a century later.

The surrounding Lincoln Parish is well-known for its peach production, and Ruston hosts a longstanding Peach Festival during the harvest season in June.

Ruston’s historic downtown is worthy of exploration, featuring numerous annual events, local retail establishments, dining options, and a renowned farmers’ market operating year-round on Saturdays and Tuesdays.

The Louisiana Tech campus, adorned with ancient oak trees and Colonial Revival architecture, is a brief walk west of downtown and is recognized for its successful football and women’s basketball programs.

1. Downtown Ruston

Spanning 18 picturesque blocks, downtown Ruston has been designated a Louisiana Historic District, cared for by individuals deeply attached to their community.

At the time of writing, streetscape enhancements were already underway, with new sidewalks being installed along West Park Avenue.

Museums, arts venues, and a multitude of small businesses, including stores and restaurants catering to diverse tastes, contribute to the uniqueness of downtown Ruston.

Highlighted dining options include the Heard Freighthouse Food Truck Park, Ponchatoulas for Cajun and Creole seafood, and Raw Restaurant for sushi.

The social calendar is bustling, featuring major events such as the annual Peach Festival and outdoor concerts at Railroad Park downtown.

2. Louisiana Tech University

The expansive 280-acre main campus of Louisiana Tech University lies just a few blocks west of downtown Ruston. Featuring impressive Colonial Revival architecture and large oak trees, the campus merits a self-guided walking tour.

The Quadrangle, the centerpiece and oldest segment of the campus, is anchored by the Lady of the Mist fountain and surrounded by significant buildings including Keeny Hall, the Howard Auditorium, University Hall, the Wyly Tower of Learning, and the Student Center.

Louisiana Tech is highly regarded for its athletic programs, particularly its football team and the successful Lady Techsters women’s basketball program, which boasts 13 Final Four appearances and three national championships.

3. Peach Festival

Celebrated at the peak of peach season each June, Ruston’s Peach Festival has been a cherished tradition since 1951. North Louisiana is recognized for its agricultural production, with peaches being a significant crop around Ruston.

This cultivation began with smaller farms until the establishment of the Louisiana Fruit Growers Association in the late 1940s, which organized the inaugural festival shortly thereafter.

The Peach Festival is a one-day affair occurring on the first Saturday in June, featuring over ten hours of live music at the Railroad Park stage, alongside contests, a juried arts market, various food vendors, and peach-infused delicacies such as peach ice cream, all designed to entertain families.

4. Ruston Farmers’ Market

A beloved biweekly event, the city’s farmers’ market operates from a beautifully adorned warehouse located on the periphery of downtown.

This venue welcomes visitors on Tuesday evenings and Saturday mornings and serves as a vital community gathering, allowing support for the local economy and small businesses throughout Louisiana.

Available products range from seasonal fresh produce to eggs, meat, salsas, honey, jams, baked goods, delicious prepared foods, artisanal cosmetics, and handcrafted items, with a strong focus on local sourcing.

5. Rock Island Greenway

Established in phases beginning in 2016, this multi-use pathway and linear park traverses Ruston for nearly six miles.

As you travel along the Rock Island Greenway, you will be following the right-of-way of the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad, which significantly influenced Ruston’s growth in the early 20th century.

The greenway is distinctive for this region, linking recreational amenities, residential neighborhoods, local businesses, and several educational facilities, including Louisiana Tech.

Given its railroad corridor status, the path is smooth and wide, while also benefiting from ample shade during the summer months.

6. Mitcham Farms

The largest peach orchard in Louisiana is located in the countryside northwest of Ruston. Founded in 1946, Mitcham Farms boasts 120,000 trees and sells its hand-picked and graded peaches at the Peach Store farm stand.

If you happen to visit during the Peach Festival, a stop at Mitcham Farms is essential. In addition to baskets of juicy and sweet peaches, there is a wide selection of peach products including cobbler mix, preserves, jellies, jams, peach candy, and pies.

The offerings also include fudge, ice cream, seasonings, teas, fresh and canned vegetables, as well as a variety of Louisiana-themed gifts.

7. Joe Aillet Stadium

During the fall season, one of the most sought-after experiences in Ruston is attending Louisiana Tech Bulldogs games at the 28,500-seat Joe Aillet Stadium, named in honor of the head coach who led the team for 26 years from 1940 to 1966.

Joe Aillet (1904-1971) guided the Bulldogs to nine conference championships and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1989.

Known for their red and blue uniforms, the Bulldogs compete in NCAA Division I’s Conference USA and have produced a notable roster of professional players.

A brief list includes Terry Bradshaw, Pat Tilley, Fred Dean, William Roaf, and Roger Carr.

The stadium, which opened in 1968, has undergone several renovations to enhance its facilities, including LED lighting, an athletics complex in the south end zone, and a $16.6 million press box and guest suite area.

8. Lincoln Parish Park

This green space a few miles northeast of downtown Ruston is a popular destination for outdoor activities. Mountain biking is particularly favored at Lincoln Parish Park, featuring over 10 miles of trails suitable for both novice and experienced riders.

The park’s expanse is dominated by the large Hoogland Lake, along which visitors can stroll via a scenic 1.25-mile paved pathway.

At the lake, visitors can fish from the piers or launch a kayak, canoe, or other non-motorized vessels.

Those wishing to extend their stay will find a campground at Lincoln Parish Park, offering primitive camping sites with access to electricity and campfires, as well as RV sites equipped with full hookups.

9. North Louisiana Military Museum

Located a few blocks east of Vienna Street downtown, the North Louisiana Military Museum houses an extensive collection of military memorabilia spanning every conflict from the French and Indian War (1754-1763) to Desert Storm.

Comprising two levels of exhibits, the museum also features an impressive outdoor display of artillery, tanks, helicopters, anti-aircraft guns, and a Civil War cannon.

On the lower level, visitors can view three Congressional Medals of Honor from three different military branches. The upper floor showcases an extraordinary collection of uniforms, flags, and numerous items from all branches, including a rare assortment of seized Nazi artifacts.

10. Ruston Artisans

Ruston Artisans is a prominent fine art venue in northern Louisiana, located downtown and combining a gallery, event space, gift boutique, and co-op studios.

Primarily, it serves as a platform for over 50 local artists to showcase and sell their works, ensuring a selection of unique items for visitors.

This community-oriented venue hosts a robust schedule of workshops and art-centric events weekly and even caters to children’s birthday parties for aspiring young artists.

11. Dixie Center for the Arts

The Dixie Center for the Arts, a cultural landmark in Ruston for nearly a century, originated as a silent movie theater and vaudeville stage in 1928.

Originally called the Astor, the venue was renamed after it was acquired by the Dixie Theater Corporation of New Orleans in the 1950s, which also introduced the iconic flashing neon star over the marquee. After years of inactivity, the Dixie was refurbished and reopened as a performing arts center in 2006.

While in town, be sure to check the schedule for theatrical performances, concerts, dance events, and classic film screenings.

12. Autrey House Museum

For a brief excursion, consider a drive north to this preserved structure, managed by the Lincoln Parish Museum & Historical Society.

Constructed in 1849, the Autrey House is a rare example of a dog trot house, characterized by the large breezeway that bisects the building, providing cooling breezes during the hot southern summers.

Once prevalent throughout North Louisiana’s hill country, fewer than ten dog trot houses remain today.

The Autrey House features two rooms on either side of the central hall, with a sleeping loft above. Visitors can examine the original ironstone chimney and the family cemetery located behind the house, where founder Absalom Autrey, his wives, several family members, and enslaved individuals are interred.

13. Lincoln Parish Museum

Located at 609 North Vienna Street, this historic residence is curated by the Lincoln Parish Museum & Historical Society.

The Kidd-Davis House, built in 1886, initially showcased Italianate architecture before acquiring its Colonial Revival facade around 1920.

As the suitable site for the Lincoln Parish Museum, it focuses on the 19th century, presenting period furniture, dolls, household items, clothing, photographs, illustrations, and other artifacts from the 1800s.

The “Walls That Talk” exhibit features seven murals that depict the parish’s rich history, enhanced by audio recordings from local residents. The upper level houses a collection of farm equipment and a tribute to colorful Louisiana governor Huey Long (1893-1935).

14. Eddie G. Robinson Museum

A compelling reason to drive ten minutes west to Grambling is to visit this museum honoring the legendary football coach Eddie G. Robinson (1919-2007).

Robinson served as head coach for Grambling State University (GSU), a historically African-American institution, for an impressive 57 years from 1941 to 1997, achieving 408 NCAA Division I victories, the second highest in history.

The Eddie G. Robinson Museum opened on the GSU campus in 2010, providing an affectionate tribute to the coach’s legacy.

The exhibits detail the 200 players he mentored, including four NFL Hall of Famers, along with an impressive array of artifacts, awards, documents, art, and photographs relating to Robinson’s career.

15. Downtown Ruston May Days

May is an excellent time to be in Ruston, characterized by a plethora of cultural activities every Saturday coinciding with the farmers’ market.

Each Saturday features performances in Railroad Park, along with various other activities, including arts exhibitions and food trucks.

Downtown Ruston May Days highlights local creative talent, and several performers at Railroad Park will include Louisiana Tech music students.

After the concert, visitors can enjoy a meal from one of the food trucks and explore the local boutiques in downtown Ruston.