Need a charming college town getaway with Southern flavor? Head to Ruston, LA! Home to Louisiana Tech University and known for its peaches, Ruston offers small-town hospitality, vibrant arts, and beautiful outdoor spaces. Whether you’re into festivals, local dining, or nature trails, Ruston delivers a relaxed Louisiana experience packed with charm.
Ruston, LA Highlights:
- For Families: Explore Lincoln Parish Park – Enjoy mountain biking, hiking, fishing, or picnicking in a gorgeous wooded setting.
- For Outdoor Enthusiasts: Walk the Rock Island Greenway – Bike or stroll this scenic trail connecting parks, neighborhoods, and downtown.
- For Kids: Visit the IDEA Place at Louisiana Tech University – Hands-on science and technology exhibits perfect for curious young minds.
- For an Adventure: Attend the Louisiana Peach Festival – Celebrate local peaches with parades, live music, and delicious treats each June.
- For Shoppers: Browse Downtown Ruston – Explore unique boutiques, antique stores, and local art galleries along charming streets.
When I like to visit Ruston, LA
The best time to visit Ruston is in spring and early summer (March–June), when pleasant weather welcomes outdoor festivals and the beloved Louisiana Peach Festival. Fall is also lovely, with mild temperatures and vibrant university events.
Tips for getting to Ruston, LA
- If you are traveling by car: Located off I-20, Ruston is about 70 miles east of Shreveport and 30 miles west of Monroe.
- By Bus: Regional Greyhound and shuttle services connect Ruston to nearby cities.
- By Air: Monroe Regional Airport (MLU) is the nearest airport, approximately a 35-minute drive east.
Where I like to stay in Ruston, LA
- Courtyard by Marriott Ruston – Stylish, modern hotel with a pool and easy access to Louisiana Tech University.
- Sleep Inn & Suites University – Comfortable and affordable lodging close to downtown Ruston.
- The Inn at Windrush Farm – A beautiful bed-and-breakfast nestled on a historic farm, offering a boutique stay just outside town.
Best Things to Do in Ruston, LA
1. Embrace Outdoor Fun at Lincoln Parish Park
Lincoln Parish Park is home to one of the country’s best trails for mountain biking, a gem for both mountain biking enthusiasts and non-cyclists alike. The ten-mile mountain bike trail is an exciting and challenging course for all skill levels. Other amenities at the Lincoln Parish Park include benches, picnic tables, and covered pavilions throughout the grounds, as well as a walking path around a scenic lake, a playground, and swimming area with a beach. Visitors are allowed to fish from the park’s piers and from non-motorized boats on the lake. Canoeing and kayaking are permitted at the park as well.
211 Parish Park Rd, Ruston, LA 71270, Phone: 318-251-5156
2. If You Love Scenic Walks, Stroll the Rock Island Greenway
The Rock Island Greenway, or the RIG, in the city of Ruston is a multi-use path for cycling, running, and walking, as well as a linear park stretching across around six miles of the city. The greenway connects a number of different recreational amenities, educational institutions, businesses, and neighborhoods. The first of its kind within the Lincoln Parish region of Louisiana, the Rock Island Greenway offers a safe route for cyclists and pedestrians and encourages healthy and active lifestyles. It also provides a chance to see some of the city’s public art like the mural that depicts an active scene.
1072 W Kentucky Ave, Ruston, LA 71270, Phone: 318-255-5800
3. Shop Fresh and Local at Ruston Farmers Market
Established to allow local residents and visitors alike to support, eat, and shop local, the Ruston Farmers Market offers a wide assortment of seasonal vegetables and fruits, salsa, jams, honey, eggs, meats, flowers, plants, and many other locally produced products. Woodwork, soaps, and natural skin care products, and other items made by local makers and artists can also be found at the market. There are also food trucks, local food vendors, and coffee from Railway Coffee. The Ruston Farmers Market takes place every Saturday from 9:00 in the morning until one in the afternoon and also often has live music.
220 E Mississippi Ave, Ruston, LA 71270, Phone: 318-957-1305
4. Cheer Loud at Joe Aillet Stadium
Formerly known as the Louisiana Tech Stadium, the Joe Aillet Stadium is the college football stadium of Ruston and the Louisiana Tech University’s home field for the Bulldogs football team, where the likes of Terry Bradshaw, Troy Edwards, and others have played. Opening as the Joe Aillet Stadium in 1968, the Conference USA football stadium is named in honor of Joe Aillet, a retired athletic director and head football coach for Louisiana Tech University. Along with being the university’s home football field for more than forty years, the stadium has also hosted the Lady Techster soccer team’s games since 2005.
1450 W Alabama Ave, Ruston, LA 71270, Phone: 318-257-3631
Activities and Attractions for Couples and Singles:
5. Catch a Live Performance at the Dixie Center for the Arts
The Dixie Center for the Arts in the city of Ruston, Louisiana is home to a performing arts hall featuring almost six hundred seats for viewing a variety of music, theatre, and dance performances throughout the year. Originally built back in 1928 as the New Astor Theater, and later known as the Rialto Theater, the restoration of the cultural and historical theatre treasure now named the Dixie Center for the Arts began in 1996. It now hosts full seasons of concerts, parties, and special events, providing entertainment for both tourists and local residents of the community alike.
212 N Vienna St, Ruston, LA 71270, Phone: 318-255-1450
6. Discover Local Creativity at Ruston Artisans
Ruston Artisans, located in downtown Ruston, is a studio in which local artists and artwork are supported and promoted through a variety of programs and exhibitions designed to sustain and strengthen the local community. The idea of Ruston Artisans is to make the northern Louisiana city a true art destination, a place that inspires people to gather and create a “community through art.” The facility also hosts an array of educational and fun workshops during the week, as well as informative social events, and has become one of the premier fine art galleries in the northern part of the state.
203 W Alabama Ave, Ruston, LA 71270, Phone: 318-254-3322
Where to Eat in Ruston, LA
7. Dive Into Southern Flavors at Ponchatoulas
Established by Johnny Guadet, the original owner, in 1996, Ponchatoulas was opened in the heart of the downtown area of Ruston, Louisiana with a passion for fun and good food. The restaurant is famous for its white chocolate bread pudding, po-boys, crab cakes, red beans and rice, and crawfish etouffee. Other items among the wide variety offered on the menu include fried mushrooms and seafood gumbo, along with an array of fried seafood options, such as catfish, oysters, shrimp, and crawfish tails. Ponchatoulas is open on Mondays to Wednesday from 11:00am until 7:30pm and Thursday to Saturday until 8:00pm.
109 E Park Ave, Ruston, LA 71270, Phone: 318-254-5200
More Places to Eat in Ruston, LA
- Utility Brewing Company – Enjoy wood-fired pizzas and house-brewed craft beers in a lively downtown setting.
- Beau Vines Steakhouse – Upscale dining with premium steaks, seafood, and Southern specialties.
- Log Cabin Grill & Market – Classic Ruston spot for barbecue, burgers, and hearty Louisiana dishes.
My favorite local events:
- Louisiana Peach Festival (June) – Signature event celebrating Ruston’s famous peaches with food, crafts, and live entertainment.
- Ruston Farmers Market (Year-round, Saturdays) – Shop fresh local produce, handmade goods, and baked treats.
- Tech Homecoming and Bulldog Football Games (Fall) – Cheer on the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs and join in university festivities.
My favorite day trips within 30 Minutes of Ruston, Louisiana:
- Downtown Monroe (30 min) – Explore riverfront restaurants, antique shops, and art galleries.
- Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge (30 min) – Go kayaking, hiking, or birdwatching in this beautiful natural area near Monroe.
- Lake D’Arbonne State Park (30 min) – Fish, camp, or hike in a peaceful lakeside setting popular with outdoor lovers.
- Choudrant (15–20 min) – Visit quaint countryside spots and local farm stands.
- Grambling State University (15–20 min) – Tour the campus, visit the Eddie Robinson Museum, or attend a Tigers football game.
Plan Your Trip