Beat the Heat in the Heart of Monroe

Visit the Masur Museum and the Louisiana Purchase Gardens & Zoo

THE TEMPERATURES ARE GOING UP, BUT IT IS ALWAYS cool at the Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo. You can beat the heat at the Zooasis splash pad, open from 10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. A visit to the zoo includes nearly 30 acres of mostly shaded paths past dozens of animals, from monkeys to birds, to lions and much more with an additional 50 acres that can be seen from our Safari Boat Ride and our train ride (rides are an additional $5 a person). Guests of all ages can then cool off in the splash pad (included in the cost of admission). We offer meals and refreshments at our Flamingo Café and souvenirs in the Wildside Gift Shop and several fun interactive exhibits, with budgies, tortoises, and sloths (coming soon!).

A family membership is just $100, for six family members to experience the entire zoo and all of the rides. We are open every day 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

And while you are out on the town, stop by the Masur Museum of Art at 1400 South Grand Street. The museum has much to offer for guests of all ages and general admission is always free. Children can enjoy the hands-on MasurKids education gallery and learn about the elements of art. They will also receive a special art-kit prize after completing a scavenger hunt of architectural details around the museum. And speaking of architecture, all visitors will enjoy the current exhibition entitled A. Hays Town and the Architectural Image of Louisiana. A(lbert) Hays Town (1903-2005) is likely the most recognized and beloved of the twentieth-century Louisiana architects. Town practiced for more than 70 years and was remarkably prolific, designing educational, office, commercial, and public buildings, and hundreds of private residences. This exhibition includes architectural models, blueprints, photographs, architectural drawings, and artifacts from A. Hays Town’s homes. Also on view in the museum’s River Galleries are commanding and colorful paintings by local artist K’Shana Hall, who recently received the honor of Visual Artist of the Year from the Northeast Louisiana Arts Council.

The Masur Museum also offers a very popular Summer Art Camp for children. These camps run through August 4th and spaces are still available for children ages 6-17! Campers will create several works of art in a variety of media to take home with them. Visit the museum’s website to reserve your child’s space in these fun and popular art camps. You should also be on the lookout for our upcoming Free Children’s Drop-In Activity. Children of all ages can visit the museum and make a work of art to take home with them. Additionally, the museum regularly offers art classes for adults including painting, printmaking, drawing, and more. Museum members receive discounts on classes for adults and children - visit the website today to join. And most importantly, come see what the Masur Museum of Art has to offer!