Escapes
F E B R U A RY 2 0 2 1 48
MEAD, COCA-COLA, AND
IN
M O N R O E - W E S T M O N R O E //
MUSCADINE WINE
(PLUS
MUSEUMS
AND
N OT H I N ’ L I K E N E L A PLENTY MORE)
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Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge The Biedenharn House
WORTH THE TRIP
My, Oh, My Monroe
THE LOCAL’S TRAVEL GUIDE TO NORTHEAST LOUISIANA’S BEST By Mackenzie Treadwell Ernst 48
F E B 2 1 // C O U N T R Y R O A D S M A G . C O M
Hamilton House Inn
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rowing up, I bought into that familiar teenage idea of one’s hometown: Monroe was boring, there was nothing to do, on went my list of youthful grievances. While my days were certainly filled with unexpected “happies” here and there, I thought Monroe itself had shown me all I could see. And so, I packed my bags for Louisiana State University, and thought confidently about never coming back. In Baton Rouge, I was excited by the bustling city life. Five years separated from that rush, however, and settled back in Monroe where I began, I’ve started to see so much that I hadn’t before. It turns out this little Northeast Louisiana town is full of stories, rich in history, surrounded by gorgeous landscape, and infused with pride. Returning home has felt like a Renaissance, a rediscovery. And I want nothing more than to share it. Photos courtesy of Monroe-West Monroe CVB.
