May 21, 2025

Shreveport Aquarium Celebrates 8 Years and Award

News Summary

The Shreveport Aquarium recently celebrated its eighth anniversary and received the ‘Attraction of the Year’ award from the Louisiana Travel Association. This recognition comes amidst tourism challenges caused by severe weather in the region. Since its opening in 2017, the aquarium has provided educational experiences through its galleries showcasing over 3,000 animals. The award acknowledges the aquarium’s impact on Louisiana’s tourism, highlighting the resilience of attractions in overcoming obstacles. Despite current challenges, there is hope for future tourism growth as culinary recognition in the region is on the horizon.

Shreveport Aquarium Celebrates 8 Years and Award Amid Tourism Struggles

The Shreveport Aquarium recently marked its eighth anniversary and was honored with the prestigious “Attraction of the Year” award from the Louisiana Travel Association. This recognition comes as the region faces significant challenges in tourism due to recent severe weather conditions impacting travel and related activities.

Opened in November 2017, the aquarium is situated in a remodeled structure that once housed the Barnwell Art Center. Over the past eight years, it has transformed into a vibrant facility featuring seven galleries that showcase over 3,000 animals, including species such as sharks, alligators, stingrays, and eels. The aquarium is designed to offer various attractions and hands-on learning experiences for children, ensuring engaging educational opportunities throughout the year.

The aquarium’s achievement of being named “Attraction of the Year” highlights its significant contributions to Louisiana’s tourism industry. This award falls under the annual Louey Awards, which celebrate entities making a notable impact in the tourism sector. In a statement, the aquarium conveyed gratitude to its visitors, supporters, and team members for their role in achieving this esteemed recognition.

Impact of Severe Weather on Tourism

Recently issued travel alerts have identified major disruptions due to flash flooding across parts of Texas, Mississippi, and Louisiana, including Shreveport. These weather conditions have led to over 1,000 flight cancellations affecting airports in the region. Major cities such as Dallas and San Antonio remain on high alert as severe weather continues to pose threats, causing significant challenges for travelers.

Travelers in affected areas are advised to minimize movement until conditions improve. Airlines are responding by offering rebooking waivers to accommodate those impacted by the disruptions. As the American Red Cross mobilizes response centers in Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Mississippi, the organization aims to assist those in need due to the flooding and other related emergencies.

Future Tourism Prospects

Despite the immediate challenges presented by the weather, there remains optimism for future tourism growth in the area. The MICHELIN Guide American South, set to debut in 2025, will cover six southern states: Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. Shreveport and Bossier City are on the list of locations under consideration for recognition in this influential culinary guide.

Stacy Brown, President and CEO of Visit Shreveport-Bossier, expressed pride in the region’s burgeoning culinary scene and emphasized partnerships formed to promote authentic Southern cuisine. MICHELIN inspectors are currently reviewing selected restaurants across the featured states, with the goal of highlighting the best of Southern dining experiences.

Additional Information

As the Shreveport Aquarium celebrates its anniversary and award, it continues to serve as a vital part of the community and a hub for educational experiences. For those interested in visiting, ticketing information and details about available experiences can be found by visiting the aquarium’s official website or its Facebook page.

As the region looks forward to brighter times ahead, the resilience of its attractions like the Shreveport Aquarium remains key in reinforcing local tourism and community engagement amidst the current challenges.

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Author: STAFF HERE SHREVEPORT WRITER

The SHREVEPORT STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREShreveport.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Shreveport, Caddo Parish, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Mudbug Madness Festival, Red River Revel Arts Festival, and Independence Bowl. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Shreveport-Bossier Chamber of Commerce and Shreveport Regional Arts Council, plus leading businesses in gaming, healthcare, and energy that power the local economy such as Horseshoe Casino, Ochsner LSU Health, and Atmos Energy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBatonRouge.com and HERENewOrleans.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Louisiana's dynamic landscape.

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STAFF HERE SHREVEPORT WRITER

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