Spending A Weekend in Monroe-West Monroe
Perhaps in your mind or on paper, you have a list of exotic cities and countries you'd like to visit. We have one too.
Petra, Thailand, Iceland, Australia...our list could go on and on. But while searching out the new and unique, we often overlook what's in our own backyard. We live in Monroe, Louisiana and as great as it is, we're always looking to leave and explore some far off place.
But what if we researched and toured our town like it was Los Angeles, Tokyo or London? What if we spent a weekend as tourists in our city and viewed it with fresh eyes? That's precisely what we decided to do. We vacationed where we live, in Monroe, Louisiana. Keep reading to find out what we did and why you should visit our hometown too.
What if we spent a weekend as tourists in our city and viewed it with fresh eyes?
Hamilton House
No weekend away would be possible without a place to stay. We made reservations at the Hamilton House in historic downtown West Monroe to start our trip. Hamilton House is a BnB located steps away from the river and within walking distance of boutiques, antique stores, and restaurants. Recently renovated, each room is unique in its decor. Our room, the Alexis, even had a clawfoot tub in the bathroom.
![](https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/places-to-stay/Monroe4.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=320&q=80&w=320&s=8bc50c9234be570b16d00788cc0485c9 320w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/places-to-stay/Monroe4.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=540&q=80&w=540&s=9fedbb478c4a490421b8796130ffc7fa 540w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/places-to-stay/Monroe4.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=768&q=80&w=768&s=9d3a76ed29f62bdf648ca95de9f24537 768w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/places-to-stay/Monroe4.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1024&q=80&w=1024&s=270c8e97491b350161f6c7e8dc9e9277 1024w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/places-to-stay/Monroe4.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1200&q=80&w=1200&s=5af984fe4de0d41921ad30a5e083b79e 1200w)
The bed in our room was super comfy, so we both slept great. We woke up to breakfast in the large kitchen of the Hamilton House.
Over breakfast, we met two awesome ladies that were visiting Monroe. Their parents grew up in an orphanage in town and were both buried here. They were coming back to visit these family sites, and they had great travel stories. You always meet interesting people when you stay in hostels or BnB's. After breakfast, we visited some of the antique stores and shops before heading to the Biedenharn Museum.
Biedenharn Museum
The Biedenharn family was the first to bottle and sell Coca-Cola. Before Joseph came up with the idea, Coke was only sold in soda fountains. John Pemberton, the creator of Coke, thought it was a stupid idea, so he sold off the bottling rights. And the rest is history, as they say. About an hour from Monroe in Vicksburg, Mississippi, was where the bottling first started. After some years, the family moved back to Monroe and opened a bottling operation here as well.
![](https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/things-to-do/biedenharn98.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=320&q=80&w=320&s=a9b52812ca7d52e774bfbd0c0e4869e5 320w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/things-to-do/biedenharn98.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=540&q=80&w=540&s=3cd5f254e8f311a6a0c3aad8f00ea399 540w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/things-to-do/biedenharn98.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=768&q=80&w=768&s=74e53431978269db4badcbc619a8b7d9 768w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/things-to-do/biedenharn98.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1024&q=80&w=1024&s=fa081fe5f5316624dfa9ad40eb6c2b78 1001w)
Now their house and the surrounding area is a museum. You can tour the family home and gardens. Bible and Coke museums are also on the property. We both enjoy museums when we travel, so we had a great time here.
![](https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/things-to-do/Biedenharn7.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=240&q=80&w=320&s=ffc33e04ae4ae3b74cca323179f8d61c 320w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/things-to-do/Biedenharn7.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=405&q=80&w=540&s=cbba06468d00c8f3e63bbfb6df8d84da 540w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/things-to-do/Biedenharn7.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=576&q=80&w=768&s=aab6d34c9c5c8cdcd0e02f253f5d7986 768w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/things-to-do/Biedenharn7.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=768&q=80&w=1024&s=373aba887720fd004c4cac63a6de29fc 1024w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/things-to-do/Biedenharn7.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=900&q=80&w=1200&s=b3bba89aef16519b87cb6f4c501b5691 1200w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/things-to-do/Biedenharn7.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1080&q=80&w=1440&s=6381c5fa101202ce0879a811df3c6c9f 1335w)
The Coke area has some cool artifacts, and you can get a glass bottle coke for only a nickel. The home puts on several musical events during the year, and the gardens themselves are gorgeous. We thoroughly enjoyed the guided tours and walking around the fountains and greenhouses. Afterward, though, it was time for lunch.
Enoch’s Pub For Lunch
Enoch's is the kind of place we're always looking for when traveling but rarely find. It's a genuinely local place that we absolutely adore. Enoch’s is an Irish Pub that also happens to serve up some fantastic burgers and sandwiches. They recently changed their hours to include lunch service, so after we toured the Biedenharn, we drove a few streets over for some beer and pub food.
Enoch’s Pub…You probably figured that out by the huge sign that says “Enoch’s Pub”.
![](https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/food-drink/Enochs6.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=240&q=80&w=320&s=9aab390c0a869f41d95a9af6b6c6ab9d 320w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/food-drink/Enochs6.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=405&q=80&w=540&s=19c603782d1cebad13c9a2849d1f8d43 540w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/food-drink/Enochs6.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=576&q=80&w=768&s=1b1d66d4897cc7226f8c4789284aaa6e 768w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/food-drink/Enochs6.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=768&q=80&w=1024&s=b8025acdf3ce27ce9c09c790e5440ddc 1024w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/food-drink/Enochs6.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=900&q=80&w=1200&s=d58d0480c0b070d54ed6ce9ffc3d314e 1200w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/food-drink/Enochs6.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1080&q=80&w=1440&s=5fc828b2e74b502e29cbf284ea0529d8 1440w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/food-drink/Enochs6.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1440&q=80&w=1920&s=7b37025cd0dda63f8d3f71697a104a51 1500w)
They also have vegetarian options, if you're like Charise and shun animal products. Charise always gets the Forsythe, a grilled sandwich with olives, peppers, and cream cheese. And no trip to an Irish pub would be complete without a pint of Guinness, so make sure to get one or three. Enoch's has excellent live music throughout the week, but on the weekends it gets pretty crowded. Try to get your food order in before 6, or there could be a wait.
Enoch’s is the kind of place we’re always looking for when traveling but rarely find.
Kayaking On Black Bayou
Next stop, kayaking. It's a shame the natural wonders we grow up around and take for granted. Almost every day of my life, I've seen a bayou. They're beautiful, but I drive by without a second thought. What's even worse is that we live about two miles from The Black Bayou Wildlife Reserve and we've only visited once. Well, that changed this weekend.
![](https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/outdoors/Blackbayou9.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=320&q=80&w=320&s=a48c05a617653ddf3b4b5230854e5eea 320w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/outdoors/Blackbayou9.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=540&q=80&w=540&s=f0ba1485284b30e1aa280a889ec11130 540w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/outdoors/Blackbayou9.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=768&q=80&w=768&s=2c1740b3f1e32d72aeb400825f7ae166 768w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/outdoors/Blackbayou9.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1024&q=80&w=1024&s=f2e2491e0b91c86b9fcdece5b7073b13 1001w)
We rented kayaks at the visitor center and hit the water. The weather that day was perfect, and the water was calm because most of the fishermen had already gone home. Our destination was the eagle's nest, to see some baby eagles. However, I didn't pay very close attention to the directions, and we never found it. Ah well, it gives us another reason to go back. The Bayou is a beautiful spot to stop by and explore. After all that paddling, we were ready for some food, though.
Parish For Dinner
We were so excited to be eating at Parish again. At the helm of Parish is Chef Cory Bahr. He's a crazy good chef who just so happens to have won some awards and competed on the Food Network. Thankfully he's from Monroe and is committed to bringing an exceptional dining spot to our area.
![](https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/food-drink/parish3.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=320&q=80&w=320&s=cd20a8e0835fe95b254c03513ab3e89b 320w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/food-drink/parish3.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=540&q=80&w=540&s=ae35265e54b0cdaa3185542d462b2e09 540w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/food-drink/parish3.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=768&q=80&w=768&s=4209bf5a3e6141bcec676518f84593cf 768w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/food-drink/parish3.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1024&q=80&w=1024&s=9ad46e96c4c31ded67ec2f0bdb65542c 1001w)
We were expecting to order off the menu, but Cory knew we were coming for this weekend guide. They just kept sending out dish after dish. There was so much food on the table, and everything was unbelievable.
![](https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/food-drink/parish98.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=240&q=80&w=320&s=3007ddc9f84a33da7c47514e432b4f9b 320w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/food-drink/parish98.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=405&q=80&w=540&s=5c10d59df775a6c6d77e7f5c302e2beb 540w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/food-drink/parish98.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=576&q=80&w=768&s=07485e2345eb54d1a18b92719b7bb7f8 768w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/food-drink/parish98.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=768&q=80&w=1024&s=697b67974ff37bab8df40bdb80b1c5dc 1024w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/food-drink/parish98.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=900&q=80&w=1200&s=f29b9d42b13d13e37072099cc9d0fab6 1200w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/food-drink/parish98.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1080&q=80&w=1440&s=c72918722fde5dca8abde3b2b4496c2e 1335w)
I enjoyed the two tuna dishes he made. One was crudo, topped with citrus and soy and the other was seared and served on top of an avocado salad. Our favorite though was probably the bread that they make on-site every day or the crispy brussels sprouts with pepper aioli.
![](https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/food-drink/parish324.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=240&q=80&w=320&s=c5476ddac108d1988f688ac15cefee8b 320w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/food-drink/parish324.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=405&q=80&w=540&s=526be7ceb59294835074c2ab20b5ab5b 540w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/food-drink/parish324.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=576&q=80&w=768&s=c84f6642946fa9ae34814de19c9b40f0 768w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/food-drink/parish324.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=768&q=80&w=1024&s=74a8c7ba564df28d64a554d1b3856d98 1024w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/food-drink/parish324.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=900&q=80&w=1200&s=eb3038f246fc6cfb0338d6dff7254d9f 1200w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/food-drink/parish324.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1080&q=80&w=1440&s=36a38136e98f681f6ef5e889c56b34e6 1440w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/food-drink/parish324.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1440&q=80&w=1920&s=902904fc96a67682a348797825ba6177 1500w)
But in all honesty, there wasn't a bad bite on the table. It was all so good. Soon they will be offering Dégustation tasting menus, so you can have a meal closer to what we enjoyed. Eating at Parish is an experience not to be missed. You'll be hard pressed to find many restaurants, anywhere in the world, better than this one.
Flying Tiger Brewery
We finished our weekend with a nightcap at the Flying Tiger Brewery. You can find their beer all over town, even at Enoch's and Parish, but we wanted to hang out for a bit in their taproom. All of the beer is brewed locally, and they're always coming out with new creations.
![](https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/things-to-do/flyingtiger74.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=320&q=80&w=320&s=025464e85aab79e91fcb79f998c3a1a2 320w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/things-to-do/flyingtiger74.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=540&q=80&w=540&s=a361fc679aabf651d8a19fee2f3a61d9 540w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/things-to-do/flyingtiger74.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=768&q=80&w=768&s=59d82aa33fdc160fa0502ddae27c5889 768w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/things-to-do/flyingtiger74.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1024&q=80&w=1024&s=b6987fb492d9129e9194052b543bea20 1001w)
After touring the brewery and placing our order, we set out to play darts. Charise is crazy good at darts and promptly beat me without much work. She's like a dart savant. I think it's because of her long arms. It can't possibly be because I'm uncoordinated, that couldn't be the reason.
![](https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/food-drink/flyingtiger889.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=240&q=80&w=320&s=ef983794b37265f853d0525052c62222 320w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/food-drink/flyingtiger889.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=405&q=80&w=540&s=784885f9aa4cde4f030d7fe822f888d8 540w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/food-drink/flyingtiger889.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=576&q=80&w=768&s=bb03cfd992f2f7b084239a852c02fc91 768w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/food-drink/flyingtiger889.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=768&q=80&w=1024&s=9bc2698587c7ee5478d779f6acbcc310 1024w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/food-drink/flyingtiger889.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=900&q=80&w=1200&s=5a71eba2297b9b1da6b257d40551d522 1200w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/food-drink/flyingtiger889.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1080&q=80&w=1440&s=dd9cd1c580a0c7dfa27a44c1538b70cb 1440w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/food-drink/flyingtiger889.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1440&q=80&w=1920&s=7baafd8e62eab2d6fd847b945dbeac74 1500w)
I redeemed myself, however, on Ms. Pacman and we headed back home at closing time. Flying Tiger is a chill place to hang out and was a great end to our day.
The world is full of amazing places. But the town you live in, wherever it is, is probably cooler than you give it credit for. We've been guilty of overlooking fantastic things to do in our local area. We won't make that mistake anymore. We thoroughly enjoyed being tourists in our own city. We hope you get out and visit Monroe soon. Tap here for more visitor information from the Monroe-West Monroe Convention and Visitors Bureau. Have you ever taken a staycation? What do you think about our hometown? Let us know below in the comments.