Ruston, La is my former college town. It is known as Louisiana’s College Town. I spent three years of my life in this small city and it still holds a special place in my heart. You don’t need many days to truly experience Ruston, but I’ll give you a day-trip itinerary in Ruston! Also, Ruston is known for their peaches, so coming in June when the annual Peachfest is held would give you a weekend full of fun!!
Morning
- Have breakfast at a local coffee shop:
- Railway Coffee– both locations in Ruston have a great atmosphere and the coffee is always great!
- Common Goods Co– a locally owned bakery and coffee shop that is very new to the area!
- Activities and Attractions:
- Ruston Farmer’s Market– all produce, plants, and flowers are fresh and locally grown by Louisiana farmers. There are also other local goods sold on the weekend!
- Main Street: Downtown Ruston- take a stroll downtown to visit the many murals that have popped up over the last couple of years! Downtown Ruston is one of my favorite places to shop, eat, and take pictures. Ruston is a Louisiana Historic District and beautiful one at that!
Lunch Options
- Dawg House Sports Grill– BEST BURGER EVER. That is really all I need to say. This has been my most favorite place in Ruston and I keep coming back for a Dawg House burger at least a couple times a year.
- Heard Freighthouse Food Truck Park– I’ll be honest, I had no clue this was the name of where the food trucks are parked! Clearly this has become a very permanent thing in Ruston. Food trucks were becoming popular right in my last year living in Ruston and over the years I have seen this concept flourish.
- Sundown Tavern– also another popular place in Ruston. Grab and drink and view the wide variety menu they have. The inside bar area is cool, but the outside patio is the best place to enjoy a meal!
Afternoon Activities
- Parks:
- Lincoln Parish Park– this park is located on the outskirts of Ruston. A great place to bike or take a hike in Louisiana. There are tons of trees and actually I have done a couple of photoshoots here before! There is a sandy beach and a swimming area in the park as well. I haven’t explored the park as much as I would like for someone who lived there for 3 years!!
- Lake D’Arbonne State Park– Lake D’Arbonne boasts the most beautiful sunsets in the evening. I’ve only had the privilege of driving over the lake at sunset. I wish I could’ve stopped. The state park is a bit out of Ruston, but still in the same Parish. There are many recreational activities that can be done on the lake!
- Mitcham Farms Orchard and Peach Store– the peach ice cream is very popular for people living in Ruston. This is the largest peach orchard in Louisiana. You can see why Ruston hosts the Peach Festival each year!
What’s for Dinner?
- Utility Brewing Company– Ruston’s first local brewery is a great place to unwind (either indoors or on the patio). They specialize in craft beer and brick-oven pizzas which are delicious! Located in downtown, Utility is a trendy, local place that is worth the visit.
- Brister’s Smokehouse– All things BBQ in Ruston should be found here! I’m not a huge BBQ fan, but I hear the BBQ Nachos are a must! This place is locally owned and features a spacious inside to enjoy dinner (or lunch).
- Log Cabin Grill and Market– Log Cabin offers a wide variety of options, but also known for their Tex-Mex cuisine! Located inside the restaurant is a market where you can purchase fresh meat, seafood, and take-and-bake meals!
Ruston is my home away from home and there are so many reason I keep going back to visit. A weekend is never long enough for me! If you look hard enough you can find plenty to do to keep you busy! Visit the Ruston Visitor’s Bureau for more information on your visit to Ruston and what is going on when you are in town!!