Numerous Attractions And Casinos Reopen In Shreveport-Bossier As Louisiana Enters “Phase One” Of Reopening

As Louisiana enters phase one of reopening its economy, numerous attractions, casinos, restaurants and retail shops in Shreveport-Bossier are prepared to welcome guests back with public health and safety restrictions in place.

Three casinos reopened on Monday, May 18 including Margaritaville Resort Casino, Horseshoe Bossier City, and Harrah’s Louisiana Downs, and on Wednesday, May 20, Boomtown Casino and Hotel reopened. Under phase one guidance, casinos may only reopen at 25 percent capacity with slot machine banks and table games spaced to allow for social distancing. Non-gaming casino amenities, such as restaurants, spas, and ticketed live music events, will be phased-in as is appropriate. Live thoroughbred racing at Harrah’s Louisiana Downs will resume, initially without spectators, on Saturday, June 6.
Local attractions are also welcoming guests back in a big way. Louisiana Boardwalk Outlets reopened with abbreviated hours on Friday, May 15. The new Louisiana Boardwalk Outlets hours of operation are 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Monday through Saturday and 12-6 p.m. on Sunday. Some of the lifestyle center’s national retailers will remain closed at this time.

“We will have hand sanitizers throughout our property, a staff that will go around each hour and wipe down all handles, benches, and vending machines, and all of our staff will be in face masks while on-site,” said Ashley Davis, marketing manager for Louisiana Boardwalk Outlets, via e-mail.

Gators and Friends Adventure Park reopened on a limited basis on Friday, May 15. Alligator feedings and zip-line tours resumed on May 15. The popular attraction’s current plan is to reopen Gator Raceway—the facility’s high-speed go-kart track and adjoining arcade—during phase two of Louisiana’s reopening. For the time being, the portions of the park that resume operations during phase one are limiting their days of operation to Wednesday through Sunday.R.W. Norton Art Gallery reopened their 40-acre botanical gardens on Saturday, May 16, with new hours of operation and some changes to entrances and exits.
Shreveport Aquarium reopened with social distancing restrictions on Monday, May 18. The popular downtown attraction has announced extensive measures put in place for public health and safety. All tickets must be purchased online, face coverings are mandatory for employees and guests, and tactile exhibits—such as exhibits where guests can touch sea jellies and stingrays—will not be available (guests can still see these animals, but may not touch them). Salt Café will remain closed for the time being.

Sci-Port Discovery Center will reopen Louisiana’s only IMAX Dome Theatre on Friday, May 29, with restrictions in place for social distancing. Only 40 tickets per IMAX screening will be sold. The weekend will include tenth-anniversary screenings of the popular IMAX film Hubble, as well as screenings of Superpower Dogs. Other areas of Sci-Port Discovery Center will reopen on Friday, June 5, including the all-new, 12,000-square-foot “Gallery of Intrigue” exhibit.

For more information about hosting meetings and conventions in Shreveport-Bossier, visit www.Shreveport-Bossier.org/Meetings or call 1-800-551-8682.

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