Discover Everything Great About the 318

Join us for a week of celebrating everything great about the 318! North Louisiana is a special place rich in culture and hospitality, which has made the area an ideal destination for visitors who are looking to discover beautiful scenery, bold flavors, and unique experiences.

As tourism to Ruston & Lincoln Parish continues to increase, so does its positive impacts. 318 Week is all about highlighting the impacts that tourism makes on our local economy and quality of life. We have created a focus for each day of the week to showcase specific areas of our destination and fun ways that you can experience each of them firsthand.

Monday, March 18: 318 Day

318 Day is the perfect excuse to be a tourist in your own town. Get out and discover new shops, attractions, or restaurants you've been wanting to try. While you're exploring, make sure you keep an eye out for the large 3 & 8 numbers as a unique photo opp (hop in the middle and be the 1)! As 318 day is celebrated across North Louisiana, make sure you check out what our neighbors have going on to celebrate in Monroe West Monroe, Shreveport Bossier, and Minden.

Tuesday, March 19: Sports

A huge driver of visitation to our area is the various sporting events held at Louisiana Tech University, Grambling State University, and the Ruston Sports Complex. Get out and experience some of the sporty fun for yourself this season at a collegiate baseball game. And if you've never been out to the Ruston Sports Complex, today is a great day to enjoy open gym hours from 8am-4pm and see what all the hype is about.

Wednesday, March 20: History

In Lincoln Parish, we have quite a few museums that you can enjoy for free! The North Louisiana Military Museum has a large assortment of artifacts, weapons, and uniforms that are curated by veterans. The Lincoln Parish Museum includes a wide variety of information about the stories and history of the area. Grambling's Eddie G. Robinson Museum tells the story of his life, coaching, and impact on football. Visit one of these museums today to discover our local history for yourself.

Thursday, March 21: Culinary

Eat local at your favorite restaurant in the 318. Ruston & Lincoln Parish offers a vibrant and diverse culinary scene to its residents and visitors alike. Take a dive into the dishes that have put our local restaurants on the Louisiana Culinary Trails map. From the biscuits and gravy at Grown and Grazed to the pizza of the month at Utility, and everything in between, there are plenty of flavors to savor.

Friday, March 22: Downtown

Downtown is the heartbeat of the city, where art, entertainment, shopping, and local flavors can be found around every corner. Join us for Food Truck Friday at the Heard Freighthouse Food Park from 11am-1pm for lunch with a side of live music from 318 blues musician Ira Barger. Bring your coworkers, friends, or family to experience the culture and community of Ruston's thriving downtown district.

Saturday, March 23: Outdoors

Get outdoors in the 318 this Saturday! Enjoy FREE admission day at Lincoln Parish Park. It's the perfect way to spend the day going for a walk on the trails, relaxing by the water, or letting the kids play on the playground and explore nature. While you're there, you can get a sneak peek at the incredible new mountain biking flow trails!

Sunday, March 24: Reunions

After a week full of celebrating the 318, take some time to connect with your family, friends, or classmates and plan your next gathering in Ruston & Lincoln Parish. Fun fact: Experience Ruston has a ton of resources to help you plan a reunion or other group gatherings. We even have a full-time staff member who can help you plan your event! Get started by visiting our reunions page.