Loyal Blue Weekends
A weekend trip to your college town with an itinerary just your you!
It’s a special time of year when students, alumni, locals, and fans from all over come together to watch the Bulldogs take the field. While you’re in Ruston for the game, we want you to make the most out of your trip by experiencing the local attractions and culture of Louisiana’s College Town.
Eat
Breakfast:
There’s no better way to start your visit than with a hot cup of coffee and a homemade pastry from Common Goods. Conveniently located right off I-20, it is the perfect place to stop for breakfast on your way into town. You can also grab your breakfast to-go and head to Cook Park, where you can enjoy your meal under a covered pavilion followed by a morning stroll around the walking path.
Once the game day festivities wrap up, there’s no rush to head out of town. Sleep in a bit, then make your way to Trio's for a delicious Sunday brunch. The menu offers classic brunch dishes and some with a signature twist. Aside from truly delicious food and wonderful service, Trio's provides a relaxing atmosphere that’s perfect for a peaceful Sunday.
Lunch:
We recommend you head on over to the Heard Freighthouse Food Park, where you can choose from several local food trucks serving up burgers, sandwiches, barbecue, authentic Chinese food, and other specialty items. The park also features an outdoor dining area with covered picnic tables, which makes for the perfect place to dine on a nice fall afternoon.
On gameday, we recommend hanging around downtown to shop and grab a bite to eat before the game. For lunch, head over to Ponchatoulas, a staple of Downtown Ruston. This Louisiana Tech alumni-owned restaurant offers Cajun classics and southern specialties in a family-friendly atmosphere.
Dinner:
For your first night in Ruston go ahead and head back downtown for dinner and drinks at Utility Brewing, known for their house-made craft beer, brick-oven pizza, and specialty cocktails. Also be sure to check our calendar of events to see what's happening that weekend, including any home game weekend celebrations.
After cheering on the Bulldogs, catch the Tech Trolley back to downtown, where the game day fun continues. Sundown Tavern is a great option for post-game snacks and drinks. Try their famous MJ Sandwich paired with their crispy fried green beans. For celebratory cocktails, head over to White Lightnin' where you're sure to get a satisfactory cocktail and while you listen to live music.
See
Public Art
Make sure to see Ruston’s walkable historic downtown, where you’ll find unique shops, local restaurants, and several outdoor art installations to discover, including The Bulldog Project. Be sure to take a minute and snap a photo in front of one of the many colorful murals in the district!
Live Performances
Head to Ruston a day early to catch live performances and entertainment Friday night. There is always live entertainment to be found in Downtown Ruston, whether it be a local musician playing at a restaurant, a show on the Dixie Theatre stage, or a performance during an event in Railroad Park. And don’t forget to check our calendar of events to see all the upcoming performances in the area.
Museums
Saturday, while you wait for kickoff, make sure to stop by The North Louisiana Military Museum to find one of the most impressive collections of military history in the region. The museum features an extensive collection of war relics and memorabilia and even has a few aircraft and war vehicles on site. For the sports lovers, visit the Eddie G Robinson museum showcasing the life of African-American football coaching icon and second most winningest coach in NCAA Division I history. Take a trip through Robinson's powerful life and be touched by his remarkable American spirit. Next, visit the Lincoln Parish Museum & Historical Society to learn more about historic Lincoln Parish. Built in 1886, the Kidd-Davis home is housed with beautiful dolls, furniture, and murals. In the gallery, visitors can view clothing, photos & drawings, kitchen supplies, and artifacts unique to the late 1800s era.
Experience
Outdoor Adventure
Take your pick from several outdoor adventures in the piney hills. You can enjoy an afternoon of biking or water activities at the pristine Lincoln Parish Park, which boasts world-class bike trails, a walking path around the beautiful lake, a sandy beach, kayaking, and several fishing piers. If you’re really looking for an adventure, set up camp at one of the park’s primitive campsites or RV spots for the weekend. If observing nature is more your speed, then grab your binoculars and head to the James Lake Birding Trail, where you can unplug and connect with nature from a peaceful viewing platform overlooking the lake and all its wildlife.
The Ruston Farmers Market
The best way to start a Saturday morning is at the Ruston Farmers Market. This open-air market features fresh produce, meats, eggs, honey, jams, salsas, baked goods, and other locally-made items. You can even fuel up with coffee and breakfast options from area vendors. The market is open year-round every Saturday from 9am-1pm.
Shopping
If you need a last-minute game-day outfit, be sure to swing by FanBase for all your official Louisiana Tech merch.
Some of Ruston's must-visit shops include Creative Exchange, The Collective, Parish Made, The Fashion of Ruston, Garden Gift & Home, Goldie Boutique, and No. 9 Books & Records. A full list of downtown stores can be found here.
Gameday Hacks
Avoid game-day traffic and stadium lots by staying parked downtown and taking advantage of the free shuttle, the Tech Trolley. It picks up at Railroad Park, stops by the W. Mississippi lot on campus, and then drops off at south side of the Joe Aillet Stadium for tailgating activities and the game. This shuttle runs continuously two hours before kickoff, and one hour after the game ends. Get to the stadium early for tailgating in Bulldog Village, an experience you must not miss during game days in Ruston.
No tickets? No problem! There are plenty of places in the area to kick back and watch the game. Eat, drink, and enjoy the game from the comfort of your favorite Ruston restaurant.
For all the need to know game day information, check out our game day guide.
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