35 Things to Do in Ruston Before You Graduate

College is a great time to explore, try new things, and make memories.

With this in mind, we're encouraging students to get out into the community and experience these 35 things in Ruston & Lincoln Parish before they graduate!

Get the downloadable list here and start checking the boxes!

Pictured: Walking trails at Lincoln Parish Park

1. Treat yourself to some peach ice cream from Mitcham Farms (Typically offered May-August)

2. Take a picture with each bulldog in The Bulldog Project (see our printable map here!)

3. Test your knowledge and participate in a trivia night at one of our local restaurants

4. Engage in the history of the parish by visiting our local museums: North Louisiana Military Museum, Lincoln Parish Museum, and the Eddie G. Robinson Museum

5. Adventure outdoors! Go hiking, mountain biking, or kayaking at Lincoln Parish Park

Pictured: North Louisiana Military Museum

6. Relax and enjoy a meal on one of Ruston's best patios

7. Attend a show at the Dixie Theatre

8. Take a stroll down the Rock Island Greenway

9. Experience the “World Famed” Tiger Marching Band in action

10. Venture just off campus and play music bingo at Party Fowl

Pictured: Dixie Center for the Arts

11. Attend the Louisiana Peach Festival to enjoy music, arts vendors, food trucks, and peaches! (First weekend in June)

12. Spend an afternoon shopping local in Downtown Ruston

13. Host your hometown friends for a quick weekend getaway here in Lincoln Parish

14. Browse through vintage items at our local antiques stores

15. Take advantage of the $5 Tuesday night deal at Celebrity Theatres and see a new release on the silver screen

Pictured: Dancing in Railroad Park at the Louisiana Peach Festival

16. Snap a photo in front of one of (or all) of the murals in our area!

17. Participate in Loyal Blue Weekend activities

18. Learn new kitchen skills and register for a Drew Jones Teaching Kitchen cooking class

19. Sip and study at one of our cozy coffee shops

20. Get active with friends and check out the Lambright Bowling Alley

Pictured: Loyal Blue Weekend Festivites

21. Go to a Creative Meetup hosted by Creative Exchange and learn a new skill or see local artists at work

22. Picnic on a sunny day at a city park with classmates and friends

23. Pick up your crew and experience Lincoln Lights Up the Pines

24. Try the pizza of the month at Utility Brewing

25. Visit your neighboring university, Grambling State University or Louisiana Tech University

Pictured: Grambling State University Welcome Sign

26. Cook a meal using locally sourced ingredients from the Ruston Farmers Market

27. Sit and enjoy live music at a downtown restaurant

28. Admire local art at one of the art exhibits in town

29. Grab a late night ice cream, snowcone, or sweet treat from Eskamoes

30. Try something from all six of the food trucks at Heard Freighthouse Food Park

Pictured: All the Variety to try at the Heard Freighthouse Food Park

31. Spread holiday cheer at an annual holiday event

32. Set up a hammock at Hideaway Park or Lincoln Parish Park

33. Play pickleball at the Ruston Sports Complex

34. Grab the mic and sing with a friend at a karaoke night

35. Visit us at the Ruston Visitors Center and grab a sticker, postcard, or brochure to plan even more adventures during your four years here!

Pictured: Scenes from Kickoff to Christmas

While we made this list with students in mind, we also encourage visitors and locals to experience these 35 Things that Ruston has to offer! For more things to see and do, be sure to check out our visitor guide! Be sure to share your adventures by uploading your photos here and using the hashtag #RustonLA!

Print out the bucket list here and start making those memories!

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Anna Graney

Author

Anna Graney

Destination Services Coordinator

Anna Graney is originally from a small town in Oklahoma and she moved to Ruston to attend Louisiana Tech University. In her free time, she enjoys going to coffee shops with friends or traveling to new places. As Destination Services Coordinator, Anna supports the sales and marketing departments to ensure successful events and programming for the destination.