The downtown antique district of Denham Springs has gained a reputation as a "hot" area for antique buyers, with nearly 30 antique shops, a bank, a gourmet coffee shop, a restaurant, a florist and various other retail shops.

The first weekend in December, the Antique Village hosts a Christmas Open House, with special prices, free refreshments and gaily-decorated stores.  It is also the site of two street festivals held the first Saturday in May and October each year.  During these festivals, Range Avenue from Florida Blvd. to Centerville Street is closed to automobile traffic, as antique and craft booths, food vendors and entertainment fill the street.

Held every Saturday from 7 to 12 noon on Florida Blvd. near Range in front of New Covenant Church by James Grill. Fresh produce, grain fed beef, and various arts and craft vendors are on hand for your shopping enjoyment.

The Arts Council of Greater Denham Springs (ACGDS) presents an Artists' Market in the Antique Village the third Saturday of each month from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Artists and craftspeople show and sell their art in front of shops on Range Avenue in the Antique Village.  Exhibits include paintings, sketches, dolls, wood furniture and more.  For more information, call ACGDS at (225) 667-8355.

Juban Crossing (development put on hold - timeline unknown) will encompass 471 acres and will be the largest mixed-use community in the region. The development by Creekstone Companies will be located along the Interstate 12 corridor and will become a destination for shopping, dining and entertainment, along with businesses and residential districts.

Opened in 2008, Bass Pro Shop is the anchor store to a 75- acre development located at I-12 and Range Avenue. The outdoor store has a bayou theme including the 11,430 square foot Islamorada Restaurant (pronounced "eye-lah-mah-rah-dah") seats 300 people, and will feature a large saltwater aquarium. A main focal point will be the large aquarium showcasing native fish to Louisiana. Also featured will be a boat showroom featuring boats built by the world's largest manufacturer of fishing boats - Tracker Marine Group.

This new Bass Pro Shop will reflect the local flavor and outdoor heritage of Louisiana and will be considered part museum, part art gallery, part education, part conservation and an entertainment center. On display will be state record fish, wildlife exhibits, historical pictures, and artifacts from local hunters and fishermen. Free Outdoor Skills Workshops will be held for adults, kids, and families to maximum their outdoor fun by improving old skills and teaching new skills and techniques.

This unique business was started in 1984 by Louis Bartus as a way to keep alive his family's Hungarian heritage.  Bartus prepares authentic Hungarian food and offers with it a brief oral history of the Hungarian immigrants who settled in the Albany area.

Located at 30547 Strawberry Lane, Albany, LA 70711; phone: (225) 567-3178.  The business is open Saturdays only, and some foods are available by special order only.

The winery offers tours and tastings at no charge.  The wines are made on site from strawberries and other fruits.  The shop also features homemade jam, jellies, flavored syrups, vinegars, vinaigrettes and honey.

Located at 28614 LA Hwy. 43, just north of Interstate 12 at the Albany-Springfield exit. 
Phone: (225) 567-9463

The Creole House Museum is an authentic Creole cottage that features artifacts relating to the French heritage of the area.  Located on LA Hwy. 16 in French Settlement behind the municipal building.  The museum is open the fourth Sunday of each month from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. or by appointment.  Admission is free.  Contact (225) 698-9886 for more information.

Bayview is a perfect location for bayou and swamp sightseeing, meetings and special functions, entertainment and group activities.  Located less than an hour from New Orleans and about a half hour from Baton Rouge.  Tours are available by appointment.  For information, call (225) 698-3147.

Livingston Parish is one of two sites for the National Science Foundation's Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory (LIGO).  This prestigious, worldwide research station, in collaboration with Cal-Tech, MIT and LSU, is at the cutting edge of gravitational physics research and laser technology.

Tours of the facility are available on Friday's at 3 p.m. with no advance reservation necessary.  Saturday morning tours are available by special appointment.  Schools and special groups can book appointments any day.  For more information, call the site administrator at (225) 686-3100.  The LIGO website is www.ligo.cal-tech.edu