Buses to the mall leave Fort Polk's La Louisiane Recreation Center every Saturday afternoon. The Alexandria community operates a mall Welcome Center for the soldiers and families of Fort Polk on Saturdays as well. The Rapides Coliseum, Alexandria Museum of Art, Rapides Symphony Orchestra, Central Louisiana Theater, Ballet Alexandria and River Oaks Square are but a few of the cultural offerings of the Crossroads area. Kent House, a commemorative area with an antebellum home and outbuildings is open throughout the year. Craftsmen are frequently on site demonstrating the crafts and wares of that bygone era.
Outdoor activities abound in the Crossroads.
Kisatchie National Forest offers wildflower trails, camping, and lakes for fishing and boating. The area's many other lakes also make water activities readily accessible. Two major hospitals serve the area and offer all medical specialties. The Veterans Administration Medical Center operates a 470-bed hospital and nursing home in a picturesque setting in Pineville. Several vocational-technical schools also serve the area.