Monroe is the home of the University of Louisiana at Monroe and is situated on the HYPERLINK "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ouachita_River" \o "Ouachita River" Ouachita River where it serves as a distribution outlet for the surrounding farm areas. Local places of interest include Layton Castle, a European-style structure built in 1814, and Biedenharn Home and Gardens, which is filled with antiques and collectibles and includes the Elsong Gardens and Conservatory on its grounds. Also featured is Rebecca's Doll House, which showcases a large antique doll collection, and the Northeast Louisiana Children's Museum, a wonderful interactive museum that kids will enjoy. Tourists can also visit the Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo, which has the nation's largest collection of small primates along with five hundred species of animals.
