3 reasons Women in Travel Summit should vote for Shreveport-Bossier to host WITS 2017

Editor’s Note: The Women in Travel Summit (WITS), the first and only travel blogging summit for women, recently announced that Shreveport-Bossier is a finalist to host their annual event in 2017. The Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau – publishers of 20×49.com – invited our communications intern, Aly, to share her take on why WITS should choose Shreveport-Bossier!

First of all, a huge thank you is in order to Women in Travel Summit for including Shreveport-Bossier as a WITS 2017 Destination finalist! We are thrilled and honored for this opportunity to show off our city.

As a writer, I am always searching for unique places full of passionate people and unexpected experiences to write about. Luckily, I live in a city full of fun festivals, a growing art scene, and adventure day and night. Here are three reasons Women in Travel Summit should vote for Shreveport-Bossier to host WITS 2017:

1. The Food

Shreveport-Bossier is a foodie’s paradise. There’s irresistible Southern soul food, slow roasted barbecue, fresh seafood and crawfish, and, my personal favorite, spicy taco trucks. There are also multiple local coffee shops scattered throughout the city great for hanging out in and attending weekly poetry readings and live concerts.

If you’ve got a sweet tooth, get hot glazed donuts that melt in your mouth at Southern Maid Donuts. Elvis Presley loved these donuts so much that he wrote and sang a jingle about them on the Louisiana Hayride. But don’t just listen to The King’s opinion. Johnny Cash, Minnie Pearl, and Johnny Horton were also big fans of Southern Maid Donuts and did commercials for them. Or stop by one of the best diners in America, Strawn’s Eat Shop, for icebox pie topped with rich, thick whipped cream. I recommend the cheeseburger with a side of hash browns for dessert.

2. The Art

It’s no surprise that a city covered in colorful murals is experiencing a huge art boom. Artisan pop-up shops, live music, and poetry clubs wait around every corner. In downtown Shreveport, head to the Robinson Film Center where you can catch independent, international and classic cinema daily. Upstairs is Abby Singer’s Bistro, a full-service restaurant that allows you to bring your meal and drinks into the theater.

Besides eating, my favorite thing to do on the weekends is to visit one of the 30 museums here. My favorites are the contemporary Marlene Yu Museum and the R. W. Norton Art Gallery whose garden bursts full of beautiful azaleas each spring.

3. The Shopping

Springtime means that maker’s fairs line the streets of downtown Shreveport where you can buy everything from crochet laptop sleeves and unique jewelry to paintings and upcycled furniture. There are also artisan marketplaces open year-round, like the Agora Borealis, where you can find locally made soy candles, clothing, coffee and granola, and, of course, art. If you have an eye for one-of-a-kind finds, we are home to over 20 antique shops full of treasure and more than 50 local boutiques.

There are also two malls that house international retailers like H&M, Forever 21, and Sephora. And make sure to stop by the Louisiana Boardwalk Outlets, a huge outlet mall, which overlooks the Red River.

I guarantee that you will leave Shreveport-Bossier with full bellies, exciting stories, and sweet memories. Y’all are welcome any time!