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Creole and Soul: Visit this Culinary Destination in Louisiana

Shreveport-Bossier is full of award-winning chefs, Food Network features, new restaurants, and most importantly, diversity in its flavors. North Louisiana is trending in the regional and national food scene in 2026 and shows no signs of slowing down. Chef Niema DiGrazia of Abby Singer's Bistro is featured on Food Network's hit chef showdown, Chopped. DiGrazia's episode, “African Soul,” takes viewers on a journey through blending her Sierra Leone heritage with the place she now calls home, Shreveport-Bossier. Chef DiGrazia is establishing flavors unparalleledthrough her signature Afro-Fusion cooking. Her national journey will continue in Chicago this fall representing Shreveport-Bossier among renowned Louisiana chefs to showcase the state's bold, unforgettable flavors at “Taste Louisiana.” Chef Hardette Harris is the creator of the “Best Creole” dish for the second year in a row, as named by the 2026 Louisiana Food & Wine Festival, with a dish that is not traditionally Creole. Her dish, North Louisiana Roots & Smoke, consisted of smoked sausage and rutabaga mash. At the St. Francisville Food & Wine Festival in November, Chef Harris will continue to showcase what makes North Louisianasuch a special place, highlighting a distinct side of Louisiana cuisine that sets us apart. At her restaurant, Us Up North, Chef Harris keeps us close to our roots with traditions and flavors specific to the region. Chef Gabriel Balderas - courtesy of Visit Shreveport-Bossier Chef Gabriel Balderas, known for his fresh sustainable flavors, has launched two new restaurant concepts.The Brine, will be located next to the brand-new, 39,000 sq. foot pickleball facility at the Louisiana Boardwalk. The second concept, Papalotl, is in his hometown of Oaxaca, Mexico. Chef Balderas masterfully combines tradition with modern techniques, showcased at his current locations, El Cabo Verde and Zuzul Coastal Cuisine. His dining experiences are both globally inspired and uniquely rooted in Shreveport-Bossier's evolving culinary scene. Shreveport-Bossier is truly a diverse and delicious place to visit. From authentic international food to its unique North Louisiana flavor, the region's culinary scene continues to gain momentum far beyond its borders. Follow Visit Shreveport-Bossier on social media, or visit www.VisitShreveportBossier.org for big news on the local food scene, things to do, places to stay, and more.

Inspiration

Farmhouse Stays, Homegrown Cuisine, and Pastoral Beauty: Discover Tennessee's Farm Charm

Tennessee invites travelers to slow down and reconnect with the land through the charm of its working farms. As agriculture remains the state's leading industry, fertile farmland stretches from the Appalachian foothills to the Mississippi River, creating a landscape rich in tradition and flavor. Across the state, visitors can experience farm life firsthand through luxury farm stays, outdoor adventures and fresh farm-to-table cuisine rooted in Tennessee's agricultural heritage. East Tennessee Blackberry Farm in Walland offers a place for travelers to rest, recharge and rejuvenate, with luxury lodging and nature-centric activities that immerse guests in the beauty of the Appalachian Mountains. Visitors can enjoy farm-to-table cuisine alongside experiences such as hiking, foraging, wildflower spotting, fly-fishing and archery. Celebrating 50 years in the foothills of the Smokies, Blackberry Farm remains a haven for those seeking wellness and a meaningful way to reconnect with nature. Known for its award-winning cheeses featured in restaurants and eateries across East Tennessee and beyond, Sweetwater Valley Farm in Philadelphia invites visitors to experience the agricultural richness of the Sweetwater Valley. The farm offers guests a chance to sample its products at the on-site Seed to Sandwich Café while picking up gouda, cheddar, Swiss and more to take home. Tours provide an in-depth look at the farm's operations, including a visit to the robotic milking facility and a behind-the-scenes glimpse of Tennessee's first Lely XL Dairy Farm. Bolt Farm Treehouse in Whitwell offers an elevated escape into mountaintop luxury. Perched amid the rolling hills of Southeast Tennessee, the property invites guests into a thoughtfully curated retreat where nature and comfort harmonize. Accommodations range from upscale treehouses and geodesic domes to reflective mirror cabins, including the Floating Mirror—an overnight rental suspended between two boulders with walls and flooring that blend seamlessly with the surrounding landscape. Beyond the unique stays, the farm features a Wellness Haven with hot springs-style pools, a mirrored sauna and steam rooms, creating a serene sanctuary for relaxation and rejuvenation. Windy Hill Farm and Preserve in Loudon offers a retreat from the hustle and bustle, inviting guests into the scenic pastures and rolling hills of East Tennessee. With elevated stays and garden-to-table fare at the on-site restaurant, Wilder, the farm blends rustic charm with refined hospitality. Guests can enjoy a wide range of experiences including barn quilt painting, beekeeping, beer and wine hikes, bourbon tastings, archery, quail hunting, five-stand sporting clays, garden tours, forest bathing and more. Becoming a kaleidescope of spring color, Midfield Lavender Farm in Bulls Gap welcomes its 2026 U-Pick season, June 4 to 28. Visitors can gather fresh lavender bundles, sip homemade lavender lemonade, wander the fields and new wildflower trails, and browse handcrafted gifts made by local artisans. Guests may also reserve professional photography sessions in advance. The 7th Annual Regional Farm Tour in Northeast Tennessee kicks off Saturday, June 13, offering a mobile take on farm-to-table living with a self-guided journey across 25 farms in Greene, Washington and Sullivan counties. Along the way, visitors can shop locally made products, meet the farmers who cultivate the land, interact with friendly farm animals, and discover the stories behind the region's freshest ingredients. Middle Tennessee Southhall - courtesy of TN Dept of Tourism Southall Farm & Inn in Franklin offers an elevated stay thoughtfully designed to immerse guests in the wonders of farm-to-table living. On property, guests can savor dishes crafted from seasonal fruits and vegetables, often harvested just steps from the restaurant from surrounding gardens and orchards. Visitors can also take part in farm-centric experiences such as beekeeping, berry picking, falconry, archery, axe throwing, honey tasting, fly fishing and more. This working farm is dedicated to conservation and land stewardship, incorporating environmentally responsible practices throughout the property, from pastures to guest suites. In Ethridge—home to Tennessee's Amish Country and the largest Old Order Amish settlement in the South—visitors can experience a step back in time with Amish Country Wagon Tours at the Amish Welcome Center. Guided tours offer a glimpse into Amish culture and traditions, while the area features handmade goods, locally grown produce and artisan products. Unique shopping opportunities abound, including farm stores offering canned goods, handcrafted candies, and skillfully made baskets, furniture and more. Travelers can experience the charm of a neighborhood-style local grocery store at Farmington Local Market in Tullahoma. With a mission to provide fresh, farm-to-table products for residents and visitors alike, the market offers locally grown produce, premium Angus beef from the family farm, and a curated selection of handcrafted goods including jewelry, spices, honey and ceramics. In Winchester, Storybrooke Farm lives up to its name with guided farm tours that offer up-close encounters with the farm's animals, including award-winning Scottish Highland cattle. Visitors are also invited to capture Instagram-worthy photos set against Tennessee's scenic countryside. Storybrook Farm - courtesy of TN Dept of Tourism Visitors can experience the blend of a farmers market and farm-to-table deli at The Local Farmer in Pulaski. The market features locally sourced meats, produce and baked goods, while the deli counter serves sandwiches and salads made with the same fresh ingredients available in-store. Lovers of lavender will find a welcoming destination at Oak Grove Lavender in Hohenwald. Home to scenic event spaces, a farm store and expansive lavender fields for U-pick experiences, Oak Grove Lavender celebrates the fragrant bloom each June with its annual Lavender Festival. The event features U-pick opportunities, live entertainment, family-friendly activities, artisanal goods, and food and beverage offerings. H & S Farms in Cunningham offers more than eight acres of strawberry fields available for U-pick and pre-picked gallons for purchase during peak season from late April through early June. While strawberries are a seasonal highlight, the farm operates year-round as an agritourism destination with sunflower fields, seasonal blooms, pumpkin patches, mums in the fall, and recently added tulip picking in the spring. Family-friendly activities are offered throughout the spring and summer seasons. Farm charm abounds in Robertson County, home to four community farmers markets and a network of family-owned farms. Grown from the “sunniest spot in Tennessee,” Orlinda Melon Company offers fresh melons at the Robertson County Farmers Market. Visitors can start their morning with a farm-to-table breakfast featuring fresh sausage biscuits from Bernard Farms & Market Custom Cuts while browsing locally raised pork, beef and other regional products. Hancock Family Farm and Market Store is known for its exclusive Red River variety tomatoes. Nearby, visitors can peruse garden plants, houseplants and seasonal décor from Corbin Creek Greenhouse. In Cedar Hill, Head's Farm offers fresh eggs, seasonal produce, farm-raised meats and homemade jams. Visitors shouldn't miss blueberry season at Shade Tree Farm & Orchard, which peaks in July. Experiences include blueberry picking, pie-making and pancake breakfasts by reservation. In August, the harvest transitions into apple season, with pick-your-own opportunities and farm stand offerings. Lucky Ladd Farms in Eagleville offers fields of family fun year-round. Farmgoers can explore more than 60 acres of family-friendly attractions including feeding beloved farm animals, pony rides, nature and wildlife trails, playgrounds, milking cows, nature exhibits and more. The farm also offers seasonal U-pick opportunities including strawberries, tulips, sunflowers and pumpkins. A gem just minutes outside downtown Nashville, Green Door Gourmet's 350-acre farm offers an on-site market featuring fresh locally sourced produce, meats, baked goods, seasonal jams and jellies, and flora. A beautiful event venue, the working farm also offers classes ranging from wine tastings to farm dinners where visitors can savor the tastes and smells of fresh farm finds. Breeden's Orchard in Mount Juliet, a female-led orchard, bakery and cidery offers activities for the entire family including up-close encounters with farm animals, a bubble bin, corn bin, tiny kid-sized town, and the Hillside Slide for heart-racing adventure. The on-site bakery offers locally made sweet treats and baked goods, while hard cider and seasonal favorites are available at the cidery. Food trucks are on-site for heartier bites. With a full calendar of events slated for the season, visitors won't want to miss U-pick peach season beginning June 24. West Tennessee Stillwaters Farm in Henderson offers a charming farm stay experience, featuring a cozy on-site cottage as well as two urban properties located closer to town. While the farm is home to livestock, its primary focus is cultivating crops that enhance the quality of wines produced at its on-site Forty Cannons Winery. Upon arrival, guests are welcomed with a complimentary wine tasting and can unwind or take part in curated workshops such as candle making, rock painting, cupcake decorating and photography sessions. Wine enthusiasts can savor some of Tennessee's finest selections at White Squirrel Winery in Kenton. With an overnight loft available on property, guests can enjoy award-winning wines before taking in the scenic beauty of the surrounding vineyards. Crown Winery in Humboldt offers a stunning Italian-inspired villa experience and is known for its award-winning wines. Visitors can choose from a range of experiences, from casual tastings with live entertainment to elevated stays featuring curated wine and food pairings, vineyard tours, and overnight accommodations in upscale cottages. Guests won't want to miss signature events such as the Annual Grape Stomp, Second Sunday Brunch, yoga in the vineyard, and private picnics set among the scenic landscape. Donnell Century Farm in Jackson offers excitement for kids and kids at heart, delivering memorable family-friendly experiences throughout the year. Seasonal spring and fall festivals showcase the beauty and bounty of each season, from vibrant tulip blooms in the spring to pumpkin patches and corn mazes in the fall, alongside fresh produce, food and beverages. Beyond the festivals, the farm features more than 20 activities including an obstacle course, cow train rides, gemstone mining, carnival swings, bee zip-lines, a corn barn, and plenty of Instagram-worthy moments along the way. Holt Family Farms in Dresden is a place where harvesting memories comes easy, whether strolling through blooms during the Spring Tulip Festival, gathering for farm-to-table dinners, selecting pumpkins in the fall patch, or purchasing locally sourced pork. Preserving West Tennessee's agricultural history and heritage, Green Frog Farm in Alamo offers a peaceful retreat set against Tennessee's beautiful farmland backdrop. A wedding and event venue, the farm is also home to four cabins dating back to the early 1900s, thoughtfully revitalized into restful retreats while keeping their one-of-a-kind architecture and history intact. A tapestry of vibrant purple awaits at Lavender Kisses Farm in Hollow Rock. Offering intimate wagon tours through fields of the fragrant bloom, the farm also handcrafts products such as soaps, body butters, bath salts and lavender bundles. Visitors are welcomed by the “Moo Crew,” featuring Scottish Highland cows, miniature goats, donkeys and farm dogs.

Inspiration

Keep Your Beach Trip on a Budget in this South Carolina Destination

With travelers increasingly prioritizing value when planning vacations, Visit Myrtle Beach is launching a new destination-wide promotion designed to help visitors get more from their getaway. Through the new "Make More Myrtle Moments" campaign, participating accommodations across South Carolina's Grand Strand are offering complimentary lodging nights on qualifying stays, making it easier for travelers to extend their time at The Beach while keeping their trip budget-friendly. Timed to coincide with peak spring and summer travel planning and available for booking throughout 2026, the promotion offers a simple added-value incentive at participating properties: buy three nights, get one free or buy five nights, get two free, giving travelers extra time to enjoy Myrtle Beach's stunning coastline, attractions and entertainment. "Visitors are looking for more time, more value and more reasons to travel right now," said Stuart Butler, president of Visit Myrtle Beach. "Make More Myrtle Moments delivers all three, encouraging travelers to slow down, stay longer and truly experience everything our 60 miles of beaches and 14 unique communities have to offer." The "Make More Myrtle Moments" campaign represents the first market-wide, stay-longer offer of its kind for Myrtle Beach, giving travelers a simple way to unlock additional value for their vacation budget without sacrificing experience. With more than 45 lodging properties participating, the promotion offers visitors a wide selection of accommodations to fit their budget and preferences. Known for its easy accessibility along the central East Coast, diverse accommodations, fresh coastal Carolina cuisine and wide range of family-friendly attractions, Myrtle Beach has long been a destination where visitors can stretch their vacation dollars. Plus, there are plenty of ways to make memories without spending extra, thanks to complimentary experiences across the Grand Strand, including outdoor festivals, seasonal celebrations, live concerts, art walks and scenic waterfront strolls. The new campaign builds on that reputation, rewarding visitors with extra time to experience everything from beachfront relaxation and championship golf to live entertainment, dining and outdoor adventure. "Make More Myrtle Moments" offers are available for travel now through December 31, 2026. Travelers can explore participating properties and book eligible deals by visiting VisitMyrtleBeach.com/deal.

InspirationRoad Trips

For the Route 66 Centennial Celebration, Cruise Your Classic Car to Tulsa

Tulsa's Route 66 Capital Cruise: Classic Car Centennial Parade is now hoping to add another adjective to the name: World-record. The Capital of Route 66®'s massive celebration for the 100th birthday of Route 66 set for May 30, 2026, will now be an official GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ attempt, potentially solidifying Tulsa's place in the history books for the Centennial celebration of the Mother Road. A Guinness World Records adjudicator will be on-site to verify the attempt and if a record has been broken. “In Tulsa, we don't do anything halfway,” said Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols. “Making Capital Cruise an official GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ attempt adds another layer of excitement to what was already going to be a once-in-a-lifetime celebration in The Capital of Route 66®. This will be a true citywide celebration, from north to south and east to west, and we can't wait to show the world how we'll celebrate the Mother Road in Tulsa.” Tulsa's Mother Road Market is the official adjudicator sponsor for Capital Cruise. “It is an incredible honor to be a part of bringing a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ attempt to Tulsa,” said Lobeck Taylor Family Foundation Chief Executive Officer Brian Paschal. “Route 66 is central to Tulsa's identity and a crucial part of our DNA, and setting a world record on the Mother Road in Tulsa during the Centennial year will be a true unprecedented celebration.” The Cruise will take place on Saturday, May 30, 2026. Cars will stage at Tulsa's Expo Square, site of the pre-Cruise Tailgate and Expo on Thursday and Friday. "I cannot wait for Capital Cruise in Tulsa,” said Route 66 Commission Chair and Tulsa City Council Vice Chair Christian Bengel. “Setting an official GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title at the biggest Route 66 Centennial celebration in America is exactly how The Capital of Route 66® should honor the Mother Road. This will be a citywide celebration that pays tribute to the important history of Route 66. The Capital Cruise reflects Tulsa's bold, collaborative spirit in bringing this momentous occasion to life and showcasing our unique contributions to the Mother Road." The day of the event, cars will leave Expo Square, head north on Yale Avenue, then turn west on 11th Street to begin the 5.5-mile stretch down Route 66. “If you want to see America, you have to see Oklahoma, and what better way to showcase our state and the city of Tulsa than with the eyes of the world on us,” said Oklahoma Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell. “I am thrilled to see Tulsa take a leading role in celebrating America's highway for its 100th birthday, and the impact of this event will be felt around the city, state and region for years to come.” Route 66 is routinely top-of-mind for visitors to Tulsa. During calendar year 2025, Route 66 made up nearly 23 percent of all noted interests for visitors to the Visitors Center: Powered by Visit Tulsa. “All roads lead to The Capital of Route 66® as we prepare for this momentous celebration!” said Renee McKenney, Tulsa Regional Tourism president and senior vice president of tourism for the Tulsa Regional Chamber. “It is such a great event to bring the world to Tulsa and introduce them to our wonderful culture and community. The Mother Road's Centennial deserves a big kickoff, and we plan to give it one!” Registration is open for drivers to be in the parade. Cars must be model year 1996 or older to qualify as classic. Click here to register, and for more information, visit capitalofroute66.com.