COMPASS
DEEP SOUTH
New places to dine, play
and dream in Dallas
Dallas may be well-known as a gateway to the Southwest and
its cowboy culture, but the Texas city is constantly adding new
attractions that appeal to travelers of all interests.
Dallas’ downtown Statler Hotel & Residences will reopen in
early summer, following a $255 million redevelopment project. The
Hilton property opened in 1956, and the renovation preserves ele-
ments of its midcentury architecture and design. More than 150
luxurious guest rooms, as well as fine dining options, boutique
shops and live performance venues, are part of the hotel’s renewal.
The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden will open
A Tasteful Place in late 2017. The $8 million addition to the facili-
ties will include an orchard, vineyard, and herb and vegetable
gardens. Guests will be able to enjoy flower beds, shaded porches
and patios overlooking White Rock Lake. Programs will include
dinners made with the gardens’ produce, chef-led classes and
horticultural demonstrations.
Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden
Klyde Warren Park
The Dallas Arts District spans 68 acres across 19 city blocks.
It includes Klyde Warren Park—a 5.2-acre deck park built over
a six-lane freeway—as well as the Dallas Museum of Art, the
Nasher Sculpture Center and the Crow Collection of Asian Art. In
October, the district will be the site of Aurora, a free, public exhi-
bition of interactive light, video, performance and sound pieces.
For more information about Dallas tour product, contact
Meg Gould, tourism sales manager for VisitDallas, at
[email protected] or go to visitdallas.com.
Culture, cultivation and celebration in Shreveport
“We want to part of your trip-planning experience,” says
Melissa Small, communications coordinator for the Shreveport-
Bossier Convention and Tourist Board. “Our sales team is
poised to help you plan your itinerary and book hotels, and
wow you with our service and Southern charm.”
The CVB calls the city “Louisiana’s Other Side,” and group
activities and attractions reflect its connections to the Deep
South and Texas.
“Groups looking for something exciting can immerse them-
selves in the unique culture of Shreveport-Bossier through
Mardi Gras celebrations in Shreveport
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June 2017
adventures like All About the Roses,” says Small. During this
90-minute tour of the American Rose Center, visitors will learn
about the cultivation of roses and the history of the decorative
flower. They also can taste rose-flavored tea and jelly and see
gardens where new strains of roses are grown.
Another popular experience is the Art and Soul of Shreveport
tour at the Southern University Museum of Art. This tour uses
artifacts and stories from west and south Africa and the U.S. to
explore black culture and history in Shreveport.
Groups also can participate in the state’s annual Mardi Gras
celebrations at the Red River Mardi Gras Bash. “It’s an exclusive
party for groups to enjoy one of the largest parties in Louisiana,”
says Small. “The climate-controlled party tent includes live enter-
tainment, authentic Louisiana cuisine, commemorative Mardi
Gras souvenirs and several hands-on experiences.” During the
parade, groups can watch floats from the party’s prime location.
Small says the city’s location is ideal, too. “Shreveport-
Bossier is conveniently located in the northwest corner of
Louisiana, where I-20 and I-49 converge. The destination is
three hours east of Dallas, Texas; three hours south of Little
Rock, Arkansas; and three hours west of Jackson, Mississippi.”
The CTB’s staff offers step-on guides and meet-and-greet
services for motorcoach groups. To learn more, contact Small
at [email protected] or go to shreveport-bossier.org.