My Southern Sounds USA Adventure
There’s no better way to get to know a destination than actually experiencing it yourself. I was lucky to be on the Brand USA Southern Sounds Destination FAM trip, where I travelled from New Orleans through Louisiana and Texas before finishing in Seattle, and let’s just say, there was a lot of fabulous things to see, eat and experience along the way.
New Orleans: Let the good times roll
We kicked things off in New Orleans, staying at the Eliza Jane and heading straight into the famous French Quarter.
Between local stories and legends on our walking tour, lunch at Napoleon House and live jazz at Preservation Hall, New Orleans was every bit as lively and characterful as you’d expect. A classic city that I’d recommend for music lovers.
Baton Rouge & Shreveport: A different side of Louisiana
Next stop was Baton Rouge, where we explored the State Capitol, LSU and the LSU Rural Life Museum.
It was a great opportunity to see a different side of Louisiana, away from the buzz of New Orleans.
Then it was Shreveport, where music and culture took centre stage. We visited the Shreveport Municipal Auditorium, the birthplace of the Louisiana Hayride, before heading to the aquarium and Sci-Port Discovery Center. So much history and culture learnt in one building. That’s what made it feel more unique.
Fort Worth: Time to go full cowboy
Fort Worth came afterwards, and things took a distinctly Texan turn. We explored Sundance Square, the Stockyards and watched the Fort Worth Herd cattle drive before discovering the city’s Western heritage and cultural attractions.
One of the highlights was visiting AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys and a host venue for the 2026 World Cup.
Seattle: The perfect finale
After Louisiana and Texas, we headed to Seattle to round off the trip. We explored Pike Place Market, cruised through the Ballard Locks and visited MOHAI, Chihuly Garden & Glass and the Space Needle.
We finished at the Museum of Pop Culture with food, drinks, music and plenty of networking, which felt like a pretty fitting way to end the trip.
My biggest takeaway
This trip was a brilliant reminder of just how much variety the USA has to offer. From the food and vibrant music of Louisiana, to the cowboy culture of Texas and the city experiences of Seattle, every stop felt completely different.
And for us travel agents, there’s real value in experiencing these places first-hand. It makes it much easier to picture the itinerary, share your own recommendations and, most importantly, get your clients excited about going too.
Thinking about the USA for a client? Contact us today and we’ll help you build the itinerary.
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