There’s a meme going around called “My Three Best Travel Secrets” and I’ve recently been tagged by Gray Cargill of SoloFriendly.com. Gray, by the way, not only has a fantastic blog, but she has one of the coolest names. From what I understand, the game was started by Katie of Tripbase.com. Smart marketing, Katie 
The purpose is to highlight lesser-known venues or share a special place with readers. I’ve traveled the globe, but I’ll share three places in Louisiana that I personally enjoy:
Dancing at Teddy’s Juke Joint: This little dive is so close to my house that I could walk there if I really put my mind to it. Those that don’t know about this hidden little place will miss it as they drive down Old Scenic Highway in Zachary. For you non-locals, this would be Hwy 964. Teddy’s serves up some Baton Rouge Blues along with delicious and pocket-friendly soul food. I support this local venue so much that I wrote about it in the 2008 Official Louisiana Tour Guide. It may be holiday season right now, but at Teddy’s the Christmas lights are up 365 days a year. If you want a taste of the REAL Louisiana, Teddy’s food choices include such items as turkey wings, hot sausage, gumbo (seasonally), and pork chop sandwiches. Visit the last surviving roadside juke joint in the area and put on your dancing shoes. Check out Teddy’s Juke Joint website and be sure to let me know if you make a visit. I just might meet you there.
Drinking a beer at Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop: Located at Bourbon and St. Phillip in the French Quarter, Lafitte’s quite possibly is my most favorite of all favorite places to enjoy a cold beer. This is the oldest bar in the United States and still holds the historic grit of when it posed as a front for the Lafitte Brothers’ smuggling business. Anyone who visits New Orleans with me is obligated to stop in Lafitte’s and sit down for philosophical ponderings of life and travels.
Eating Risotto at Besh Steakhouse: Risotto, when prepared correctly, is a culinary offering that I would ask for with my last meal. Inside of Harrah’s Casino is Besh Steakhouse, a high-end restaurant that serves delicious Louisiana inspired meals and fine wine. One thing you won’t find on the menu is the risotto. However, if you tell your waiter, “Shannon Lane said I MUST try the risotto,” then you’ll learn all about my third and final travel secret.
Now that I’ve shared just a few of my many secrets, I hope that if you experience any of these places that you stop back here at ShannonLane.com and tell me if you loved it or hated it. The offer always stands (if I’m around) that I’m always glad to join travelers and show them the places I love.
Who am I tagging?
Barbara Weibel from Hole in the Donut
Nancy D Brown’s What a Trip
Donna L Hull’s My Itchy Travel Feet(she’s already blogged about it)
Leigh Caldwell at Theme Park Mom
Denise Dube’s GlobalFoodie.com
Dot Dickinson Weekday Rambler
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
These sound like places I’d love to find on my travels! I’ve always wanted to get down to your neck of the woods…and I suspect we will at one point. Sounds too good to resist
Dominique´s last blog ..Midwest travel links for November 2009
Great secrets, thanks for sharing.
The oldest bar in the WHOLE of the US, now that is something!
And a secret off-the-menu risotto, fabulous!
I can vouch for Teddy’s! A friend’s band played there recently.It was a blast. The decor alone is worth the trip. Chic…tacky!!
Haven’t had a beer IN the Blacksmith Shop, but took a carriage ride around the French Quarter once and the carriage stopped at there. A waitress came out and took drink orders for the carriage riders. Only in New Orleans!
Dot´s last blog ..The Big Trip 2009
The more I read about Louisiana the more I pine to visit this remarkable sounding place. I used to live two doors froma cajun restaurant run by a 40 year Louisianan resident and fell in love with the food and that enchants me even further.
Great tips, Shannon! Teddy’s sounds like a blast; I love blues of any kind. I can’t believe I was in New Orleans last year and didn’t go to Lafitte’s or Besh. Those will now go on my list for next time.
Gray´s last blog ..My Three Best Travel Secrets
I love that your 3 travel places are all about eating and drinking! Thanks for sharing. I always give a good review to places with Christmas lights up year around…how festive!
Done. I tagged Greg Dickinson. Here are his secrets: http://citrusquark.blogspot.com/2009/12/challenge-share-your-top-three-travel.html
Dot´s last blog ..My Three Best Travel Secrets
Shannon, I’m coming to your neck of the woods so that two Southern girls can eat and drink together. Keep the Christmas lights on for me.
Donna Hull´s last blog ..Tempting Tubac
Uh oh! Seems I’m tagged. I’ll have to go a long way to match your three secrets but I’ll give it my best shot.
Barbara at Hole in the Donut Travels´s last blog ..Passports With Purpose Breaks My Silence