Millennials may be different than their older peers in some ways, but one thing remains the same throughout the generations, and that’s a desire to have fun. To that end, Baton Rouge and Shreveport-Bossier City have planners covered.
“No matter the season, there are annual events and festivals to attend in Shreveport-Bossier, and Millennials enjoy the good food, good music and good times,” says Dianna Douglas, regional sales manager at the Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau. “After the festivals, the party doesn’t stop in downtown Shreveport until 6 a.m. When it’s time to let loose, kick back and have a great time, Millennials enjoy nightlife that goes all night.”
Christy Chachere, spokeswoman for Visit Baton Rouge, says Baton Rouge also has many options geared toward a younger generation.
“The revival of Third Street has brought happy hours, live music and the running scene to the streets,” she says, citing Blend Wine Bar, Stroubes, Capital City Grill and Tsunami as great places to network over drinks. “Sounds of live music fill the street on the weekends and people can hop from place to place and dance the night away.”
Happy’s Irish Pub, Chachere notes, hosts a Running Club every Tuesday with a 5k around downtown and drink specials afterward.
“If in town for a conference, you can get your exercise and socializing in downtown,” she says, adding that other festivities also attract the younger generation, including Live After Five, a free outdoor concert series held every September and October, Baton Rouge Blues Festival, and Mardi Gras and St. Patrick’s Day parades.
Chachere says Millennials are also interested in excursions and traveling with others “so we like to promote a tri-city trip” that covers New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Lafayette.
“A group will get to experience everything from Cajun to Creole and history to politics on a trip between these three cities that are very near one another,” she says.
Another fun and informative outing is the Baton Rouge Food Tour, which Chachere says is very popular with the younger generation.
Back in Bossier City, Douglas says Millennials appreciate a private wine and chocolate tasting at the riverfront Jimmy’s Seafood & Steakhouse, located inside Margaritaville Casino at The Outlets at the Boardwalk.
“They pair great wines from the restaurant with fresh chocolate confectionaries from the Chocolate Crocodile,” she says, adding that Science on the Rocks is a special group event for the 21-plus crowd presented by Shreveport-based Sci-Port: Louisiana’s Science Center. “The special series includes hands-on science and math experiments related to food and cocktails. The events are held after-hours and groups can taste menu items like liquid nitrogen-prepared ice cream or cocktails.”
Also in Shreveport is the Robinson Film Center, a movie theater where groups can enjoy dinner and a movie under one roof, as Abby Singer’s Bistro is located on the second floor.
Douglas says the venue hosts themed events including Heels and Reels, which turns a night at the movies into a girls’ night out with a meal, specialty drinks, trivia, door prizes and more.
