News from K.Co: Announcing K.Co Press!

After many years of producing comprehensive travel guides, interactive maps and other online resources, K.Co officially launches its publishing initiative, K.Co Press ahead of its debut release: Ten Texas Towns and Places In-Between, Field Notes from the Back Roads available later this spring.

This hardcover, coffee table book chronicles some of the best off-the-path travel destinations in Texas. Photos by James Khattak and observations by writer Stephanie Khattak immerse readers in the quiet beauty of small-town Texas, while providing inspiration for travel and local exploration.

“In 2021, we visited 46 destinations, and only three of those were considered major cities,” said Stephanie Khattak. “From longer road trips to quick getaways to off-the-interstate detours, we have found a lot to love about small towns. Through this book, we hope to share these destinations with others and also positively impact these communities.”

While this debut is K.Co’s first traditional publication, it has published comprehensive online guides, interactive maps and other travel and destination content since 2019.

“We operated continuously for several years with primarily in-person services centered on the visual arts. Like so many other small businesses, we made a ‘pandemic pivot’ to providing online resources in 2020. At the same time, we began to evolve our focus to feature a broader view of local culture in more places,” said Stephanie Khattak. “With the success of our digital guides and positive feedback from our peers and professional communities, we feel that now is the right time to officially launch a press to publish what we plan to be the first of two books this year, and more going forward.”

Ten Texas Towns will be available for purchase soon on kcoarts.com and through select retailers. If you are a retailer or other business interested in purchasing copies, please email hello@kcoarts.com. Wholesale options are available for qualifying accounts.

Download the full launch press release below, and click here to learn more about our upcoming Texas travel book.

KCO-Press-Launch

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About Us:

About K.Co Press:

K.Co Press is a woman-owned, independent boutique press that publishes guides, maps and books that highlight the best and most unique small towns, hidden gems and off-the-path travel. A publishing initiative of K.Co, K.Co Press shares its focus on the culture, art, history and nature that helps define a sense of place.

About K.Co:

Stephanie Khattak founded K.Co in 2016 as a platform to share content, insights and expertise around arts-centered travel and experiences. In addition to publishing online and traditional content through K.Co Press, they offer a curated selection of collaborative storytelling partnerships for destinations and hospitality clients in Texas and nationwide.

City Guide: One Night in Shreveport, LA

Some of the best things to do with one night in Shreveport.

Culture is everywhere you look in Shreveport-Bossier, Louisiana. Within four hours of many Texas cities, including Dallas and Houston, this Texas road trip destination offers lots to see on an overnight visit.

We were there to meet up with family, whose casino incentives were burning holes in their pockets. Luckily for us, those incentives included free rooms at Bally's Shreveport Casino & Hotel (formerly Eldorado Casino Shreveport). With the biggest travel expense of this trip taken care of, our quick trip was a very affordable one as well.

Contents:

Shreveport Art & Architecture

Donuts & Dinner in Shreveport

Muffys and King Cakes, Shreveport Traditions

Shreveport Local Shopping

Shreveport Travel Planner - At a Glance

Shreveport Art & Architecture

"Unstrung," by Lynn Laird. Just one of many Uncommon Murals in downtown Shreveport.

We arrived in Shreveport at the "magic hour" and spent as much time as possible chasing the light around downtown Shreveport. We were there on a Sunday afternoon, so most businesses had already closed. But the beautiful buildings with their historic architecture, murals and public art provided more than enough entertainment.

The Strand Theater, downtown Shreveport

The Strand Theater in downtown Shreveport broke ground in 1923 and opened in 1925 as a vaudeville theater, After a restoration in 1974, it has consistently shown modern theater productions, and sits at the West Edge of Shreveport's arts district.

Street parking is generally available, and The Strand was a convenient central stop to explore the surrounding blocks, which include Art the Dog, who watches over Shreveport's Central ARTSTATION. Our walk also took us past the beautiful Andress Artist and Entrepreneur Center, a recently renovated historic building that formerly housed downtown Shreveport's first auto dealership, the Andress Ford Motor Company.

Donuts & Dinner in Shreveport

The Original Southern Maid Donuts, Shreveport

After a swing past the Caddo Parish Courthouse and another important landmark, the original Southern Maid Donuts and its glowing, retro neon, it was time for dinner.

In all of our travels, we had never actually experienced the Waffle House magic, but it's a favorite of my parents, aka our hotel room benefactors, and we were more than happy to have dinner there.

Waffle House is a uniquely southern experience and has infiltrated southern culture. It is beautiful in a way that home is beautiful, even if home is a little shabby and badly lit. The food was solid and of course we had a waffle - pecan, if anyone is asking - along with a really good biscuit sandwich. My father orders an off-menu hash brown dish called "scatter," which looked tasty. And the best part, hot coffee to go, poured into a huge styrofoam cup. We were there at a normal dinner hour but I imagine that big, hot coffee fuels many long drives for late-night gamblers.

Which brings us to the next stop - Bally's Shreveport Casino & Hotel. It's pretty much what you expect, and most of what you want in a casino hotel. Pretty carpeting and views in the hotel floors, and plenty of slot machines that keep you entertained for a while even if you don't hit a jackpot.

This neon parking structure welcomes visitors to Bally's Shreveport.

Muffy's & King Cakes, Shreveport Traditions

But we weren't there (only) to gamble. We were there for a Muffy and King Cake. And on Monday morning, we set out to find both.

Fertitta's Delicatessen is home to the Muffy sandwich.

The term "Muffy" is specific to a sandwich served at Fertitta's Delicatessen in Shreveport. It varies a bit from the traditional New Orleans-style muffaletta, with its cold cuts, mozzarella cheese, and a secret family recipe blend of olive mix and other spices. We couldn't possibly pick a favorite muffaletta - we like them all - but Fertitta's serves our favorite Muffy.

When you search for the best King Cake in Shreveport, you get a lot of opinions. Limited on time, we picked Lilah's Bakery to try this year. There were only four of us, and only two households. So, we bought four King Cakes. The Black Forest flavor came home with us, and my parents took a Cinnamon 'n Sugar, Pralines 'n Cream, and Apples 'n Cinnamon to divide among friends, family and my mother's workplace. (So they say, and we don't judge.) I can definitely report that it is the best King Cake I have ever had. The icing and dough were soft, with a flavor profile that actually tasted like its label - not overwhelmingly sweet like others I have sampled. Lilah's is only open during Mardi Gras, so mark your calendars!

King Cake stacks at Lilah's Bakery, Shreveport.

Shreveport Local Shopping

We made sure to budget enough time to hit some local stores on our quick trip to Shreveport. We chose ArtiFact and C&C Mercantile. These next door, connected neighbors are located in downtown's historic St. Paul's Bottoms district, across from Shreveport's longstanding Antioch Baptist Church.

Antioch Baptist Church

We loved the fun, vibrant art at ArtiFact, and its artist studios. C&C Mercantile has a vintage feel, and is home to Caddo Bros, a custom hat shop.

Caddo Bros custom hats is located inside Shreveport's C&C Mercantile.

It was a short trip to Shreveport, but a busy one. As with our other favorite stops, our time in Shreveport gave us plenty to experience, and even more to return for.

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Shreveport Travel Planner

Our one-night Shreveport Trip at a Glance

Where to Stay

Bally's Shreveport. This casino hotel is centrally located, its rooms are clean, and the Sportsman's Paradise restaurant offers solid breakfast options. A reliable option for gamblers and non-gamblers alike.

Our Itinerary:

Sunday Evening:

Arrive in downtown Shreveport and walk through its downtown cultural district. While we probably could have walked from Bally's, we chose to find street parking and walked from The Strand.

Dinner at Waffle House

Casino fun

Monday Morning and Afternoon:

Breakfast at Sportsman's Paradise

Coffee Stop at Rhino Coffee, Downtown Location

King Cake Pick-up at Lilah's Bakery

Shopping at C&C Mercantile and Artifact

Lunch at Fertitta's

Google Map: Dallas to New Orleans Road Trip: Shreveport

Misc

We visited in late January, and the weather was great. The neighborhoods we experienced felt clean and perfectly safe, although it is a good idea to stay aware and practice good common sense anywhere that isn't familiar to you.

Our road trip to Shreveport included some Covid precautions, mainly on a personal level. In public, most places didn't require masks, but had them readily available and easily accessible, along with sanitizing stations. Many of our activities in Shreveport took place outdoors. If you have questions, ask the business directly. Please do comply with local and business public health policies, and understand that things can change quickly, so what worked for us may be a different experience for you.

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About K.Co

Since 2016, K.Co has been a platform to share inspiration, creative connections and unique experiences found in local businesses, culture and communities, and off-the-path travel.

Connect with us on Instagram or drop us a note to tell us what's great about your local community!

City Guide: A Half-Day in Baton Rouge, LA

Some of the best things to do with four hours in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Street art leads the way in downtown Baton Rouge.

If you're driving through Baton Rouge, Louisiana, plan some extra time and leave the highway. There are more than a few things to see, and ideally, you would have more than a few hours to see them! But even as a pit stop on a road trip from Dallas to New Orleans or somewhere else, you can enjoy art, history and great food in this capital city along the mighty Mississippi.

We recently had some time to spend in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and here are our favorite local finds that you won't see anywhere else.

A Half-Day Guide to Baton Rouge

A half day in Baton Rouge is just enough time to hit some of the city's high points, sampling its local history, culture and food. If you're new to Louisiana travel, Baton Rouge is an excellent place to start exploring the Pelican State. The Louisiana state capital and political center, it's home to two prominent capitol buildings; a thriving college and university system and a vibrant city center. The busy Mississippi River waterway flows past downtown, with a riverfront and levee path for optimal viewing.

Baton Rouge History: Old Capitol Building

Arts & Culture in Baton Rouge

Where to Eat in Baton Rouge

Baton Rouge Travel Planner

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Exploring Baton Rouge History

Baton Rouge, or "red stick" in French has been the state capital of Louisiana since 1849, with a rich history and French and Spanish influences. Baton Rouge state business is currently carried out at its modern capital or Capitole de l'État de Louisiane, which also happens to be America's tallist capitol building at 460 feet. But if you have limited time in Baton Rouge, Louisiana's Old State Capitol is truly unique.

Old State Capitol: Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Stained glass abounds in Louisiana's Old State Capitol: Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

This Gothic-style building has stood for 165 years, with a restoration project in 1990 that enables it to function as a museum and Center for Political and Governmental History. Its exterior looks like a castle, and its interior is even more beautiful, with stained glass throughout, Its focal point is a winding, center staircase below a massive kaleidescope-like dome. Depending on the time of day and position of the sun, colored light dances along the interior. It truly is beautiful, and it is also educational, with historical and political exhibits in the House and Senate Chambers and Governor's Portrait Room as well as temporary exhibitions throughout the year. Admission is free.

Arts in Baton Rouge

Baton Rouge has a wide variety of museums, galleries and other art spaces, and murals and other public art throughout the city.

If you only have a few hours in Baton Rouge, the LSU Museum of Art is a convenient stop and showcases touring exhibitions and a large permanent collection of modern art and earlier works.

LSU Museum of Art: Baton Rouge, Louisiana

The Walls Project is a community and creative economic development organization that engages the public to create murals and other public arts programs in Baton Rouge. You'll see its handiwork on colorful walls in downtown, along the riverfront, in Mid City and other neighborhoods.

River Center Branch, East Baton Rouge Parish Library Sysetm, on the edge of Bernardo de Gálvez Plaza

The River Center Branch of the East Baton Rouge Parish Library system is a striking, modern building that sits next to Bernardo de Gálvez Plaza, a public sculpture and community space named for the colonial governor of Spanish Louisiana. (Texans especially may recognize another of his civic legacies - Galveston.)

Where to Eat in Baton Rouge

Louisiana's culinary culture is truly unique, with dishes that bring in elements of French, Spanish, African and Native American food to comprise Creole cuisine, and Cajun flavors, which are more modern and originate from Acadian regions and cultures.

In Baton Rouge, with only a few hours - and one mealtime - to fill, we researched local favorites and picked one. And, Anthony's Italian Deli didn't disappoint! This Baton Rouge restaurant is a consistent local pick known for its muffuletta sandwich, which was invented by a Sicilian immigrant in early-1900s New Orleans and has since become a signature Louisiana dish.

The muffuletta sandwich at Anthony's Italian Deli was large, which is a good thing because it was also delicious! But leave room for dessert. (We tried a spectacular slice of lemon pie.) The restaurant was busy within typical lunch hours on a Friday, but the atmosphere was warm and convivial, and the service was great.

Try Anthony's Italian Deli for lunch and dessert in Baton Rouge.

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Baton Rouge Travel Planner

Our half-day Baton Rouge Itinerary at a Glance

Where to Stay: Courtyard by Marriott Baton Rouge Downtown. We arrived late on a Thursday night knowing that we would only have a few hours in Baton Rouge the next morning, so we wanted something within walking distance to our main destinations. This Baton Rouge downtown hotel fit the bill, and we find Courtyard Marriott Hotels in general to be excellent value for the price. This one had Mardi Gras themed decor, which was fun.

Our Itinerary:

Walk from hotel through Downtown Baton Rouge (15 minutes)

Old State Capitol Building (1.5 Hour)

City Center Arts, Architecture and Culture Exploring (1 Hour)

Anthony's Italian Deli (1 Hour)

Google Map: Dallas to New Orleans Road Trip: Baton Rouge

Misc: We visited in December and the weather was chilly, but not cold. A light cardigan was helpful in the morning. The neighborhoods we experienced felt clean and perfectly safe, although it is a good idea to stay aware and practice good common sense anywhere that isn't familiar to you.

Our road trip to Louisiana coincided with a significant decrease in Covid cases, but we realize that things change quickly. Much of our Baton Rouge itinerary was outdoors, and what wasn't had reasonable mitigations in place, such as optional but available masks and easily accessible sanitizing stations. If you have questions, ask the venue directly and please do comply with local and business public health policies.

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About K.Co

Since 2016, K.Co has been a platform to share inspiration, creative connections and unique experiences found in local businesses, culture and communities, and off-the-path travel.

Connect with us on Instagram or drop us a note to tell us what's great about your local community!