LondonElite

We have a place in Naples and visit a few times a year, usually flying direct to MIA or indirect to RSW from the UK. This year, through a combination of good fortune and bad planning I have to be in Houston for a couple of meetings a few days before we were planning to start our family holiday (four children, 6-13) in Florida. Rather than flying back to London and then out again with the family a few days later, we decided that we'd all fly to Houston, and then drive - leisurely or not - to Naples from there.

We've decided to spend two nights in New Orleans as the children have never been, but now we're trying to decide on a strategy from there onwards. Having lived in many different places, my wife and I have driven up and down the east coast more times than we care to remember, and neither coast of Florida, including its interior, is much to write home about scenically. But I'm intrigued by the drive through Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama, (and I guess the FL panhandle) having never road-tripped that part of the country.

We don't want to take eons stopping at every little place in National Lampoon style, but equally I don't want to plow along the Interstate. I'm thinking of maybe adding two nights between New Orleans and Naples, driving along more interesting roads, taking in some sights. Maybe five hours or so in a car, then ending up somewhere interesting and 'local', then moving on the next day.

Any thoughts would be much appreciated.

FLYMSY

What month? (Or, did I miss it?)

Editing to ask: exactly when? We some major events coming up in the next few months in NOLA and hotel rooms will be at a premium.

LondonElite

Good point. March 30/31 to April 3/4 (ish)

Hyatt French Quarter in NO already booked. Also looked at Le Pavillion but decided against it.

FLYMSY

The additional info helps. If you don't mind, I'd like to offer some suggestions for NOLA first. Since you're staying in the French Quarter, I'll suggest some things which are in walking distance of your hotel that might interest the kids.

The Aquarium

http://www.auduboninstitute.org/aquarium

The Insectarium

http://www.auduboninstitute.org/insectarium

Jackson Square with the street performers

A ferry ride across the Mississippi River

http://nolaferries.com

On Wednesdays, from March through May, there's a free concert series,"Wednesday at the Square" with local musicians. They have food booths set up, also. You can "dine" al fresco and enjoy the bands.

http://wednesdayatthesquare.com


Visit one of the old cemeteries with the above ground tombs.

Ride the St. Charles Ave. streetcar (catching it on Canal St.) through the Garden District and Uptown. Very scenic. Get off where St. Charles Ave. turns onto Carrollton Ave. & have lunch at the Camellia Grill. Kids should enjoy the old timey counter service while sitting on the stools and the waiters are entertaining.

Streetcar schedules:

http://www.norta.com/Maps-Schedules/...ules-Maps.aspx


Not within walking distance, but you can take the Magazine St. bus to the Audubon Park and the Zoo. The ride will take you on a different route through the Garden District & Uptown. I think you'll find it interesting and Magazine St. Is great to walk around.

http://www.auduboninstitute.org/zoo


Here's the bus schedule:

http://www.norta.com/Maps-Schedules/...ine.aspx?ID=11

FLYMSY

The rest of this depends on when you leave New Orleans. When you drive out of New Orleans, get on I-10 East. Get off the interstate at the Bay St. Louis exit. Drive through Bay St. Louis and get on Hwy 90 and drive along the coast towards Biloxi. You'll get to see the beaches. Look carefully in the Hwy 90 median and occasionally, you'll see trees that were killed during Katrina. A wood sculptor came to the area after Katrina and created some stunning sculptures from these trees.

http://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/28321

http://thanks-katrina.blogspot.com/2...culptures.html


You'll, also, notice a lot of empty land along Hwy. 90. Most of these empty lots had houses and businesses on them pre-Katrina. Now, "Gone with the Wind". When you get to Biloxi, look for a sign directing you back to I-10.

Get on the Interstate and head towards Mobile, AL. If you want, you can get off just past Mobile and go to a couple of quaint small towns, Fairhope and Point Clear.

Later, get back on the Interstate and either stop near Pensacola, or continue driving until you hit Tallahassee, and stop for the night.

LondonElite

That's some great advice and resources. Thanks for taking the time, much appreciated.

I'm going to look into the roadsideamerica.com resource a bit more. Thanks again.

FLYMSY

You're welcome. I hope that y'all have a great time on your trip.

LondonElite

I'm so looking forward to food...

FLYMSY

Now, there's a good topic....

In NOLA, please avoid "Cajun" restaurants or menu items. It would be rare to find good, authentic Cajun food in the city. Creole, yes. Cajun, no. There is a difference between the two, which many people don't understand. Creole is more refined, citified food. Cajun is more rustic and country.

I'm highly amused by United's "Cajun Chicken" dish that they're serving. Haven't tried it for obvious reasons.

BamaVol

Spring Break began this weekend. That means several areas in the Panhandle are overbooked, overcrowded and there will be thousands of college students on the beach doing things you might not want to expose your children to. Any other month than March, this place can be paradise on earth. Avoid. Panama City Beach is Spring Break HQ but you can find them elsewhere as well.

LondonElite

We won't be there for another month...and I'll challenge any of those kids to a night in the bar!

BamaVol

I misread your dates. However, Spring Break will still be on, although winding down. We usually stay away from PCB between March 1 and April 15. It's pretty safe after that, mostly families. Still, I don't think we have anything that Naples doesn't. If it was me, I'd stay on I-10 and just make the best time I could. Although parts of Pensacola are pretty and you can tour an old fort at the Naval base. And Pensacola has a nice small zoo with a butterfly pavillion and giraffes you can feed by hand.

suthurn

Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi is having an Air Show March 28-29.
http://www.keesler.af.mil/library/ke...wandopenhouse/

If you miss the Blue Angels air show in Biloxi you may catch a practice session at Pensacola Naval Air Station.
http://www.blueangels.navy.mil/media...ceSchedule.pdf

One more Air Force suggestion: put your hands on a SR-71 Blackbird at the small museum at Eglin Air Force Base.
http://afarmamentmuseum.com/outside.shtml

If you enjoy a garden tour the azaleas at Bellingrath Gardens south of Mobile are spectacular, but they may not be at peak bloom for your dates.
http://bellingrath.org/experiences/e...lea-bloom-out/

Large numbers of manatees spend the winter in the warm springs that empty into the gulf. You may be just a bit late for the biggest numbers as this article refers to "the end of the winter manatee season on March 31."
http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/n...lorida-springs

I went to Weeki Wachee to see the mermaids when I was a kid, took my kids, and now one of my grown kids has gone back.
http://www.weekiwachee.com/

suthurn

duplicate post

LondonElite

Thanks suthurn, those are some good suggestions. My youngest is a real airplane fan and recently did a school project on the Blackbird. I guess we're stopping on at Eglin AFB! I think it would be fortuitous to catch a training day as well in Pensacola.