If you were coming earlier in March I'd suggest the Rattlesnake Roundup but it is on March 12.

I will be in West Texas on March 13th and will try to post from out there if I find a place that serves rattlesnake.

I could post a list 50 things long with great stuff to do in Houston, but if you only have a day in March look at rodeo tickets. Worlds largest "indoor" rodeo and it last nearly the whole month. It is quite the experiance.

If you end up with more time there is a "citypack" which is a good value if you are trying to see everything over say a few days, but it sounds like you won't have that much time. New Genghis Kahn exhibit at the Museum of Natural Science just opened (there are over a dozen museums in the museum district area if you are into said things. NASA and JSC is available and the San Jacinto monument is a nice visit (although the state now charges $2 to get in to even park (bah).

If you have better idea of dates/times let me know and I can suggest some other things.

Enjoy!

Ciao,
FH

I already have my proposed itinerary all put in my computer.

I only have about 37 miles on main roads planned and the route looks like a drunk plotted it.
fredricksburg is on the route as is the blue bell creamery, The bats in Austin.
and bunches of other suggestions.

I want to thank everyone^

Post a report after, enjoy the trip!

Ciao,
FH

The only good way you are going to get (non I-10) from East TX/West Lousiana to N.O. is via secondary state roads (Sabine Pass onwards to Holly beach, then Cameron, to Grand Chenier, to Pecan island, to Forked island and up to Abbeville - all hwy 82 in LA) that then ends up and across at Hwy 14 junction, then to hwy 90 into NO. It's a good thing you have time.

Cajun country is unique, but once you've seen one swamp and bayou, you've seen them all. FYI: it's not near the coast for the last half of that drive. Have fun!

Ferry is open, but watch out for Spring Break Pretty much always a long wait on weekend, often even when it rains.

Since no one mentioned Galveston, the Strand is a nice place to visit if you like architecture. A couple of districts for older buildings as well.

For Tex Mex my favorite is The Original on 14th and for Mexican Gorditos on the Seawall (at 8th).

Of course 90% of meals consumed there would involve breakfast

The beach is nothing special (Houston folks come because it's close and don't have to pay to park ). South Padre is much nicer, but may be out of the way.

EmailKid

I just got back from my trip. Thank you all for your suggestions. I took the suggestions and went to fredericksburg and ate German food and Austin to the rodeo I visited blue bell ice cream and just had a great time. Sampled many different Barbecues. Saw Galveston took the ferry to point Bolivar then went to Beaumont.
Texas is a pretty good place.

It is, isn't it? I'm a Colorado native, so I grew up hearing mostly negative things about Texas. Then I visited Austin a few times and fell in love with the place (and a sweet Texas girl). I gave up a great job to move here and don't regret my decision one bit.

Yeah, I miss it.

And, having moved to Colorado after having lived in Texas, I had to defend Texas more times than I can remember!

RevMan - you made a wise decision :-) My wife and I are both from Wisconsin, but I left there 46 years ago to join the military and ended up staying in for 30 years. Along the way I convinced my grade school sweetheart to follow me as I headed to Texas for the second time in 1972. We got married in Seguin, left here two more times then came back here to retire (our second choice was Colo Spgs). Once you get over the heat, the bugs, the humidity and wearing shorts on Christmas Day - it grows on you :-)

I'm glad the trip was a success. I have to do a lot of driving in Texas and don't mind the interstates; but fly whenever I can do so.

Come back and see us again some time!