New Orleans Travel Answers

I see that you have been a member for a while so you know the first thing to do is check here on VT for tips that other members have written. Here is a link on Biloxi from LoriPori. "BILOXI ----A SOUTHERN BELLE" - Biloxi by LoriPori. I haven't done that trip myself so don't have any first hand experience with Biloxi, Mobile or Pensacola, but my wife has been to Mobile for a wedding about 15 years ago and I know at that time she enjoyed a trip to a butterfly sanctuary. I know that they also have a number of horse farms (aka Lexington, Kentucky) in the Ocala, Florida area. I know we've passed a number of them on a driving vacation 6 years ago from Chicago to Orlando, but we didn't stop at any of them.

As to dining - it is so varied throughout the South (we're in Miami and I have a lot of good restaurant recommendations on our Miami pages). You can find many Latin American restaurants in Miami, especially Cuban. I suggest you check these out. In Louisiana you can try jambalaya, gator nuggets, frog legs, etc. I can recommend these, when it comes to southern food, sometimes, the smaller restaurants are the best for good authentic southern cooking. Whenever possible, explore these and often times they will be places you will just happen to pass. On the way here - to Miami - you can veer off to Tampa and visit Busch Gardens Tampa Florida as it is the best roller coaster and thrill ride park in the nation...if you're into thrilling rides. They also have a fantastic zoo like exhibit. I'm not a theme park person and don't care for the Disney parks at all and only Universal on occasions however, SeaWorld Orlando is a must if you have the chance. They are also sister parks to Busch Gardens and you can pick up a 2 park discount at the gate. In Miami, the Everglades National park is a must do and my personal favorite if you're into nature, Wakodahatchee and Green Cay wetlands (also tips on our pages). You can also find a nice restaurant run by the Miccosukee Indians at the Shark Valley entrance off of state road 41 (SW 8th street) and sample some local fare along with gator tail. There is a nice casino, also run by the local Miccosukees in that general area. Although you are not a beach/sand person, SoBe (South Beach) is a must for it's art deco district and general vibe. Simply cruising Ocean Drive or wandering through Lincoln Road,, especially on a weekend night or my personal favorite, quiet Sunday morning when the farmer's market is operating is nice. You can stop for coffee, breakfast and people watch to pass the time away in the open air. Homer

Thanks And yes, I do know to look at the pages, but I only know to look at Biloxi and Mobile..but there are tons of little places in between, and that's what I was hoping to get. I have looked at the majors cities and honestly, I've seen the same sites...

Thanks Homanded, great suggestions. The everglades was on my list. Didn't know about busch Gardens or the Indian Casino. Both would be cool. Thanks for the suggestions!

The Florida Gulf beaches are some of the prettiest in the country, particularly on the Panhandle, but I don't know that they're quite Cancun level, except if you look at the fact that you'll have relatively undeveloped beaches to yourself in many areas. Port St. Joe State Park is my favorite spot for this. But if you really don't want beaches, there's not a ton to do on this route outside Central and Southern Florida. Pensacola has Fort Pickens and Mobile has its grand homes. Yawn? Maybe... It's tough there because everyone goes for the beaches. For food, definitely get oysters while you're on the Florida Gulf Coast. Personally, I think they're better there than what you'll find in the tourist places in New Orleans. Jambalaya, gumbo, shrimp creole, crawfish etoufee, poboy sandwiches are just a few things to look for in New Orleans. Really, you won't find better food on your drive there than you will in New Orleans. There's also McGuire's in Pensacola. Kind of a destination restaurant. It's an Irish pub setup and they brew their own beer. Good, cheap food, but it does get very crowded. Pensacola has a nice waterfront area with a decent club/bar scene, so that may be a good overnight for you. A couple of things I did on my last trip to Florida: snorkel with manatees in Crystal River (really great experience) and float on the gorgeous lazy river at Kelly Park in Apopka (only3 per car). There are right in the middle Florida. I'm curious; what attracts you specifically to the casino in Biloxi? There are plenty of other casinos, including one right in the middle of New Orleans.

Rich's advice about checking the VT pages for cities along your route is great. I would like to give you a couple two quick ideas that may not be on the VT pages about the Mobile, Alabama area. Mobile has some interesting sites given its history during World War 2. Bellingrath Gardens- is about 20 miles southwest of Mobile and contains about 70 acres of amazing gardens that have been public since the 1930's. During this time of year the roses and Xmas lights are pretty spectacular and relaxing. bellingrath.org/about-us.htm... For a unique but somewhat of a fast food experience only in Mobile is Foosackly's. It's a small chain of chicken finger places. The fingers taste like real chicken, and the fries and garlic toast, and sauce are amazing. Probably one of the best small fast food chains in the south! Several locations in Mobile. Highly recommended if you drive through the city quickly and want a quick and unique bite to eat.

first put those names into the destination window above right and you will see plenty of tips by posters like us on those cities and more. then see the route planner www.mapquest.com and you should be set on what you like to do. Hope it help

We've been going to Pensacola for the past nine years (both of my daughters went to college and grad school there) and there really isn't much in the area, including Mobile and Biloxi. Definitely not the character and history of Philly! If you are into planes, Pensacola is the home of the Navy's Blue Angels demonstration team and they have a pretty good museum. Chances are unlikely that you'll be there on a show day, but you can sometimes catch them practicing. Other than that, the beaches are nice, but not spectacular and everything else is rather similar to any other city in the U.S. After New Orleans, this area will seem to be a let-down (apologies to anyone from Pensacola here!). Suggest you make driving through this area a heavy travel day so you can spend more time in a more interesting place :-/

One of my favorite places to eat is on that route, literally right off I-10 in Ocean Springs, Mississippi (exit 37). The Shed Barbeque & Blues Joint, great tunes and great food, and just a really fun place. Good prices too.

Thanks for the tips!! Truly appreciated. I like the tip on the chain restaurant (foosackly) as well. I defiantly like tasting local likes. The Shed is on my list to eat for sure! The airplane museum and McGuires may warrant a stop in Pensacola. BRendaReed, thanks for your honesty. It's actually the reason I put up a post, because I looked at some of the VT pages and I was like...hmmmm.....doesn't seem like much... But it would make for an interesting evening. To answer one question: I have always been fascinated with the riverboat casinos and seems New Orleans doesn't have any more since Katrina. New Orleans has too much in it to spend an evening in the regular casino. (I live near atlantic City). And Biloxi seems to have riverboat casinos, so figured I'd give it a try there. Thanks! These are exactly the kind of points I wanted.

Be sure to take the drive along the coast from Biloxi to Gulfport, heading towards NO - absolutely beautiful coast - very different from Ireland. As for a place to eat, there is an excellent place right on the Gulfport/ Biloxi line - in Gulfport, on the beach - literally. I'm not sure of the name, but its built on stilts with parking underneath the restaurant. Local spot, very affordable, great food.