Mamatrejo2014

My hubby and I, along with our two teens, ages 18 & 16 will be driving from San Antonio Texas to Orlando Florida mid June 2014. We are staying in Orlando FL for 4 days and 3 nights. We are looking for the best beaches to stop to visit along the way, as well as any other family friendly attractions, towns, etc. as were hoping to take advantage of the extra days heading up there and the days back. Also, what are your thoughts about visiting New Orleans? Is there anything interesting goin on there te 2nd weekend in June 2014? Does anyone have any suggestions? Any input?

dwdvagamundo

Aside from the fact that New Orleans will probably be sweltering in June, there is always something fun going on there. One of our favorite cities in the world. French Quarter, WWII Museum, streetcars, great food, cruise on the Mississippi are always going on and always worthwhile. You can also take a swamp tour south of NO, if you haven't stopped at Lafayette, LA, and taken a swamp tour from there (mosquito warning!)

You will have a good choice of beaches along Florida's panhandle (I-10). St. George Island State Park was ranked third best beach in the US last year and is very close to your route. It's close to Apalachicola. Other beaches on the Panhandle are Grayton Beach and Seaside. Your teens will probably enjoy Panama City Beach more as it is a magnet for teens.

dwdvagamundo

You could also drop down to the Tampa Bay area if you have the time, and where there is a lot to do from Weeki Wachee Springs down to St. Augustine Beach and beyond to Sarasota and the circus museum. There are a string of beaches from Clearwater Beach down to St. Augustine Beach, all of which are very nice but very crowded.

gracie

I am sure you realize that June is the high season along the Northwest Florida coast. If you are traveling on a weekend, expect most Gulf Front hotels to require a 3 night min.

Cranachin

Visit the Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola or the USS Alabama in Mobile.

http://www.navalaviationmuseum.org

http://www.ussalabama.com

highnote

Gulf Shores, Alabama is a great beach with great shopping at nearby Foley, AL outlets. Gulf State Park cabins are a good place to stay for families if you don't want the beachside battle for a room. Book early.

acgupta

I am also planning for the road trip from Austin, TX to Orlando Fl. The trip is for 10 days during Christmas week. How was your experience. Is it worth to go by road. I am going by my Honda CRV, along with my wife and two daughters 11 and 7 years old.

Thanks

OO

We make the trip from San Antonio to St Pete every fall, then back in May. 17 hrs drive time to St Pete, a bit less to Orlando. We leave on a Saturday, otherwise we hit both Houston and Baton Rouge at their rush hours. Going over we make it as far as Daphne, Alabama the first day (just east of Mobile Bay), leaving 7 hours more driving for the next day. The FL section of I-10 is a great road. LA and TX, not so much. You will be on the road 4 days out of 10. Aside from Mobile and Pensacola Bays you are inland and it's not very interesting.

On the other hand, airfare at Christmas is sky high. I believe Jet Blue has direct flights from Austin and pretty good rates other times, but I don't know about Christmas airfare. The plus is that you are there in a few hours. The cons...there are 4 of you traveling at Christmas with it's notoriously high fares, then you are in Orlando with no car.

The drive isn't a lot of fun, but doable, and unless you have lots of air miles, driving is more economical.