Southern States Trip

Old Dec 30th, 2009, 01:58 PM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Southern States Trip

I am planning a trip next summer with my husband and three grown up children (aged 22,19 and 16). The current idea is to visit New Orleans and the nearby area, but I don't want to miss any other places (we are British so its a long way). Texas appeals, Houston, Dallas and cowboy country plus the historic background of the plantations, a swamp tour and we have a very romantic view of the Mississippi itself.
We thought we could have a busy 7/8 days and then a further 6/7 days relaxing (maybe beach) with odd day trips.
We have had 3 fantastic trips to US and would like to explore another area. The 1st was Miami/Kennedy Space Centre/Everglades and Key West.. Then a 2nd trip to San Francisco/ Yosemite and LA, the third was New York.
Our interests are jazz, wildlife, outdoors, food and just getting to know more about an area.
Any suggestions?
sal56 is offline  
Old Dec 30th, 2009, 04:25 PM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 7,443
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
A favorite place to eat of ours is Prejeans in Lafeyette. You might be able to eat there on your way to Texas. New Orleans has fantastic food!!

I don't consider Dallas and Houston great tourist destinations. There is great food and there are some things to do and see, just not Major US attraction.
spirobulldog is offline  
Old Dec 31st, 2009, 03:25 AM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 10,169
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
If you go to Texas, I strongly suggest Fort Worth. It has three really brilliant art museums, all by equally brilliant architects: the Amon Carter, the Kimball, and the Modern. You could spend a very long day amongst them since they are all together or a much shorter pair of days.

We stayed in the former Stockyards area, now a sort of theme-park area, but we found plenty of good food to eat and some amusement from the daily "stampede" (some slightly sleepy longhorns being gently conducted down the main street of this area.

The New York Times has done one or more articles on visiting Fort Worth with some interesting local food experiences included -- not gourmet but characteristic.
Ackislander is offline  
Old Dec 31st, 2009, 03:49 AM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 20,350
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Natchez, MS is a beautiful port city on the Mississippi with spectacular antebellum mansions built when cotton was king. You could visit part of the Blues Trail and/or the Natchez Trace parkway.

In Louisiana I would recommend spending some time in the area around Lafayette for Cajun music, history and food.
Vttraveler is offline  
Old Dec 31st, 2009, 04:52 AM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,900
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Definitely come to Texas, but remember it will be HOT and HUMID in the summer and it's BIG.

Houston's very urban and big and busy and definitely representative of a sort of Texas (oil and business and such) but it's not pretty really. Is there some reason to go there specifically?

I live in Corpus Christi and here there is the beach/Gulf access, a nice aquarium, and for the real cowboy/ranch deal, a bit south is the King Ranch, once largest ranch in the world and still big and busy. There are many different cultures here (ranching, Hispanic, marine) and lots of good food. We're about 10 hour drive from New Orleans area--you could stop by Houston on your way to break up the trip if need be and then spend a couple nights here. (It's about 4 hours from Houston.)

THEN definitely go to San Antonio, my favorite big city in the world I guess (well, it's not London but what is). It's a 3 hour drive from Corpus Christi. Spend a couple nights at the least there. Riverwalk, the Alamo, WONDERFUL food and shopping, good museums, tons of accomodations of all sorts.

Dallas is about a 5 hour drive, maybe, from San Antonio. I don't know that area much other than where to stay briefly when seeing a student son there, so can't advise about sites. I think Fort Worth would be more the cowboy stuff.

Texas, just getting here from New Orleans and then doing some sort of loop, could easily take well over a week. Maybe fly into Texas somewhere, see stuff, (like start at Houston, go to Corpus maybe, or just San Antonio, then head to Dallas/Ft. Worth), then drive to Vicksburg, Mississippi, area and decide what to see along Mississippi for a couple days, drive to New Orleans area for a couple days, then drive to somewhere along the Gulf Coast for a beach stay with whatever days you have left? I don't know how long you want to drive at a time or how important the beach relaxing is, so this itinerary idea may not appeal at all. But come to Texas (at least San Antonio!!) and look at maps to see what sort of loop might have you being most efficient with driving, etc. If you want to see some of Texas and end up on the beach, I think it makes sense to start in Texas and then drive back towards New Orleans and leave from there.
texasbookworm is offline  
Old Dec 31st, 2009, 05:04 AM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,005
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
We are also from Europe, and we have also enjoyed several trips to Louisiana and Texas. But please take this warning serious:

Do not go there between May and October! We usually travel to the Southern States over Christmas and enjoy beautiful weather. Last year, we spent Christmas in Texas and had 30°C in Big Bend Natl. Park on 25 December. Can you imagine the temperatures there in July?

Otherwise, the region is extremely beautiful. New Orleans is one of the most beautiful cities in North America, and you will enjoy a daytrip along the Mississippi to visit a few grand old plantations. But, again, not in summer, when it is unbearably hot and humid there.

As others have said, the most attractive destinations in Texas are:

- San Antonio - with lots of history and a most beautiful cityscape.
- Austin - the charming capital city and famous place for blues music.
- Texas Hill Country.
- Fort Worth.
- Big Bend Natl. Park (definitly not in summer).
Echnaton is offline  
Old Dec 31st, 2009, 05:11 AM
  #7  
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,005
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
>>and we have a very romantic view of the Mississippi itself
Echnaton is offline  
Old Dec 31st, 2009, 06:34 AM
  #8  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thank you everyone for all the useful replies.

I like the idea of flying to Texas and then driving back to New Orleans and flying home from there. I like the sound of San Antonio and am keen on seeing cowboy/ranch style life.

BUT am now worried about the weather being too hot and humid - I am a teacher and so the summer holidays are the best time for us to travel. What does anyone else think?
sal56 is offline  
Old Dec 31st, 2009, 07:41 AM
  #9  
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,005
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
If you have to go in summer, think about Northern New Mexico - Santa Fe, Taos, Albuquerque are beautiful destinations. You may also drive into Northern Arizona and Southern Utah (Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Mesa Verda, Lake Powell), all high-elevated destinations which are cooler and drier in summer. Better save Texas and Louisiana for a winter trip. (San Antonio might be bearable because of the coolness of the Riverwalk.)
Echnaton is offline  
Old Dec 31st, 2009, 07:59 AM
  #10  
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,900
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I'm also a teacher so I understand; we "have" to go to England in the summer next August, when I and DD have off.
(Wonder if we're gonna be there while you guys are here!)

So---just know that summer here is HOT and if that's ok and you know it going into it, don't let that be a stopper. Go absolutely as early as you can (the later in the summer, the bigger risk of tropical storms and hurricanes, too). This past summer we traveled 5000 miles to National Parks in South Dakota, Wyoming, and Arizona in July and it was mostly warm to hot even in the higher elevations (well, some mornings were definitely cool but we had hot,too--but not humid)--and that's a whole different trip, of course. We do have air conditioning EVERYWHERE so you can always cool off when indoors, in the car, and sleeping! Since you have to travel in summer, don't let the weather be a stopper--just be prepared for it. Coastal areas will be hot and the most humid but will always have a breeze, unlike inland places like Dallas. (By hot we mean mid 80's-mid 90's F usually as daytime highs. In early summer it almost never gets near 100--almost never, anyway.)
texasbookworm is offline  
Old Dec 31st, 2009, 08:08 AM
  #11  
 
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 3,220
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Don't know when your summer holiday is, but May can be fairly pleasant. June through Sept is indeed hot and humid (90sF during day and 70sF during night), though central Texas is usually less humid than New Orleans. Keep in mind that literally everything is air conditioned from shopping malls to cars to busses to buildings to stores to sports stadiums, etc. Whether this is intolerable to you only you can decide.

Having said that, with 2 weeks, I'd focus on New Orleans and surrounding Cajun/plantation country, Natchez (including the Natchez Trace), then San Antonio, Austin and the Hill Country. From New Orleans you might also work in a few days on some of the nice Gulf beaches around Alabama and Florida Panhandle.

New Orleans to San Antonio is about an 8.5 hr drive, so very doable. And yes there are actually quite a few nice things to see and do in Houston if you wanted a day there on the way (NASA, excellent museums and galleries, nature preserves, restaurants of every ethnic background, etc).

If you consider flying there are very frequent flights from New Orleans to several cities in Texas including Houston, Dallas, Austin, San Antonio and Corpus. Usually good fares on Southwest Airlines (and often matched by Continental Airlines through its hub in Houston).
dfr4848 is offline  
Old Dec 31st, 2009, 01:28 PM
  #12  
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 10,169
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Echnaton's suggestion of Northern New Mexico is a very good one. It is pretty much all more than a mile high, and while hot, it is dry, very dry, and the evenings tend to be coolish

The culture is unique, not like anywhere else you have ever been, and the scenery spectacular. With a reasonable amount of time, you can go into southern Colorado to visit Mesa Verde and ride the narrow gauge trains into the Rockies.

If you decide on this area for this trip, do yourself a favor and read as much about it as you can before you go, both history and fiction, like Willa Cather's "Death Comes for the Archbishop" (not a mystery!).

It is a place where the Spanish, Mexicans and Indians (seldom if ever "Native Americans") are three distinct cultures, even though they all sort of look alike. Then there are the pueblos -- Taos and San Ildefonso on flat ground, Acoma like a Spanish village on top of a precipice. The church in Las Trampas (Truchas? memory fails) Do you get the idea that I love this place? If only it were not so far from the sea . . . .
Ackislander is offline  
Old Jan 1st, 2010, 06:27 AM
  #13  
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Somebody mentioned Natchez, Mississippi at the Natchez Trace Parkway. I'll throw in Nashville, Tennessee and you can do all three! The 444 mile-long Natchez Trace Parkway starts at Natchez and ends in Nashville. Scenic beauty, no commercial traffic or advertising the entire way and tons of history: Old Southwest development, Native American Indian, Civil War... If driving the Trace, try to allot at least two days to make the drive and a day or two at either end in both Natchez and Nashville. For tons of info about the Natchez Trace Parkway see: http://www.NatchezTraceTravel.com
rfought is offline  
Old Jan 1st, 2010, 07:55 AM
  #14  
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 500
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
In Houston on Saturday mornings, if you plan ahead, you can sign up to take a history boat tour of the Buffalo Bayou. It is really fun to do and it is seeing Houston from a totally different perspective. http://www.buffalobayou.org/boattours.html

In New Braunfels take the family to the original Schlitterbahn to have a fun, relaxing, cool day in the water park. http://www.schlitterbahn.com/. Or check out Krause Springs or Hamilton Pool on the west side of Austin. Or Barton Springs in the city of Austin. All these places have cool, spring-fed water.

There is A LOT to do in Austin, San Antonio, and the Hill Country. There are relaxing cabins to rent near Concan on the Frio River, www.frioman.com; bat watching at night by the Congress Avenue Bridge in Austin, the RiverWalk in San Antonio. Austin has a place called Esther's Follies which is a fun revue show at the corner of 6th and Red River.

I live in Texas and I love all the state has to offer. I am also a teacher and Texas has great history!! Go online to the Texas Travel and sign up for the travel guide and map. http://www.traveltex.com/Index.aspx
kkukura is offline  
Old Jan 2nd, 2010, 07:06 AM
  #15  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Wow! thanks kkukura for the info on Texas.
I am thinking of flying to say Houston aand spending some time in Texas - it all sounds great. We can then travel on towards New Orleans and fly back from there (although there are no direct flights to London).
Unfortuately our summer hoiday cannot begin until mid July - exams/graduation ceremonies but even with the warnings about the heat the family are really keen. We all fancy the Cajun/plantation country, Natchez Trace Parkway (although not the whole stretch) and NO itself.
Any other tips/suggestions?
sal56 is offline  
Old Jan 2nd, 2010, 07:22 AM
  #16  
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,900
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Texas by itself has months' worth of stuff! Are you still thinking beach time?

Can't give you any ideas for Houston but there are things to do there.

I mentioned Corpus Christi already, including a half day trip south of here to King Ranch. If you decide to head south from Houston to Corpus Christi for a bit, I can give other specific ideas.

DEFINITELY plan on San Antonio for multiple days. From there there's the Hill Country and/or Austin which has a great music scene.

From there are you still thinking the Dallas/Ft. Worth area? and then east towards the Mississippi (interstate runs pretty straight from Dallas to Vicksburg, Mississippi) and then hit the Natchez Trace towards NO? I think that makes spatial sense.

Post back with your tentative itinerary ideas in terms of time in each area and you'll probably get some specific help.
texasbookworm is offline  
Old Jan 2nd, 2010, 07:26 AM
  #17  
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 500
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I can come up with a lot of suggestions because I love to explore Texas, so feel free to ask specific questions if you want! It will be VERY hot and humid in July, but everything is air conditioned and if you do outside activities plan the day out so you are not out in the heat of the day for long. Or do water activities during the hottest part of the day. The heat will drain you no matter how used to it you get. Drink water all the time.
kkukura is offline  
Old Jan 2nd, 2010, 07:50 AM
  #18  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Quick replies! I think I had ruled out Dallas/ Fort Worth as the Hill Country (cabins at Cocan), Austin, San Antonio and Corpus Christi all have more to offer. Houston is only a convienient airport from London not particularly a place to stay.
I was thinking of about a week in total in Texas - a couple of days in each place. As some of it could be chill out time (Concan cabins and beach in Corpus Christi) perhaps beach at the end is not needed. Then drive to NO and a week there.
We have about 14 days in total - the flight out lands in afternoon and returns overnight to London.
All thoughts appreciated.
sal56 is offline  
Old Jan 2nd, 2010, 08:08 AM
  #19  
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 500
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
In either Houston, Corpus Christi, San Antonio, or Round Rock you should take in a baseball game. Houston has a major league team- The Astros. The other towns have minor league teams. Their stadiums are smaller and a lot of fun too.
Houston Astros-http://houston.astros.mlb.com/index.jsp?c_id=hou
Round Rock Express-http://www.roundrockexpress.com/
San Antonio Missions-http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/index.jsp?sid=t510
Corpus Christi Hooks-http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/clubs/ip_index.jsp?sid=milb&cid=t482
kkukura is offline  
Old Jan 2nd, 2010, 08:11 AM
  #20  
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 500
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Also, don't rule out Houston. We have Rice Village, the Galleria, Space Center Houston, Houston Zoo, Museum district, Houston Astros, Houston Dynamo (soccer). We are close to the Kemah Boardwalk (close to where I live) and Galveston. There is a lot more to do here than people think!
kkukura is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -