Kristie

We are planning a trip to New Orleans, Memphis and Nashville next year but would like to spend some time in a beach resort. Can anyone recommend anywhere good to stay. Also what is the best time to visit the area.

John

The nearest decent beaches are in Gulf Shores (also Orange Beach/Perdido Beach), Alabama, which is 3 hours east of New Orleans along I-10. Pensacola, Navarre, Fort Walton Beach and Destin are immediately to the east of the Alabama coast and are 3-4 hours away.

Southern Mississippi has some casino hotels in Gulfport and Biloxi but the beaches are marginal at best. It's worth the extra drive to go to Alabama or Florida!

Rob

John's right! We like the Beach House...www.bigbeachhouse.com in Gulf Sghores.
Summer is a GREAT time for the beach...but it can be pretty humid and hot in New Orleans
Rob

beachbum

Hi Kristie,
Ditto the recommendations of heading to Ala-Fla for beaches. The best, IMHO, is Destin. And if your calendar is completely open, my pick would be September (water still really warm, no kids, easy seating in resturants, less traffic, but small threat of hurricane), or mid May (still no kids, water beginning to warm, flowers in full bloom). Have fun!

goodlife

I agree with everyone else. I'd go so far as to say drive the extra couple of hours and head to the Pensacola or Destin/Ft. Walton area. Beaches are much nicer than the Gulf Shores beaches even. The beaches on the Mississippi Gulf Coast leave a LOT to be desired. I wouldn't even waste my time. It used to be the fun thing to do was to take the excursion ferry boat to Ship Island. The water used to be really clear and pretty there. Last time we were there we were quite disappointed. It could have just been the weather pattern at the time as the current and undertoe were really bad. It was really really rough. As a matter of fact, someone drowned the day we were there. The water wasn't pretty at all. But it is a cool place to visit. There is also a civil war fort on the island with lots of neat artifacts to see.