Gulf Coast in the Fall
 

Planning on a gulf coast drive from Texas during the end of Sept. through the first week of October. Wondering where to go, what to see, and looking for good places to eat LOTS of seafood! We would appreciate any suggestions......

We need a little more information to help you out.

Where are you starting from?

How many days do you have?

What kinds of things do you like to do?

Once we know this, it will be fairly easy to figure out an itinerary for you that would fit your needs...

Visit Gulf Shores/Orange Beach, Alabama. The 38th Annual National Shrimp Festival is October 8th - 11th, so if you're in the area during that time I highly recommend checking it out.

The Gulf Shores/Orange Beach area has so many great seafood restorants, and the beach is beautiful.

Eat well and have a great trip!

Byrd

We are from West Texas and can take as many days as we'd like as I am newly retired. We had thought about taking the interstate through New Orleans, but then we'd like to veer onto some backroads and see the real coastal area. We love the beach, seafood, and just driving around seeing the sights. We've never been to this area, so we really don't know what there is to do.....the shrimp festival sounds really neat. Will we need to book lodging in advance? We are really "fly by the seat of your pants" people and would prefer not to be too restricted by a schedule......but would like to stay at some neat "beachy" places with a view.

You can find more info about the shrimp festival in the calendar of events at www.thebeachiscalling.org, and you can also check under "lodging" for lots of lodging options. You might just check in advance to see what your options are, but I imagine you could find something when you're passing through.

If you want to get off the interstate and drive along the Gulf coast in Mississippi (highway 90 is the main drag right beside the beach on the MS coast), the "Cruisin the Coast" festival in Biloxi is Oct. 4-11.

www.cruisinthecoast.com

It's a pretty big event with thousands of vintage cars driving up and down the beach. Biloxi is also a good spot to stop to eat seafood and do some gambling (9 casinos) before heading on to Gulf Shores (which is a lovely beach town).

PS: Regardless of whether you want to stop overnight in Biloxi, I recommend getting off the interstate at Bay St. Louis and driving along highway 90 right along the beach to the town of Ocean Springs and getting back on I-10 (about an hour or so).

It's an interesting drive and when you first get off I-10 you will see the towns of Waveland, Bay St. Louis and Pass Christian that were almost completely destroyed by Katrina, and then as you get to Biloxi you will see all the casinos (stop at the Beau Rivage or the Hard Rock if you want to eat).

We love staying here, but it has gone up in price. If you want a condo, the Phoenix East & Phoenix East II are right next door for less $$.

http://www.perdidobeachresort.com/

http://www.orangebeachonline.com/rental_phxeast.html

Many great restaurants in the area - I can name many, if you want. We go to the area at least twice a year & sis lives in nearby Fairhope. FH is a nice little 'artsy' town about 30 minutes away on old Hwy 98 (not the main drag).

We love staying here, but it has gone up in price. If you want a condo, the Phoenix East & Phoenix East II are right next door for less $$.

http://www.perdidobeachresort.com/

http://www.orangebeachonline.com/rental_phxeast.html

Many great restaurants in the area - I can name many, if you want. We go to the area at least twice a year & sis lives in nearby Fairhope. FH is a nice little 'artsy' town about 30 minutes away on old Hwy 98 (not the main drag).


Also, have you checked out this report by Neopatrick, for New Orleans area?:
Trip Report Eating my way across the French Quarter!

Sorry for the double post.

Donnagayle,

Ok, thanks for the extra information.

I'd recommend driving east on I-10 to I-45 and then I-45 South to Galveston. Spend the night in Galveston at a condo/hotel located along the beach. The next day, go beachcombing, visit the Strand and then head east over the ferry to the Bolivar Peninsula. From there, take Hwy 124 I think it is all the way back to I-10.

From I-10 head straight to Lake Charles and get off at the Lakeshore Drive exit (downtown Lake Charles). Loop back around and have lunch at Steamboat Bill's (voted best roadside restaurant in the country). Be sure to try crawfish pistolettes (similar to a "bread bowl" but with french bread instead of sour dough and with crawfish etouffee instead of clam chowder). Have any one of the famous Cajun dishes on the menu, you can't go wrong.

From Lake Charles, head onto Lafayette, where you'll spend the second night. In Lafayette, go to either Vermilionville or Acadian Village, eat at some Cajun restaurants, and then head on down Highway 90 to Avery Island. Tour the Tabasco Factory and Jungle Gardens.

For the third night and fourth nights, stay at Madewood Plantation. Tour St. Martinville one day and as many plantations as you can along River Road the next.

Finally, make your way to New Orleans along the River Road. Stay at least 3-4 night in New Orleans. Tour the French Quarter, see the Garden District, do a swamp tour, etc... Please see the New Orleans threads for further information.

Next day, drive onto the Florida Panhandle.

From, there, spend a few days at one of the beautiful beaches in Destin, Ft. Walton, Seaside, etc...

On the way back, stop in Mobile, MS Gulf Coast, and Baton Rouge for an LSU game (it will be the fall) and a tour of the Capitol.