My daughter and her husband are in Fort Polk for 1 year. We are going to visit during the preEaster week. I am flying into NO, driving to Alexandria, visiting for four days and driving back to spend four days in NO. Is there any public transportation we can take rather than driving? Is there a best route? I don't always trust mapquest, etc. Thanks.

Are you going to Alexandria or Ft Polk in Leesville?

Fort Polk in Leesville. And, while you're here, in there a place in Leesville my daughter can watch the Eagles today? Ft. Polk doesn't get Fox.

Have you checked into Greyhound or Amtrack?

My daughter is in Natchitoches (N of Alexandria). It takes us about 4 hrs from Mandeville but she goes the back way (less traffic). She goes to Baton Rouge & gets on US 61N/190W (Airline Hwy) to Opelousas. Then she picks up I-49N at Opelousas & that goes to Alexandria & Natchitoches. If you go I-49 from Opelousas be sure to keep the speed right on 70. They really are strict on enforcing the speed limit.
You can also get there from going to Lafayette, I believe but I havn't tried that way. The back road is a bit more scenic & about as quick.

The most direct route is I-10 West to Lake Charles and US 171 North to DeRidder/Leesville. We have done this route too many times to count.
We cannot tell you about public transport!

Benj-- We are staying Natchitoches overnight in two weeks overnight at Judge Porter House--B&B. Thought we might eat some meatpies at Lasyones Meat Pie Kitchen

I am not a fan of the meat pies. I was disappointed in them. Guess it was my mistake. I thought they'd be like these meat filled flaky crusted turnover type things. Instead I found the ones I had were a bit dry with a thick baked crust. Still ya have to try them since they are "famous".Lasyone's is the original place to try.

You'll enjoy the historic area along the river. We took the trolley tour & they showed us all the sites where "Steel Magnolias" was filmed. The history of the town was fun too. We plan to visit during the Christmas lights next time.

Have fun & let us know how the B&B was. We have been told that the Fleur de Lis is excellent too. That area is packed with B&Bs.

Benj I'll take a restaurant recommendation. The Landing?

I haven't eaten there but plan to next trip up- probably will be in May since daughter moves out of the dorm then. We ate at Dominic's & it was good. Their garlic bread while you wait was good & I like the old look inside. Things tend to roll up early there from the looks of it. We grabbed a quick crawfish poboy at Magee's right across from the NSU campus. I enjoyed that even though it has a fast food feel to it.

Check out the old hardware store in the old town. At Christmas they had cypress ornaments that make nice gifts.

My wife did her freshman year at NSU in 19<> when you had to wear a coat going to gym class. That's why we are stopping in N.

You will LOVE the Judge Porter house, and be sure to check out their other 2 properties--they'll let you see them if you ask. We LOVE the Library Room at Queen Anne B&B. Mariners on Hwy 1 Bypass is great for fried catfish, and the Landing is good, but our favorites were side-by-side on Front St., Papa's Bar & Grill and Mama's Oyster House. Awesome poboys and sandwiches. Steaks were incredible at Papa's.

We are not fans of the meat pie, but you just gotta' try them while there. If you want something delicious, try the crawfish pie! ;-)

Thank BayouGal for the suggestions. We had a crawfish pie on the last trip up 49 at some gas station!!. Usually we just buy the boudin!!

NSU is a nice campus. Be sure to check it out & see what's new. I have 2 friends that graduated from there in the 70s & they can't believe the changes. One thing seems to be the same- cafeteria food still is nasty!
Let us know how you like the places you stay & eat. I can't wait to try Mama's & Papa's. Maybe I need to "surprise" daughter with a visit. Just won't tell her it was to check out the food!

Judge Porter House, in the guest cottage, was superb--breakfast was OK.
Papas served me a precooked hamburger after telling me the muffeleta was premade so I was not impressed.
The crabcakes at the Landing were acceptable. Others at JPH said Delmonicos was good.
My wife was sad that she could't find her old dorm at NSU
It was a refreshing stop and we will do it again on the way to TX

Fairhope, sorry to hear about your meal at Papa's. We were there before Christmas this year to see the lights, and the owner was around every time we ate at Papa's or Mama's. Sad to hear it's not consistently great. Maybe we'll get to Delmonico's next time.

Made another trip to Tyler Tx last week. Took a break at Ponchatoula and looked at the antique stores. Had some fabulous beignets at the Berry Patch Cafe. The beignets had a strawberry( one of 10 choices) filling then dusted with powdered sugar with heavy cream in the center of the plate for dipping. A great coffee stop along I-10!!!