jlab89

Hi.
My parents and I are considering a roadtrip. We will fly into Tampa on wednesday the 19th Oct, hoping to stay on Anna Maria Island for a few nights and then on the Saturday 22nd/Sunday 23rd start making our way to Texas. We have to be in College Station for Saturday 30th- so we have 6/7 days to do the drive- I am wondering if this is enough time. This is supposed to be a 'holiday'- relaxing but an adventure, i dont want to feel totally rushed the whole time.
If anyone has any recommendations as to where to stop along the way- that would be great! Im thinking Destin, FL... maybe somewhere in AL/MS... New Orleans.

I guess im just looking for opinions... we cant decide if the drive is too long. and if it isnt too long.. were not 100% where to stay along the way to get the best experiences.

Thanks

OO

It's a two day drive if you want to do it with no sightseeing. We have a condo in St Pete and house in San Antonio, and did the drive back and forth twice this year, and are about to head out again. We are anxious to get the drive over with so last trip, we made it from St Pete to Baton Rouge the first night. It's a long day driving, but doable.

Destin is a fair distance off the interstate, but if you want your trip to be more leisurely than ours, you might drive the first day from Anna Maria to Daphne, AL or Orange Beach area, which is the east side of Mobile Bay. When we are driving from San Antonio to St Pete, this is where we spend our one night on the road. That's about an 8 or so hour drive from St Pete. The next day you could drive to New Orleans to look around and spend the night, then the final day from New Orleans to College Station.

There isn't a lot to see or do along the way on I-10. Daphne area has Orange Beach, and the battleship Alabama. Have not done either as we are always just wanting to "get there". The MS gulfcoast has casinos with the accompanying shows. You'll see all those billboards as you drive along. If you are looking for another beach, I'd do Orange Beach before I'd do the MS beaches. If you've never seen New Orleans French Quarter, that is definitely worth the short drive extra to see it. From there, I'd just beeline it to College Station. Parts of I-10 through LA are interesting....the 30 something mile bridge, for instance. Does your trip end on College Station? You'll definitely not feel much like further driving after you arrive there!

jlab89

Thanks for the response. We want to sightsee along the way- whatever sights there may be. Is there anything else we shouldnt miss? Sounds like you kow the route well!

Were flying into Tampa from England. Looking at a map- I think we'll stay in Anna Maria for 4 nights, then we'll have 6 days to do the drive to Texas- Im sure that gives us enough time to make it leisurey. We will stop by Orange Beach (my Dad likes the sound of the battleship Alabama- thanks and also Jefferson Davis old home in Biloxi, and of course- New Orleans.

We'll have 2 nights in College Station (Go Aggies!) before flying out of Houston on the Sunday night!

Yay the trip is finally piecing together!

OO

Wow... You are going from England to College Station?? Curiosity is getting the better of me. One of our children graduated from A&M.

DH and I were talking about your drive yesterday. Knowing now where you are coming from, I might change my recommendations. If beaches are a priority, Destin beaches are lovely. So is Seaside or Rosemary Beach. Earlier when I wrote, I was trying to divide your day into easy drives, not considering how important beaches might be, even though you have just spent time in Anna Maria the previous week. Pensacola is OK, and there is a Naval Air Museum there. Our son, who was vacationing in Destin this year, stopped in Orange Beach for their night on the road, then toured the museum and RAVED about it. That isn't too far from the battleship either, so you might use Pensacola or Orange Beach as a base and tour both.

Anna Maria, if you haven't been there, is still very old Florida, though new money crept in fast when the economy was better so there are big homes mixed in. Have a place to stay before you get there. One of our favorite places to go for casual lunch, right on the beach, is the Sandbar Restaurant. They have a pretty deck overlooking the Gulf for outside dining. The drive from Anna Maria to St Armands Circle in Sarasota is a pretty one, and of course there is plenty to do in that area...Ringling /Ca d Zan and Selby Gardens being two of my favorites, but then, LOL you didn't ask about that!

Still curious about College Station. What an unusual destination for someone from England! .

jlab89

Were super excited for Anna Maria, were not really into all the highrise city locations, wanting to see the more quiant places. My sister visited Anna Maria last summer and was adament that we had to visit! Perfect place to relax before this roadtrip! Looking forward to checking out the Sandbar Restuarant!
So it looks like we are going to stop by Apalachicola, Destin area, Orange Beach/Daphne/Mobile, Biloxi, New Orleans and then straight to College Station.
The A&M story isnt too exciting. I studied abroad at A&M a few years ago on an exchange program with my University here in Nottingham, England- I absolutely LOVED it!! My parents visited during the spring, but sadly didnt get to experience a football game as it was out of season so ever since my Dad has been dying to go to one. College Station is just so different to anything here in little old England- we love it! Were very much looking forward to our trip

Thanks so much for all your advice. Very helpful! Enjoy your upcoming trip to St.Pete

youngtom2910

hello

i don't know what interests you. i would encourage you to get off the interstate I-10 between new Orleans and baton rouge and drive the river road. the river road has lots of old plantations --many are open for viewing and some offer overnight options. farther off the track woud be a 60 or so mile drive north from baton rouge to natchez, which also has great old houses..

BigRuss

If you're doing a seven day trip, I think you can make it to New Orleans by your second day, stay two to three nights and see a good part of the river road within about 70 miles or less of New Orleans, including Laura Plantation, Oak Alley, San Francisco and more all within 40 miles of New Orleans and also see New Orleans itself. If you want to go up the river road, stay in St. Francisville, a small town north of Baton Rouge that is centrally located for the area attractions including the plantations, the once-infamous Angola penitentiary and more.

And for ridiculously good stuff, go to Jacob's Andouille on the airport road - follow it out of New Orleans and into LaPlace. The andouille is fantastic. (See http://www.cajunsausage.com/).

OO

jlab89, thank you for explaining College Station! What a terrific experience for you, with the exchange program. They are a friendly lot, aren't they? Your parents should get a kick out of the game. I hope they are prepared to stand the entire time! Have a wonderful trip. Sounds as if you are planning something super.

soogies

jlab - my daughter did the opposite exchange and spent her study abroad in Nottingham and really loved it. We visited and had a blast.

Your dad will love the Aggie spirit at the game. You'll teach him some of the traditions, right?

I hate football so I never attended any games, but my kids were faithful attendees.

Gig 'em! ANd have a wonderful and safe trip!