Middle Tennessee to Houston area

[SageCrispin]

Hi folks,
We're just off rt 40, about half way between Nashville and Knoxville. Planning a visit to the first grand child (due early summer) in Conroe, TX, which is a northern bedroom of Houston. Generally the Garmin lady takes us across Tenn to Memphis and Little Rock, Ar, then down to Conroe. We thought we still might take that route going, but would like to circle across the south and back up for a change. Google shows 10/12 across and back up 59 to Chattanooga.

We'll have about 6 weeks total to spend, with a week or 10 days in Conroe.

So what's to do and where to stay?

We like mostly outdoor stuff, but also do museums and even once in a great while (!) go shopping. Mostly prefer full hookups (3 mature adults w/2 dogs) but we've boondocked for a night or 2 when advantageous. Certainly open to suggestions in variation of the route(s) too.

Thanks to all....

[down_home]

SageCrispin wrote:
On the other hand...

Got looking at the Natchez Trace Parkway. That looks like the way home for sure. Any recommendations for where to stay on the way?

Tupelo area has the only two RV campgrounds on the Trace. There are some NP parks but only dirt and small rvs or tents and no hookups.
When we went to Miss and La we took the Trace both ways. It is slower but seemed to be quicker. Much more enjoyable.
We went to 840 though. To or from I40 bout the best route.
Haven't been on I59, through or from Birmingham and south, in a while but it was a real jawbreaker. If it is finished it would be a good route. Still a far site better than the traffic from I20 up 75 to Chatt. and shorter.

[SageCrispin]

OK. I guess the plan now is to go down the Birmingham/New Orleans route to Conroe, TX, then back to New Orleans and up to Natchez and the parkway. What we need now is more suggestions for New Orleans, for places to stay and stuff to do other than the French Quarter.

We would probably spend 3-4 days in the New Orleans area. Any favorite state parks/nature areas?

How much (leisurely) time should we expect to spend going up the Natchez Trace Parkway?

As always, thanks for the help.

[southerngirl76]

Rayford Crossing in Spring is a very nice place. We used to live about a mile down the road. It is about a ten minute drive at most from Conroe. Huntsville SP north of Conroe is very nice, as is the Sam Houston National Forest and Lake Conroe. Houston has a fantastic museum district, an aquarium and zoo if you are into that kind of thing. The Woodlands mall is nice for shopping. The area around the mall has a trolley that you can take from the mall to the outdoor concert pavillion, library, and another shopping area with tons of places to eat. If you want to drive farther for activities I recommend the Kemah Boardwalk. Google it. It has eateries, stores, games and rides for the entire family.

[padredw]

We have stayed several times at the Tannehill Iron Works State Park which is between Tuscaloosa and Birmingham. Since we tend to prefer state parks when available we would certainly stay here again.

The address is actually McCalla, AL.

[SageCrispin]

On the other hand...

Got looking at the Natchez Trace Parkway. That looks like the way home for sure. Any recommendations for where to stay on the way?

[SageCrispin]

Thanks guys.

From Natchez, it looks like we would probably stop in the Tuscaloosa/Birmingham area. Any recommendations there?

[sdianel_-acct_c]

Rayford Crossing in Spring TX is where we stay. Lots to do in Houston. We like Lakeside RV park in Livingston LA. WWII museum in New Orleans is good if you like military museums. If you have time and haven't done it yet, go on over to Natchez MS and take the Natchez Trace Parkway back up to TN. We stay across the MS River from Natchez in Vidalia LA at the River View RV Park. Nice bike or walking path along the MS River. Check out the cemetery in Natchez. They have walking ghost tours.

[padredw]

There are lots of possibilities for RV parks near Conroe. We have only stayed in two of them, both very nice parks. Conroe/Lake Houston KOA is west of town on Highway 105. Rayford Crossing is south of Conroe on I-45. Both are very fine RV parks in my experience.

If you do return via I-10/I-12 there are a couple of nice state parks in Louisiana: Fairview Riverside in Madisonville and Fontainbleau just down the road in Mandeville. We have stayed in both several different times.