What to do on way to New Orleans

[paulsang]

Hello again my Fellow class A drivers,

We are headed from the great lakes region towards New Orleans. We have about 2 weeks until we need to be there. We were hoping to hit Hot Springs Arkansas.

I am very confused. This seems to be an urban area, where one has to go to a bathhouse to use the springs?? Pay to soak in the hot springs that are really just a piped in bath? Am I understanding this correctly?

I was hoping for a natural experience, not a commercialized experience. Are my expectations too high??

[paulsang]

hanko wrote:
get guns and bullet proof glass,

For what??? (already have the guns)

[BobR]

paulsang wrote:

BobR wrote:
It might take you out of the way to start in Nashville, but I think doing the Natchez Trace Parkway would be a great way to spend some time. Free campgrounds and lots of points of interest to stop at.

So, Jeanette's Party Bus and Jeep in tow will have no issue on the Trace?

We are looking into the idea of riding it from Nashville.

Not a problem. I've seen Bluebirds with tows in the campgrounds. Since they are free, I suggest stopping by 2-3 pm before they fill up for best site selection.

[paulsang]

wannavolunteerFT wrote:
If you stop in Natchez, there is an RV park across the river in Vidalia, LA. Riverview RV Park. Although it is a bit open for my tastes, it was on the river (actually between the levee and the river) and the bathrooms, laundry and clubhouse were nice. they have a pool, but we didn't use it (it was Nov when I was there). The "rv parks" in Natchez itself were trailer parks with a couple of spaces for rv's. Not somewhere I would feel comfortable staying.

Do go to the visitors center in Natchez to determine what tours you want to do and buy your tickets. We did the carriage tour (my Dad was 88 at the time, so couldn't walk long distances) and really enjoyed it. Our driver/tour guide was a retired man who did the tours because he loved history and sharing his hometown with visitors.

Thanks for the tip. We did stay Riverview. I am typing this from there, as a matter of fact.

We traveled the trace over 3 days. Never went over 35 mph. It was really a nice ride. If we needed to ever drive from Nashville south again, I will take the trace every time.

Narchez was OK. We are glad we came this way. Thanks!!

[wannavolunteerF]

If you stop in Natchez, there is an RV park across the river in Vidalia, LA. Riverview RV Park. Although it is a bit open for my tastes, it was on the river (actually between the levee and the river) and the bathrooms, laundry and clubhouse were nice. they have a pool, but we didn't use it (it was Nov when I was there). The "rv parks" in Natchez itself were trailer parks with a couple of spaces for rv's. Not somewhere I would feel comfortable staying.

Do go to the visitors center in Natchez to determine what tours you want to do and buy your tickets. We did the carriage tour (my Dad was 88 at the time, so couldn't walk long distances) and really enjoyed it. Our driver/tour guide was a retired man who did the tours because he loved history and sharing his hometown with visitors.

[paulsang]

intheburbs wrote:

paulsang wrote:

intheburbs wrote:
Please excuse the bit of thread derailment - we've been considering a trip to New Orleans, but it just doesn't seem very RV friendly, especially if you want to hang out in the French Quarter. The few times we've been there, we've just stayed at hotels on/near Bourbon St and just walked everywhere.

Where are you planning to stay? How close to downtown/French Quarter? Thanks!

This time we are staying at the French Quarter RV resort. Right in the quarter. In the past, we have stayed at Ponchartrain Landings. It is not in the greatest area,(industrial) but the park is secure and decent, and does have waterfront. They run a shuttle to the quarter, which is just 4 miles away.

Wow, FQRV looks perfect. I think I have a destination for our 2015 Big Trip! Thanks!

Other than a family emergency that took me to the Jersey Shore, (in the summertime, so not all bad), we have not planned a thing, and simply 'winged' it. Went through PA, up around Lake Erie into MI, to the UP, around to Green Bay, and are currently in KY. Skipped Illinios - just blew through - too much extended family there and didn't want them to get wind we were in the state....lol

Our ONLY commitment is NOLA and that is it. After that, the winds are going to blow us towards home. It's time.

[paulsang]

BobR wrote:
It might take you out of the way to start in Nashville, but I think doing the Natchez Trace Parkway would be a great way to spend some time. Free campgrounds and lots of points of interest to stop at.

So, Jeanette's Party Bus and Jeep in tow will have no issue on the Trace?

We are looking into the idea of riding it from Nashville.

[intheburbs]

paulsang wrote:

intheburbs wrote:
Please excuse the bit of thread derailment - we've been considering a trip to New Orleans, but it just doesn't seem very RV friendly, especially if you want to hang out in the French Quarter. The few times we've been there, we've just stayed at hotels on/near Bourbon St and just walked everywhere.

Where are you planning to stay? How close to downtown/French Quarter? Thanks!

This time we are staying at the French Quarter RV resort. Right in the quarter. In the past, we have stayed at Ponchartrain Landings. It is not in the greatest area,(industrial) but the park is secure and decent, and does have waterfront. They run a shuttle to the quarter, which is just 4 miles away.

Wow, FQRV looks perfect. I think I have a destination for our 2015 Big Trip! Thanks!

[paulsang]

jimo wrote:
Before we moved to Colorado we went to Hot Springs many times. Take the baths and enjoy yourselves. You will never regret it. We would go for 3-4 days and take the baths everyday.

What are the costs associated with this, the baths?

[paulsang]

We actually decided to head over to Nashville. We are spending an overnight between the lakes.

We will be skipping Memphis, as I worked out of Memphis just a few years ago. We were there last year, did the required Americana Elvis tour. Memphis has changed drastically since 2010, and it is just a sh*thole. Bealle Street is not safe, and in fact, there were 3 shootings, and 1 murder while were were actually on the street. Never again.

Natchez sounds like something I would be interested in.

Thanks for the input thus far!!

[paulsang]

intheburbs wrote:
Please excuse the bit of thread derailment - we've been considering a trip to New Orleans, but it just doesn't seem very RV friendly, especially if you want to hang out in the French Quarter. The few times we've been there, we've just stayed at hotels on/near Bourbon St and just walked everywhere.

Where are you planning to stay? How close to downtown/French Quarter? Thanks!

This time we are staying at the French Quarter RV resort. Right in the quarter. In the past, we have stayed at Ponchartrain Landings. It is not in the greatest area,(industrial) but the park is secure and decent, and does have waterfront. They run a shuttle to the quarter, which is just 4 miles away.

[Passin_Thru]

If you like to fish, you can do a lot of serious fishing in the Arkansas River AKA Kerr Mclellan Canal with lots of beautiful lakes in AR. Dardinelle is very nice.

[jimo]

Before we moved to Colorado we went to Hot Springs many times. Take the baths and enjoy yourselves. You will never regret it. We would go for 3-4 days and take the baths everyday.

[mustard]

Been to NOLA a couple of times in the Motorhome. Last time we went south along the Mississippi river on Hiway 61, a very easy drive south of Memphis. We stayed at the casino rv park in Tunica, MS. Then stayed in Natchez.

In Nola, we've stayed at the French Quarter RV Resort, a little pricy but convenient. The other time at Lake Ponchatrain Rv Park. They have a shuttle to the FQ.

Enjoy.

[intheburbs]

Please excuse the bit of thread derailment - we've been considering a trip to New Orleans, but it just doesn't seem very RV friendly, especially if you want to hang out in the French Quarter. The few times we've been there, we've just stayed at hotels on/near Bourbon St and just walked everywhere.

Where are you planning to stay? How close to downtown/French Quarter? Thanks!