Trip to the Deep South

[BC4277]

Hi All,

We're planning a trip to the deep south along the gulf coast in the spring of 2018. I'm looking for any suggestion for things to see, good BBQ places, favorite campgrounds, any car shows, when does spring weather start.

Thanks, Bryan

[BC4277]

Thanks everyone for the very helpful ideas.
Bryan

[1nolaguy]

Being from the New Orleans area and having all my lifetime covered thousands of miles between Texas and Florida here are a few suggestions:
1::Spring starts about Jan 6,although we occasionally see colder weather in Jan and Feb it is rarely below freezing and usually only lasts a few days. Most days between Mid Jan and the end of Feb are in the 40's to 60's. Along the coast it may be even warmer.

2::Like coastal Florida, the gulf coast is a winter mecca for tourist and spring breakers but there are many places to see and stay that are not effected by this. This year Mardi Gras MG is Tuesday Feb 13. There are options for RV'ers that are reasonable even then. Private and public campgrounds in East New Orleans, Slidell, Covington and surrounding areas will give you ample options at reasonable rates and less than an hour drive to the French Quarter. Some even offer shuttle service during MG. Although the peak of the MG festivities are Feb 8 through Feb 13, in 2018, a taste can be had most weekends and even some evenings starting in Mid January; Not only in New Orleans but also in the surrounding towns such as Gretna, Metairie, Slidell and Chalmette (closer to many CG.

3::Food - The gulf coast area is known for good food of all kinds. While New Orleans has many great restaurants I personally recommend you look for the out of the way mom and pop restaurants along the way. Beware, you will likely gain 10 or more pounds on this run so plan some time for exercise or room in your wardrobe for new cloths. East Texas through Alabama are known for barbecue, Texas more for beef while the rest of the coast is more about pork products. If you eat pork you definitely want to try cochon de lait(cu-shaun-da-lay)roast pig, boudin (boo-dan)and andouille (an-do-we) sausage as well as other great pork meats in Louisiana.Personally, I always go to Best Stop near Lafayette for meat to go when passing through the area (Hwy 42 about 2 miles north of I-10). Specifically, if you are going to the New Orleans area check out [URL]www.nomenu.com a website by local food critic Tom Fitzmoris. When last I checked there was information on over 1000 restaurant in the immediate area, not counting chains!

I could write on this all day so I will end here.

3::There are lots of thing to see and do and as noted above, it would be a great idea to plan your trip to run either East to West or vis versa depending on where you originate. Perhaps begin Lake Charles or even Beaumont, Tx and drive along US 90/190. Note; at points you will be directed back towards I-10 which runs east and west. You can take side runs through Evangeline and Thibodeaux, and Cut Off, it just depends on your sense of adventure. Signs to I-10 will always bring you back to the "main road". In Mississippi run along the coast from Clairmont Harbor to Ocean Springs. Continue on through Mobile, Alabama, Orange Beach, etc and then the panhandle of Florida. If you have the time this route will take you all the way to Mexican Beach Florida before you need to head inland. As noted above there will be a few points at which you will need to leave the view of the gulf for a while but that is limited.

4::Places to stay - There are may CG both public and private along this route. Of particular note, the Silver Slipper Casino in Clairmont Harbor, MS has a gulf front camp ground and a good buffet. Island View Casino allows RV parking in their lot and has a great buffet also. The view is not as good but this one is free if you are going to the casino.

Hope this is helpful and you enjoy your trip.

[FF286]

I’ll second St. Andrews. From what I’ve been told top sail near Pensacola I nice, we may try it in a few weeks. If you want to go to the gulf coast in the spring you better book something now they book up fast. At least the state parks do, I cannot say for private campgrounds.

[RollTideCamp]

Checkout ST. Andrews, Gulf State park is zoo but pretty nice and close to the ocean.

If you happen to come through West Alabama I have plenty of recommendations.

[campigloo]

Don't know your route but assuming east on I-10. At Henderson La there is Pat's restaurant. A little out of the way but well worth the effort. Good seafood with a view of the bayou. Take I-12 in Baton Rouge to Hammond to I-55 south. It's an elevated hwy through the marsh to Middendorfs rest at Manchac. A must stop. I recommend one person get the thin cut fried catfish and the other a broiled seafood platter. You WONT be disappointed. New Orleans, eat just about anywhere. The WWII museum is another very good stop. Want fishing? Grand Isle state park. Lots of places to fish without a boat or there is a large variety of charters. Don't forget crawfish season will be in full swing.
Ft. Pickens sp at Pensacola is a good stop. We recommend an evening meal at Peg Leg Petes in Pensacola Beach. The naval Air Force base is a very good day trip. If you're luckily you'll catch the Blue Angels on their practice days.
Hope you have a good time! There are more places, so pm me if you want more suggestions.

[GrandpaKip]

The Gulf Coast can be pretty busy any time of year. I would be looking at where I want to go and making some reservations, especially at state and national campgrounds. The hurricanes damaged some parks, like Fort Pickens. Getting a spot in Fort DeSoto can be difficult at times, though it’s a great place to park it for a couple of weeks.
Asking Southerners about BBQ can start some interesting discussions. Wherever you go along the coast, get local fish and shrimp. In Pensacola, don’t miss Joe Patti’s Seafood store.
Have fun and poke around all the little towns.

[Gulfcoast]

Come on down before the weather gets way too hot.

You can spend months looking around and traveling the back roads in our area.

There's free camping spots in my area, simply PM me with any questions.

Have a good trip.

[wowens79]

Spring in the south can be a bit crazy, we can go from 80 one day to 30 the next. There is lots to see and do in the south from mountains, lakes and the coast. I'm guessing you are used to mountains, and are probably looking for beaches. If you want touristy places there is plenty of that from Gulf Shores, AL to Panama City. If you want a natural beach, St George Island State Park is awesome!!!

New Orleans is a great stop with lots to see and great food. Also if you like to fish, a side trip down to Venice LA, has great fishing.

There is great BBQ all over the south, but you will learn that from state to state the style varies, and we are as passionate about who has the best Q, as we are on the best football team.

Have a great trip.

[ljr]

Two of my regular snowbird stops are Buccaneer State Park in Waveland, MS and Magnolia Branch Wildlife Reserve on the Poarch Creek Indian Reservation near Atmore, AL.

[coolmom42]

Everyone has different ideas of what constitutes "spring." Get on weather.com and check the info for some cities in the area you are interested in. Go to the monthly forecast, and down below it you can pick a future month and see historic average temps, record temps, and rainfall.

It's about 400 miles from where I live south to Natchez. Left Tennessee on April 6 and dogwoods were just starting to bloom. In Natchez they were past peak already. 400 miles makes 2-3 weeks difference in the seasons.

[lizzie]

After reading this post I went to Wikipedia to find out just where the "Deep South" is. Seems it includes East TX, LA, MS. AL,GA & West FL. Since the OP indicated an interest in the Gulf Coast, this narrows the search somewhat. I would recommend getting on US 90 somewhere in East TX and travel east. Switch to US 98 once in a while to stay on the coast. Visit all the National Seashores, national wildlife refuges, old Forts, and quaint towns along the way. Visit barrier islands, climb lighthouses. Camp in state parks, national forests, and other out-of-the-way places. Ask the locals where to eat, especially seafood. When you get to the Suwannee River stop and take stock. The "deep" Gulf South is over. Lots of "Old South" to see but it is to the north of you now. lizzie

[jerem0621]

St. Augustine is wonderful... Just remember that real Florida is not found with the mouse or on the beach. Real Florida is found inland. See Wikki Watchee Springs, Ft. Desoto Park has an amazing campground right on some water channels...just look before you step.

If you can get off the coast there are some great historical places to see in the ‘Deep South’ that are not on A1A or in Florida. Lots of Civil War era sites.

Beautiful Appalachian mountains and Smokey Mountains in Tennessee. South Carolina has strange BBQ... I love the south. Georgia is beautiful, Alabama has a good football team and some great beaches on the Gulf.

There is so much to do and see.

Good luck and don’t judge us too hard down here. We talk a little slower and with a little draw but in general would do anything for you.

Thanks!

Jeremiah

[kknowlton]

We really enjoyed one of the FLorida state parks, Blackwater River I believe was the name. It's inland, so no beach, but beautiful grounds, and the CG had really spacious FHU sites. If most of their state parks are like this, they are worth spending some time in!

[DutchmenSport]

Avoid early March through mid-to-end of April. Spring break season. Places like Panama City Beach, Florida and anywhere along the coast, New Orleans... everywhere ... is a total nuthouse with High School and College Age Spring Breakers. Then you have young families that make the other end of the spectrum obnoxious with their grade school kids out of school... although Disney Resorts and Cruises is REALLY the insane place to be then.