Attention people from Louisiana or nearby, please help me plan a trip

[Dan Druff]

I have been to many areas of the US, but have very little experience traveling to the deep south. My entire life experience in that area includes a few days in Huntsville, Alabama for business in the '90s, and 3 days in New Orleans in 2002 (again, for business).

I have decided to take a trip to New Orleans later this year (when the weather cools down), and will have a car and would like to see anything of interest that is within a reasonable distance (500 miles, I'd say).

I will not be going during the Mardi Gras period, so don't bother suggesting that.

Will be traveling with my girlfriend and Benjamin, so please also keep that in mind when making suggestions.

One thing that has always fascinated me about the area has been the swamps where some people live that can only be reached by boat. Where would be the best place to go to see such a thing?

Also please suggest anything else in New Orleans or the surrounding 500-mile radius that might be interesting to see or do.

I will not likely be going to the Miami area on this trip, as it's a bit far (like 900 miles, from what I can see).

Any help would be appreciated. I know a lot about the western US and some about the northeast, but I am a complete n00b about the south.

TY

[shortbuspoker]

You should send Pikachar a PM. He lived down there for like 5 years.

[DrPeters]

Make sure u get some beignets at Cafe Du Monde in New Orleans, best in the world!

[ErickAA]

I went to New Orleans during the winter a few years ago. What I guess shocked me the most was how cold it was, because of the perception as a muggy warm weather city, which I guess it is in summer. Much colder than anywhere in So Cal during the winter months.

[SrslySirius]

Make sure u get some beignets at Cafe Du Monde in New Orleans, best in the world!

I lived in Louisiana for several years, but I was too young to remember much of note. Sorry.

[NaturalBornHustler]

I went to New Orleans during the winter a few years ago. What I guess shocked me the most was how cold it was, because of the perception as a muggy warm weather city, which I guess it is in summer. Much colder than anywhere in So Cal during the winter months.

Well no shit it isn't Southern California...did you really think it stayed 75 and sunny in the winter? LOL.

[ErickAA]

I went to New Orleans during the winter a few years ago. What I guess shocked me the most was how cold it was, because of the perception as a muggy warm weather city, which I guess it is in summer. Much colder than anywhere in So Cal during the winter months.

Well no shit it isn't Southern California...did you really think it stayed 75 and sunny in the winter? LOL.

For good or bad, people like myself who are born and bred in So Cal and don't travel a whole lot in the winter do not really appreciate how fucking cold 45 deg and windy is until we are in it with nothing but a tshirt and a hoody, because that is all we ever need in So Cal.

[BeerAndPoker]

[ErickAA]

There are tons of Popeyes in So Cal, where Druff is from. Probably at least one in Vegas too I would guess.

[Texter]

muffaletta at central grocery.
air boat tour of the swamp to see some puny louisiana gators.
they have a decent aquarium if it rains and kids like them.
willie mae's scotch house for fried chicken and red beans and rice
plantation tour
ride a streetcar and check out the garden district.
listen to jazz at preservation hall

[GambleBotsChafedPenis]

lived down Louisiana for a few years...

definitely go crawfish, oysters, gumbo, jambalaya...like text says, red beans and rice as well...gator isn't bad either, but its been ages since ive been in Louisiana so cant point you at a place to get it...

[lewfather]

why would druff bother with popeyes when you guys all know he hoards roscoes?

[Goodpoop]

Watch The Legend of Shelby the Swamp man on History channel.

[DrPeters]

[NaturalBornHustler]

Watch The Legend of Shelby the Swamp man on History channel.

Shelby is the fucking MAN. Bout time he got his own show.

Here we GOOOOO!!

[Goodpoop]

Watch The Legend of Shelby the Swamp man on History channel.

Shelby is the fucking MAN. Bout time he got his own show.

Here we GOOOOO!!

He is the man. Biting snakes heads off and shooting shit.

[VaughnP]

There's infinite shit to do in the French quarter. Oh, and make sure to check out the Napoleon House. I know you're not a drinker and will have a wife and kid with you, so that will take out most of the fun of New Orleans. . . It's just not a family vacation type of place. Just keep in mind that you are about 3 and half hours from Destin, Florida which is a great white sand beach town.

[Dan Druff]

There's infinite shit to do in the French quarter. Oh, and make sure to check out the Napoleon House. I know you're not a drinker and will have a wife and kid with you, so that will take out most of the fun of New Orleans. . . It's just not a family vacation type of place. Just keep in mind that you are about 3 and half hours from Destin, Florida which is a great white sand beach town.

Is the ocean warm in Destin, even in the late fall?

I would like to take Ben somewhere that he can go in the ocean without freezing his ass off. In Los Angeles, the ocean never gets much above 70, even in the summer.

[mulva]

this is the only thing you need to know.

but you don't have to leave las vegas to get it.

[VaughnP]

The water is warm as fuck even into the late fall. Straight from the Destin chamber of commerce, the average October water temperature is 81 f. It cools off starting November with the average temp still being 72 f.

http://www.destinchamber.com/visit/a...tatistics.aspx