I have been to New Orleans about 20 times

[barb162]

and nowhere else in LA. Anywhere else? I'm talking about a driving vacation for 1 wk from Chicago very soon. Is Interstate 10 into Mississippi from LA scenic or industrial?

[Goldmund]

1. It's a time machine

You watch the seasons change as you go up toward Tennessee. It's not very industrial, not very scenic either -- but it's cool to watch the changing vegetation.

[SmokingJacket]

2. Take back roads.

I think it's 90 or something that basically parallels 10, but you get to see all the small towns -- much more scenic.

In general the secondary roads of Louisiana are fascinating, and the highways are extremely dull.

[AnnInLa]

3. If you are traveling on Interstate 10

Not sure where you will be hitting Interstate 10, but check your map for the city of Lafayette. If you base yourself in this city, you can explore "cajun country," quite an experience. If you are interested in experiencing the cajun culture, let me know, and I'll send you many helpful websites.

[barb162]

4. would you please, thanks

We'll be going to Natchez MS for about 2-3 days, then meandering down to New Orleans. Thing is, I can't figure what to see outside of New Orleans or how many days because I am completely unfamiliar with the area. I like visiting historical homes, which is what the Natchez stay is about. I have these Smithsonian and other guides to historic homes, but it is still difficult. Have you been to Rosedown Plantation near St. Francisville? Baton Rouge?

I talked to my girlfriend yesterday and she was a teacher in New Orleans area for 5 years. She didn't have a car when she was there so she stayed in New Orleans always except she went to Baton Rouge once visiting a friend and didn't go to any historic places. But she wants me to pick up 2 bottles of muffaletta sauce at the Central Grocery in New Orleans.

[Swamp Rat]

5. St. Francisville is beautiful!

Damn straight! Take a trip down River Road to St. Rose and go see some plantations... bring some muffalettas... and some crawfish! :9

[AnnInLa]

6. If you only have a week, you probably won't have time

for a visit to "Cajun Country" but in case you do have time....New Orleans bills itself as Cajun because the term "Cajun" is hot right now, but strictly speaking, it is more Creole than Cajun (French Acadian). To get the flavor of what and who Cajun is, you have to travel @ 3 hours west of New Orleans, along Interstate 10. Basing yourself in Lafayette, you can take short trips to experience all of the Cajun sites. If you're particularly interested in old plantation-type homes, check out the first link below.

http://neworleanswebsites.com/cat/tr/to/pl/pl.html

Get ready to "pass a good time" at Fred's lounge in Mamou on Saturday MORNING: http://www.fredsociety.com/mamou.html

http://www.vermilion.org/abbeville.php

http://www.mardi.com/index_g.htm

http://www.austinchronicle.com/issues/vol15/issue34/xtra.louisiana/

http://www.vermilionville.org

http://www.randols.com

http://www.cajunradio.org/louisianatourismguide.html

http://www.cajuns.com/theregion.html

www.eunice-la/libertyschedule.html

[elehhhhna]

8. Ann would you mind sending me some, too? Please? Thanks~!

[perardua]

7. great state park

about 20 miles from Iberia, where you can stay in a very nice cabin on the bayou and rent a canoe to paddle in the back channels of the swamp. I loved to go out in the middle of the night and float around til dawn.......

[AnnInLa]

9. What's the name of the state park?

Aren't you afraid a big ole black snake is going to drop down on you from above? (I'm afraid of big old black snakes.)

[perardua]

10. can't remember the name

but it was a great time. I did scare an alligator off the bank when the canoe drifted into a tree, it smacked the water right next to me. And at dawn one of the back bays was filled with little jumping fish glistening in the sun. Was great.

[AnnInLa]

11. Wow....you paint a great picture!

And, welcome to DU!