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Saturday, July 11, 2009
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View the 2009 Vacation Travel Map »
There are many great travel destinations for Baton Rougeans to consider for vacation, some being the hottest new thing, others being trusty favorites. Here is a list of some, as suggested by Melanie Williams, travel consultant at Gulf South Travel, and Farin Fabre, general manager at Malcolm Travel:
The downturn in the economy shouldn’t keep anyone from taking a vacation. Local travel experts say as long as travelers are smart about planning a trip, staying home for vacation shouldn’t be the only option.
If a weekend retreat is what you’re looking for and you’d like to do it in the state, L’Auberge du Lac Casino Resort in Lake Charles might be the perfect place. With its hotel, casino, golf course, shops, pool and even “lazy river,” there is something for everyone.
Out with the old; in with the new. New Orleans welcomes a new ship to its port: the Carnival Triumph. Although Carnival’s Fantasy hasn’t finished its run yet, it will offer its last cruises out of New Orleans by the end of the year. The Triumph will virtually replace the Fantasy, said Melanie Williams, travel consultant at Gulf South Travel.
This summer, Galveston’s Moody Gardens is not only looking forward to a new beginning after 2008’s Hurricane Ike, but it’s also looking back to a place where dinosaurs roared, stomped and flew about the earth.
Whether you take a walk or bike ride along the boardwalk, hang out at the beach, visit Moody Gardens, splash around at Schlitterbahn water park or visit historic sites, there’s always something to do in Galveston – and it’s only a short drive away.
Just across the state line into Mississippi lies thousands upon thousands of acres featuring more than 30 federal, state, academic and private organizations. But this isn’t a university.
Hotwire.com has ranked Houston No. 6 in its Travel Value Index of affordable U.S. vacation destinations, making America’s fourth-largest city – which is only a drive away – a viable option for Baton Rougeans. And in these economic times, that is good news.
From the Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau
It’s been nearly four years since Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast in 2005, and unfortunately, the only thing that seemed to take the word Katrina off of people’s lips was the storm of 2008, Gustav.
With summer fast approaching and many of its destinations just a few hours away, the Mississippi Gulf Coast is an ideal destination for a day trip or long weekend.
It’s one of the largest attractions along the Gulf Coast and has experienced a rebirth like no other. The 32-story Beau Rivage Resort & Casino in Biloxi, Miss., originally opened in 1999 to the tune of an $800 million price tag. Then Hurricane Katrina struck in 2005, forcing a major renovation that cost more than half that – $550 million. The work that’s been put into the resort has been noticed by a few national publications.
On the second Saturday of each month, Old Town Bay St. Louis comes alive with art for the Second Saturday Art Walk.
Merging sports into art can serve as a way for fans of one to appreciate the other. Those two pieces of culture combine at The American Sport Art Museum and Archives. On the campus of the United States Sports Academy in Daphne, Ala., the museum is dedicated to preserving sports history, art and literature. A combination of more than 1,000 paintings, sculptures, prints, posters, photography and assemblages await visitors. Admission is free. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
In just a couple of years, visitors to the Mobile, Ala., area will have one more special place to visit. Slated to open in late 2010, the National Maritime Museum will feature 90,000 square feet of interactive exhibits. The building is being designed and built to look like a maritime vessel headed out to sea.
Tackling personal health issues has been brought to the forefront at the Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center in Mobile, Ala., with a new exhibit that aims to educate visitors on how the human body works and how to keep it healthy.
Beaches stretching across part of a 30,000-acre island are just one of the many reasons to take the short drive to Alabama’s Gulf Coast.
Through July 4: Pirates! Museum of Mobile. 111 S. Royal
Florida’s Emerald Coast is an inviting place to visit this summer while avoiding a hard hit in the wallet.
Would you be interested in having lunch at a haunted establishment? At haunted Seville Quarter, a costumed guide takes visitors on a haunted experience. Tours begin at 10:30 a.m. with coffee at Palace Café and move to a buffet-style lunch in Apple Annie’s Courtyard.
Want to dig up the past or take a trip back into the history of Pensacola? Now, access to these excursions is easy through a new slate of group tours in the Pensacola Bay area. According to the Pensacola Bay Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, four different group tours are available.
Nestled right beside the curves of the Mighty Mississippi River lies a town so rich in history it’s like a living textbook. Natchez, Miss., only a few hours’ drive from Baton Rouge, offers visitors a way to get away from it all and learn something along the way.
If you’ve ever driven along the coast from Gulf Shores, Ala., to Pensacola, Fla., chances are you’ve driven through Perdido Key. A 247-acre barrier island sitting on the Gulf of Mexico, Perdido Key is just across the Florida state line and a short drive from Pensacola.
If you haven’t yet considered a trip to the middle of the state, now might be the time. Paragon Casino, in Marksville near Alexandria, offers lots of amenities and entertainment only a short drive from home.
If it’s been a while since you’ve packed up the kids and headed east to the magical kingdom known as Walt Disney World, now might be a good time to give it another shot.
If flight delays, weather issues and the general hassle of airports hold no attraction, and time is not critical to your travels, it might be a good idea to slow down and take the scenic route.
It’s no secret that New Orleans is known for its abundance of festivals year-round, and 2009 is no exception.
From its picturesque beauty to its lakeside resorts, Hot Springs, Ark., offers several things to do for the entire family. It is in the Diamond Lakes region, 55 miles west of the capital city, Little Rock. The city is the perfect backdrop for experiencing a mix of history, adventure and a little luxury.
Just when coastal residents thought it was safe to take a deep breath and relax, they again found themselves the victims of two destructive hurricanes — Gustav and Ike. Although coastal Louisiana suffered extensive damages from wind and water, a recent visit down La. 1 showed encouraging signs of recovery — even expansion.
Three places are likely to capture the hearts of traveling locals in coming months: Italy, Alaska and Disney. The steady favorites are so popular, according to JoAnne Bowman, owner of Carlson Wagonlit Travel, “You’d think it was free.”
If you’re planning on a getaway this spring or summer and don’t want to go too far from home, consider Lake Charles. The area features casinos, shopping, horse racing, wetlands, children’s activities and more.
New Orleans, just an hour away from Baton Rouge, offers easy access to one of America’s most historic cities. While The Big Easy is still recovering from Hurricane Katrina, much of the city is up and running. Tourists are flocking to the city’s streets and shops, and New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin said the atmosphere is like nothing seen before.
If you’re the cruising type and want something a little different, consider this: A short cruise along the Mississippi River can be a great way to view the edge of the city, treat yourself and your loved ones and relax.
From the inner canopy of the rain forests to the dark depths of the sea, Moody Gardens combines education with entertainment to provide fun for the whole family.
If you’re a regular visitor to Houston and haven’t been there in a few months, you may be surprised to see what awaits you now: Discovery Green.
Sitting in the Gulf of Mexico just 11 miles south of Gulfport is Ship Island, the last undeveloped barrier island in the region. Though the island is part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore, it has also been a family affair since 1926.
The oldest golf course in the state, which opened 100 years ago, is just a short drive away in Gulfport.
Call it a comeback. Add up the numbers, and you can call it a victory. The wake of Hurricane Ivan in 2004 has settled along the Alabama Gulf Coast, and the area has rebounded in a big way. And that rebound has come in an abundance of tourists visiting the area.
Through May 26
MOBILE, Ala. — Some are as big as dinner plates. Others as tiny as a dime. And they’ll hop into a new home at the Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center for a “ribbitting” good time.
MOBILE, Ala. — “OUR BODY: The Universe Within,” is an exhibit featuring actual human bodies at the Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center that runs through May 11.
Whether it’s viewing the anatomy of the human body, taking a trip through space or viewing state-of-the-art virtual exhibits, the Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center in Mobile, Ala., has something for everyone.
Alabama’s Gulf Coast reels in a solid array of seafood dishes, from Royal Red shrimp to soft-shell crabs and everything in between.
Take a stroll through the community featured as one of the filming locations for the 1998 film “The Truman Show.”
PENSACOLA, Fla. – What do an 18th-century British soldier and a 19th-century yellow-fever victim have in common? To learn the answers, talk with re-enactors at grave sites and allow yourself to be transported back in time at one of the oldest extant cemeteries in Florida.
Endless shopping, fancy dining and even beachfront weddings await visitors this spring and summer along Florida’s Emerald Coast.
A combination of beaches, art and Florida history awaits visitors to Pensacola this spring and summer.
Pensacola is full of things to do.
Florida’s “Lost Island” awaits visitors with beaches, parks, shopping and golf. Perdido Key bridges the gap between Pensacola and Alabama and offers year-round events and activities.
PENSACOLA, Fla. – Pensacola Beach invites families to go back to a simpler time and enjoy a fun-filled summer vacation without breaking their budget.
The downturn in the economy shouldn’t keep anyone from taking a vacation. Local travel experts say as long as travelers are smart about planning a trip, staying home for vacation shouldn’t be the only option.
If a weekend retreat is what you’re looking for and you’d like to do it in the state, L’Auberge du Lac Casino Resort in Lake Charles might be the perfect place. With its hotel, casino, golf course, shops, pool and even “lazy river,” there is something for everyone.
Out with the old; in with the new. New Orleans welcomes a new ship to its port: the Carnival Triumph. Although Carnival’s Fantasy hasn’t finished its run yet, it will offer its last cruises out of New Orleans by the end of the year. The Triumph will virtually replace the Fantasy, said Melanie Williams, travel consultant at Gulf South Travel.
This summer, Galveston’s Moody Gardens is not only looking forward to a new beginning after 2008’s Hurricane Ike, but it’s also looking back to a place where dinosaurs roared, stomped and flew about the earth.
Whether you take a walk or bike ride along the boardwalk, hang out at the beach, visit Moody Gardens, splash around at Schlitterbahn water park or visit historic sites, there’s always something to do in Galveston – and it’s only a short drive away.
Just across the state line into Mississippi lies thousands upon thousands of acres featuring more than 30 federal, state, academic and private organizations. But this isn’t a university.
Hotwire.com has ranked Houston No. 6 in its Travel Value Index of affordable U.S. vacation destinations, making America’s fourth-largest city – which is only a drive away – a viable option for Baton Rougeans. And in these economic times, that is good news.
From the Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau
It’s been nearly four years since Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast in 2005, and unfortunately, the only thing that seemed to take the word Katrina off of people’s lips was the storm of 2008, Gustav.
With summer fast approaching and many of its destinations just a few hours away, the Mississippi Gulf Coast is an ideal destination for a day trip or long weekend.
It’s one of the largest attractions along the Gulf Coast and has experienced a rebirth like no other. The 32-story Beau Rivage Resort & Casino in Biloxi, Miss., originally opened in 1999 to the tune of an $800 million price tag. Then Hurricane Katrina struck in 2005, forcing a major renovation that cost more than half that – $550 million. The work that’s been put into the resort has been noticed by a few national publications.
On the second Saturday of each month, Old Town Bay St. Louis comes alive with art for the Second Saturday Art Walk.
Merging sports into art can serve as a way for fans of one to appreciate the other. Those two pieces of culture combine at The American Sport Art Museum and Archives. On the campus of the United States Sports Academy in Daphne, Ala., the museum is dedicated to preserving sports history, art and literature. A combination of more than 1,000 paintings, sculptures, prints, posters, photography and assemblages await visitors. Admission is free. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
In just a couple of years, visitors to the Mobile, Ala., area will have one more special place to visit. Slated to open in late 2010, the National Maritime Museum will feature 90,000 square feet of interactive exhibits. The building is being designed and built to look like a maritime vessel headed out to sea.
Tackling personal health issues has been brought to the forefront at the Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center in Mobile, Ala., with a new exhibit that aims to educate visitors on how the human body works and how to keep it healthy.
Beaches stretching across part of a 30,000-acre island are just one of the many reasons to take the short drive to Alabama’s Gulf Coast.
Through July 4: Pirates! Museum of Mobile. 111 S. Royal
Florida’s Emerald Coast is an inviting place to visit this summer while avoiding a hard hit in the wallet.
Would you be interested in having lunch at a haunted establishment? At haunted Seville Quarter, a costumed guide takes visitors on a haunted experience. Tours begin at 10:30 a.m. with coffee at Palace Café and move to a buffet-style lunch in Apple Annie’s Courtyard.
Want to dig up the past or take a trip back into the history of Pensacola? Now, access to these excursions is easy through a new slate of group tours in the Pensacola Bay area. According to the Pensacola Bay Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, four different group tours are available.
Nestled right beside the curves of the Mighty Mississippi River lies a town so rich in history it’s like a living textbook. Natchez, Miss., only a few hours’ drive from Baton Rouge, offers visitors a way to get away from it all and learn something along the way.
If you’ve ever driven along the coast from Gulf Shores, Ala., to Pensacola, Fla., chances are you’ve driven through Perdido Key. A 247-acre barrier island sitting on the Gulf of Mexico, Perdido Key is just across the Florida state line and a short drive from Pensacola.
If you haven’t yet considered a trip to the middle of the state, now might be the time. Paragon Casino, in Marksville near Alexandria, offers lots of amenities and entertainment only a short drive from home.
If it’s been a while since you’ve packed up the kids and headed east to the magical kingdom known as Walt Disney World, now might be a good time to give it another shot.
If flight delays, weather issues and the general hassle of airports hold no attraction, and time is not critical to your travels, it might be a good idea to slow down and take the scenic route.
It’s no secret that New Orleans is known for its abundance of festivals year-round, and 2009 is no exception.
From its picturesque beauty to its lakeside resorts, Hot Springs, Ark., offers several things to do for the entire family. It is in the Diamond Lakes region, 55 miles west of the capital city, Little Rock. The city is the perfect backdrop for experiencing a mix of history, adventure and a little luxury.
Just when coastal residents thought it was safe to take a deep breath and relax, they again found themselves the victims of two destructive hurricanes — Gustav and Ike. Although coastal Louisiana suffered extensive damages from wind and water, a recent visit down La. 1 showed encouraging signs of recovery — even expansion.
Three places are likely to capture the hearts of traveling locals in coming months: Italy, Alaska and Disney. The steady favorites are so popular, according to JoAnne Bowman, owner of Carlson Wagonlit Travel, “You’d think it was free.”
If you’re planning on a getaway this spring or summer and don’t want to go too far from home, consider Lake Charles. The area features casinos, shopping, horse racing, wetlands, children’s activities and more.
New Orleans, just an hour away from Baton Rouge, offers easy access to one of America’s most historic cities. While The Big Easy is still recovering from Hurricane Katrina, much of the city is up and running. Tourists are flocking to the city’s streets and shops, and New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin said the atmosphere is like nothing seen before.
If you’re the cruising type and want something a little different, consider this: A short cruise along the Mississippi River can be a great way to view the edge of the city, treat yourself and your loved ones and relax.
From the inner canopy of the rain forests to the dark depths of the sea, Moody Gardens combines education with entertainment to provide fun for the whole family.
If you’re a regular visitor to Houston and haven’t been there in a few months, you may be surprised to see what awaits you now: Discovery Green.
Sitting in the Gulf of Mexico just 11 miles south of Gulfport is Ship Island, the last undeveloped barrier island in the region. Though the island is part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore, it has also been a family affair since 1926.
The oldest golf course in the state, which opened 100 years ago, is just a short drive away in Gulfport.
Call it a comeback. Add up the numbers, and you can call it a victory. The wake of Hurricane Ivan in 2004 has settled along the Alabama Gulf Coast, and the area has rebounded in a big way. And that rebound has come in an abundance of tourists visiting the area.
Through May 26
MOBILE, Ala. — Some are as big as dinner plates. Others as tiny as a dime. And they’ll hop into a new home at the Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center for a “ribbitting” good time.
MOBILE, Ala. — “OUR BODY: The Universe Within,” is an exhibit featuring actual human bodies at the Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center that runs through May 11.
Whether it’s viewing the anatomy of the human body, taking a trip through space or viewing state-of-the-art virtual exhibits, the Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center in Mobile, Ala., has something for everyone.
Alabama’s Gulf Coast reels in a solid array of seafood dishes, from Royal Red shrimp to soft-shell crabs and everything in between.
Take a stroll through the community featured as one of the filming locations for the 1998 film “The Truman Show.”
PENSACOLA, Fla. – What do an 18th-century British soldier and a 19th-century yellow-fever victim have in common? To learn the answers, talk with re-enactors at grave sites and allow yourself to be transported back in time at one of the oldest extant cemeteries in Florida.
Endless shopping, fancy dining and even beachfront weddings await visitors this spring and summer along Florida’s Emerald Coast.
A combination of beaches, art and Florida history awaits visitors to Pensacola this spring and summer.
Pensacola is full of things to do.
Florida’s “Lost Island” awaits visitors with beaches, parks, shopping and golf. Perdido Key bridges the gap between Pensacola and Alabama and offers year-round events and activities.
PENSACOLA, Fla. – Pensacola Beach invites families to go back to a simpler time and enjoy a fun-filled summer vacation without breaking their budget.
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