A road trip can be long, boring, and very tiring … even with
friends and good music! With a little planning you can break up the
monotony…How about some options for diversion
or rest and/or meal stops? Wild
and Wacky or Worth the Stop or Detour
may help…
What is Wild
and Wacky or Worth the Stop or Detour?
Definitely some ”quirky and worthwhile Ideas” for monotony saving
options on the most direct route or
for an adventure off route. You decide
the category and/or whether or not to stop … All suggestions have hourly trip
estimates from the first city to ORLANDO!
Driving from or near…
Baton Rouge, Louisiana on I-12 E to I-10 E
Atlanta, Georgia on I–75 S
North Carolina on I-95 S
World's Largest Ronald
Reagan Statue
Baton Rouge, Louisiana on I-12 E to I-10 E
While traveling the I-10, you have rest
areas approximately every 30 miles.
LOUISIANA
Beginning in Baton
Rouge? The I-12 E joins the I-10E in
Slidell, LA and continues through part of Louisiana, and the southern coasts of
Mississippi, Alabama and the panhandle of Florida. Many areas were damaged by
Katrina in 2005 and the BP spill in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010.
Covington, LA (9.5 hours to Orlando)
World's Largest Ronald
Reagan Statue
At only 65 miles from Baton Rouge Covington may
be too soon for a diversion, but have you ever stopped here? The World’s
Largest Ronald Reagan Statue is located in the downtown area at the
trailhead of Tammany Trace Park. Reagan stands almost 10 feet tall --
one-and-one-half times life size -- atop a six-foot pedestal (totals 16 feet!). He is wearing a
business suit and is raising his right arm in a military salute. (I-12 to
exit 59 for LA-21 N toward Covington;
Turn left onto LA-21 N ;Turn right onto W 21st
Ave)
Crawford Landing, LA near Slidell (8.5 hours to Orlando)
Honey
Island Swamp Tours
The Honey
Island Swamp is on a 35,000 Acre preserve that is owned by the State of LA. This
two hour boat ride may not fit into your Orlando travel plans, but if friends
from out of the area are coming to travel to Orlando with you, add an extra day
to their visit to do this local activity.
The scenic trip takes you up close to alligators, hogs, turtles, and Blue
Herons in the swamp. Don’t forget your bug spray! (Exit I-10 in Slidell at
exit 266 - 41490 Crawford Landing Rd - (504) 242-5877)
MISSISSIPPI
A
scenic option from Waveland, MS to the Biloxi, MS Bay Bridge (9 hours to
Orlando)
Katrina Tree Sculptures
A more scenic option
to travelling the I-10 is to get on US 90 in Waveland, MS (10E to exit 2 to US 90E-14 mi)
at the lighthouse and travel 30 miles along the Gulf Coast beaches to the Biloxi
Bay Bridge. Besides the beautiful white
beaches, you can see one of the top tourist attractions on the
Coast which has become a symbol of the comeback of South Mississippi. Artist Marlin Miller’s marine-themed carved sculptures (about 36 of
them) can be found along the beaches. They are carved from oak and cypress
trees left standing (but dead) by hurricane Katrina. You will also experience the new bridges and
view rebuilt homes and still empty waterfront lots. How many did you find?
Biloxi
Katrina Tree Sculptures
No
time to take the US 90 scenic route on the way to Orlando? On the
way back, stop at The Jackson County Welcome Center on Interstate
I-10 Westbound in Moss Point, MI where you can see this 6 foot tall eagle and
three other statues carved and donated by the same artist.
Biloxi Shrimping
Trip (8.5 hours to Orlando)
Do you love shrimp and have always wondered how they grow
and how they are harvested? In Biloxi, MS,
the Biloxi Shrimping Trip offers a unique cruise that welcomes
visitors to the Mississippi Gulf Coast on a real shrimping expedition. It is a 70 minute actual shrimping expedition on the
protected waters between Deer Island and the Biloxi shoreline. Crewmen entertain,
educate and identify and show the catch.
Get a bag lunch, take a break and
relax on the water! (From the harbor - August 7th thru November 30th - 10:30am & 1:30pm)
