The South Leg 2: New Orleans to Austin

One place you must stop off and visit along I-10 is the Abita Mystery House. This famously offbeat attraction has collections of antique oddities, folk art awesomeness, and loads more. This look inside the mind of an outsider art genius will likely be the best $3 you'll spend on the trip.

Take a page from Scarlett O'Hara's book (you are in the South, after all) and book a room in the charming Greek Revival mansion-turned-hotel at the Historic Michabelle Inn. There are eight unique rooms in the main home, and suites in Creole cottages on the property as well, for those who want extra privacy. Expect a healthy dose of Southern hospitality to go with the antebellum setting!

Oak Alley Plantation is home to lovely gardens and some beautiful antebellum architecture, but the main attraction here has to be the property's namesake alley of 300-year-old live oaks. They're always green, and the quarter-mile stretch of road lined with 28 trees is absolutely gorgeous. A double row of stunning large oak trees on each side creates a dramatic "alley," drawing you into one of the most popular plantations in the state. Oak Alley Plantation was built in 1839, and has experienced some pretty key moments in American history. Take a tour of the multiple exhibits in the mansion, or walk the nearly 30-acre property, which boasts a garden, an insightful exhibit on slavery at the plantation, and a blacksmith shop, just to name a few highlights. For all of you ghost enthusiasts, legend has it that the plantation is full of spooky spirits and strange happenings; the mansion was even investigated by the television show "Ghost Hunters" in 2008. Oak Alley has been the set of movies, television episodes, and even one of Beyonce's music videos. Gorgeous scenery-- mixed with the very important slice of history laid out here-- makes for a fantastic way to spend the afternoon in Louisiana that will leave you feeling like part of the south.

Straight up the Mississippi towards Baton Rouge is a KOA Holiday® that's perfect for relaxing after an exciting day. The campground is great for seasoned travelers, families, newbies, and solo roadtrippers alike. Cabin options are available to glampers of all kinds, and tents sites are readily available for the outdoors enthusiast. The town of Denham Springs is home to an antique village and other great shops and activities, and being right outside Baton Rouge makes for another great option: city fun. The Baton Rouge KOA Holiday has a pool and hot tub, a dog park, and mini golf for those wanting to keep the fun rolling. With the location and amenities offered, you'll have no worries during your stay and feel at ease being able to experience Louisiana both inside and outside the property.

Sometimes you just need a casual, laid back place to spend the evening. Hang with LSU students while enjoying a beer, some oysters, and great live music at The Chimes in Baton Rouge.

Step back in time on the USS Kidd, a ship that served in WWII and in the Korean War. The Fletcher-class destroyer is docked in downtown Baton Rouge, and is open as a floating museum, so you can walk the decks and see objects from the battles in which she served. Take in the views of the Mississippi from the ship, and reflect on those who lost their lives serving our country at the Memorial.

Driving through the swampy wetlands of Louisiana is an experience, but actually getting to explore out on the water is another thing entirely! On the two hour adventure at Champagnes Swamp Tour, you'll get to see all kinds of wildlife and learn about the unique ecosystem of the swamp, right in the heart of it all. It doesn't get any more Cajun than that!

If you're starting to tire of the burger-laden menus of most road food joints, make a stop at The French Press. They do a classy, French/Southern-inspired breakfast and lunch on Tuesday through Sunday, and chic dinners on Friday and Saturday nights. Think, Cajun Eggs Benedict, cream cheese and banana-stuffed French toast, and biscuit sliders stuffed with brie and bacon.

After that, go back in time at Lafayette's Acadian Village. It's a collection of old and restored buildings built in the traditional Acadian style used by the descendants of French colonists. Most of the 19th century buildings are totally authentic, made with hand-cut cypress boards, mud walls, wood pegs, and tall, peaked roofs. It's a gorgeous little place for a peaceful stroll and a glance back in history.

Louisiana is best known for the wild Mardi Gras celebrations that New Orleans hosts each year. The festivities, which include numerous parades, intricate costumes, and plenty of food and drink, attract tons of people each spring. In nearby Lake Charles, the Mardi Gras Museum is a great place to learn about this colorful tradition, no matter the time of year. Video footage, costumes, historical background information, and even a parade float that you can climb on give visitors a good sense of what Mardi Gras in New Orleans is like!

Eventually, I-10 will take you out of Texas and into Louisiana. Get a taste for the state's bayou landscape and history at Nibletts Bluff Park, where you'll find camping, hiking, and wildlife viewing, as well as the remains of a Civil War fort, a railroad tram, and a 1910 church. It's totally free to visit, so it's a great place to hop out of the car and stretch your legs.