From the Pacific to the Atlantic, if you're crossing the country through the southern part of the US, you'll probably spend some time on Interstate 10. Good thing, too, since I-10 takes you through some pretty awesome landscapes-- the deserts of Southern California, Texas's Hill Country, and the Florida Panhandle are all highlighted along the way. Whether you're just hopping on for a little bit, or you're seeing this bad boy all the way through, there's tons to see and do just off the route.
See a lesser-known side of the Sunshine State at Florida Caverns State Park. This dry cave is the only cave in any Florida state park that you can tour, and contains stalactites, stalagmites, soda straws, flowstones, and more. Plus, there's a spring for boating and fishing, a 9-hole golf course, and camping here as well.
Grab breakfast at the retro-tastic Coffee Cup Restaurant. It's bustling pretty much any time of the day, features an old-fashioned menu and decor, and makes an absolutely to-die-for breakfast. Order the grits and the deep-fried French toast for a delicious start to your day.
Then the road takes you into Florida. You can detour down to Pensacola and stay the night at the quaint and cozy Noble Manor Bed & Breakfast. It's got a gazebo hot tub and a pool for you to enjoy if its just too hot out, a porch with garden views, and well-adorned rooms with private bathrooms!
Visit the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park for some insane military history at one of the country's most notable battleships. Here, you can also find the USS Drum, which is a submarine, as well as loads of historic aircraft. Kids and history buffs will definitely want to spend some time exploring, and even those who aren't super familiar with military history will likely be blown away by the display.
The next major city you'll hit is Mobile, AL. Take some time to explore all that this town has to offer! The Azalea City is loaded with history (see the Oakleigh Historic Complex and Fort Conde), attractions (the Dauphin Island Sea Lab is awesome), and food (Wintzell's Oyster House is a classic, and Mama's on Dauphin serves up great Southern cookin'). Stay the night at the Battle House, Fort Conde Inn, the Malaga Inn, or one of the other hotels in Mobile.
Getting hungry? Mix it up from all the seafood by ordering some saucy BBQ at The Brick Pit. Ribs, pork, and chicken, topped with their signature spicy sauce, and finished off with the banana pudding make for a gut-busting but delicious meal.
Next, take a moment to enjoy the white sand beaches and blue-green water you've been driving alongside at Gulf Islands National Seashore Park. Stretching from Mississippi into Florida, this preserve protects historic sites, wildlife, and lovely natural beauty. The Davis Bayou area is the only part of the park in Mississippi that's accessible by car, so stop by and check out the views.
Built in 1848, the Biloxi Lighthouse has withstood countless hurricanes and storms (including a tidal surge from Hurricane Katrina) to light the Gulf of Mexico's Mississippi Sound. The much-beloved lighthouse is open for tours, and has a little museum dedicated to its unique history. Fun fact: this lighthouse has spent more time under the care of female keepers than any other in the country.
Keep driving through Mississippi! Since the route is getting pretty close to the Gulf of Mexico here, you'll want to grab some crawfish and crab on the bayou at the Blow Fly Inn!
Right off the interstate you'll find a little Lunar Lander Exhibit. It features a 30-foot replica of the Apollo 13 lunar lander, a space boot print left by Apollo 13 astronaut and Mississippi native Fred Haise, and a little rest stop. It's a quick photo op and chance to stretch your legs!
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!
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.
There are some great hotels in Baton Rouge, too. The Hotel Indigo is super chic and cool!
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.
One of Houston's most popular attractions is the totally rad Space Center Houston. This is the official visitor center for Johnson Space Center, the home of "Mission Control" for numerous historic spaceflight programs like the Gemini, Apollo, and Space Shuttle missions. It's also where astronauts train for missions to space, and where loads of important research happens. Space Center Houston is loaded with artifacts (like moon rocks and spacesuits), educational exhibits, tours, and an epic gift shop.
From the Pacific Coast to the Atlantic Ocean, a trip along the entirety of I-10 means crossing through America's deserts, hill country, swamplands, small towns, and big cities. One simple interstate can show you all different sides to America: landscapes, cultures, cuisines and attractions that are all distinct, yet distinctly American!
