The deserts of Southern California, Texas' Hill Country, and the Florida Panhandle are all highlighted along Interstate 10, which runs across the southern part of the U.S.. Whether you're just hopping on for a bit or crossing from coast to coast, here are our favorite things to do along I-10.
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What's a trip to Florida without a visit to the beach? The Jacksonville Beach is a great choice. You'll find a plentiful free parking, clean shores, and a great collection of shops, restaurants, and bars nearby. Set up a towel on the sand, walk down the pier, or take a splash in the Gulf.
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The colorful decor, Spanish-style architecture, and beach views make this the perfect place to spend your night in Jacksonville. Built in 1925, it's on the National Register of Historic Places. With only has 23 rooms, it never gets overly loud and crowded. Plus, the penthouse lounge has a fantastic bar.
Jacksonville is a sprawling coastal city that still maintains a charming beach-vacation vibe throughout the bustling metropolis. You can get the best of both worlds here—city and beach. Zoos, beaches, pro-sports teams, parks, and cultural institutions can all be explored in Jacksonville.
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Don't miss out on Ichetucknee Springs State Park, which offers tubing, swimming, and manatee-spotting opportunities on your way to your final destination: Jacksonville.
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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. It contains stalactites, stalagmites, soda straws, flowstones, and more. Plus, there's a spring for boating and fishing, a nine-hole golf course, and camping here, as well.
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Once you cross into Florida, you may be ready for some food and caffeine to perk you up. The retro Coffee Cup Restaurant features an old-fashioned menu and decor. Order the grits and the deep-fried French toast for a delicious start to your day.
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Visit the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park to learn about military history at one of the country's most notable battleships. Climb aboard for a full tour of the ship, and then check out other military craft located nearby, including a submarine, aircraft, tanks, and more.
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The next major city you'll find along I-10 is Mobile. Explore the town's past at the Oakleigh Historic Complex and Colonial Fort Condé. Learn about marine life at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab. If you're hungry, Wintzell's Oyster House is a classic, and Mama's on Dauphin serves up great Southern cooking. Stay the night at the Battle House Renaissance Mobile Hotel & Spa, Fort Condé Inn, or the Malaga Inn.
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Take a moment to enjoy white sand beaches and blue-green waters at Gulf Islands National Seashore Park. Stretching from Mississippi into Florida, this preserve protects historic sites, wildlife, and 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.
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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 museum dedicated to the unique history.
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Since the I-10 route gets close to the Gulf of Mexico in Mississippi, you'll want to grab some crawfish and crab. Take in views of Bayou Bernard and sample the seafood at Gulfport's Blow Fly Inn.
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Right off the interstate you'll find the Lunar Lander Exhibit, featuring a 30-foot replica of the Apollo 13 lunar lander and a space boot print left by Apollo 13 astronaut and Mississippi native Fred Haise.
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The Abita Mystery House is a famously offbeat attraction, which displays antique oddities, folk art, and hand-crafted inventions. This look inside the mind of an outsider art genius will likely be the best $5 you'll spend on the trip.
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Historic Michabelle Inn is a 1907 Greek Revival mansion that has been transformed into a family-owned bed and breakfast. You'll be treated to opulent furnishings, whether you are staying in the main home or in the private Creole cabins. Expect a healthy dose of Southern hospitality to go with the antebellum setting.
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Sometimes you just need a casual, laid-back place to spend the evening. Hang with Louisiana State University students while enjoying a beer, oysters, and great live music at The Chimes in Baton Rouge.
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Step back in time on the USS Kidd, a ship that served in WWII and the Korean War. The Fletcher-class destroyer is docked in downtown Baton Rouge. This floating museum allows you to walk the decks and see artifacts from the battles in which the ship served. Take in views of the Mississippi.
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Driving through the swampy wetlands of Louisiana is an experience, but you need to actually get out on the water to understand this unique ecosystem. Champagne's Swamp Tour offers a two-hour excursion through the Lake Martin Cypress Island Preserve Swamp. Learn about the flora and fauna, as well as Cajun history and culture.
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The French Press offers a classy, French/Southern-inspired menu. Boudin ball poboys and Cajun-style eggs Benedict are just two of the unique offerings.
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Go back in time at Lafayette's Acadian Village to tour a collection of restored buildings built in the traditional Acadian style used by the descendants of French colonists. Most of the 19th-century buildings are authentic, made with hand-cut cypress boards, mud walls, wood pegs, and peaked roofs. It's a gorgeous place for a peaceful stroll.
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Louisiana is best known for the vibrant Mardi Gras celebrations that New Orleans hosts each year. The festivities include numerous parades, intricate costumes, and plentiful food and drink. 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 taste of Mardi Gras.
From the Pacific Coast to the Atlantic Ocean, a trip along the entirety of I-10 means crossing through deserts, hill country, swamplands, small towns, and big cities. One simple interstate can let you experience U.S. landscapes, cultures, cuisines, and attractions.