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.
Fort Myers, FL, United States
Need a comfy place to spend the night? Located right in the middle of downtown Tallahassee—and conveniently near restaurants, shops, and attractions—the Governors Inn is a charmingly vintage hotel.
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.
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.
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.
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.
One of Houston's most popular attractions is the Space Center Houston. This is the official visitor center for Johnson Space Center, which was the home of NASA's mission control for historic spaceflight programs like the Gemini and Apollo missions, as well as current International Space Station operations. It's also where astronauts train and important research happens. Space Center Houston is loaded with artifacts, educational exhibits, and an epic gift shop. Take a guided tour to learn more.
If you somehow still have an appetite after chowing down at Granzin, head to Lockhart to sample the food at Black's Barbecue. Open since 1932, this is one of the oldest barbecue joints in Texas. The beef ribs, brisket, homemade sausage, and chicken are especially delicious. Make sure to save room for sides and banana pudding. Bonus tip: Buy bottles of the signature sauces to take home a taste of Texas.
The Mission San Antonio de Valero, better known as The Alamo, is a fort where Spanish missionaries and Native Americans lived. It's most famous for being the site where a band of Texans held out against the army of General Santa Anna. Even though the Alamo fell, "Remember the Alamo" became a rallying cry.. Today, The Alamo is an interesting look into the past, right at the heart of downtown San Antonio.
One of the classic parts of San Antonio is the city's River Walk. Lining the banks of the San Antonio River, you'll find restaurants, shops, museums, bars, parks, and more. Tour the river from a boat, or spend an evening taking in the views while strolling the walkway. Stop by The Esquire Tavern for a drink, Little Rhein Steakhouse for old-school eats, or the Pearl Brewery complex to explore even more shops and restaurants.
South Llano River State Park is a recreational paradise, offering hiking, biking, camping, canoeing, fishing, and swimming. For an unforgettable experience, rent an inner tube and take a lazy float down the cool, clear river.
Go back in time to the 1850s at Fort Lancaster State Historic Site. Here, you can explore the ruins of more than 25 buildings that once served as a rest stop for mail carriers and settlers in the mid-19th century.
Take a dip in the world's largest spring-fed pool at Balmorhea State Park. The pool itself is 1.75 acres big and holds 3.5 million gallons of water. The San Solomon Springs pump 15 million gallons of clean water into it each day, creating a natural, non-chlorinated swimming hole.
As deep as 25 feet deep in some places, the pool is perfect for snorkeling and scuba diving. Plus, since the water stays around 72 to 76 degrees naturally, it's refreshingly cool, but not too cold, during the hot Texas summers.
Balmorhea State Park offers camping and an old-school motor lodge onsite, as well.
Next, the interstate will take you through a short portion of New Mexico. You won't be here long, but you can stop by the gorgeous desert landscapes of City of Rocks State Park. Rocks and boulders, shaped by the forces of nature into hoodoos and pinnacles, reach nearly 40 feet tall, and make for a striking landscape to hike through.
Detour off I-10, and take a scenic cruise through Saguaro National Park. Saguaros can live for over 100 years and grow to be 20 feet tall, and they're relatively rare, only native to certain parts of Mexico, California, and Arizona.
There are many nice hotels in Tucson, as well. The Cactus Cove Bed and Breakfast and the Catalina Park Inn are a couple worth checking out.
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.