Mobile, Biloxi, ?

[resipsaloquitur]

Thinking of taking the kids (6 and 1) on a road trip for Thanksgiving. Any thoughts on Gulf Beaches? Recommendations? I've done New Orleans but I'm looking for something more kid friendly.

[bluestarfish18]

What area are you driving from and how far are you willing to drive? Biloxi is a mini-casino city, and with post-Katrina construction still happening, the hotel room prices are dirt cheap. I stayed in a king suite, complete with huge flat screen in bathroom and oceanfront view for only $40. There's not much to do but hang by the beach, and with winter season coming in, it won't be too warm anymore.

If you're willing to driving a little further, try Fort Walton Beach/Destin. There's the gulfarium, the outlet mall, Bass Pro is always fun, and a few mini amusement parks.

[fivi2]

We went to Sandestin with the kids (resort area, not a real town). It was great for a summer beach trip, but that whole area might be chilly that time of year (might not be, but could be). look into destin, seaside, pensacola, ft walton, etc.

I would reconsider taking the kids to new orleans. We went when ours were 3.5 (short trip) and had a blast. We didn't get to do all we wanted to do. The zoo and aquarium were great (the aquarium hasn't completely recovered, imo, but it is small and hands on. my girls liked it better than the huge Atlanta aquarium we went to a few months later). We wanted to check out the insectarium, mardi gras world, and city park, but didn't get a chance. The girls loved riding the street car and watching the boats float down the river. There actually used to be a boat between the zoo and the aquarium, but I don't think it is operating yet. A swamp tour could be fun, depending on dc's age. Anyway, I think nola can be very kid friendly depending on what you do (obviously no late nights on Bourbon!). yes, there is still obvious damage, and imo the city still has a lot of recovering to do, but we still had a good visit.

[resipsaloquitur]

Thanks for the insights.

I want to drive so that I'll have my packnplay, strollers and Britax car seats. NOLA is jut too far a drive for us. I plan to stop in the panhandle area on the way there (coming from So Fl) but we've done that before so I'm looking for something in between there and NOLA. We don't need a lot to do, we just want to experience somewhere new.