Vacation recommendations

[StuBleedsBlue2]

I could use some recommendations from those in the know.

My wife and I are going to be heading to New Orleans for Jazz fest at the end of April, but wanted to get some beach time in between the two weekends, so we wanted to hit something within a 2 hour-ish radius.

I'm really only familiar with New Orleans and the Florida panhandle, but not real familiar with anything in between. Does anybody have a good recommendation of a good beach city?

A couple of considerations: We're a late 30's/early 40's couple, no kids, money really isn't a consideration(although my wife says I'm cheap, but I think I'm more of a "value" guy), good restaurants and nightlife are a plus, but not a requirement. I could pretty much live off fresh seafood for a week.

Advice would be greatly appreciated!

[blueboss]

Prolly not much help but Perdido Key/ Gulf Shores is about 2 hours to New Orleans. I would think there are some nice beach spots in Mississippi that would be closer.

Now that I've mentioned it, I think we'll think about a Perdido Key trip in May.

Thanks.


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[BigBluePappy]

I'll echo blueboss and recommend the Gulf Shores area; isn't any place like L.A. in my book.
And if you want to do some sightseeing at night, may I recommend the Flora-Bama on the state line; you can do some real people watching there...
Grammy and I are late 50's and it is right about perfect for us...

[dan_bgblue]

I would recommend Destin or Navarre. Neither one have great night life, but the beaches are great, and there are plenty of very good spots to dine.

[Darrell KSR]

I would recommend Destin or Navarre. Neither one have great night life, but the beaches are great, and there are plenty of very good spots to dine.

Ditto this suggestion, but ok with Orange Beach/Perdido/Gulf Shores too. You want to skip all of Mississippi beaches, unless you just want casino time.

[KentuckyWildcat]

(although my wife says I'm cheap, but I think I'm more of a "value" guy)

That is how I like to view myself

2 hour radius, I would have to agree with those saying Orange Beach/Gulf Shores. They are basically the same area but we normally stay in Gulf Shores so we can walk to a few restaurants we prefer. I can't eat seafood, but everyone I know loves the food and there are plenty of options in both Gulf Shores and Orange Beach.

We are going to try Santa Rosa Beach/Destin area this year and some people I know prefer it to Gulf Shores, but I can't imagine I would drive past Gulf Shores to go to Destin.

Late April....I guess the high school spring breakers will be out by then? If not (I have no clue), Dauphin Island is a neat but much more remote area.

If I remember when I get to work, I'll post a list of my our favorite restaurants in Gulf Shores and others here can add to it. I keep a document ready to send to people as more and more Muhlenberg County families go to Gulf Shores every year.

[KentuckyWildcat]

You want to skip all of Mississippi beaches, unless you just want casino time.

What makes you say that about the Mississippi beaches? I've not been there, but have wondered why I don't hear of more people going.

My president is from Gulf Port, but I've never thought to ask him. But I do know they drive to Gulf Shores to go the beach so he must agree with you.

[Darrell KSR]

What makes you say that about the Mississippi beaches? I've not been there, but have wondered why I don't hear of more people going.

My president is from Gulf Port, but I've never thought to ask him. But I do know they drive to Gulf Shores to go the beach so he must agree with you.

No comparison. Beaches in Florida are sugary white, soft, not shell infused, with the water a clear blue. Mississippi beaches are harder, smaller, with dark, murky water. If there was no other choice, it would be ok, but there are tons of better choices east.

[Darrell KSR]

We are going to try Santa Rosa Beach/Destin area this year and some people I know prefer it to Gulf Shores, but I can't imagine I would drive past Gulf Shores to go to Destin.

As an Alabama resident, I shouldn't say it, but I much prefer Santa Rosa Beach area to Gulf Shores. The beaches are a little nicer, as is the water. Destin is a similar Gulf Shores experience in terms of things to do, a little more commercial, etc. but with the slightly better sand and water. I prefer Santa Rosa over all of them, but I didn't recommend it to Stu because it's more of a laid back, chill, not many things to do place. But gorgeous sand and water.

One other place I should've recommended is Pensacola Beach, which may be the quickest beach to get to for him. Similar sugary white beaches, with blue water, but the first stop in Florida from the west. Also has a few more things to do.

[blueboss]

We went to Laguna Beach which is, I think east(I never know which way I'm going in the panhandle) of all the craziness of Panama City. Again it's farther on down,but we really enjoyed the area and the surf fishing for me was outstanding. We found the abnormally high dune line unappealing in the Santa Rosa area when we were condo/house shopping, but other than that it looks like a pretty, laid back area.

As far as Gulf Shores area we stay on the Perdido end because it is less congested but close enough to get to all that the area has to offer. I still want to check out Dauphine Island but the Mrs. isn't on board yet due to her perception of the inaccessibility of the island. I'm going to at least check it out this spring and evaluate properties for a future trip.


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[KentuckyWildcat]

No comparison. Beaches in Florida are sugary white, soft, not shell infused, with the water a clear blue. Mississippi beaches are harder, smaller, with dark, murky water. If there was no other choice, it would be ok, but there are tons of better choices east.

Thanks, I won't add it to my bucket list of beaches

We will be staying in Santa Rosa Beach, but I'll drive down to Destin to spend a day to see that area. Even if I have to leave the in-laws behind.

[StuBleedsBlue2]

Thanks everyone for the recommendations. Upon further review, it looks like Orange Beach is at the top of our list. Since we're flying in and out of New Orleans, getting to Florida is a little further than we want to go, spending too much valuable beach time in a car. I have a feeling we'll be getting our fair share of night life in the Big Easy, and potentially won't leave our rental for 4 days once we get there.

I can't quite keep up like I used to, but I'm glad I can't.

[Darrell KSR]

That's a good destination, Stu. You will be pleased.

[MickintheHam]

I could use some recommendations from those in the know.

My wife and I are going to be heading to New Orleans for Jazz fest at the end of April, but wanted to get some beach time in between the two weekends, so we wanted to hit something within a 2 hour-ish radius.

I'm really only familiar with New Orleans and the Florida panhandle, but not real familiar with anything in between. Does anybody have a good recommendation of a good beach city?

A couple of considerations: We're a late 30's/early 40's couple, no kids, money really isn't a consideration(although my wife says I'm cheap, but I think I'm more of a "value" guy), good restaurants and nightlife are a plus, but not a requirement. I could pretty much live off fresh seafood for a week.

Advice would be greatly appreciated!

There really are no outstanding beaches in Mississippi. Most of those that exist are man made beaches. However, the casinos and seafood are great. Dauphin Island outside of Mobile is alright but not a recommendation. Gulf Shores and Perdido Key are at the outer limits of your 2 hour guideline and the reality is, it is closer to a 3 hour drive from GS to New Orleans, maybe longer depending on time of day. If you don' t mind a longer drive I would go with Perdido Key.

[blueboss]

FWIW we booked a condo in Perdido Key for two weeks in May... Thanks Stu for starting the conversation.🏄🏻


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[KentuckyWildcat]

Upon further review, it looks like Orange Beach is at the top of our list.

http://escapes-theshores.com/

This was a really nice place we stayed at in Orange Beach. Myself and others here can recommend plenty of places to stay.

[BigBluePappy]

https://www.meyerre.com/

Grammy and I have luck with this particular company, anywhere from 4 adults to to 15 folks...

[CitizenBBN]

Drive to Key West, go to Sloppy Joes and drink about 5 Sloppy Ritas in an hour. You won't care that there aren't any great beaches. You won't care you don't know your own name in fact.

[KentuckyWildcat]

Drive to Key West

That is on the Bucket List

[dan_bgblue]

Ben there and done that. It is an ugly lump of exposed coral, and once there, the only way out is the way you came in. ;-)

[CitizenBBN]

Ben there and done that. It is an ugly lump of exposed coral, and once there, the only way out is the way you came in. ;-)

I thought you'd love it given the dearth of beaches.

[CitizenBBN]

That is on the Bucket List

If you go drop me a line, I'll make some recommendations. Mostly about where to drink, not that you can really go wrong on that subject there. Makes an Irish wake look like a meeting of the Temperance Union.

if you wait long enough hopefully I'll be there and you can just crash at my place. Come on lottery!

[Darrell KSR]

You don't go to Key West for the beach. You go for the attitude. (I started to say atmosphere, but I didn't want people to be misled into thinking I meant things you see, rather than an aura and the people and the way of life and the and the and the....)

(And some kick-rear snorkeling and diving, although the one and only time we went, we didn't do either.)

[CitizenBBN]

You don't go to Key West for the beach. You go for the attitude. (I started to say atmosphere, but I didn't want people to be misled into thinking I meant things you see, rather than an aura and the people and the way of life and the and the and the....)

(And some kick-rear snorkeling and diving, although the one and only time we went, we didn't do either.)

Very true. That is what it's about. Different priorities, different speed.

[KentuckyWildcat]

If you go drop me a line, I'll make some recommendations. Mostly about where to drink, not that you can really go wrong on that subject there. Makes an Irish wake look like a meeting of the Temperance Union.

if you wait long enough hopefully I'll be there and you can just crash at my place. Come on lottery!

It will be a few years now. Will be a tough trip with a little one and trying decide if we want to bring #2 into this world. I was days from booking it about 4 years ago. Then the mother-in-law called and said we could stay in Charleston with them so we changed our plans. We were going to stay a night or two in Miami and Key West, then the remaining time in Key Largo. Now we will wait until kids are big enough to enjoy camping at Dry Tortugas. I did notice the beaches did not look appealing. Is it an good place for kids?

The Charleston trip was really nice. We stopped to see the place where Fried Green Tomatoes was filmed. Then did 2 days in Savannah/Tybee. Stopped by a restaurant we enjoyed at Hilton Head on the way to Charleston. We actually stayed at Isle of Palms and took one afternoon to see Foley Beach. One the way home we did a day at the Biltmore and a night in Asheville.

[BigBluePappy]

Loved Savannah and Charleston.
Tybee Island, not so much but Foley Beach was a NICE trip.
Have always enjoyed the Biltmore.

[CitizenBBN]

I did notice the beaches did not look appealing. Is it an good place for kids?

Honestly, not really. Folks come and bring the kids, and I don't have kids so take it fwiw, but I don't see it as a place with a lot of fun stuff for kids. It's bars and restaurants and shops and sitting down and relaxing and walking around hanging out. Oh, and it's 70 degrees all winter.

There are a few beaches and they're OK, but you definitely don't go to the keys, really most of them, for the beaches. There are beaches along the Atlantic side both between Old Town and the airport/New Town and down at Fort Zach Taylor. They're nice enough but they aren't glorious resort beaches.

I do hear great things about the Dry Tortugas. You can sail out to them from Key West or take a plane. never talked to anyone who camped there, just day trips to snorkel.

If I were you I'd plan some time in Key west to see it along the way to the Tortugas, but maybe not plan for a big stay with the kids. Personally I'm going to at least get to where I'm there half the year b/c I'm quite happy sitting around drinking beer and people watching all afternoon, but I know kids aren't into those things.

If/when you go through let me know, I'll highlight my fav restaurants and bars. There's some great places there.

[KentuckyWildcat]

Honestly, not really. Folks come and bring the kids, and I don't have kids so take it fwiw, but I don't see it as a place with a lot of fun stuff for kids.

That is kind of what I expected. I hope to go when the kid(s) are 5-9 or so. Before they discover things like go-carts and putt-putt golf. But then again, selfishly, If I can avoid commercializing them I most definitely will

[Darrell KSR]

Thanks, I won't add it to my bucket list of beaches

We will be staying in Santa Rosa Beach, but I'll drive down to Destin to spend a day to see that area. Even if I have to leave the in-laws behind.

Where we stay at Santa Rosa Beach is 6 miles from Sandestin. Maybe less. But a million miles away in terms of speed.

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[blueboss]

Loved Savannah and Charleston.
Tybee Island, not so much but Foley Beach was a NICE trip.
Have always enjoyed the Biltmore.

Savannah?? Did somebody say honey pecan fried chicken!!??!!


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