essayons21
Member
A must visit if you are into WWII guns.
Aussie visiting the South in April - what to see
- Thread starter steve-
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A must visit if you are into WWII guns.
J_McLeod
Member
I haven't traveled that way much, but I really enjoyed the two months I spent in Destin, FL. Great beaches, boating and seafood. There's a National Forest nearby. You could also visit the USAF Armament museum there.
http://www.afarmamentmuseum.com/exhibits.shtml
For food in Dallas, I recommend In N Out burger. Some of the best in the country, but only in California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona and TX. Get the burger "animal style". It's not on the menu, but they'll make it.
http://www.in-n-out.com/
Stop in San Antonio and see the Riverwalk and the Alamo.
If you happen to make it up NW of Nashville, TN let me know. I'll take you out to shoot my AR and AK and take you to the Ft. Campbell museum.
If you didn't know about them already, check out these websites.
US Forest Service http://www.fs.fed.us/
US National Park Service www.nps.gov
http://www.afarmamentmuseum.com/exhibits.shtml
For food in Dallas, I recommend In N Out burger. Some of the best in the country, but only in California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona and TX. Get the burger "animal style". It's not on the menu, but they'll make it.
http://www.in-n-out.com/
Stop in San Antonio and see the Riverwalk and the Alamo.
If you happen to make it up NW of Nashville, TN let me know. I'll take you out to shoot my AR and AK and take you to the Ft. Campbell museum.
If you didn't know about them already, check out these websites.
US Forest Service http://www.fs.fed.us/
US National Park Service www.nps.gov
fallingbird
Member
- Joined
- Jun 14, 2009
- Messages
- 54
D-Day museum in New Orleans has been greatly expanded. I'm a native and can't wait to get there again to see it.
DanTheFarmer
Member
The Boll Weevil Monument in Enterprise Alabama is on my bucket list. I want to see those 50's Cadillacs half buried in the ground too but these things probably tell you more about me than the sites to be seen!
Have fun!
Dan
Have fun!
Dan
G'dale Mike
Member
Naval museum at pensacola fla, home of the Blue Angels , I believe.
tlynch
Member
In Austin you should be able to find some live music without looking too hard. Good food, too. The Austin Chronicle has listings for everything. Food-wise, I am a fan of Hyde Park Bar and Grill (fried artichoke hearts!). If you want to see a few million bats do their thing, hit the Congress Avenue bridge at dusk.
I love the Salt Lick, but if you are stopping to shoot in Lockhart, get some barbecue there, too:
Kreuz
Smitty's
Black's
Remember the Alamo!
Since this is a return trip to NOLA, I'll assume you have destinations in mind. There is an antique arms shop somewhere in the Quarter, but I don't recall the name. It was cool, though.
We had an awesome beach stay at Dauphin Island, Alabama one summer.
Heading back to Dallas, think about swinging through Natchitoches, LA. Oldest European settlement in the Louisiana Purchase. The tiny downtown looks like a mini French Quarter. Check out the huge alligator hide at Kaffe-Frederick. It truly is an old-time general store, with everything from shoes for your horse, to utensils for the kitchen. Good food at Mama's and Papa's, but the meat pies and red beans and rice at Lasyone's are the must do (we once drove over from Austin because we had a hankering for the red beans and rice). All three are closed Sunday, though.
Also, if you take I-20 back to Dallas, Clark Custom Guns is not far from Shreveport. I don't know if they have any retail operation open to the public, but gun ranges are visible on Google maps. Maybe you can catch Jerry Miculek burning the barrel out of something from the S&W custom shop.
Back in Dallas, I am fond of burgers and cheese fries from Snuffer's (original location on Greenville Ave.). Also on Greenville, I like the Tex Mex at Blue Goose. On a history note, with an unfortunate tie-in to shooting, my daughter found the Sixth Floor Museum to be very interesting.
I am out of date on Dallas gun shops worth a visit.
I may think of more later.
Good luck!
Tom
I love the Salt Lick, but if you are stopping to shoot in Lockhart, get some barbecue there, too:
Kreuz
Smitty's
Black's
Remember the Alamo!
Since this is a return trip to NOLA, I'll assume you have destinations in mind. There is an antique arms shop somewhere in the Quarter, but I don't recall the name. It was cool, though.
We had an awesome beach stay at Dauphin Island, Alabama one summer.
Heading back to Dallas, think about swinging through Natchitoches, LA. Oldest European settlement in the Louisiana Purchase. The tiny downtown looks like a mini French Quarter. Check out the huge alligator hide at Kaffe-Frederick. It truly is an old-time general store, with everything from shoes for your horse, to utensils for the kitchen. Good food at Mama's and Papa's, but the meat pies and red beans and rice at Lasyone's are the must do (we once drove over from Austin because we had a hankering for the red beans and rice). All three are closed Sunday, though.
Also, if you take I-20 back to Dallas, Clark Custom Guns is not far from Shreveport. I don't know if they have any retail operation open to the public, but gun ranges are visible on Google maps. Maybe you can catch Jerry Miculek burning the barrel out of something from the S&W custom shop.
Back in Dallas, I am fond of burgers and cheese fries from Snuffer's (original location on Greenville Ave.). Also on Greenville, I like the Tex Mex at Blue Goose. On a history note, with an unfortunate tie-in to shooting, my daughter found the Sixth Floor Museum to be very interesting.
I am out of date on Dallas gun shops worth a visit.
I may think of more later.
Good luck!
Tom
zmoore1991
Member
In my opinion, the Salt Lick is overrated and expensive, but it's also BYOB, so it could be a good time for you.
Otherwise, I'd recommend Hopdoddy's Burgers in Austin (I hate the name, but they've got an awesome buffalo burger).
A&E Classic Cars in Schertz/New Braunfels (between Austin and San Antonio on IH-35).
aeclassiccars.com/
And then if you're into theme parks and roller coasters, there is Six Flags Over Texas in Dallas and Six Flags Fiesta Texas in San Antone. I personally feel that 'Over Texas in Dallas is a much better park, but that is just me.
Schlitterbahn, which is a water park in New Braunfels, is awesome, but it won't be open when you're here. Apparently there is an indoor Schlitterbahn in Galveston though, that could be fun also. Never been to it, but I've been to NB and South Padre parks and they are both fantastic.
Otherwise, I'd recommend Hopdoddy's Burgers in Austin (I hate the name, but they've got an awesome buffalo burger).
A&E Classic Cars in Schertz/New Braunfels (between Austin and San Antonio on IH-35).
aeclassiccars.com/
And then if you're into theme parks and roller coasters, there is Six Flags Over Texas in Dallas and Six Flags Fiesta Texas in San Antone. I personally feel that 'Over Texas in Dallas is a much better park, but that is just me.
Schlitterbahn, which is a water park in New Braunfels, is awesome, but it won't be open when you're here. Apparently there is an indoor Schlitterbahn in Galveston though, that could be fun also. Never been to it, but I've been to NB and South Padre parks and they are both fantastic.
Safetychain
Member
Every state has wonderful and unique things to see. In my 10 years of retirement, I've been in every state in the union except Hawaii. Everyone has different landscapes and people are for the most part very wonderfully friendly as long as you stay away from the mega-cities (those have great people too but also that is where the most hoodlums and people demanding handouts are).
I'm from Charleston, South Carolina where the Civil War started. A wonderful old city with quite a few US firsts and, next to New Orleans I think has the best restaurants.
My latest WOW moments were on my latest cross country trek where I felt my first earthquake in Yellowstone and if you want to see a museum on guns, take in the Buffalo Bill Cody Museum in Cody, Wyoming. Undoubtedly the best in the world.
I'm from Charleston, South Carolina where the Civil War started. A wonderful old city with quite a few US firsts and, next to New Orleans I think has the best restaurants.
My latest WOW moments were on my latest cross country trek where I felt my first earthquake in Yellowstone and if you want to see a museum on guns, take in the Buffalo Bill Cody Museum in Cody, Wyoming. Undoubtedly the best in the world.
Texan Scott
Member
While you're in Mississippi, Alabama, or Georgia, get a nice potted kudzu plant to take home with you (look it up on Wikipedia). It's good high-protein fodder, and grows most anywhere. Red 'roos should love it.
okiewita40
Member
The OP needs to come to Oklahoma. There is the Cowboy & western heritage musem in Oklahoma City and the J.M Davis gun musem in Claremore.
returningfire
Member
You will probably spot various types of a native species called "Redneck" not sure of the scientific name, but they are prevalent throughout the south of the USA,male and female gender. Most are entertaining to say the least, some are downright scary looking. But most all are harmless unless provoked. Found primarily in rural areas and small towns, but can be seen in metropolitan areas if you are vigilant.
Have fun ya'll.
Have fun ya'll.
janedoedad
Member
Centerfire Precision in Woodbury, GA
Great place to shoot and have fun all day long. Rifle, pistol and shotgun ranges available for one price. If the timing is right you might attend a class they offer.
Great place to shoot and have fun all day long. Rifle, pistol and shotgun ranges available for one price. If the timing is right you might attend a class they offer.
If you are in West Central GA you can visit the Infantry Museum at Ft Benning GA. No matter where you are if it is summer you need to be prepared for 100 degree temps with 95% humidity. I have been hot in a lot of places but never anywhere more miserable than south AL/GA in summer.
jaysouth
Member
If you come through Nashville, I'll take you to the range at my club and shoot with us, and introduce you to some 'gun' people in the area.
SilentScream
Member
National Civil War Naval Museum, Columbus Georgia. I also have to second the idea of visiting the Infantry Museum excellent place to experience.
Derry 1946
Member
- Joined
- Jun 27, 2011
- Messages
- 516
I just did. The new air pavilion is superb. Don't miss it! Enjoy your stay in the Crescent City, and I'll echo prior posts to stay on the beaten path.
Derry
Thompson9494
Member
The USS Texas in San Jacinto!!
As the title says the old Battleship Texas is in San Jacinto, Texas. Unfortunately, the ship is in very bad shape under the waterline and there is currently work being done to try and dry dock the ship and repair her before the hull becomes to severely damaged. But the USS Texas is still around for now so I'd say go and see it while you can before its taken away for repairs or worse...hopefully repairs! It's a great museum and the Texas is the only battleship in the world that fought in both World Wars that is still around today, 99 years after she was built!!
As the title says the old Battleship Texas is in San Jacinto, Texas. Unfortunately, the ship is in very bad shape under the waterline and there is currently work being done to try and dry dock the ship and repair her before the hull becomes to severely damaged. But the USS Texas is still around for now so I'd say go and see it while you can before its taken away for repairs or worse...hopefully repairs! It's a great museum and the Texas is the only battleship in the world that fought in both World Wars that is still around today, 99 years after she was built!!
If you go to Lockhart, you have to get some BBQ at Smitty's.
CapnMac
Member
Please note, Texas is right at 800 miles (straight line) west to east, and 650 miles north to south (800 road miles, Texline to Brownsville). El Paso to LA is 40 miles shorter than El Paso to Beaumont in road miles.
DFW is meh, particularly around the Airport.
Taking I-35 south to Waco a good deal. Ranger Museum and the Dr Pepper plant fun to visit.
Keep heading south, you could veer over to Bastrop and John's Guns. (It being April, you'll see even more of the wildflowers that Texas seeds the highways with, too.)
Note--there are BBQ joints from about Waco to south of Austin. They will generally be east of I-35. No two Texans will agree on which one is the best (and it can come to blows). Worth a google search of "Texas Monthly BBQ Trail" before even driving through the area.
Austin is a unique place, stay a night there for sure. Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center is just north of the Capitol. There's a La Quinta motel right on 12th Street. It's only blocks from the state Capitol Building (if such things strike a fancy) You can walk down Congress St to the bridge over the Colorado. April might be too early, but there is a colony of about 1-1.5million bats that nest in the bridge structure.
An hour down the road are all sorts of places to see. Will be chilly for tubing, but Gruene is worth the stop.
Heading south, turn right just as you get to Corpus, and head into Fredricksburg. There's a spiffy B&B on the airport down there. The Admiral Nimitz Museum of the War in the Pacific is there, too.
Corpus is just fun. Stop at the Lexington. Heading back east towards Houston is some unique country side. Commemorative Air Force is no longer in Harlingen, sadly. But, you can go visit the NASA Space Center in Clear Lake (west of Houston)--they have a decent tour. And a full size Saturn Five out on the lawn. Consider a trip over to Galveston. Stop by San Jacinto on the east side of Houston, and visit USS Texas.
Heading east on I-10 carve out some time to stop in Lake Charles, the D-Day museum & USS Kidd are worth a tour. New Orleans (called NOLA by many) can be hit or miss. Caution is not a bad thing.
When you get to the Louisiana-Mississippi border, stop and visit the NASA Stennis Center..
As you get to Mobile, stop and visit USS Alabama. Note that this can be an all-day deal.
You can also spend all day in places like Bay St Louis, Pass Christian, Gulfport, et al,
The naviators have a decent display over in Pensacola; but, going down to the "redneck Rivera" towards Destin is fun. You will be after the bulk of early Spring Break rushes, but there may still be some going on.
DFW is meh, particularly around the Airport.
Taking I-35 south to Waco a good deal. Ranger Museum and the Dr Pepper plant fun to visit.
Keep heading south, you could veer over to Bastrop and John's Guns. (It being April, you'll see even more of the wildflowers that Texas seeds the highways with, too.)
Note--there are BBQ joints from about Waco to south of Austin. They will generally be east of I-35. No two Texans will agree on which one is the best (and it can come to blows). Worth a google search of "Texas Monthly BBQ Trail" before even driving through the area.
Austin is a unique place, stay a night there for sure. Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center is just north of the Capitol. There's a La Quinta motel right on 12th Street. It's only blocks from the state Capitol Building (if such things strike a fancy) You can walk down Congress St to the bridge over the Colorado. April might be too early, but there is a colony of about 1-1.5million bats that nest in the bridge structure.
An hour down the road are all sorts of places to see. Will be chilly for tubing, but Gruene is worth the stop.
Heading south, turn right just as you get to Corpus, and head into Fredricksburg. There's a spiffy B&B on the airport down there. The Admiral Nimitz Museum of the War in the Pacific is there, too.
Corpus is just fun. Stop at the Lexington. Heading back east towards Houston is some unique country side. Commemorative Air Force is no longer in Harlingen, sadly. But, you can go visit the NASA Space Center in Clear Lake (west of Houston)--they have a decent tour. And a full size Saturn Five out on the lawn. Consider a trip over to Galveston. Stop by San Jacinto on the east side of Houston, and visit USS Texas.
Heading east on I-10 carve out some time to stop in Lake Charles, the D-Day museum & USS Kidd are worth a tour. New Orleans (called NOLA by many) can be hit or miss. Caution is not a bad thing.
When you get to the Louisiana-Mississippi border, stop and visit the NASA Stennis Center..
As you get to Mobile, stop and visit USS Alabama. Note that this can be an all-day deal.
You can also spend all day in places like Bay St Louis, Pass Christian, Gulfport, et al,
The naviators have a decent display over in Pensacola; but, going down to the "redneck Rivera" towards Destin is fun. You will be after the bulk of early Spring Break rushes, but there may still be some going on.
jaysouth
Member
I wish the timing was a little bit earlier. You just missed the 7th annual Allegator wrestling, goat roping rodeo and crappie fishing tournament at Bayou Meto, Arkansas. It was the first of March this year. And for the first time, there were no runs to the emergency room or hospital admissions. Maybe because the walk-on-water contest was banned and no firearms allowed to discharge after dark.
We didn't see any alligators in March, but there were no mosquitos or cottonmouths out either. In three nights we ate several hundred pounds of ribs and catfish and drank several kegs of beer.
We were kind of humbled by someone's 14 year old daughter winning the hog calling contest. No wimmin allowed next year.
We didn't see any alligators in March, but there were no mosquitos or cottonmouths out either. In three nights we ate several hundred pounds of ribs and catfish and drank several kegs of beer.
We were kind of humbled by someone's 14 year old daughter winning the hog calling contest. No wimmin allowed next year.
r1derbike
Member
Barber Motor Sports Museum and raceway. Just do it!
docnyt
Member
It will take 2 days to take everything in at Barber. It's a biker s dream come true. Plus if you sign up for a riding school day, the track is amazing.
I third the Infantry Museum (recently re-done) and the Civil War Naval Museum near Columbus, Georgia. Country's BBQ downtown is a good place to eat after the Naval Museum. Make sure you try the banana pudding. Another good place in Western Georgia is Callaway Gardens. It would be a day trip to see everything there.
http://www.callawaygardens.com/
http://www.nationalinfantrymuseum.org/
http://portcolumbus.org/
PS: if you do a hotel in Columbus, stay north of Macon road.
http://www.callawaygardens.com/
http://www.nationalinfantrymuseum.org/
http://portcolumbus.org/
PS: if you do a hotel in Columbus, stay north of Macon road.
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