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2011-08-28 10:52 AM

Veteran
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Lost, Florida
Subject: Vacation in MS or AL?

Planning our family vacation for next summer and wanted some COJ help.  Half the family lives in Dallas and the other in Orlando.  We want to meet half-way.  Any good places (non-beach) to stay for a week in Mississippi or Alabama? 



2011-08-28 3:46 PM
in reply to: #3662692

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Extreme Veteran
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Hattiesburg, MS
Subject: RE: Vacation in MS or AL?
I would just go to New Orleans lots to do over there.
2011-08-28 4:10 PM
in reply to: #3662881

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Subject: RE: Vacation in MS or AL?

CoastTrash - 2011-08-28 3:46 PM I would just go to New Orleans lots to do over there.

I agree. Non-beach Mississippi and Alabama are places people take vacations from!

j/k of course, but not a whole lot of touristy places in those states when you get off the coast.

If you're intentionally looking for places away from the beaten path, maybe some idea of your family's likes and interests?

2011-08-28 5:37 PM
in reply to: #3662888

Iron Donkey
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Subject: RE: Vacation in MS or AL?
the bear - 2011-08-28 4:10 PM

CoastTrash - 2011-08-28 3:46 PM I would just go to New Orleans lots to do over there.

I agree. Non-beach Mississippi and Alabama are places people take vacations from!

j/k of course, but not a whole lot of touristy places in those states when you get off the coast.

If you're intentinally looking for places away from the beaten path, maybe some idea of your family's likes and interests?

How about Bear's house??

2011-08-29 5:55 AM
in reply to: #3662692

Veteran
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Lost, Florida
Subject: RE: Vacation in MS or AL?

last year we went to Maggie Valley in NC and stayed in a cabn for a week.  For the guys, golfing, fishing, camping.  For the Ladies, famous house, little shopping, places to take the kids.  For the kids (mostly 2-6) something for them, Horseback riding, zoo, park.  For us it's mostly about getting together than entertainment, but having a few things to do would help.

2011-08-29 8:33 AM
in reply to: #3662692

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2011-08-29 9:10 AM
in reply to: #3662692


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Subject: RE: Vacation in MS or AL?
casions in biolix, MS.  Its on the beach, but not necassarly a beach vacation
2011-08-29 9:16 AM
in reply to: #3663648

Slower Than You
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Subject: RE: Vacation in MS or AL?
Pick up a copy of Southern Living and base the vacation spot around a nice local festival. There's TONS of history in those areas, just not all packaged all Disney-like. You gotta work for it a little bit.
2011-08-29 9:16 AM
in reply to: #3663648

Slower Than You
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Cracklantaburbs
Subject: RE: Vacation in MS or AL?
Pick up a copy of Southern Living and base the vacation spot around a nice local festival. There's TONS of history in those areas, just not all packaged all Disney-like. You gotta work for it a little bit.
2011-08-29 11:48 AM
in reply to: #3662692

Expert
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Highlands Ranch, CO
Subject: RE: Vacation in MS or AL?

Gulf Shores???

How about Destin, Fort Walton, or Panama City.  It's not MS or AL but on the western panhandle.......

2011-08-29 12:29 PM
in reply to: #3662692

New user
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Harvest, AL
Subject: RE: Vacation in MS or AL?
That's a tough call there... since most people here in Bama actually head to the beach.

Memphis is just over the border in Mississippi, so the food is good, Elvis stuff is there, casinos across the river, very cool zoo, Nashville is a decent day trip and worth seeing, or go to Nashville and visit Memphis.

Mobile AL  is near the coast, but definately not pure beach, and there's a lot to do there if you insist on Alabama.

I'm in Huntsville (North Alabama) and there's SpaceCamp/Avaiation Challenge and the huge Space and Rocket Center plus some other good stuff. Great golfing... and day trips to Chattanooga, Nashville, Birmingham (all ~ 90 miles) are not bad drive by highway

hope that helps some



2011-08-29 12:55 PM
in reply to: #3662692

Expert
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Subject: RE: Vacation in MS or AL?

I have to agree with Bear...not knocking Alabama or Mississippi, just unaware of what there is to do outside of the beach in either of these states?  We stayed at the Beach Club in Gulf Shores and it was great.  Roughly 20 minute drive from the main drag out towards Fort Morgan.  Mostly residential and very quiet.

2011-08-29 2:43 PM
in reply to: #3662692

Expert
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Alabama
Subject: RE: Vacation in MS or AL?

I don't know what y'all are talking about (but I'm biased, being from Alabama).

As far as Alabama:

There are some options in and around Fairhope, AL.  The Grand Hotel is one, and the other option (of which I've always wanted to own one), is to rent a big house on the bay close to Fairhope.  These tend to be great houses, beautiful bay views and a good surrounding area.  It's typically the Point Clear area, and it is written up in Southern Living a lot.

Dauphin Island is supposed to be secluded and pretty nice (although I have not been).  It's more beach houses, no condos to speak of, so it's more off the beaten path.

Lake Martin is another area that is nice in Alabama.  It is a beautiful lake, with a lot boating, etc.  They do let the levels down after Labor day though, so it's probably better during the summer for boating, etc.

Mobile can be okay sometimes, but maybe not for a family vacation, but Fairhope is close to Mobile.

Gulf Shores/Fort Morgan is a nice beach, but if you are looking to get off the beach, there are a lot of bay areas to consider, even in and around Gulf Shores.

Here are some links and options:

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/ptlal-grand-hotel-marriott-resort-golf-club-and-spa/

http://www.cofairhope.com/vis_lodging.php

http://www.vrbo.com/vacation-rentals/usa/alabama#a1878

http://www.vrbo.com/vacation-rentals/usa/alabama/dauphin-island

http://townofdauphinisland.org/home.asp?ID=2

http://www.lakemartin.com/Rentals/Default.asp

 

If you want any other recs, let me know what you are looking to do.  Age of family members, etc.  There is plenty to consider in Alabama.  Just as much or better than Louisiana and Mississippi (with the exception of New Orleans).  Biloxi is okay, but you are basically going to a Casino, not really getting the Mississippi Coast experience.



Edited by pilotzs 2011-08-29 2:47 PM
2011-08-29 8:09 PM
in reply to: #3662692

Elite
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Utah
Subject: RE: Vacation in MS or AL?

A lot of my old crowd in La head out to Orange Beach.

I'd say that New Orleans would be a good spot to meet up.  It's going to be about 10 hrs for both groups (depending on WHERE in Florida).  There's lots for the kids too b/t City Parl (StoryLand), the zoo (which I think is the best in the country), and the new Insectarium.

Good Luck!

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