A group of six of us from Ireland have 2 weeks vacation and are going to drive from Nashville to New Oreans over Sept/ October time . Thanks to all the advice I received in the last 2 weeks . We are going to spend 4 nights in Nashville ( we arrive late evening in Nashville) 2 nights in Mephis and then drive down on Highway 61 over 4 days We intend to stay one night each in Clarksdale Vicksburg Natchez and Baton Rouge and spend last 4 days in New Orleans.We were wondering is there much to see in Baton Rouge or should we spend a night somewhere else on route.
Any advice on where to stay on route 61 on way to New Orleans?
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Sounds like a great trip down the "Blues Highway." Baton Rouge is the state capitol, and if you're into history, read up on Huey "Kingfish" Long and then go tour the Capitol building. This should not take more than an hour or two. Keep in mind that in Sept./October, you will have to contend with LSU college football (American football, that is) on the weekends and rooms in Baton Rouge will be scarce and at a premium.
A place we discovered not long ago and that we want to go back to is St. Francisville, which is between Natchez and Baton Rouge. There are a number of plantations in the area. We visited the Audubon site, Where John James Audubon spent some time. Well worth seeing and a really peaceful stop along the way.
However, St. Francisville is pretty close to Natchez, so if you got an early start, you could see the Audubon site, some other part of St. Francisville, the Louisiana State Capitol and then either stay near some of the great plantation homes along the Mississippi River or just head into New Orleans.
If it were me, I'd stay two nites in Vicksburg rather than staying a nite en route between Natchez and New Orleans. Lots of stuff to see around Vicksburg if you're into the American Civil War.
Sounds like we might stay at St. Francisville rather than Baton Rouge . Maybe we should not book any accommodation until be get to Vicksburg .Thanks for your help.
Also, between Vicksburg and Natchez is the lovely little town of Port Gibson. Definitely worth a stop.
http://www.portgibsononthemississippi.com/tourism.html
If you are going to see the Natchez area and also spend nights in NO, I would not stay overnight in Baton Rouge. You will not see anything there that you won't be a better version of at your other destinations.
I second St. Francisville. They have some wonderful plantations. Rosedown is not to be missed, the grounds at Audubon are beautiful, and you may see a ghost at the Myrtles! Enjoy your trip, and steer clear of BR. It will be your worst nightmare if you hit it on an LSU football day!
One other thing: in Vicksburg, there is a Courtyard by Marriott right across the expressway from the Battlefield National Park. We stayed there some years ago and it was a very good place to stay.