Nice sleepy town on the Gulf of Mexico in Mississippi. It has its charms. I happened to visit on…read morethe second Saturday in August where they were having a city-wide celebration with live music, specials in certain stores, people driving around on their golf carts. It is very quaint with a lot of antique stores, knick knack shop and locally made goods. I did not meet one unpleasant person while I was here, which was nice. Everyone was just so friendly. Everything was clean, and the roads were freaking amazing. I highly recommend this city for a quiet weekend.

It seems like people try and review something special every 100 reviews. I like that idea, so for…read moremy 400th, I am choosing to review one of my favorite places. The Bay St. Louis beach is one of the best kept secrets within an hour or so drive of New Orleans. Because the beach is located on the bay (as opposed to the gulf), the water is usually calmer and clearer than in the Gulfport/Biloxi area. On my most recent trip, the water was not very clear, but it was windy, and a storm was moving in. The beach is also significantly less crowded than the beach further up the road, which makes for a nice family friendly spot to enjoy the beach. I have been coming the the coast of Mississippi since I was a kid. While it is significantly different from my childhood, I will always love this area. First the casinos came to town and changed the area, then Katrina. Seeing the empty lots where homes and camps used to stand still hurts my heart. Where modest family camps used to stand there are only vacant lots or giant mansions. I don't mind the mansions, but those empty lots are a haunting reminder of the hurricane. Even though the area has yet to fully recover, the beach is great. I encourage everyone who needs to feel the sand between their toes to hop in a car and make the drive.

I ended up bumping into this place on accident as I wanted to explore the beach road and driving…read morethe coast up to Gulfport. I ended up here as I always wanted to visit presidential libraries. The cost of admission is $15 for adults and will take around 2 hours. They do a guided tour which last for 20 minutes which is a Mary talking about the house 20 minutes straight. For me, my attention span was low that day and everything went in and out of my ear. After that, you get to tour the grounds like the kitchen, guest quarters, etc which I enjoyed the most. The place is pretty big. Make sure when you head back to go to the 2nd floor as there are a lot of artifacts. It was worth my time going however.

Rude staff and dirty museum. Buckets of dirty water on the floor. Rushed us out before they closed…read moreand got mad when we're were looking at the interactive items.

Traveling from Biloxi to New Orleans, I passed over the Bay Saint Louis Bridge going westbound. The…read moreold bridge was heavily damaged by Hurricane Katrina, but this new bridge was opened to traffic on May 17, 2007. The bridge carries two lanes of US-90 traffic in each direction plus there is a 12 foot wide pedestrian and bicycle path on the Gulf side. It is just over 2 miles. The bridge is smooth and easy to drive. There is no toll to cross the Bay Bridge. [Review 14198 overall, 1520 of 2020, number 88 in Mississippi.]

What a lovely well-built bridge. I felt perfectly safe driving over it. It did not sway or move…read moreunder my vehicle that I could feel. There are two lanes each direction for US-90 and a pedestrian and bike path on the east bound direction. The durability and stability should be the basis for all bridges, but sadly, that is not always the case. This is not the fastest way to travel along the coast, but it sure is the prettiest. This bridge has got it going on.

What. Is. That? There's a CASTLE over there?…read more Driving over the I-10 bridge from New Orleans back to Biloxi, we spotted it and I had to know what was going on so when I came back a few days later, I went out of my way to visit here. Built in 1981 for the World's Fair, the castle is quite small by castle standards. Only two bedrooms and a one and a half baths on the inside. It is private property so if you're coming to visit, please be respectful and only view it from the street (or the lake). [Review 14204 overall, 1526 of 2020, number 22 in Louisiana.]

As you drive down the I-10, east of New Orleans, you may have a WTH moment. There's a castle off in…read morethe distance (well on Hwy 11). It is a private home, for now, with aspirations for more that never quite materialize. Still the history of the place; it's recent vintage and it's singularity in the swamps of South Louisiana make it something special. You have to love a man with a dream. In 1981, Simon Villemarette decided he wanted a castle. Was it supposed to be at tourist attraction? Or was it just going to be his home? Whichever he built it well. He passed and his family had to sell. Yes it survived Katrina when most buildings did not. The official assessor's description says "concrete castle" so maybe even the K winds were intimidated. Some folks from Virginia owned it from 1995 to 2014, maybe they planned to make an inn out of it (according to news stories at the time), but that never happened. Now the current owners post to the official FB page that they too want to make it an entertainment/photo shoot/bed & breakfast spot. BUT the FB has been saying be patient since 2016. Still it's a fun spot to see. It is private property so don't be a creeper. And I decided this bit of unique architecture should be my review #2400. Enjoy!

Located in the Mississippi Welcome Center, this marker points out some Civil War history that took…read moreplace here. Though why this is "here" is a mystery to me. There is plenty of parking nearby. The marker reads, "In 1860, John Deason, a Mexican War Veteran, organized a militia company here. The "Gainesville Volunteers" entered Confederate service in 1861 as Co. G. of the Third Mississippi Infantry. During the Civil War the unit served in the Gulf Coast region and fought in the Vicksburg, Atlanta, Middle Tennessee, and Carolina campaigns." It was erected in 2000 by the Mississippi Department of Archives and History. [Review 908 of 2024 - 107 in Mississippi - 21937 overall]

Built in 1822 as part of the "Third System" of the seacoast defense plan that was enacted in the…read morewake of the War of 1812, it was one of 42 forts constructed. Later, the fort was occupied by Confederate Forces during the Civil War. The fort was decommissioned and abandoned in 1871 following a fire four years previous. The ruins were further damaged during Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Due to its dangerous and deteriorating condition, the fort is currently closed to the public. You can still get quite close to it by parking at the nearby harbor and walking down a pretty nasty little road that is cluttered with debris and litter. From there, you can see the brick walls and the magnitude of this impressive fort. Or you can take your chances and trespass but I don't recommend it. [Review 14203 overall, 1525 of 2020, number 21 in Louisiana.]

Don't know why my photos keep disappearing from this "business" but this is the twin span bridge…read moreover Lake Pontchartrain. Photos taken at high speed. BOOM chakalaka! The entryway to NOLA. Yay! :)) Laissez les bons temps rouler! OuiOui. Drive safely y'all!

I like bridges and this one is no exception. I am a fan of getting from place to place swiftly and…read moredefinitely not driving around the long way. Bridges make that happen! The I-10 Twin Span Bridge is two three-lane bridges that carry Interstate 10 across Lake Pontchartrain between New Orleans and Slidell. 5.4 miles long and 60 feet wide with 30 foot clearance across most of the bridge and 80 foot clearance at the bascule section. The bridge was opened in 2009 with one of the bridges and then the other in 2010 with the completion of all work done in 2011. I crossed this bridge three times - once each coming and going and then the third time was just going. I took US 90 the other time and that review is coming soon. It is smooth and easy and very, very straight. As such, the speed can be a little intense. New Orleans is a big city and they not only drive fast here, they lane jockey. Crazy! [Review 14136 overall, 1458 of 2020, number 8 in Louisiana.]

The Buckner Mansion is an incredible place to see if you're visiting New Orleans. I really enjoyed…read moreseeing it in person since it was featured in American Horror Story Season 3. The mansion looks amazing and is definitely worth stopping by.

It is a private resident and famous for its filmed scenes of the third season of American Horror…read moreStory. It is beautiful and you will see a lot people stop by and take pictures.

Anne Rice's former home, in the Garden District, is known for its connection to her vampire novels…read more She lived in this historic mansion, built in 1857, that was once owned by Albert Hamilton Brevard. Rice reportedly spent a lot of time writing in a small observatory room at the top of the house.

Add the house to your Garden District Tour map. Map it all out before you set off, so much easier…read more Pay homage to a legend, "All the old poetry makes sense when you look at one whom you have loved." This neighborhood is stunning but wear good shoes and watch out on the sidewalks which are minefields.

If you're on the St Louis Cemetery tour, which you need to be to get into this cemetery now you'll…read moresee this tomb. You used to be able to walk around and take in the experience but after theft and vandalism, an organization took over the cemetery and you need to pay to enter and go on the hour tour. The tomb is very unique and sits right in the middle of the cemetery.

The tour was great. Our guide was very knowledgeable and had great stories to tell. But if this is…read morethe only draw you have to go on this tour you'll be mildly disappointed. Go for the full experience not just for Nicolas Cage.