boydimages Loc: California

My wife and I will be heading to Texas & Louisiana in late March early April. Going to Austin, San Antonio, Goliad and New Orleans. About a two week trip. We enjoy all types of photography. Any suggestions on things not to miss while in these areas?

rocco_7155 Loc: Connecticut/Louisiana

Driving?

boydimages Loc: California

Fly into Austin and out of New Orleans.

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

The hill country is really pretty. Obviously the "don't miss this" sites are the Alamo and the riverwalk. I remember driving the other direction and found interesting things to shoot along the way. It was a "keep your eyes open" trip and we made lots of unplanned stops.

russelray Loc: La Mesa CA

In late March and early April, you should find quite a few wildflowers. My favorite drives for that time of year are below.

First map takes you through Columbus. Check out their courthouse and their other history dating back to the Civil War.

Second map takes you through Brenham. Stop at the "Little Creamery in Brenham" for the best ice cream in the world: Blue Bell. Blue Bell's current CEO, Paul Kruse, is an Alpha Phi Omega fraternity brother. He and I are both graduates of Texas A&M University.

Third map takes you through College Station, home of Texas A&M Univesity, the largest university by enrollment in Texas, and one of the largest main campuses in the nation with over 5,000 acres. Stop at the George H. W. Bush Presidential Library on the campus, even if you didn't like the first Bush. When the Library first opened, a friend told me that a picture of me with the Bush family was on one of the walls in the lobby. It's a long story, but Alpha Phi Omega, a national service fraternity, was the official host organization for Texas A&M. When the first Bush was deciding on the location of his Presidential Library, I was Chairman of the Advisory Committee for Alpha Phi Omega and took advantage of that to meet the Bush family many times, as well as have a few meals with them. Still don't like their politics, though. I'm one of the 7% Aggie liberals..........lol

Fourth map takes you through both College Station and Huntsville, through Huntsville State Park and Sam Houston National Forest, and through some East Texas Piney Woods. Huntsville is the home of the State Prison (stop for a tour) and Sam Houston State University. There is a 35'-tall statue of Sam Houston along I45 just south of Huntsville.

PaulB Loc: Alabama

Oak Alley and Laura Plantations, about 45 miles up river from New Orleans, are very interesting historical sights which afford insight into the area's culture back in the 1700-1800s. Great photo ops of the mansions and environs!

BlowingBubbles Loc: Texas

On your way from Austin to San Antonio stop and spend some time in Gruene, Tx. (pronounced Green). Home to Texas oldest dance hall, Gruene Hall. I saw Hal Ketchum perform there a few years back after I had spent the day tubing down the Guadalupe, which is a lot of fun. You can taste and purchase Texas wines at the Grapevine. It's a neat little town. Heres a couple of links for info:

http://www.gruenetexas.com/about.php
http://www.touringtexas.com/gruene/

Erik_H Loc: Denham Springs, Louisiana

Jean Lafitte National Park outside New Orleans is a great place to visit if you want to check out the Bayou. I was just there this past weekend. Twin Canals and Bayou Coquille are short trails and very scenic.

Bayou Coquille Trail

BlowingBubbles Loc: Texas

Big Ben Nat'l Park by way of Marathon is awesome. Check out these links:

http://www.marathontexas.com
http://www.marathonmotel.com
http://www.gagehotel.com
http://bulldog2.redlands.edu/fac/tyler_nordgren/Gallery/NationalParks/MW_BigBend.jpg
http://www.kchisos.com/bigbend/

boydimages Loc: California

Thanks everyone for the information.

BlowingBubbles Loc: Texas

Oops! Here's more, forgot about Zilker Botanical Garden in Austin. Google 'Images of Zilker Botanical Garden' for photos. It's beautiful. Forgot about the bats and 6th St. too.
Top 10 Things to do in Austin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKwdsvcDwag

Must See Attractions in San Antonio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiiH0OlIrVc

Hope you get to see most of these things. Have a safe trip and enjoy!

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

In Louisiana:

*St Martinsville (just outside of Lafayette, LA)- old Cathedral, Evangeline-Longfellow state park with preserved Acadian homes, Lake Martin-great swampy lake, take a boat out on the lake to find many bird species close up, alligators will be "awake" by then, lots of big spooky looking cypress hung with spanish moss. Great sunsets.
*Great River Road - runs on both sides of the Mississippi from just south of New Orleans to Str Francisville - old sugar cane plantations from pre-civil war days, many of the old mansions are open for tours and have great photo ops
*Swamp Tours - several run out of New Orleans and guarantee seeing alligators, usually very close up. In the spring, choose a boat with a roof so you'll have good photography ops even if it rains. Some tours combine a few plantations with the swamp tour, but I'd rather drive the River Road myself.
*New Orleans itself - architecture and street photography . The French Quarter, especially the area around Jackson Square is one monstrous photo op day and night. Ride the trolley from Canal to Carrollton and you can even shoot some out the windows. Be sure to get up early at least one morning to shoot in the Quarter before it fills up with tourists, it's a totally different place.
* Somebody already clued you in on Lafitte NP

BlowingBubbles Loc: Texas

And while in New Orleans don't forget to stop in and have coffee and beignets at the famous Cafe Du Monde right at the Jackson Square.

http://www.cafedumonde.com/history

boydimages Loc: California

Thanks to all for all the information. Great having a photographers point of view.

And "BlowingBubbles", drinking my coffee out of a Cafe Du Monde cup now. Can't wait to get back to NOLA for another round or two or three of Beignets.