I-55 through Mississippi (Jackson, Gulfport, Biloxi: hotel, homes, casinos)

[tpabes]

Hello all,

We will be traveling through Mississippi in early January on our way back from Florida entering from Alabama on I-10 (headed to New Orleans) and then up I-55 to Memphis and St. Louis. My first question is the Biloxi/Gulfport casino area just a casino area or are there other things to do?

Also when traveling up I-55 where are the best places to stop for food, gas and possibly even an overnight stay? Any can't miss attractions along I-55? Thank you.

[jacksonian]

The MS Coast has a lot of casinos, but that's not all that is there. There is still a lot of rebuilding going on, but there are good places to eat there. A drive along Hwy 90 is very nice at dawn or dusk.

New Orleans is worthy of a week if you have it, but for a day or two, I would definitely try to see Bourbon St, Magazine St, St Charles, Canal St, French Quarter, Jackson Square, and Cafe Du Monde.

On your way up 55, if you're into celebrities/pop stars/etc (not much a fan myself), Kentwood, LA is home to Britney Spears and her sister. I've never been there, but I know of it.

If you like nice small downtown atmospheres that make you feel like you're back in the 50's, Brookhaven, MS has a nice downtown area. Take the Brookway Blvd from 55, then take a left on W Cherokee St. It will take you through part of downtown and to the Train Depot.

A little further north is Wesson, MS, which has a fairly famous lunch stop called Porches on Hwy 51. Porches Restaurant

Also on Hwy 51, in Hazlehurst, MS, there is a stretch of nice late 19th, early 20th century homes just south of downtown.

A drive through downtown Jackson (Pearl Street Exit) will inspire you of what it will become in the future. There's lots of work going on right now. A few of the nice places to eat downtown are Peaches on Farish St, Mayflower on Capitol St, and Elite on Capitol St.

(I got to run now, will finish it up later.)

[Laura707]

I use to travel up I-55 from Hammond to Memphis and it was a long boring drive. Then I tried Hwy 61 and I love going that route. Up around the Tunica stretch of Hwy 61 is a lot of casinos and it is very pretty there. (You just have to watch your speed limit, there are lots of speed traps on 61)

It takes 5 1/2 hours to get from Hammond to Memphis up I-55 and I find it is just as fast going up 61, even with all the towns and stop lights and there is so much more to see. I enjoy going that way so much more, I travel it often.

The last time I went I had to stop overnight and I stopped in west Memphis at the Super 8 motel next to the Pilot (or was it Petro?) Truck stop and was very pleased with the room and the price.

[tpabes]

Thank you for the information jacksonian and Laura707, much appreciated.

Lol, Laura I had to chuckle at your long boring drive comment. I live in the middle of Nebraska, I know all about long boring drives! I'll defiently look into taking Hwy 61. I see that goes through Vicksburg and Natchez which are some pretty historical towns if I remember my history right. I will be traveling with others, so I'm not really sure about what everyone is going to want to see!

[pont neuf]

There are some outlet stores in Foley Alabama and Gulfport close to I-10 if you like to shop. I like the one in Alabama better. There are directions on the site.
Tanger Outlets Centers

[tennreb]

Originally Posted by tpabes

Hello all,

We will be traveling through Mississippi in early January on our way back from Florida entering from Alabama on I-10 (headed to New Orleans) and then up I-55 to Memphis and St. Louis. My first question is the Biloxi/Gulfport casino area just a casino area or are there other things to do?

Also when traveling up I-55 where are the best places to stop for food, gas and possibly even an overnight stay? Any can't miss attractions along I-55? Thank you.

I'd say that Madison is the best place to stop on I-55. It's just a very nice suburb right on the interstate. There's a new mall there that I think has a hotel next to it. Plenty of restaurants around. If you want a real Mississippi experience, I'd suggest stopping in Como at the Como Steakhouse. Even the Shell station in Batesville has great BBQ.

[tpabes]

Thanks pont neuf and tennreb!

[Robert_J]

If you take 61 to Memphis, don't stop between the TN state line and when you run into I-55 again. It's only a few miles but if you have a flat, run it on the rim. It's not a good part of town especially at night.

If you are on 61 near highway 82, then the Burbon Mall is a great place to eat. It's the old general store in Burbon, MS (2 dirt roads in the middle of cotton fields). Or you can drive about 15 miles to Greenville to Doe's Eat Place. Every celebrity in the area stops in. I've seen pictures from the entire Manning family (Payton, Eli, etc) to Lynard Skynard.

If you take I-55 all of the way, you will run into Southaven right before you get to Memphis. A lot of nice places to eat. The Boiling Pointe on Church Road (west of I-55) is a seafood joint with some unusual dishes like aligator. Huey's on Goodman (east of I-55) is an area landmark. Some of the best burgers in the Memphis area. And Interstate BBQ on Stateline (east of I-55) is a Food Network ledgend. It has been featured on numerous TV programs.

-Robert

[MetroBTR]

If you go to the Gulfport-Biloxi area, you must drive Highway 90 from Biloxi to Bay St. Louis, and then to New Orleans if you have time. Truly a fantastic drive.