Dallas, Texas to Destin, Florida Road Trip Ideas (Including Itineraries and Pictures)

Route #1 – Via I-20 E, With the Most Stops

There are many stops along the route #1. Whether you are traveling with children or the elderly, driving along this way can be a lot of fun. 

Shreveport

Situated along the Red River, Shreveport is a popular destination in Louisiana. There are plenty of outdoor attractions for those who like to have fun outside, such as spending time at the zoo or parks. For those who prefer to be indoors, there is even more to do, from museums and art galleries to aquariums and historic homes.

Top Things to Do in Shreveport

1. R. W. Norton Art Gallery

Museum chronicles more than four centuries of American and European art featuring the works of Frederic Remington and Charles M. Russell. The springtime sees more than 10,000 azaleas bloom in the museum's garden.

2. Shreveport Water Works Museum

Shreveport's first water works was built in 1887. A National Historic Landmark. Free admission.

3. Shreveport Aquarium

DISCOVER …an underwater world of wonder. Travel through brightly colored coral reefs, creaking shipwrecks, dark ocean caves and tropical lagoons. Marvel at the variety and diversity in their unique galleries and get up close and other cool creatures in one of their many touch tanks. Handfeed their stingrays, touch their moon jellies, observe shark feedings and more! Hunt for treasure, gems, gold and fossils in Louisiana's only indoor mining experience. Enjoy holiday experiences like Mutiny at the A-SCARE-ium in October and BELIEVE! The Magic of Christmas in December. VIP tours, camps, parties and fieldtrips are available.

4. Sci-Port Discovery Center

Sci-Port Discover Center is a 92,000 square-foot science and entertainment center made up of Louisiana’s Space and Science Center, Power of Play Children’s Museum (POP) and Louisiana’s only IMAX® Dome Theater. Louisiana’s Space and Science Center includes over 200 hands-on exhibits, interactive programs and demonstrations and the Sawyer Space Dome Planetarium. POP is a kid-sized Shreveport-Bossier where kids ages 8 and under can learn through the power of play. The IMAX® Dome Theater immerses guests in award-winning films through state-of-the-art technology. Center accolades include Best Science Attraction for Kids in Louisiana, Attraction of the Year in Louisiana, and one of Parents magazine top ten science centers in the nation. Sci-Port is a member of the Association of Science-Technology Centers, the Association of Children’s Museums and the LA Space Consortium. The Center is located at 820 Clyde Fant Parkway on the downtown Shreveport Riverfront.

Tours & Sightseeing in Shreveport low to $10. You can book tours at Tripadvisor.com, and don't forget to sign up at Extrabux (What is Extrabux?) , then you can get up to 9% super cashback from Extrabux! Sign-Up Bonus: Free to join it & get $20 welcome bonus!

Monroe/W. Monroe, LA

Monroe, Louisiana is a fun city to visit, with many great old mansions that have been converted into museums. One of them, the Biedenharn Museum and Gardens, belonged to Mr. Biedenharn, the first person to bottle Coca-Cola, and has a small exhibition about the popular drink. Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo has almost 500 wild animals and a small petting zoo. Restored aircraft from WWII to today are on display at Chennault Aviation and Military Museum, while the Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge protects endangered plants and animals and is great spot for hiking and nature watching.

Vicksburg, MS

Sitting high atop a bluff overlooking the Mississippi and Yazoo Rivers, the city of Vicksburg was the setting of a bloody 47 day siege during the Civil War. The site of this epic battle is now Vicksburg National Military Park, preserving original fortifications and the U.S.S. Cairo, an ironclad gunboat that once prowled the waters of the Mississippi River. Vicksburg is also the place where Coca-Cola was first bottled, a fact that is happily immortalized at the Biedenharn Coca-Cola Museum.

Top Things to Do in Vicksburg

1. U.S.S. Cairo Museum

The U.S.S. Cairo was commissioned in January of 1862. Named after towns along the upper Mississippi and Ohio rivers, the seven formidable City Class gunboats prowled the Mississippi River and connecting shallow waterways, menacing Confederate supply lines and shore batteries.

2. Vicksburg National Military Park

1800 acres of now peaceful countryside, this park was once the scene of a bloody 47-day Civil War battle.

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Jackson, MS

Hospitality and history make the capital city a great choice for a weekend jaunt. At Smith Robertson Museum, examine African-American struggles and triumphs. Historic Farish Street, a growing entertainment district, reveals a rich Blues heritage. Visit the Old Capitol Museum, the Museum of Art, the Museum of Natural Science, the Zoo, the Mississippi Children’s Museum and more. Find events, accommodations and restaurants to complete your experience in a city with soul.

Hattiesburg, MS

Known as "Hub City," Hattiesburg is conveniently located at the intersection of six major US highways. More than just a stopover spot, Hattiesburg offers visitors a plethora of attractions and activities. Such as Hattiesburg Zoo, Mississippi Armed Forces Museum, Paul B. Johnson State Park & more. The historic districts of Hattiesburg are some of the most intact neighborhoods in Mississippi. The Mobile Street District preserves the city's African American heritage, and the Hub City, North Main and Oaks Historic Districts feature tree-lined streets and buildings dating back to the 1880s.

Mobile 

From unique museums, such as the Mobile Museum of Art, the History Museum of Mobile, University of South Alabama Archaeology Museum and the Mobile Carnival Museum, to beautiful botanical gardens and great restaurants, Mobile, Alabama, is a fun place to visit. Top things to do in Mobile, Alabama for couples include the beautiful Bragg-Mitchell Mansion, the Richards DAR House Museum and other historic attractions. 

Top Things to Do in Mobile

1. Battleship USS ALABAMA

At Mobile’s Battleship Memorial Park, you don’t have to look very far to find heroes. From the Battleship USS ALABAMA to the Submarine USS DRUM and over 25 aircraft, the spirit of military pride is alive and well.Aboard the battleship you will be able to explore 12 decks. Among those, you can climb inside gun turrets, get locked in the Brig, man a 12mm gun and much more.Also at the park, you will be able to go below and explore inside the oldest Submarine on display, Submarine USS DRUM. In the Medal of Honor Aircraft Pavilion as well as in the park, you will be able to view many rare and historic aircraft. A few in their collection include: A-12 Blackbird Spy Plane, OS2U Kingfisher, F-86L Sabre Jet, B-52 Bomber, just to name a few. While in the pavilion, don’t forget to take a ride on the Flight Simulator and experience flight without ever leaving the ground. It’s an unforgettable experience for the entire family. All tours are self guided. Allow approx. 2.5 hours.

2. GulfQuest - National Maritime Museum of the Gulf of Mexico

GulfQuest National Maritime Museum of the Gulf of Mexico is the only museum in the world dedicated to the rich traditions, history and culture of "America's Sea". With a combined 90 interactive exhibits, simulators and theaters, GulfQuest is a family tourist destination and a signature attraction for Mobile, the state of Alabama and the entire Gulf Coast region.

3. Mobile Carnival Museum

This museum documents Mobile's long affair with the winter carnival.

Dauphin Island, AL

Dauphin Island, Alabama is three miles south of Mobile Bay in the Gulf of Mexico. Dauphin Island is known as a prime place for relaxing and having fun with family and friends. Dauphin Island's beaches, with their fine white sands and clear blue water, are considered some of the best in the state. Dauphin Island, Alabama, is easy to access since it is connected to the mainland by a bridge, and ferries regularly transport commuters and tourists between Dauphin Island and mainland communities. Plan a relaxing weekend getaway from Birmingham, Montgomery, Huntsville, Gadsden, Florence, Mobile and other cities. 

Gulf Shores/Orange Beach

A great family beach vacation spot, Orange Beach, Alabama, offers offer wonderful dining experiences, dolphin-sighting cruises, championship golf courses, fishing charters and nature hikes. Choose from national hotel and motel chains, camping or a variety of beach houses for your stay. There are numerous options for nightlife, from family entertainment to rocking roadhouses, enjoy your pick of plays, free concerts, dancing or just listening to any number of musical stylings at a local hot spot.

Pensacola

If you're looking for some great Florida beaches but aren't necessarily interested in a mega-resort or theme park atmosphere, Pensacola might just be the place for your perfect weekend. Home to Gulf Islands National Seashore, the city offers some of the best fishing and boating in the area. Inland, canoeing enthusiasts won't want to miss the beauty of the Blackwater River. Closer to town, the city has a proud military heritage, which can be seen at attractions like the National Museum of Naval Aviation and the Pensacola Naval Air Station.

Navarre Beach, Florida

Tucked away in a corner of Northwest Florida, far from crowded theme parks and packed beaches, you will find a piece of the old Florida offering solitude and simplicity for sun seekers, families, outdoor adventurers, nature lovers and water sports enthusiasts.

Route #2 – Via I-45 S & I-10 E, Many Delicacies

Beaumont

Beaumont, Texas, is best known for the oil discovery that sparked the colossal Texas oil boom of the early 1900s. The Spindletop-Gladys City Boomtown Museum pays tribute to that fascinating era, and is the perfect place to start an exploration of the city. Another standout attraction is the 1906 beaux arts, colonial McFaddin-Ward House. Due to the youngest McFaddin daughter’s copious documentation, docents can paint an accurate picture of what life was like for the wealthy of southeast Texas at the time. Beyond its captivating history, Beaumont, Texas offers visitors a variety of entertaining activities like a 15-acre alligator sanctuary, an interactive children’s museum, and a resilient botanical garden. These are 20 must-see attractions in Beaumont, TX.

Lafayette

Founded by the Acadians in the 19th century, the legacy of Louisiana's French, Spanish and Caribbean ancestors comes together in Lafayette, creating a city with, amongst other things, a vast selection of restaurants serving everything from spicy po'boys to crawfish etouffee. With its lively street festivals, impromptu Zydeco concerts, historic plantations and food markets where locals still order their plate lunches in Louisiana French, Lafayette is the heart of Cajun country.

Baton Rouge, LA

Settled by Europeans on Native American hunting grounds, the city of Baton Rouge has grown up under the influence of English, French, Spanish, and native cultures. The city is proud of its Cajun and Creole heritage, with clubs famous for playing the blues, and streets full of restaurants serving up everything from spicy Bayou foods to Caribbean home cooking. Located on a bluff overlooking the Mississippi delta, visitors can watch the sun set over the levees or ride on a riverboat casino.

New Orleans, LA

A vibrant city ready to jump-start the party with jubilant music, famed food, and drinks all around. Laissez les bons temps rouler! In New Orleans the good times are always rolling down Bourbon Street, which has quite the party animal reputation during Mardi Gras. If you're lucky, you'll catch a second line parade strutting through the crowds. But this city isn't all Sazerac in a Solo cup. Take in the scenery of the historic French Quarter, tour the elegant Garden District, and eat your way across Nola's incredible restaurants and cafes—beignets are a must. If you love stories about things that go bump in the night, book a guided ghost tour that weaves through local taverns, alleyways, and cemeteries.

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Gulfport and Biloxi, MS

Gulfport, Mississippi, one half of the Gulfport-Biloxi section of the Gulf Coast, was very nearly destroyed during Hurricane Katrina. The city has been gradually reconstructed, and the surrounding natural areas have been rebuilding themselves as well. Visit the barrier islands that form Gulf Islands National Seashore, a parkland along the Mississippi Sound. A ferry runs from Gulf Port to Ship Island, with unspoiled white beaches and tidal pools, boardwalks and historic sites to explore.

Route #3 – Via Scenic I-49, Less Crowded 

Natchitoches 

Natchitoches is a city in Louisiana founded by a French Canadian, Louis Antoine Juchereau de St. Denis in 1714. The city National Historic Landmark District includes beautifully restored French Creole townhouses, the Minor Basilica with magnificent stained-glass windows, and the still working 19th-century Kaffie-Frederick General Mercantile, the oldest general store in the city. The Cane River winds through the city towards the plantations that are part of the Cane River Creole National Historical Park. Fort St. Jean Baptiste State Historic Site, built in 1716 is also located in the city. The Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame & Northwest Louisiana History are part of the Louisiana State Museum. The J. Bennett Johnston Waterway Grand Ecore Visitor Center is located about four miles north of Natchitoches, perched on a 80-foot high bluff above Red River.

Marksville

The town of Marksville, Louisiana is a place that was founded by accident. A Venetian peddler by the name of Marco was traveling in the area during the 1790’s when one of his wagon’s wheels broke. He decided to stay put and establish a trading post, and the town today offers a unique patchwork of history. Visitors can learn about some of the Marksville area’s first inhabitants at the Tunica-Biloxi Cultural and Educational Resources Center, explore the prehistoric side of Marksville at the Marksville State Historic Site, or explore the Civil War era at Fort DeRussy, and more.

Baton Rouge, LA

New Orleans, LA

Gulfport and Biloxi, MS

As you can already find, route #2 and route #3 are partially overlapped. In terms of playability, route 2 is even better.

If you’re not from Dallas and are coming from far away, you might need to rent a car before starting this trip. We suggest browsing RentalCars.com as it aggregates all the major car hire companies helping you find the best deal available.

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