Great 1 Day Vacations in our Area? [Archive]

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3DPiper

03-12-2006, 10:25 AM

IGID

03-12-2006, 10:40 AM

The Philidelphia water park is worth the ride if the kids can take it. It takes 2 hrs if you go I-59 to Meridian then I-20 west. Its big, nice, clean and has sections just for children.

Tully Mars

03-12-2006, 12:38 PM

The Ag Museum, the Natural Science Museum and the Playground at LeFleur's Bluff State Park off of Lakeland in Jackson are great places to take kids. My own two sons love going there and give them all a two "thumbs up".

MSQueen

03-12-2006, 12:41 PM

While our calibrated vacation jug goes to 'Walt Disney World', I'm interested in hearing about any great 1 day vacations in our area..

I have 3 children (7, 3 almost 4, 1)..

Places/Things I'm thinking of:

- Red Bluff
- McGee's Castle in Raymond
- Beach
- Ride a train to Jackson (and back)
- Camping/cabin at Flynt Creek in Wiggins
- The Park in Jackson (go-carts, mini golf, arcade)

?

I was thinking about Peps Point, but I've heard mixed reviews lately.. Last year we went to the new water park on the coast, but now it's mostly destroyed.. Perhaps the Indian's water park up in Philidelphia, but thats quite a drive..

-Matthew
riding the train sounds good. i don't know anything about the places they go from hattiesburg, but i think it would be a great experience for the 7 yr old, and maybe the 3-4 year old. i don't think the 1 yr old will care! :)

don't know what Red Bluff is or about McGee's Castle -- never heard of them. think the beach is out this year, unless you plan on going some where in florida. i was on the coast yesterday and, IMO, it will be a VERY long time before the beach is ready for sunning and swimming, as there is SO much debris all out in the ocean and on the sand. u could see tree limbs sticking up out of the water all along the coastline of gulfport and biloxi. so, so sad!:(

i think that camping WOULD be fun, but i don't think this year would be the time to introduce your children to it, as i believe most of the state parks and other recreational/rv parks are going to be full of people temporarily living there in fema trailers, and there probably won't be any campsites available for regular tourists.

ditto for Pep's Point as far as the camping is concerned. went by there a few weeks ago, and there are numerous campers/trailers set up in the campground area. it IS a fun place for the children to go, but i think there will be too many people there this year.

don't know anything about the park in jackson since i haven't been up there in about 30 yrs (<--ouch!!!), but you might want to check out Kamper Park here in town. i don't know what kind of damage they got and whether they are back up and running. i know it would be nothing like the jackson zoo or park, but it would be nice for a leisurely visit one day, and would be close by.

doesn't take a whole lot to entertain kids if u don't overdo it with them early on. i think that's where many parents make mistakes... they think everything has to be BIGGER and BETTER. after while, u can run out of BIGGER and BETTER, and also can run out of GREEN STUFF to fund BIGGER and BETTER!:-D

Tully Mars

03-12-2006, 01:16 PM

While our calibrated vacation jug goes to 'Walt Disney World', I'm interested in hearing about any great 1 day vacations in our area..

- Beach

All public beaches on the Gulf Coast are closed until further notice by order of MDEQ. I would suspect that at a minimum the beaches will be closed through this tourist season an possibly next. 26+ miles of sand beach will take some time to get cleaned up. Not to mention the debris that is in the immediate gulf just off of the beaches.

Tully Mars

03-12-2006, 01:21 PM

Try these links:

Natural Science Museum (http://www.mdwfp.com/museum/)

Ag Museum (http://www.mdac.state.ms.us/n_library/departments/ag_museum/index_agmuseum.html)

LeFleur's Bluff State Park (http://www.mdwfp.com/parkView/parks.asp?ID=5844)

I almost forgot that the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame (http://www.msfame.com/artman/publish/index.shtml)is nearby as well.

Conveyor Belt

03-12-2006, 02:00 PM

You can ride a train to Jackson? Where, when??? I thought the amtrack just went up through meridian and on east from Hattiesburg. I've looked at amtrack, and you can ride from here to Tuscaloosa AL, have a 1hr layover, and hop on the train back, total time about 8 hrs. You can ride to Meridian, have a 4hr layover, and then catch the train back to Hattiesburg. My kid loves trains, so I've looked into this alot.

Stennis Space center is a great one day trip. NO use to be, but, y'know... Planetarium in Jackson, Vicksburg is full of civil war history, with alot of neat stuff.

Conveyor Belt

03-12-2006, 02:01 PM

BTW, you can't go wrong with Disney. Of course, we're Disney fanatics, and go for weeks at a time. Soarin' is a great ride, and Expedition Everest is great too...

Ande'

03-12-2006, 02:20 PM

If you don't mind driving about 2 hours, Mobile has Bellingrath Gradens. I loved going there as a kid and can't wait to take my own. Also the Battleship has reopened and would be great for your older ones. Spanish Fort was fun to go to when I was a kid. Mobile also has an Egyptian exhibit going on right now.

IGID

03-12-2006, 02:44 PM

From what I can tell, Peps Point is over-run with transient construction workers and mexicans. Knowing what I know about both groups, if they don't run them off before summer, it will definately not be a family oriented atmosphere.

Blondie

03-12-2006, 03:59 PM

I just tried to post a reply but since I haven't posted more than 15(I'm a new member) I couldn't give you the links. Sorry.

My family and I have started a new tradition by going camping at some of the state parks in Miss. It's great fun for the kids. My husband gets to fish and try to teach the kids how (usually after 5 minutes they are ready to quit) and I get to read and relax and the kids ride their bikes and at night we play games or do puzzles. I know it sounds kind of cheesy, but it is fun to get away from our busy lives here at home.

We are planning on going to Lake Okatibbee (outside Meridian) in June and they have a waterpark (it's not great but it's somthing to do - I don't think any other park has a water park but I'm not sure).

The state has a website on the parks, and some parks are through the Army Corps of Engineers, so you can search that also. The Tourism Commission also has a website that could give you some ideas. Had all of the links for you but it wouldn't post.

I know you asked for 1-day ideas but we usually go for 2 nights and 3 days, and since we take our own groceries and grill and stay in cabins (no tents!!) it isn't that expensive ($300 at most).

ynotme297

03-12-2006, 05:07 PM

cabins, camper parking, swimming, fishing and hikeing at paul b. johnson state park is good. also the armed forces museum at camp shelby is an excellent way to pass a few hours.

sackett22

03-13-2006, 12:10 AM

Taking a drive down the Natchez Trace, its historical and beautiful.

3DPiper

03-13-2006, 09:46 AM

Thanks for the ideas guys!

BTW, if you don't know about McGee's Castle, see here:

http://mcgeescastle.com/

If you don't know about Red Bluff, see here (very simple pic and description):

http://www.phototour.com/echtml/smissredbluff.html

I think we're definitely going to do some camping (even if it's just backyard camping).. Hopefully at least do one water park over the summer break.. We have our own inflatable slippy-slide, and that keeps us pretty active/cool all summer (we all get on it! why let the kids have all the fun?)

I travel to Jackson a lot for work.. In fact, we're all going there today (7 year old has spring break this week) and I think we'll hit the Natural Science Museum (I do their commercials!) and the Build-A-Bear workshop in the mall.. Catch some Olive Garden on our way back..

A friend of mine said they go to Disney every year, and it runs about $1500-$2000.. Thats within our price range, now to just find the time..

Keep them ideas coming!

-Matthew

Lylabean

03-13-2006, 09:55 AM

Does anyone know if the children's museum is open in Biloxi(or is it gulfport?)? That's a cool place. we went with friends to a renaissance fair..although we were thinking it'd be more for adults(dumb us! heh) but we had a good time. I forget the name..something like Lynn Meadows Children's Museum?

I second the U.S.S Alabama battleship in Mobile, AL! that was fun to tour it.

Pensacola has some great attractions. we toured the fort on Pensacola Beach a few years back.

Sir Mickey Mouse

03-13-2006, 10:08 AM

Two things...

Amtrak runs two trains through South Mississippi. (Well, three if you count the Sunset Limited along the coast that isn't running due to Katrina). The Crescent goes from New Orleans through Hattiesburg and on to the east coast. The City of New Orleans runs from NOLA to Chicago. But, the nearest stop for that train is McComb or Brookhaven.

(Amtrak Tip) Expect some delays with their schedules right now. Amtrak shares freight lines in the South, so a lack of operating lines along the coast has increased traffic through lines open. The freight companies like Norfolk-Southern and Canadian National own the lines around here, so their trains obviously go first. Amtrak has to wait for their trains a lot. It's still very worth the trip on train. Just plan to make use of the time with plans to eat in the diner (steaks, burgers, salads, etc.) and take games and books. Amtrak also has electric power at each seat, so you can take along a laptop, portable DVD player, etc. and not worry about draining batteries.

As far as going to Geyser Falls water park near Philidelphia, there is no need to go all the way to Meridian on I-59 as suggested unless you prefer interstate travel. Go to Laurel, take Hwy. 15 (which is the 16th Ave. north exit). 16th Ave. becomes Hwy. 15 that goes through Bay Springs, Newton, and all the way to Philidelphia. Much quicker than going all the way to Meridian. But, keep in mind, Hwy. 15 is a 2-lane state highway. I don't mind it, but I know some do prefer interstate travel.

justme

03-13-2006, 10:19 AM

BTW, you can't go wrong with Disney. Of course, we're Disney fanatics, and go for weeks at a time. Soarin' is a great ride, and Expedition Everest is great too...

have you recently been? I thought the open date for Expedition Everst was April 7th. I have heard that it is open on a trial run now. I am going the last week of March and wanted to try to ride this ride while it was in preview mode. They mayhave shut down the preview mode by that time though. I am going with my 4 year old. He measured his height on Saturday- He is 43 3/4 inches tall. Withthe right tennis shoes we can ride all the rides together except Everst and the Rockin roller coaster. He is proud of how much he has grown in the past month and a half so that he can ride the big boy rides.

Conveyor Belt

03-13-2006, 11:14 AM

have you recently been? I thought the open date for Expedition Everst was April 7th. I have heard that it is open on a trial run now. I am going the last week of March and wanted to try to ride this ride while it was in preview mode. They mayhave shut down the preview mode by that time though. I am going with my 4 year old. He measured his height on Saturday- He is 43 3/4 inches tall. Withthe right tennis shoes we can ride all the rides together except Everst and the Rockin roller coaster. He is proud of how much he has grown in the past month and a half so that he can ride the big boy rides.

It was opened every day we went, and that was the first of Feburary. They had the fast pass running and everything. My wife said it's the most intense coaster at Disney. She rode it 3 times in a row. I asked a cast member if it was going to be opened tomorrow. She said she didn't know. So I asked her if it had been opened for the past week, every day, all day, and she said yes. They didn't have the photo-op working, but the gift shop is opened and my wife bought a tshirt and a toy for the boy.

The standby line was running about 70min, and that was during non-peak season. You'll be going during a peak period (spring break), and my stategy for you to ride this ride would be to get to Animal Kingdom before opening, and as soon as they open, hustle over to Asia, get fast passes for all passholders, and then either ride the ride, and then use the fast pass, or go to Kali River Rapids in Asia, use standby line for that, and then come back and ride Everest. One of the best rides in Animal Kingdom is called Primeval Whirl, in Chester and Hester's Dinorama. That ride is a laughing fun ride. It looks kinda stupid, but we had a blast.

Also, Buzz Lightyear has been revamped a bit in Tommorrowland, and is a blast to play... get there early and play until the line gets long.

My kid's 3, and I was suprised at how much he freaked out at things. We couldn't get him on Haunted Mansion. He loves trains, and wanted to ride Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, but he only rode it once before he was afraid. Then, he just wanted to watch us ride it.

I could go on and on... anything you want to know, just ask me....

IGID

03-13-2006, 11:23 AM

Mickey, I have to dissagree with you about the route to Geyser Falls. Hwy 15 is a two lane road all the way with red lights in each town. Distance wise, it may be shorter, but when you get behind grandma or a logging truck with no where to pass, it takes forever. It's much easier to go 75 or 80 on the interstate.

mikedabiker

03-16-2006, 07:44 PM

When i't warmer you can canoe the okatoma from seminary to sanford. just a short trip north on 49.

visit natchez and see all the old homes.

Waterfall at dun's falls near meridian is fun.

There's suppose to be several waterfalls south of Natchez in the lake mary area. Haven't been and don't know where they are though.

GET A HARLEY and leave the kids with the grand parents. LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL!!!!!!!!!

Lylabean

03-16-2006, 10:42 PM

Waterfall at dun's falls near meridian is fun.

I remember trying to go to Dunn's falls in high school. we got up there and the falls was turned off. can't remember if they did this on certain days or what or the circumstances for it. Might want to check to make sure they are open before making the trip.

talkizcheap

03-17-2006, 08:40 AM

SoMissTV

03-17-2006, 03:14 PM

A word of warning about AmTrak: Their schedule is restricted right now. They only run on Fri, Sat, and Sun until mid-April because of track maintenance. Additionally, the northbound train is nearly always on time ('cept the last time I rode it was four hours delayed), but the southbound train is a crapshoot. Because it's coming from NY, delays early on in the run can really tack on the time. I've never ridden the southbound leg on time. It's usually two hours late, but I've seen it be as late as eight or more. A ride to Laurel would be fun, especially if you just rode it up there and had someone else bring you back to the Burg. Also, not every car has electrical outlets by the seats. It depends on which train you get on. All lounge cars have electrical, though.

SoMiss(train riding)TV

CrackHead

03-18-2006, 10:51 PM

Come to CRACKHEADS for your 1 day vacation. I will send you on the best trip you've ever had and you don't even have to leave my living room.

Warning

Do not attend Crackheads vacations if you are allergic to latex. Side effects may include loss of memory, dizziness, cotton mouth, paranoia, heart attack, stroke, and in some cases, although rare, death.

sidelinetolong

03-21-2006, 11:06 AM

A long easy flot down the boga

sidelinetolong

03-21-2006, 11:11 AM

A long easy float down the Boga Chitto river You may also float down Magees creek. In a canoe or on a tube fun will be had by all.

wilebill

03-21-2006, 12:23 PM

There are actually a lot of good rivers and creeks to float down around here. S. MS is blessed with an abundance of good rivers to float.

Of course, most people think the Okatama, but I personally don't like it because it's usually way too crowded with people who don't have a clue how to canoe. You have to beware of them so you don't get in a wreck with them. The Okatoma's biggest claim to fame is the little falls that are in them and usually overturn the inexperienced people.

Black Creek is so much better than the Okatoma. It's usually not crowded and is easy going with a lot of wilderness all around you. There are several good places to put in/take out so you could do float trips from several hours to several days. If you want to take it further the Black Creek turns into the Pascagoula river and you could go all the way to the coast.

The upper Leaf River is one of my favorites. It's floatable all the way from around Taylorsville to the coast. If you put in N. of Moselle there is a little creek that dumps into the Leaf that has a great waterfall on it. Also in that area are some clay formation "mushrooms" that are really cool looking. That spot also has a great swimming hole. There are several trips on it that range from about half a day to several days. After you get past Hattiesburg and the Bouie joins up with it, it becomes very wide with lots of sandbars. It's so wide, though, that there's practically no shade on the river and sunburn is an issue.

The Bouie is another good river. If you want to go all the way to Hattiesburg or where it joins the Leaf, that low head dam there at the Glendale bridge is a trip to go through, if you have the gumption and skill to maneuver it. The bad side is that you have to paddle all the way through the gravel pits right before this bridge as there is practically no current. The Bouie is great because it's not too wide and has a pretty good current all the way down. Watch out for homeowners around Eatonville as they may shoot at you if you get off the river and onto their land. :smt070

The Bogue Homa is also a pretty good place to go. I've only been down it once or twice and don't remember a lot of details about it.

Other good canoeable rivers nearby are the Strong at D'Lo, Bogue Chitto near McComb, Magee's Creek at Tylertown, Chunky (which goes right by Dunn's Falls and is really a good river) near Meridian, and a few more I've probably forgotten about. There's also the Pearl River, if you don't mind sitting in the middle of a big river and turning into a beet from the sun.

fuzzis

03-21-2006, 12:56 PM

...if you don't mind sitting in the middle of a big river and turning into a beet from the sun.

Isn't that why they make sunscreen? :smt102

fuzzis

wilebill

03-21-2006, 02:02 PM

Isn't that why they make sunscreen? :smt102

fuzzis
Sunscreen is for wimps.

fuzzis

03-21-2006, 02:25 PM

Sunscreen is for wimps.

Or those with beautiful, supple skin.

:smt102 :p

fuzzis

CrackHead

03-21-2006, 07:53 PM

I never wear sunscreen. But that is mainly because I don't even get out of bed until the sun sets.

sidelinetolong

03-22-2006, 10:46 AM

the fun part about sunscreen is the application

Kitty

04-13-2006, 06:27 PM

Another possible vacation destination within reasonable driving distance is Lake Tiak O'Khata at Louisville, MS. LTOK is approximately 20 miles north of Philadelphia on Hwy. 15 (yes, it is a two-lane highway, but it is a good one in comparison to most). The lake is absolutely beautiful, with a nice swimming area (with diving boards and slides). The LTOK restaurant's food is delicious (they grow many of their vegetables), and on Friday nights they have a seafood buffet. The lodging options vary--bunkhouses for groups, motel accommodations, cabins, and RV hookups.

Do a web search for Lake Tiak O'Khata--they have a lot of information on their website, but for some reason I can't get the link to insert. :confused:

Another fun place to visit if you're heading to LTOK is Williams Brothers in Philadephia--it's a general store that has been in business for over 100 years. It's the only store around where you can buy bacon (sliced while you wait), horse collars, clothing, shoes, as well as Eli and Peyton Manning official NFL jerseys--all at the same checkout. The Mannings are the grandsons of the late Cooper Williams (which makes Archie the son-in-law), so it's neat to see all of the family snapshots taped up around the store.