FL-AL-GA-FL Trip, Any suggestions???

Hi Everyone,
I'll be attending a business meeting in New Orleans in a couple weeks. After talking with a few friends we decided to make a trip out of it. Does anyone have any suggestions for good roads, good food, and things to see? We will be leaving the New Orleans area on Friday and returning to the Tampa, FL area on Sunday evening.
BTW, I'll check with the hotel on parking, but any suggestions for parking in New Orleans?
Thanks,
Joe
'01 1150GS

If you have the time and haven't been ,go to Barber Motorsports Museum. It's in Birmingham Alabama , well worth the side trip !

How is I-10 going into Louisiana? Is it still hurricane damaged or good all the way through?
I've been to Barber Motorsports park, but that is a good suggestion. I might just have to head back up that way before returning home.
Any hurricane damaged roads to watch for? (like I-10 or Lake Pontchartrain Causeway)

Lake Pontchartrain Causeway is fine But I prefer Bourbon Street

I need to check with the hotel about parking. Should be pretty secure, right???
I'll be roughing it at the Hotel Monteleone...

I agree with Zippy

Barbers is a must see, but plan on spending a 1/2 day at least.
Ride east from Barbers and up into Cheaha State Park. Highest point in Al. and very nice rollor coster roads throught the forest. Ribbons on asphalt lift and fall beneath you as you make your way to the top.
I haven't been here, but I've seen pictures of Desoto St park NE of Cheaha. Looks like a nice portion to ride.
If you head south from there take 49 south thru the middle of Alabama. Cross into Ga. at Eufuala Alabama and continue back South to Florida.
If you have longer, make your way into N.Georgia or western NC.
Have fun.
Bert

A nice ride from NO would be the River RD from Kenner into St Charles Parish, St James Parish, and St John Parish. Lots of old plantations and sights along the Mississippi River. If time allows, the Donaldson Bridge area is really nice. Go up on the East Bank side and return on the West Bank.
This could easily be a day ride from NO.
Enjoy yourself.

TC

(1) If you are camping along the way, Frank Jackson state park is good spot in southern Alabama with lots of backroads all around it. Camp in the very first spot, down the little hill from the picnic table on the lake edge. During my visit a few weeks ago, yours truly set up the firepit near the water with flat log seats -- you are welcome!

The park: http://www.alapark.com/parks/park.cfm?parkid=17

For firewood, there are 2 large downed tree piles up the hill a bit (hunt around, you'll find them). There are lots of good size logs laying around on the island, but that is a trek from the camp spot, so I used the GS as a log hauler from there (just do it at night if you ride over the wooden walkway bridge).

(2) Route 98 from Perry to Mexico Beach is a nice coastal route;

(3) In FL, St. George Island and St. Joseph state parks have the best beaches and primitive camping if you are willing to walk in a ways;

(4) New Orleans is damn depressing to ride around (just leave french quarter and see), as if they should just close the whole area down and make it one big garbage dump for the rest of the Southeast.

(5) I-10 is fine but I'd stay off the highways if you can, plenty of backroads along the way.

(6) Highway 90 from Bay St. Louis to New Olreans is an interesting ride in/out of the city instead of I-10 -- do that leg! However, the long coastal route Highway 90 along Ala. and much of Miss. is not only slow with lots of towns and not a good ride, but there are multiple bridges out along the way still, such that you have to sidetrack back to I-10 multiple times. For much of Ala. and Miss., I'd pick backroads north of I-10.

Enjoy!

I've parked at Harrah's for days...

Just get your ticket validated when leaving the casino

Great suggestions!
I really appreciate the local info, I'm looking forward to this 'business' trip!
The less highways travelled the better. I wasn't planning on using a highway until I reached I-10. If time allows I will definitely jump on and off I-10 while heading West.
Thanks again-Keep the ideas coming,
Joe