september / october 2022
10 are we there yet ?
The Inn at Houmas House . Photo credit : Larry Holloway Photography .
creativity , and don ’ t forget a visit to the East Tennessee History Center to learn about the people and places that made this region what it is today . All this plus an incredible historic and walkable downtown full of 90 + restaurants , shops , murals , and more . You ’ re sure to full in love with Knoxville , a-nature-loving-adventure-seeking-artsy-kinda-town !
Here are a few lodging options to try . North – Holiday Inn Knoxville N Merchant Drive , 5634 Merchants Center Boulevard East ( Strawberry Plains ) – Holiday Inn Express Knoxville Strawberry Plains , 730 Rufus Graham Road / Hampton Inn Knoxville East , 7445 Sawyer Lane
West ( Bearden / Papermill ) – Hilton Garden Inn Knoxville Papermill , 6200 Papermill Drive / Courtyard by Marriott Knoxville West Bearden , 250 Brookview Centre Way
West ( Cedar Bluff ) – Embassy Suites by Hilton Knoxville West , 9621 Parkside Drive / Holiday Inn Knoxville West Cedar Bluff , 9134 Executive Park Drive
West ( Farragut / Turkey Creek ) – Hampton Inn & Suites Turkey Creek , 11340 Campbell Lakes Drive . www . visitknoxville . com
Baton Rouge – Home of the LSU Tigers – November 5 , 2022
Head downtown ( which is less than 10 minutes for LSU ’ s stadium ) and stop by the country ’ s tallest state capitol building standing at 450 feet with 34 floors . Be sure to head to the 27th floor observation deck where you ’ ll be able to see an unbelievable view of Louisiana ’ s Capital City . The USS KIDD Veterans Museum is a downtown favorite among families and friends since it ’ s located on the Mississippi River . If the kids are in the mood to play , you can ’ t go wrong with visiting the Knock Knock Children ’ s Museum . When you ’ re done , be sure to walk the riverfront and the LSU Lakes at sunset . After exploring , we ’ re sure you ’ ll be hungry ! Check out local favorites The Chimes which is located right on LSU ’ s campus , or City Slice which is a few steps away for slices of pizza . If you want to venture out a few minutes from the campus , stop by
The Overpass Merchant or Jubans Restaurant to endure in Southern cuisine like no other . If you ’ re up for dessert afterwards , Gail ’ s Fine Ice Cream is the way to go . www . visitbatonrouge . com Feature Lodging : The Inn at Houmas House : Traveling I-10 West towards Baton Rouge , Take exit 182 towards Darrow , Louisiana . Located on the grounds of Houmas Historic Estate and Gardens , this gem is located approximately 30 miles from Baton Rouge . The Inn at Houmas House consists of cottages nestled along an alley of ancient oak trees along the Mississippi River . Designed in the Creole-style , visitors enjoy rocking on the porches or meandering along the magnificent 38 acres of gardens . A tour of Houmas House mansion and a buffet breakfast at the Dixieland Café for two is included . For romance , select the most luxurious suite — room D2 ; families will enjoy the Double Queen Room . www . houmashouse . com / the-inn /
Film producers left Hollywood for Houmas House in 1964 to film the Classic Hush Hush Sweet Charlotte . The Green Book was also filmed in part at Houmas House . A must-see for history buffs is the Great River Road Museum — just steps from the Inn . Visitors can get a glimpse into the history along the Mighty Mississippi from Baton Rouge to New Orleans . The three restaurants on-property have been voted some of the top places to dine in the country . The Carriage House is elegant , and the chicken and andouille gumbo is amazing . www . houmashouse . com 225-473-9380
Oxford Mississippi – Home of the Ole Miss Rebels – November 12 , 2022
Oxford , MS welcomes visitors with quintessential southern charm and big city vibes . Home to the University of Mississippi , Oxford has been touted as the “ Cultural Mecca of the South ” evidenced by multiple James Beard Award-winning chefs , one-of-a-kind shopping and a vivacious atmosphere .
Whether it ’ s an afternoon or a night game , there are plenty of local and delicious options to fuel your school spirit , all conveniently located in the downtown Square — about a mile from campus . For brunch , look no further than the original Big Bad Breakfast for southern breakfast and lunch favorites such as from-scratch biscuits , famous custom-cured meats and signature skillet dishes . The lunch crowd shouldn ’ t miss a trip to South Depot Taco Shop , Proud Larry ’ s or Funky ’ s to set a solid foundation for your tailgating activities . For a bit of Southern flair , don ’ t miss Ajax Diner or Bouré . If you ’ re looking for an upscale dining experience , try James Beard Award-winning City Grocery , Saint Leo or McEwen ’ s . For lodging options , most hotels fill up as soon as the schedule is announced . For the most accurate information , the Visit Oxford office suggests calling the individual hotels directly rather than relying on third-party sites for reservations . Hotels such as the Graduate Oxford and the Courtyard by Marriott are located within walking distance to campus and may have some last-minute bookings available . www . visitoxfordms . com