U.S. Gulf Coast photo expedition?

I'm thinking I should head south to beat the winter blahs and make some photos. I'm interested in architecture, and man-made structures of most any kind, interior and/or exterior. Does anyone have ideas or specific knowledge about those types of subject in the Gulf Coast areas of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and Florida? Any suggestions for this trip are welcome.

If you make it to New Orleans, make sure to check out the cemetaries. All the tombs are above ground, and some are quite elaborate, making for great photography. Metairie Cemetary is my favorite. Just be sure to call or check in at the office ahead of time, and they will give you permission. Audubon park and City park, also in N.O., have some very large and sprawling live oaks, and are not too far from all the cemetaries on Metairie Road. Have a fun trip!

Fort Barrancas on the Naval Air Station in Pensacola is rather interesting (inside), as is what's left of Fort Pickens across the bay.

One answer, Savannah Ga. I just came back from the Gulf Coast before Thanksgiving. I spent part of a day in Savannah. A person could spend a month there shooting architecture. Neat place if you haven't been there.

There are plenty of architecture to shoot along the Gulf Coast. Around Mobile Bay there are two Civil War forts, Fort Morgan and Fort Gaines. Malbis plantation has a Greek Orthodox church that is out of this world. In the city of Mobile there are a lot 19th century homes. From New Orleans and surrounding areas are plenty of plantation homes. St. Francesville about 30 miles north of Baton Rouge is surrounded by plantation homes. There are admission charges to these and you may have to inquire about LF interior photography at each. I live in Mobile so shoot me an email if you get a chance. Be happy to be of service if you need any help. Have fun.

From east to west on the Mississippi coast:

Pascagoula is home to Ingalls shipyard (where the USS Cole was rebuilt) and offshore oil rig manufacturers.

Downtown Ocean Springs is lovely. Take Washington Ave. south from US90. Great Rexall drug store, oak limbs overhanging the street, a nice church just to the west, and the harbor at the south end. Govenment St. runs west off of Washington and has the old high school building. Back on 90, west of Washington is the Master Grill resturant (pretty good food) that is 50's cool inside and out. Speaking of food, the Cornerstone Deli has wonderful oysters.

The old Ocean Springs Biloxi bridge is now a fishing pier, and offers a view of the CSX railroad swing span bridge.

The beach in Biloxi and Gulfport has pretty much been paved over by Casinos. The old cast iron Biloxi lighthouse is on 90. Also on 90, is the nicely restored Broadwater hotel. North from 90, downtown Biloxi has quite a bit to offer, just wander around from Main, Porter, and Division (this is a pretty bad neighborhood, though). Do not try the gates of Keesler AFB unless you diver's license and tags are in first class order. Even then you won't get in. Back on 90, Beauvoir is the last home of Jefferson Davis with tours and heaps of dixie. On Pass Rd. at the far west end of Biloxi is a nice Presbyterian church. Debuys Rd. has the only barbeque on the coast.

Gulfport has a nice mission style VA facility on 90(not sure about access) and many lovely homes. As with Biloxi, most stuff of interest is north of 90. The Amtrak station (right around 25th Ave. (US 49) and 16th St. is interesting with a rail crossing at grade. West off of 25th (i forget exactly where but south of the CSX is the restored office of the old Gulf and Ship Island railroad. The area around 30th Ave. is another bad neighborhood with interesting buildings.

Long Beach is pretty (if a bit bland) along 90. Lil Ray's on Jeff Davis has good seafood. The area around the Long Beach Pass Christian line has some pretty cool older buildings on 90. Just east of the Bay St. Louis bridge is a campy little craft store.

Downtown Bay St. Louis (south of 90) is very nice, worthy of a day's shoot. Finally, way out west of Waveland is the giant alligator sign for a failed Casino.

Alas, the weather on the coast may not be as warm as you might hope this time of year, but I suppose that's relative. You will NEVER get the pronounciation of the streets and some cities right, so just give up.

Good shooting.

-J

Oops, the Master Grill is east of Washington.

As is government St.

Stay out of the casinos in Mississippi. Or your trip will be severely shortened. Just a tip from you uncle Lee who knows of which he speaks.

leec

Wow! Thanks to all of you who have replied, and if there's more keep it coming. "Warm weather" IS relative, and I promise to stay out of the casinos.