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I'd like some help with planning a big road trip across the southern states. I'm looking at something like this Starting and ending at New Orleans, since that's the place I'm looking at spending the maximum time. Our main interests are getting to experience local culture (food & music mainly) and photography. Length of the trip doesn't really matter but I'm thinking 2-3 weeks. So first of all, is this worth doing? Is there enough diversity and interesting experiences to be had to drive around instead of just staying in New Orleans for a week? And if it is, is there anything I should skip or look at adding to the route? If anyone has specific recommendations on places to visit in these towns, I'd appreciate it a lot!
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Nov 18, 2016 07:27
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| # ? May 2, 2024 04:29 |
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I've basically done this a bunch, have family all over the south. I'd spend more time in New Orleans and cut out Mobile, north Florida, and Savannah/Charleston. Instead of going to Natchez I'd go to Clarksdale in the ms delta (go to Red's Lounge). Cut out that whole eastern loop and head straight between NOLA and Atlanta. North Georgia is beautiful and I'd recommend a detour to the tallulah falls area. Go to Sun Studio in Memphis. I find Beale Street to be kind of sad but theres some cool places. NOLA rules and you wont regret spending more time there. But yeah, there is nothing appealing in Mobile and north Florida (unless youre going to lay on a beach) and not wasting time there is probably best. Sheng-Ji Yang fucked around with this message at 09:20 on Nov 18, 2016 |
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Nov 18, 2016 09:17
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I agree with SY with most everything there. If it were me, I'd do NO (5-7 days), Clarksdale (1), Memphis (1), Nashville(2), Asheville (2-3), then cut through the mountains and stay at Tallulah Falls or Highlands, NC (1) or something like that. I lived near there til last year and there's some beautiful spots. Lots of photography there. Then come out of the mountains into Chattanooga (1). I really like the downtown there. Then back to NO. I've heard that Birmingham has a good area for music, but I've never experienced it myself. Savannah and Charleston are great, but I'd do that on another trip sometime and focus on those like you're focusing on NO.
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Nov 19, 2016 05:01
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Thanks, that helps! Any opinions on the north side of the mountains? Gatlinburg looks attractive on the way from Nashville to Asheville
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Nov 19, 2016 08:13
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I never stayed in Gatlinburg but my understanding is that it is really touristy. There are some pretty areas coming over the mountains to Asheville though. Actually depending on when you go, there is a big hotel/casino in Cherokee NC that has music acts come through.
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Nov 19, 2016 15:05
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Sheng-ji Yang posted:
I beg to differ. North Florida has thousands of freshwater springs. They're similar to cenotes in Mexico, but it's fair to say that they represent a unique kind of limestone geology not seen anywhere else in the world. Here's one right along your route, Cypress Spring:  Here's a blog post I wrote on one of my favorites, Blue Hole (in Ichetucknee state park) http://www.geoideas.net/2014/10/06/1346/ Here's a pretty basic map of them, though there are hundreds more along the route you have planned: http://www.floridasprings.org/visit/map/
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Nov 21, 2016 21:58
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I can speak to Memphis, having lived here for 5 years now. Touristy-but-you-must-do-it stuff includes Sun Studios for sure. It's cheap and doesn't take too long. I'd skip Graceland unless you're a big Elvis fan. It's expensive and a money trap, and not really close to anything else. Beale Street is only a few blocks long, stop in to Alfred's for some good live music. The Peabody Hotel is pretty cool, sit in the lobby bar and have a drink, try to catch the march of the ducks (they march down in the morning and back up at night). The real reason to hit up Memphis is BBQ. I'd skip Rendezvous, it's touristy and no one's favorite, but it's been around forever. Central BBQ is the go-to recommendation; there's even a location downtown. If you're feeling more willing to go off the beaten path, Payne's is the best I've had in Memphis. If you don't want BBQ, go to Ernestine & Hazel's and get a soul burger.
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Nov 25, 2016 17:02
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I'm thinking of doing something similar to this. What's the rationale behind cutting out Savannah and Charleston? edit: Also, if one wanted to see a high school football game (because they like Friday Night Lights) how is that done? Is there a schedule somewhere and how do you buy tickets? Per fucked around with this message at 20:57 on Dec 4, 2016 |
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Dec 4, 2016 20:55
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Charleston and Savannah are definitely worthwhile destinations, but that's a ton of driving. Savannah is probably one of my favorite southern cities, honestly. As far as high school football games, you just show up. If there's admission you pay at the gate when you get there. Schedules can be found online. Google "high school football Nashville TN" or whatever and you should be able to find their schedule. Try to find whatever game is the highlight of the week for the local paper because talent levels in high school can vary wildly. You don't want to watch a powerhouse team blow out the doormat 52-3.
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Dec 4, 2016 21:40
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| # ? May 2, 2024 04:29 |
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When you get to Mobile check out the USS Alabama museum. There is a battelship that served in WWII you can walk around on and a bunch of planes and tanks you can look at / climb on. It's right off the expressway. http://www.ussalabama.com/
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Dec 7, 2016 00:40
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