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Started By
Message
re: Planning a trip to most of the South
Posted on 3/28/16 at 10:19 am to Forkbeard3777
Posted on 3/28/16 at 10:19 am to Forkbeard3777
0
Posted on 3/28/16 at 10:25 am to DingLeeBerry
quote:
If you don't mind a leisurely drive, the Natchez Trace might interest you.
Leisurely is one way to put it. I bought a car in Florence, AL a few months ago and drove on the Natchez Trace for a bit. The speed limit is not to be ignored. And if the weather is nice it's jammed with cyclists. Really pretty though!
RE your time in Louisiana: If you're coming from the East on I-10, do a night in New Orleans and then hit up Plantation Alley to see Oak Alley, Houma's House, and some others. I don't think a tour of The South is complete without seeing some of that. I'd try to find some similar destinations in the Mississippi Delta too.
Posted on 3/28/16 at 10:29 am to Forkbeard3777
14-18 day vacation? Dang, I wish I could do that 
The only states I can speak to with expertise is GA, SC, and NC as I've traveled pretty extensively in all 3 states.
Georgia:
Consider visiting...
-Athens: I know I'm biased, but it really is a great town to visit. UGA. a lot of great craft breweries popping up. Great restaurants. Awesome music scene. Good shopping.
-Savannah: Just a solid southern city with a lot of history and good scenery. Stay away from the touristy River Street areas. If you're looking a day on the beach, stay on Tybee Island.
-Atlanta: The thing about Atlanta is that you probably need to stay for at least a couple of days to really "get it." There's CNN, the Coca-Cola museum, and a ton of other stuff to do. The thing is that it's all stuff that really isn't all that interesting on their own. You have to experience the "buffet" of things to do in Atlanta to really appreciate it. Traffic sucks something horrible. Don't enter or leave Atlanta on a weekday morning or afternoon.
-I would recommend some places in the Blue Ridge area of Georgia (Blue Ridge, Ellijay...) but since ya'll are checking out the rest of the South, you'll be able to get your "mountain fix" better in North Carolina, Tennessee, etc.
Don't worry about...
Macon: If ya'll are big Allman Brothers fans, then I guess it might be worth it to ya'll. However, Macon is just a generally un-noteworthy city.
Augusta: If you love golf, than it might be worth it to check out Augusta National. Otherwise, that's about all there is in Augusta.
South Carolina:
Consider visiting...
Charleston - A must do. Savannah's coastal counterpart, but trust me...they are VERY different cities.
Beaufort - About halfway between Charleston and Savannah. A smaller coastal town that is very scenic. Great town to stay at one their famous bed and breakfasts.
Greenville - A town that's been up and coming. The downtown area has really gotten a face lift in the past decade or so, and it worth checking out. Make sure to see Falls park.
Don't worry about...
Columbia - Kinda like Macon, GA. Just not that interesting.
Hilton Head or Myrtle Beach - While I might recommend either for a week at the beach, if the intent of your trip is to see as many cool places in the south as possible, I would recommend skipping these.
North Carolina:
Consider visiting...
Charlotte - I lived and worked there for about a year. I call it "a smaller and cleaner Atlanta." Great energy. Lots of green space. Very clean downtown ("uptown").
Asheville - Just a very cool mountain town. It is very hipster artsy. Has lots a breweries and eating/drinking venues. Biltmore estate is pretty cool. Go to French Broad chocolate cafe for dessert. Also be sure to check out Black Mountain, which is a small town nearby.
- Blue Ridge parkway - Not really any one town to pinpoint, but be sure you hop on the Blue Ridge parkway at some point. Incredible scenic drive.
Don't worry about...
Durham - In my opinion, the whole research triangle is cool (especially Chapel Hill) but Durham was very disappointing to me. Wished I would've skipped it when I visited the area and spent more time in Raleigh.
The only states I can speak to with expertise is GA, SC, and NC as I've traveled pretty extensively in all 3 states.
Georgia:
Consider visiting...
-Athens: I know I'm biased, but it really is a great town to visit. UGA. a lot of great craft breweries popping up. Great restaurants. Awesome music scene. Good shopping.
-Savannah: Just a solid southern city with a lot of history and good scenery. Stay away from the touristy River Street areas. If you're looking a day on the beach, stay on Tybee Island.
-Atlanta: The thing about Atlanta is that you probably need to stay for at least a couple of days to really "get it." There's CNN, the Coca-Cola museum, and a ton of other stuff to do. The thing is that it's all stuff that really isn't all that interesting on their own. You have to experience the "buffet" of things to do in Atlanta to really appreciate it. Traffic sucks something horrible. Don't enter or leave Atlanta on a weekday morning or afternoon.
-I would recommend some places in the Blue Ridge area of Georgia (Blue Ridge, Ellijay...) but since ya'll are checking out the rest of the South, you'll be able to get your "mountain fix" better in North Carolina, Tennessee, etc.
Don't worry about...
Macon: If ya'll are big Allman Brothers fans, then I guess it might be worth it to ya'll. However, Macon is just a generally un-noteworthy city.
Augusta: If you love golf, than it might be worth it to check out Augusta National. Otherwise, that's about all there is in Augusta.
South Carolina:
Consider visiting...
Charleston - A must do. Savannah's coastal counterpart, but trust me...they are VERY different cities.
Beaufort - About halfway between Charleston and Savannah. A smaller coastal town that is very scenic. Great town to stay at one their famous bed and breakfasts.
Greenville - A town that's been up and coming. The downtown area has really gotten a face lift in the past decade or so, and it worth checking out. Make sure to see Falls park.
Don't worry about...
Columbia - Kinda like Macon, GA. Just not that interesting.
Hilton Head or Myrtle Beach - While I might recommend either for a week at the beach, if the intent of your trip is to see as many cool places in the south as possible, I would recommend skipping these.
North Carolina:
Consider visiting...
Charlotte - I lived and worked there for about a year. I call it "a smaller and cleaner Atlanta." Great energy. Lots of green space. Very clean downtown ("uptown").
Asheville - Just a very cool mountain town. It is very hipster artsy. Has lots a breweries and eating/drinking venues. Biltmore estate is pretty cool. Go to French Broad chocolate cafe for dessert. Also be sure to check out Black Mountain, which is a small town nearby.
- Blue Ridge parkway - Not really any one town to pinpoint, but be sure you hop on the Blue Ridge parkway at some point. Incredible scenic drive.
Don't worry about...
Durham - In my opinion, the whole research triangle is cool (especially Chapel Hill) but Durham was very disappointing to me. Wished I would've skipped it when I visited the area and spent more time in Raleigh.
This post was edited on 3/28/16 at 10:31 am
Posted on 3/28/16 at 10:30 am to GaryMyMan
quote:
. I bought a car in Florence, AL a few months ago
Florence isn't a bad town to check out.
Posted on 3/28/16 at 10:32 am to UGATiger26
quote:
Charleston - A must do. Savannah's coastal counterpart, but trust me...they are VERY different cities.
Savannah and Charleston are on our most sees. In what ways are they very different?
Thinks for the write up.
Posted on 3/28/16 at 10:37 am to Forkbeard3777
quote:
Savannah and Charleston are on our most sees. In what ways are they very different?
Savannah has a more riverboat, slow southern drawl kind of feel...
Charleston has a more aristocratic, seersucker, and mint-juleps kind of feel...
Posted on 3/28/16 at 10:40 am to Forkbeard3777
History lover?
Posted on 3/28/16 at 10:41 am to UGATiger26
quote:
Louisiana: New Orleans? Baton Rouge?
Between BR on the way to NO there are pleny of Historic Plantation homes to visit.
Personal favorites are Houmas House and Nottoway.
Posted on 3/28/16 at 10:49 am to Forkbeard3777
Personnally i would skip BR, except maybe to stop at LSU and get pic with tiger outside stadium. New Orleans, of course, 2 days and then I would go spend 2 days in cajun land around Lafayette. Go to the original restaurant in Henderson, and to Di's south of Basil on cajun dancing nights.
Posted on 3/28/16 at 10:49 am to Forkbeard3777
Best time is April. Lots of good festivals.
Also, I'd add Lafayette/Acadiana to the list for Louisiana
ETA: If you're in Biloxi then take Hwy 90 from there to Nola, its a cool drive.
Also, I'd add Lafayette/Acadiana to the list for Louisiana
ETA: If you're in Biloxi then take Hwy 90 from there to Nola, its a cool drive.
This post was edited on 3/28/16 at 10:58 am
Posted on 3/28/16 at 10:50 am to Black n Gold
Try to schedule your stop in Nola around Mardi Gras.
Posted on 3/28/16 at 11:42 am to Forkbeard3777
I think you could take a month and still not see everything you want to on that sort of a southern swing.
What are you into? If you are into history, there are tons of it - multiple Civil War and Revolutionary War sites in Virginia, the Carolinas, Georgia, Tennessee and Mississippi.
If you are going to hit Charleston and Savannah, go mid to late March or very early April to see the azaleas and camellias in bloom.
Starting in Virginia I would suggest Skyline Drive through Shenandoah National Park. It should connect with Blue Ridge Parkway and bring you through North Carolina and Tennessee. Ashville is nice, but if you have time, check out Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Absolutely beautiful, and free. From the west NC/east TN area, take I26 through Columbia and into Charleston. Visit at least one of the old plantations - we prefer Magnolia, but Boone Hall and Middleton are amazing as well. Also check out the houses at the tip of the peninsula (The Battery). You can also go out to Ft. Sumter.
From Charleston, head down the coast on US 17. You can stop in Beaufort and even make a side trip to Parris Island - there is a small museum there.
Stay on 17 until you get to Savannah. From Savannah, take I-16 to Macon, I-75 to Atlanta and up to Chattanooga. Take I-24 to Nashville. So many cool things in Nashville. The Johnny Cash museum is top notch, maybe even better that the Country Music Hall of Fame/Museum. I have also heard good things about the George Jones museum, but have not been there myself. Stop at the Ryman and at least take the self-guided tour.
From Nashville, jump on Natchez Trace Parkway and follow it southwest to Mississippi. Either follow the Parkway all the way to Natchez or take I-20 to Vicksburg and then take US 61 south to Natchez. From there, follow 61 south to Baton Rouge and then catch I-10 to NOLA.
What are you into? If you are into history, there are tons of it - multiple Civil War and Revolutionary War sites in Virginia, the Carolinas, Georgia, Tennessee and Mississippi.
If you are going to hit Charleston and Savannah, go mid to late March or very early April to see the azaleas and camellias in bloom.
Starting in Virginia I would suggest Skyline Drive through Shenandoah National Park. It should connect with Blue Ridge Parkway and bring you through North Carolina and Tennessee. Ashville is nice, but if you have time, check out Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Absolutely beautiful, and free. From the west NC/east TN area, take I26 through Columbia and into Charleston. Visit at least one of the old plantations - we prefer Magnolia, but Boone Hall and Middleton are amazing as well. Also check out the houses at the tip of the peninsula (The Battery). You can also go out to Ft. Sumter.
From Charleston, head down the coast on US 17. You can stop in Beaufort and even make a side trip to Parris Island - there is a small museum there.
Stay on 17 until you get to Savannah. From Savannah, take I-16 to Macon, I-75 to Atlanta and up to Chattanooga. Take I-24 to Nashville. So many cool things in Nashville. The Johnny Cash museum is top notch, maybe even better that the Country Music Hall of Fame/Museum. I have also heard good things about the George Jones museum, but have not been there myself. Stop at the Ryman and at least take the self-guided tour.
From Nashville, jump on Natchez Trace Parkway and follow it southwest to Mississippi. Either follow the Parkway all the way to Natchez or take I-20 to Vicksburg and then take US 61 south to Natchez. From there, follow 61 south to Baton Rouge and then catch I-10 to NOLA.
Posted on 3/28/16 at 11:54 am to Forkbeard3777
East to West though Louisiana (Coming from Mobile?)
**Prior to departure post here again with your timeline, as it is festival season in the Spring so if it works out it be worth stopping to catch one**
Initially stay on I-12 (Vs. I-10W New Orleans) and hit Abita Springs (Brewery Tour, Brewpub, Mystery house), hang out there a few hours.
Leave there and head South to NOLA on the Causeway (World's longest bridge) - it's a good random thing to check off the experience list if you're on a long road trip.
Plan on doing NOLA for 2 nights minimum. You can figure out plenty to do.
If you leave NOLA heading West on I-10 you'll drive through Baton Rouge. Stop at Houmas House Plantation (about half way).
BR itself is probably worth a day trip since you're driving through (or stuck in traffic so you might as well get out of the car). Go say hi to Mike at LSU and walk around some of the historical sights downtown. You can either spend that night in BR or drive out to Lafayette.
The next day head out to Lafayette/Acadiana and grab a swamp tour and some Cajun.
**Prior to departure post here again with your timeline, as it is festival season in the Spring so if it works out it be worth stopping to catch one**
Initially stay on I-12 (Vs. I-10W New Orleans) and hit Abita Springs (Brewery Tour, Brewpub, Mystery house), hang out there a few hours.
Leave there and head South to NOLA on the Causeway (World's longest bridge) - it's a good random thing to check off the experience list if you're on a long road trip.
Plan on doing NOLA for 2 nights minimum. You can figure out plenty to do.
If you leave NOLA heading West on I-10 you'll drive through Baton Rouge. Stop at Houmas House Plantation (about half way).
BR itself is probably worth a day trip since you're driving through (or stuck in traffic so you might as well get out of the car). Go say hi to Mike at LSU and walk around some of the historical sights downtown. You can either spend that night in BR or drive out to Lafayette.
The next day head out to Lafayette/Acadiana and grab a swamp tour and some Cajun.
Posted on 3/28/16 at 12:07 pm to Forkbeard3777
Chicago -> Chartlottesville -> Richmond -> Jamestown -> Raleigh -> Asheville -> Charleston -> Savannah -> Atlanta -> Birmingham -> New Orleans -> Lafayette -> Oxford -> Memphis -> Nashville -> Chicago
By doing this, youll also go through or near: BR, Columbia, Macon, Durham, and other shite
You wont have time to waste in places like:
jackson, montgomery, mobile, biloxi, greenville, etc.
Charlotte is cool but it is just a nice big city, youll have to skip some things and i think this is a good one to skip. Gatlinurg is a tourist down for a several day vacation, you dont need to go there on this trip.
By doing this, youll also go through or near: BR, Columbia, Macon, Durham, and other shite
You wont have time to waste in places like:
jackson, montgomery, mobile, biloxi, greenville, etc.
Charlotte is cool but it is just a nice big city, youll have to skip some things and i think this is a good one to skip. Gatlinurg is a tourist down for a several day vacation, you dont need to go there on this trip.
This post was edited on 3/28/16 at 12:11 pm
Posted on 3/28/16 at 12:33 pm to UGATiger26
quote:
-Athens: I know I'm biased, but it really is a great town to visit
I agree. If you are into craft beer, Terrapin and Creature Comforts are great to visit.
quote:
Savannah: Just a solid southern city with a lot of history and good scenery. Stay away from the touristy River Street areas. If you're looking a day on the beach, stay on Tybee Island.
I live in Sav half time, and I love it. I disagree about River Street. Stay away from the tourist shops, but grabbing a beer or drink and walking along the river while the ships go by is a great time. Or go to Rocks on the Roof or Cotton Sail and have a drink on their rooftop bars while the sun sets under the bridge.
quote:
-Atlanta
I live my other half time here. It is not a destination to me, but as your trip gets closer, hit us up with ideas that would match your likes. I love going to Stone Mountain and hiking to the top. View is great.
quote:
Macon:
Crap hole, but if you go, get a hot dog at NuWay.
quote:
Augusta
Craphole #2, but getting better. I don't think you can see Augusta National so pass on by.
quote:
I would recommend some places in the Blue Ridge area of Georgia (Blue Ridge, Ellijay...) but since ya'll are checking out the rest of the South, you'll be able to get your "mountain fix" better in North Carolina, Tennessee, etc.
solid advice
My two cents about other things:
Montgomery- makes Macon look wonderful.
Charlotte-a smaller Atlanta. Just a city.
Baton Rouge-Unless you want to see LSU, in particular, it's not a destination.
NOLA- a must
Birmingham-meh
Columbia-meh (like BR)
Posted on 3/28/16 at 12:56 pm to Forkbeard3777
quote:
Mississippi:
Never been so I can't comment, but something you might be interested in.
Shack Up Inn
TripAdvisor
quote:
Shack Up Inn
4.5 of 5 stars (855 Reviews)
Posted on 3/28/16 at 12:56 pm to Tigertown in ATL
quote:
I live in Sav half time, and I love it. I disagree about River Street. Stay away from the tourist shops, but grabbing a beer or drink and walking along the river while the ships go by is a great time.
Yeah, what I said probably didn't come out right. I didn't mean avoid River Street completely. I meant more to avoid the touristy restaurants there that specialize in serving average (at best) fried seafood and market themselves as THE place to eat in Savannah. Kinda like Hyman's in Charleston.
There are some good restaurants on River Street but most of the good eating is found farther from the river.
This post was edited on 3/28/16 at 12:58 pm
Posted on 3/28/16 at 1:04 pm to Forkbeard3777
quote:
Virginia:
Little Washington in Virginia is really neat. If you are the fine dining type I highly recommend eating at the Inn at Little Washington. I've only taken a tour of the place...didn't have time to eat there.
Posted on 3/28/16 at 1:19 pm to Forkbeard3777
was in Virginia last summer. Get he Historic triangle Pass, gets you Jamestown, Williamsburg and Yorktown. If you are into history that covers a lot, plus there are some regular tourist things to do. In Yorktown we did an evening cruise on a three-mast schooner.
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