palmtree2384

My husband and I are flying from Portland, Oregon to New Orleans. Starting our road trip from New Orleans and through Mississippi, Alabama around both sides of Florida and up to Atlanta. I don't know if we'll get back there again or not, so my question would be, is there something along this path that is a must see? must do? must eat?. We are mid-50s. Love BBQ, sports, some historical things, touristy things, etc.... Mostly asking for New Orleans, Orlando, Tampa, Miami and Atlanta. Anywhere else we'll only be there overnight. We already have all hotels booked so just asking as far as things to do/see?

dwdvagamundo

It would be helpful to know a night-by-night itinerary.

Gretchen

Well, maybe too late now but Charleston and Savannah would be nice additions--maybe preferable to Florida or Alabama, but... as is said often, it is your trip.
Don't miss Montgomery and the Civil Rights memorial there by Maya Lin.
Birmingham--Frank Stitt's restaurants, principally Highlands Grill.

BigRuss

<<It would be helpful to know a night-by-night itinerary.>>

Trip plan and WHEN ARE YOU GOING would help.

Thinking that most of the major-ish cities on your list will have resources that will tell you what's on there when you will be there . . .

palmtree2384

We leave April 24th for New Orleans. We will be in N.O. for four nights. Then we will be driving across the southern part of Alabama and Mississippi and just staying the night in Tallahassee. Then we will be in Orlando for three nights. Then off to Tampa for two nights. Miami for two nights. Then one night in Jacksonville. Then Atlanta for three nights. A couple of things we are thinking about: would a tour through the everglades be a fun thing? Also, wondering if we're in Orlando without kids what would be the most fun park to go to? While we're in Tampa we are thinking about going over to Sanibel island? Any ideas for us, also need lots of ideas on restaurants??

NewbE

Sanibel is about 2/12 hours south of Tampa...

BigRuss

Without kids - if you want thrill rides, not Disney. Probably the Universal Islands of Adventure, but the Floridians would know better.

New Orleans Jazz Fest is on when you're there.

As for sports, the cities' various team websites will tell you who's where and when if you want to take in a game. Your easiest endeavor would be baseball because NO's basketball team won't make the playoffs, ditto Orlando's, and Miami's won't make it that far. Tampa's and Miami's hockey teams may be playing, but hockey tickets are more expensive than similar-quality basketball tickets and the hockey teams will be in the playoffs.

NewbE

I seem to be cast in the role of wet blanket, but Tampa Bay Lightning (hockey) playoffs tickets will be hideously expensive and available only on StubHub.

BigRuss

Hockey tickets are generally hideously expensive. Playoffs will make it worse.

NewbE

Eh, we pick up our friends' unwanted season tickets for $35-50 each. That is less than a Yankees spring training game in Tampa, lol.

palmtree2384

Any more ideas for things in Atlanta, Orlando, Miami and Tampa? Restaurants, things to do? Is Sanibel island worth going over? Everglades boat ride? Epcot Center? Universal studios? We are seeing baseball games in all those cities(well except Orlando) but have nothing else on the itinerary. Any helpful ideas would be greatly appreciated!

tomfuller

If you don't go to the Everglades, maybe try a boat in the Okefenokee Swamp. http://www.okefenokeeadventures.com/guided-tours/

dwdvagamundo

Atlanta: Atlanta has the Civil War and Civil Rights in its history: Atlanta History Center is good for the first--really good explanation of Atlanta's importance to the Confederacy. King Center is good for the second--there's a Civil Rights Museum near the Aquarium but I haven't been.

The College Football Hall of Fame is now in Atlanta and is worth a visit if you're a sports fan-and even if you're not: my spouse was fascinated with a looping video showing the skills it takes to do the things that football players do.

One restaurant in Atlanta that I recommend to everyone is the Colonnade on Cheshire Bridge Road near Piedmont Road--it's old time Atlanta, good food, good prices, interesting customers.

We visit Tampa frequently, and enjoy Saint Petersburg (south of Tampa), and enjoy driving up the beach road from there north through Clearwater to as far north as Tarpon Springs, a Greek dock-front community with some good Greek restaurants and other interesting things to do.

Ybor City, which is the old-time Latino part of Tampa and has a great restaurant: The Columbia with Spanish menu; go when you're really hungry because you'll leave stuffed. We always eat there when we're in Tampa; they've got a branch in Clearwater, too, but it's not as interesting. Also other interesting historic things to see there.
That's more than enough stuff to do in the one full day you've budgeted for Tampa.

Don't know Miami or Orlando well enough to advise.

Have a great trip.

palmtree2384

Thank you for the info. Anyone else have ideas for adults without kids in Orlando. What would be the best park to go to if we aren't really into rides that much? I like the rides but not hubby, so we might go on one or two but really looking for other things there. From what I've read I'm thinking Epcot, but since I've never been, would appreciate any other ideas. Thank you for any information