My road trip through southern US.

Old Feb 13th, 2016, 07:47 AM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
My road trip through southern US.

Hi everyone,

First of all, sorry for my english...

I am travelling to US next june for 3 weeks. I have planned the following itinerary and I would like to know your opinions about it.

Day 1. Arrive to New Orleans.
2. NOLA
3. NOLA
4. NOLA – Natchez
5.Natchez - Clarksdale
6. Clarksdale - Menphis
7. Menphis - Nasvhville
8. Nashville
9. Nashville - Great Smoky Mountains National Park
10. Zone Ahseville - Blue Ridge Parkway
11. Zone Ahseville - Blue Ridge Parkway
12. Ashville – Charleston
13. Charleston
14. Charleston – Savannah
15. Savannah - Atlanta
16. Atlanta
17. Atlanta - Destin
18. Destin – Pensacola - Scenic Highway 30A
19. Pensacola – Mobile
20. Mobile - NOLA

I am not sure if I have planned a good route....

Thanks in advance for your help!
EuEu is offline  
Old Feb 13th, 2016, 09:07 AM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 13,192
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Say more about your objectives for this trip . . what kinds of activities you would like to participate in and what do you hope to experience from this trip.

That will help us help you!
Rich is offline  
Old Feb 13th, 2016, 09:37 AM
  #3  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Hi! I am travelling from Europe to make this trip and I am interested in american culture. I would like to do a mixture travel (nature, villages, swamps, ...) . At Asheville I would like to be able of exploring the nature. I don´t know what to do exactly the days of Florida because I don´t like to be lying in the beach... What is the best way to explore the swamps by myself??

Thanks a lot
EuEu is offline  
Old Feb 13th, 2016, 11:29 AM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,287
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Personally I would drop Atlanta, found it to be a bit of a bore. Maybe visit one of the Sea Islands instead like Cumberland or Sullivan Island.
jamie99 is offline  
Old Feb 13th, 2016, 11:29 AM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 11,714
Likes: 0
Received 17 Likes on 4 Posts
You will want to visit the Okefenokee swamp but not alone.
http://www.okefenokee.com/
The south end of the Blue Ridge Parkway is inside the Great Smoky National Park.
Go farther north on Blue Ridge Parkway than Asheville, perhaps as far as Roanoke Virginia and then take I-81 back south.
tomfuller is offline  
Old Feb 13th, 2016, 02:11 PM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 10,169
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Excellent route if you don't mind doing a lot of moving around.

I too would definitely drop Atlanta in favor of a bit more time in Charleston and Savannah, then a direct trip to Destin or Pensacola.

The problem you are going to have is rolling into a strange city where you will only be overnight and trying to find lodging, a place to eat, the locations of the places you want to visit, and parking. American cities, even small ones, are far more spread out than European cities of the same size, and these things will all take time to navigate.

You can do it if you plot out the locations of what you want to see on a map, then reserve a hotel, but you will find that inexpensive hotels may not be near the attractions you want to visit in the larger cities. Maybe price isn't an issue, but you ought to be aware of this.
Ackislander is offline  
Old Feb 15th, 2016, 05:38 AM
  #7  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thank you so much for your suggestions!. I have been searching about the destinations you mentioned . Following your comments I will not stop in Atlanta. Instead of Atlanta, some suggestion about what to do between Savannah and Destin during 2 days??
EuEu is offline  
Old Feb 15th, 2016, 05:56 AM
  #8  
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,360
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
"some suggestion about what to do between Savannah and Destin during 2 days??"

How about St. Augustine, America's oldest city and loaded with history and charm. Last year the King & Queen of Spain came to help the city celebrate it's 450th birthday. You should also give it a visit.
_____________________________________________
Vic's travels: http://my.flightmemory.com/vogilvie
Orlando_Vic is offline  
Old Feb 15th, 2016, 07:15 AM
  #9  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Hi! I had thought about St. Augustine, becouse I read that It is a beatiful city but I thought It could be a little out of my route. I'll look! THANKS
EuEu is offline  
Old Feb 19th, 2016, 10:56 AM
  #10  
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,445
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
As you specifically want to see a swamp---Okefenokee. It's a little hard to get to, but it's the granddaddy of all US swamps north of the Everglades.

Take US301 south from Savannah to Folkston, Georgia then find the NWR East Entrance (Suwanee Canal Recreation Area)--there are places you can rent camping equipment, canoe, etc. and see it yourself. I had a lovely afternoon by myself there years ago while my spouse attended a seminar on St. Simon's Island.http://www.n-georgia.com/okefenokee-...-entrance.html
dwdvagamundo is offline  
Old Feb 19th, 2016, 11:52 AM
  #11  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,876
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
. Nashville
9. Nashville - Great Smoky Mountains National Park
10. Zone Ahseville - Blue Ridge Parkway
11. Zone Ahseville - Blue Ridge Parkway

This is a really difficult grouping. It is a 5-6 hour drive to the GSMNP. You will see none of it

Definitely drop Atlanta and your drive along the coast might be more condensed.
It would be so much better if you could get an open jaw trip into NOLA and out of say, Jacksonville but your loop IS nice and good to see.
You may have a little extra day in Asheville also that could be spent further on down the road.
Gretchen is offline  
Old Feb 22nd, 2016, 07:58 AM
  #12  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Hi everybody!

Thanks so much for your replays! Following your suggestion I have to redesign a new route. Defenatley I would like to spend more days because I would like to visit everything!!!

I dont know what to do between Savannah and Panama City but, I am going to check all the possibilities. I would like to visit Okefenokee but maybe visiting for just one day would be a "waste of time" because It needs more days...

1, NOLA
2, NOLA
3, NOLA
4, NOLA – Natchez
5, Natchez - Clarksdale
6, Clarksdale - Menphis
7, Menphis - Nasvhville
8, Nashville
9, Nashville - Asheville
10, Asheville
11, Asheville
12, Ashville – Charleston
13, Charleston
14, Charleston – Savannah
15, Savannah
16, Savannah - Saint Augustine
17, Saint Augustine – Panama City
18, Panama – Gulf Islands National Seashore- Scenic Highway 30A - Destin–- Pensacola
19, Pensacola
20, Pensacola - Mobile - NOLA

THANKS!!
EuEu is offline  
Old Feb 22nd, 2016, 08:08 AM
  #13  
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 11,714
Likes: 0
Received 17 Likes on 4 Posts
Take a 3-4 hour boat tour on the Okefenokee Swamp. You don't need even a full day.
Please learn to spell Memphis. Do you want to visit Graceland?
I think you would enjoy Biloxi more than Mobile.
There are plenty of new hotel casinos along the Gulf since Katrina wiped out the originals.
tomfuller is offline  
Old Feb 22nd, 2016, 10:15 PM
  #14  
DCS
 
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I agree that a boat tour in the Swamp will be an adequate amount of time to see a few alligators and experience what it would have been like for early explorers or settlers to have to find their way through or around it. You also should be prepared for the weather to be very warm and humid. Don't forget a hat and sunscreen! It would be wise to expect mosquitoes and to be prepared with repellant and clothing that will limit exposed flesh that could bitten. Also, I strongly advise that you familiarize yourself with the Zicca virus issue. At present, there is no indication that mosquitoes in the U.S. are capable of speading the virus but it may not be long....

Between St. Augustine and Panama City, there are no major attractions but if you truly want to experience our culture I strongly recommend that you avoid our Interstate Highway system when there is a reasonable alternative route and consider avoiding By-Pass routes around towns. You will avoid the heavy higher speed traffic on the interstates and may experience some traffic and a few traffic signals but you will see where people live and work!

When you leave St. Augustine I recommend that you travel southwest on State Road 207 through Palatka to Gainesville. From there take US441/SR25 northwest through Alachua. Last time I was there, albeit many years ago, it was a quaint little "old Florida town" with some nice examples of early Florida architecture. Remain on US441 through High Springs to US 27. On this route you will travel through Florida thorough-bred racehorse country. Continue on US 27 to Perry where you will continue west on US90/SR30. The scenery is boring but this route will take you through great examples of pinewood plantations. These trees are farmed for the paper and building industries. When trees are harvested the forest is replanted. The softwood pines grow rapidly and could be ready for harvest in about 20 years.

Prior to leaving Perry check the fuel guage, and purchase snacks to be prepared for driving for what feels like forever through very unpopulated territory. It is actually only 40-50 miles! When you reach SR363 it will be time for a break! If you choose to go south on 363 it will take you to St Marks where you find great seafood and a nice old light house. If you turn north and follow signs to Wakulla Springs State Park you will find lodging, food and AND a beautiful, huge spring that is best experienced from the glass bottom boats that also takes you down the river created by the spring and allows you to see a relatively natural Florida "jungle." The area was the filming location for early Tarzan movies. There is also an area for a nice cool swim.

Continuing west on US98 you will soon cross Ochlocknee Bay onto St James Island. The highway will take you right alongside the water of Florida's "Forgotten Coast" where you won't see any highrise hotels or apartment buildings and there are no crowds of people! The town of Appalachicola is a great example of old Florida and is still the heart of the Gulf Coast shrimping industry! A boat ride on the river might be good for dolphin viewing or a fishing charter on the Gulf could be fun. Applachicola is about 75 miles from Panama City. Although I've made the drive it was years ago, I recall only that I enjoyed the Gulf views.

I hope I haven't bored you and that this will be helpful. I was a longtime resident of the Ft Lauderdale area but have had family and friends who lived in the Panhandle and on the Forgotten Coast and have traveled through the area a lot. As recently as 2 months ago I had the pleasure of spending time on Alligator Point.
DCS is offline  
Old Feb 22nd, 2016, 10:24 PM
  #15  
DCS
 
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
If you've decided not to visit the Okefenose Swamp, a boat tour of a Louisiana Bayou would be an interesting experience.
DCS is offline  
Old Feb 23rd, 2016, 06:31 AM
  #16  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
DCS, I have not words about your information. Thanks so much. I am planning in internet - google maps - your route.

https://goo.gl/LN5fb4

These kind of suggestions are gold because I could not find it without your help... Just one question: do you believe i can do this route in one day, from St. Augustine to Apalachicola/Panama City? Or would be better doing one night in the middle of the route?
Defenetily I have not got enough days....
EuEu is offline  
Old Feb 23rd, 2016, 02:21 PM
  #17  
DCS
 
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Hi! I'm so pleased you are finding my info useful.

My calculations total just under 8 hrs driving time from St Augustine to Panama City, this includes the side trip to Wakulla Springs, but NO stops! Of course, that isn't practical but only you can determine what stops will be appropriate for you.

Since you are interested in nature and experiencing our culture I believe you would be doing yourself a disservice if you rush through the more rural/natural parts of Florida to get to the highly populated tourist beaches where almost everything you see is covered in concrete or is heavily landscaped using plants that are imported from around the world.

My suggestion would be to get an early start from St Augustine with Wakulla Springs as an early afternoon goal. Keep in mind that there is a Lodge with a restaurant in the Park. After the glass-bottom tour the drive to Appalachicola should take approximately 1.5 hrs. Personally, I would check into a hotel, have a nice seafood dinner, look around town and decide if a river cruise is something to do the next morning. If you plan an early start for PC, keep in mind there will be a time change in the Mexico Beach area about 20 miles east of PC. where you will "lose" an hour!

Whatever you choose to do I hope it a wonderful experience!
DCS is offline  
Old Feb 23rd, 2016, 03:49 PM
  #18  
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 9,171
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
St Mary's Ga or Amelia Island/Fernandina is nice, by Jacksonville. You can take a cruise over to Cumberland island. Very old Florida with a lot of history.
Then jump on 10 and head to Destin, long drive though.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g...Vacations.html

http://www.visitstmarys.com/ They also have a ferry that will take you pass Cumberland Island and you get off in Fernandina for several hours.
flpab is offline  
Old Feb 24th, 2016, 11:35 AM
  #19  
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,360
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
In Appalachicola, a wonderful place to have dinner is the Owl Cafe http://www.owlcafeflorida.com/ Be sure to try some of their oysters!

_____________________________________________
Vic's travels: http://my.flightmemory.com/vogilvie
Orlando_Vic is offline  
Old Feb 26th, 2016, 08:58 AM
  #20  
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,445
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
You could stay at the Lodge in Wakulla Springs after lunch and a look around. Very old-fashioned interesting place.

While not as "swampy" as Okefenokee, it has a fair amount of interesting water.
dwdvagamundo is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -