neworleansonline.com and Natchez scenictrace.com
would be the most touristic prettiest stops route
for me from personal experience.

Thanks, quovadis. We decided not to take the New Orleans route on this trip, preferring to do it as a separate trip at another time.

We are looking to go up through Arkansas. We might come back home through Natchez though. I'll run it by DH.

It's 9 hours between Shreveport and Nashville.

I think I'd stop in Little Rock if you are going the Arkansas Route.

Hwy 59 to I-30 to I-40.

do a search on here for LIttle Rock. There's the Bill Clinton LIbrary and a few other things to see. Little Rock would offer just enough for you to do for 24 hours.

I would stop in Little Rock. Hot Springs is just slightly off the path, so you could stop there as well.
Try Dam Goode Pies in Little Rock

Continueing on to Nashville
I would stop at Memphis and eat at Gus's Fried Chicken Blues City Cafe, or Rendvouz BBQ

If you want to continue further for a meal then The Loveless Cafe is great just outside of Nashville.

Try Las Paleta's for popsicles in Nashville. Yep, they are that good and only a few bucks. They have the usual flavors and then the exotic like avacado.

If you have time on your way back. Petit Jean State park is a great place to stop and hike at in Arkansas. The waterfalls there should be really rocking next week as we are supposed to get a lot of rain. If this trip is in the summer, the falls sometimes dry up to nothing-just depends on how much rain we've had.

We plan to spend a couple of nights in Memphis after our stay in Nashville. The restaurant recommendations have been noted! Thanks. Will check out Little Rock.

Originally, I was tentatively looking at overnighting in Arkadelphia for the first night and staying in Franklin, TN the second night. Thought we could take in the sights in Franklin on Wednesday morning before heading to our hotel in Nashville after lunch.

Does anybody have a hotel recommendation for Franklin and/or Arkadelphia??

If we decide to go the Little Rock route, any hotel recommendations there?

The Hermitage is worth seeing while in Nashville.

i believe the River Market District in Little Rock would be your best place to stay. Unfortunately, you don't have a lot of choices that would give you much to see or do. On your route from Houston to Franklin it seems Little Rock and Memphis are about it. The Residence Inn in Franklin seems to be the favorite on Trip Advisor if that helps. Wish I could tell you it is like the Salzkammergut. : ) Enjoy your trip!