There is a fabulous recent post on Mississippi. Search for it because the information is so extensive and detailed that it would be impossible for any of us to reproduce.

AS you mention the civil rights sites, do not miss the Southern Poverty Law Center's civil rights monument. I believe Montgomery also has a fine museum.

www.scenictrace.com

great historic journey

Natchez best like a living history book.

might then head on down to Boloxi for beaches amusement

Beau Rivage my fav ther Isle of Capri more budget

then www.neworleansonline.com

Monteleone Hotel historic amazing there in the Quarter

Queen and Crescent if budget

Will second Gretchen's suggestion of the civil rights monument -- it's a fountain primarily, and excellently done. Be sure to go to the Rosa Parks Museum, arguably the best attraction in Montgomery. And if possible, take in the Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church (did not get to the Dexter Parsonage, which is a bit of a ways away from the downtown area) -- it's a good idea to call ahead and arrange a time here, as hours can be irregular.

thanks for all the help folks, much appreciated.

If you want to go to the beach, go to Dauphin Island or the Fort Morgan Peninsula/Gulf Shores area in Alabama, or even Perdido Key (straddles the Alabama/Florida line).

The beaches in Mississippi are man-made and not as pretty as the Alabama and Florida ones.

A Mississippi alternative is taking the ferry to West Ship Island, 12 miles offshore and home to Fort Massachusetts.

http://www.nps.gov/guis/historyculture/fort-massachusetts.htm

On your way to the Gulf Coast and NOLA from Mobile here's a few joints to stop and rest. The best seafood in Mobile, AL is at Wintzell's Oyster House. Get off I 10 at Exit 26 A and go W on Canal Steet. Go .4 mile and turn right on S Washington Avenue. Turn right and go .3 mile to Dauphine Street. Take a right and Wintzell's will be on your right. The best BBQ in the area is at Brick Pit. Get off I 10 at Exit 15B and go N on Highway 90 for 3 miles to Demetropolis Road. Take a left and continue on Demetropolis Road which becomes S University Boulevard. Go about 5 miles from the left you took on Demetropolis to Old Shell Road. Take a right and go to Brick Pit for outstanding BBQ. For fine po boy's and fresh seafood get off I 10 at Exit 15A and go N on Government Boulevard to Hall's Mill Road just past the shopping center on the right. Take a right and go to the Boiling Point.
Wintzell's Oyster House @ 605 Dauphin St., Mobile, AL 251 - 432 - 4605.
http://www.wintzellsoysterhouse.com/
The Brick Pit @ 5456 Old Shell Rd., Mobile, AL 251 - 343 - 0001.
http://brickpit.com/
The Boiling Pot @ Suite G, 5300 Halls Mill Road, Mobile, AL 251 - 602 - 8405.
http://www.theboilingpotllc.com/
For fine southern comfort food get off I 10 at Exit 68 at Moss Point, MS and go N on Highway 613 to Tugus restaurant. Stay on Highway 90 going E from Ocean Springs, MS. Go to Market Street and take a right. Go to Ingall's Avenue and take a left. Go 3 or 4 blocks to Bozo's Grocery for fine po boy's.
For good BBQ and fun times get off I 10 at Exit 57 and go N on Highway 57 to The Shed for lunch or dinner. For fine country food for breakfast or lunch go E on Highway 90 to Ocean Springs, MS and turn right on Washington Avenue. Take your first left on Robinson Street and go to Bayview Gourmet. Fayard's has good BBQ. Ward's has good seafood and steaks. Phoenicia has good breakfast, lunch or dinner.
Tugus Restaurant @ 6909 Highway 613, Moss Point, MS 228 - 474 - 9910.
Bozo's Grocery @ 2012 Ingalls Ave., Pascagoula, MS 228 - 762 - 3322.
The Shed BBQ and Blues Joint @ 7501 Hwy. 57, Ocean Springs, MS. 228 - 875 - 9590.
http://www.theshedbbq.com/ordereze/intro.html
Bayview Gourmet @ 1010 Robinson St., Ocean Springs, MS. 228 - 875 - 4252.
Fayard's BP @ 6905 Washington Ave, Ocean Springs, MS. 228 - 875 - 1020.
Kenny Ward's @ 1504 Government St., Ocean Springs, MS. 228 - 818 - 4505.
McElroy's on the Bayou @ 705 Bienville Blvd. 228 - 818 - 4600.
Phoenicia Gourmet Cuisine @ 123 Government St., Ocean Springs, MS. 228 - 875 - 0603.
Continue on Highway 90 to Highway 49 N in Gulfport, MS. Take a left and go one block to 13th Street and turn left to Half Shell Oyster House for fine fresh seafood for lunch or dinner. Or continue on Highway 90 to Cowan Road which is E of Highway 49 in Gulfport, MS between Gulfport, MS and Biloxi, MS. Go N on Cowan Road to W Pine Street. Turn left and go 3 blocks to Washington Street, Turn right and go to Blow Fly Inn where the local's dine on fresh seafood for lunch or dinner. Continue E on Highway 90 to Caillavet Street just E of I 110. Turn left and go N to Howard. Turn right and go one block to Old Biloxi Schooner for good po boy's. For fine fresh oysters and good seafood continue E on Howard to Fillin Station for lunch or dinner.
Half Shell Oyster House @ FL 1st, 2500 13th St., Gulfport, MS 228 - 867 - 7001.
http://halfshelloysterhouse.com/
Blow Fly Inn @ 1201 Washington Ave., Gulfport, MS 228 - 896 - 9812.
http://www.blowflyinn.com/
Ole Biloxi Schooner @ 871 Howard Ave., Biloxi, MS 228 - 435 - 8071.
Fillin Station @ 692 Howard Ave., Biloxi, MS 228 - 432 - 5565.
http://www.fillinstationbiloxi.com/
Continue on Highway 90 to Darwell's Cafe in Long Beach, MS for good lunch or dinner. Darwell's was featured on Diners, Drive In's and Dives. Continue on Highway 90 to Shaggy's Harbor Bar and Grill across from the Pass Christian Yacht Club for good fresh seafood, cold drinks and nice music. Get off I 10 at Exit 2 at Bay St. Louis, MS and go E on Scenic Highway 90 to Trapani's for fine fresh seafood for lunch or dinner.
Darwells Cafe @ 127 East 1st St., Long Beach, MS. 228 - 868 - 8946.
http://www.darwellscafe.co
Shaggy's Harbor Bar and Grill @ 120 S. Hiern Ave., Pass Harbor, Pass Christian, MS. 228 - 452 - 9939.
http://www.shaggys.biz/
Trapani's @ 833 Highway 90 # 3, Bay St. Louis, MS 228 - 467 - 8570.
Or get off I 12 at Exit 65 and go S on Highway 59 to Lakeshore Drive. Turn left and go to Rip's for great fresh seafood overlooking Lake Pontchartain. Get off I 12 at Exit 63A in Covington, LA and go N on Highway 190 to Acme Oyster House for fresh seafood for lunch or dinner. Get off I 12 at Exit 63A and go S on Highway 190 to Bear's Grill and Spirit's for outstanding po boys and sandwiches.
Rip's on the Lake @ 1917 Lakeshore Drive, Mandeville, LA 985 - 727 - 2829.
Bear's Grill and Spirit's @ 1809 North Causeway Boulevard, Mandeville, LA 985 - 674 - 9090.
http://www.bearsgrillandspirits.com/
Acme Oyster House @ 1202 N Highway 190, Covington, LA 985 - 246 - 6155.
www.acmeoyster.com/index.php…
Get off I 12 in Hammond, LA @ Exit 38B and go N for 2 miles on I55 to Exit 31 for Highway 190 and go E. Turn right on Highway 190 after .2 mile for W Thomas Street. Go 1.2 miles and Voo Doo BBQ will be on your left.
Voo Doo BBQ & Grill @ 2108 W. Thomas St., Hammond, LA. 985 - 345 - 1131.
http://www.voodoobbqandgrill.com/
Get off I 10 at Exit 157A in Baton Rouge, LA to Perkins Road and take a right to Parrain's for outstanding fresh seafood for lunch or dinner. Or get off I 10 at Exit 157A in Baton Rouge, La to Perkins Road. Take a left and Acme Oyster House is on your left open for lunch or dinner serving outstanding fresh seafood.
Parrain's Seafood Restaurant @ 3225 Perkins Road, Baton Rouge, LA 225 - 381 - 9922.
http://www.parrains.com/
Acme Oyster House @ 3535 Perkins Road, Baton Rouge, LA 225 - 906 - 2372.

This route does not cover NOLA. I would spend 3/4 nights in NOLA in the FQ and then head N to Baton Rouge and N on # 61 to Natchez, MS for a night or two and visit the antebellum homes and fine restaurants there.

I would definitely stop in Natchez and spend a day touring the plantation homes there. Monmouth is an oustanding place for the night. The dining room there is superb. I would also check out The Carriage House Restaurant at Stanton Hall for a wonderful lunch.
http://www.stantonhall.com/
http://www.monmouthplantation.com/

Here's a link to visiting the Delta.

http://www.visitthedelta.com/

I would visit Clarksdale, Greenwood, Vicksburg and Natchez. A night in Clarksdale, Greenwood and Vicksburg would be nice. Two in Natchez and maybe one in Jackson should be fine. Good luck.

In Vicksburg you could tour the old antebellum homes and the Vicksburg National Military Park.
Have lunch/dinner @ Rusty's River Front Grill @ 901 South Washington St., Vicksburg, MS 601 - 638 -2030.
or @ Walnut Hills @ 1214 Adams Street, Vicksburg, MS 601 - 638 - 4910‎ for southern cooking.
Stop in Greenville, MS if you have time for dinner at Doe's Eat Place @ 502 Nelson Street
Greenville, MS 662 - 334 - 3315.
http://www.doeseatplace.com/
If you have time stop by Greenwood, MS where you will find some outstanding casual local dining at Lusco's, Crystal Grill and Giardinia's. Giardinia's is in The Alluvian Hotel which is a 4 * hotel owned by Viking Range. The Crystal has good plate lunches, seafood and steaks. Giardinia's and Lusco's both have outstanding seafood and steaks. Lusco's is old style in a fairly rough neighborhood but safe with lots of history and famous names that have been there. Everyone dines in a booth with a curtain same as Giardinia's. Spend the night at The Alluvian and dine at Giardinia's or Lusco's for dinner.
Alluvian Hotel @ 318 Howard Street, Greenwood, MS 662 - 451 - 1500.
http://www.thealluvian.com/
Crystal Grill @ 423 Carrollton Ave.,Greenwood, MS 662 - 453 - 6530.
Giardinia's @ 314 Howard St., Greenwood, MS 662 - 455 - 4227.
http://www.thealluvian.com/restaurants.html
Lusco's @ 722 Carrollton Ave., Greenwood, MS 662 - 453 - 5365.
Stop in Greenville, MS if you have time for dinner at Doe's Eat Place. Greenville, MS is W of Greenwood, MS on Highway 82. Doe's Eat Place is not to be missed. You enter the restaurant through the kitchen where you can watch the steaks being prepared. In the center of the main dining room there are stoves at which the fries are made and salads are prepared there as well. In most cases, one steak there easily feeds two.
Doe's Eat Place @ 502 Nelson Street, Greenville, MS 662 - 334 - 3315.
http://www.doeseatplace.com/
If you want to try the best Clarksdale has to offer have an early lunch at Ground Zero which is owned by Morgan Freeman and two of his friends. Get a plate lunch or sandwich but eat light. The Blues Museum is next door. Before you leave Clarksdale, MS go to Hick's and get another light lunch of BBQ and tamales. This way you get the best of Clarksdale. Morgan owns Madidi's which is a fine dining restaurant a few blocks from Ground Zero if you would like to stop in for drinks and/or snacks before you leave Clarksdale, MS. It's very nice and highly recommended. The bar opens at 5 PM. There's an old neat store that sells a lot of junk across the street from Madidi's and plenty of places for the wife to purchase items to take home. I wish you could visit Oxford, MS. If not then plan 6/7 hours in Clarksdale. Have an early lunch at GZ, visit the Museum, walk around downtown and shop, get some tamales at Hick's. After lunch head back S on Sunflower by the river and stop at Hick's just to visit. Take a right on Highway 61 which is State St. Go across the river and Hick's is on the right in nice red brick building. Go in visit and get a cold drink. Talk to Eugene and look at his pictures when President Clinton visited. On your way N stop at The Ranchero and get a cold drink. Charlie Conerly who was a famous QB for the NY Giants lived in Clarksdale and there are all kinds of old sports photo's there of Conerly and some of his old buddies. It's a fun place and the food is outstanding.
I really hope you find time to visit Oxford. It's my favorite town in Mississippi. If so head N on State St. to Highway 278/6 E to Batesville/Oxford. It's about 60 miles to Oxford. You should be there around 3PM. When you get to Oxford you will come to a red light and Jackson Ave. going to the left. Go straight ahead and get off at the first Exit which is Coliseum Dr. Get off on right but turn back left and cross the highway. Take your first right by the Basketball Practice Facility on Hill Drive. You will see the football stadium straight ahead. Go to dead end at All American Drive turn right and go past N end of stadium. You will run into the Grove. Go to the left on University Ave. and you will go past the Grove on your right and run into the Circle. Go around the circle and you will see The Lyseum which is the oldest building on campus. The James Meredith riot started in the Circle. There's a monument of him behind the Lyseum. The street you came in on at The Grove is University Ave. Take it back E all the way to Lamar. Take a right on Lamar and go about 6 blocks and take a right on Old Taylor. Go about 3 blocks and you run dead into Faulkner's home. You can drive up the gravel road in front and park and go in and visit. Go back to Lamar and go N past University Ave. two blocks and park. You are now on The Square. The building on your left is Square Books which is very famous. John Grisham has a home in Oxford. You passed it on the right just before you got to town. It sits off to the right on a hill and it's easy to see. It's just before the car dealership before you get to the first red light. He's a frequent visitor to Oxford.

Park and walk around the Square. City Grocery is two doors down W of Square Books. Neilson's to your right on the Square is a nice department store. If you walk past City Grocery on the left you will see Waltz Restaurant after you pass the Pizza joint. Going around the Square you will find Ajax which is a good country food joint. There are a couple of nice ladie's shops on that side of the Square. Downtown Grill is on N side of Square. They have a nice bar upstairs. There's a Rebel junk store around on the N side if you want to buy a Rebel souvenir to take home. Go N on Lamar and Lenora's is on the left. Have dinner at City Grocery. CG has a nice bar upstairs and you can sit outside if you like. Tell Jim Weems the manager with a beard that Henry McCaslin said hello. He will take good care of you. If Jim is not there then a cute young lady named Lauren will take care of you. I hope you have a great trip.

City Grocery @ 152 Courthouse Square, Oxford, MS. 662 - 232 - 8080.
http://www.citygroceryonline.com/

Take Highway 61 to Clarksdale, MS. Have breakfast or lunch at Blue and White in Tunica on your way to Memphis. Blue and White is on the right as you go through Tunica. It's Blue and White and used to be a service station. Clarksdale is about 50 miles from the casinos. When you reach Clarksdale you will be on U. S. 61 which bypasses the city. Take a right just N of Clarksdale to downtown and you will be on N. State St. You will pass a big cotton gin on your right then you will see The Ranchero on your right. Abe's will be on your left just up the road. Past Abe's you will come to Sunflower which is just before the Sunflower River Bridge. Turn right and go N on Sunflower to the railroad tracks. Go back to your right just past the RR tracks and you will find Ground Zero and The Blues Museum. Madidi's is a few blocks to your N. Hick's is on N. State St. so go back S on Sunflower to N. State St. and go to the right cross the bridge and Hick's is on your right. President Clinton had lunch with Eugene before he left office but Hick's was in an old location back near the RR tracks. Ask for Eugene and ask him to show you his President Clinton photo's. He loves to show them.

Abe's BBQ @ 616 State St., Clarksdale, MS 662 - 624 - 9947. *
http://www.abesbbq.com/
Ground Zero Blues Club @ Blues Alley, Clarksdale, MS 662 - 621 - 9009. *
http://www.groundzerobluesclub.com/
The Ranchero @ 1907 State St., Clarksdale, MS 662 - 624 - 9768. *
http://www.theranchero.com/
Delta Blues Museum @ 1 Blues Alley Lane, Clarksdale, MS 662 - 627 - 6820.
http://www.deltabluesmuseum.org/
http://www.hickstamales.com/

http://www.madidires.com/

Littleman,

Thanks a million for the info. I have it printed and it will be at the ready when we get down there.

I will add that when you go to the Southern Poverty Law Center, it is not a "drive by/walk in/walk out". I would suggest to you that is almost a hallowed place, and I don't offer that lightly at all. Others have given you a list of things--all worthy I am sure. I have never been so moved by a place representing a "cause". Truly, the design and exprsssion of purpose is exceptional, in my opinion.

Take a few of your days to tour Plantation Country outside of New Orleans, perhaps taking in Nottoway, Oak Alley, and Laura plantations.

I'd also include a day or two in Cajun Country, touring the Tabasco Factory and Jungle Gardens and then doing a swamp tour.

Don't miss the WWII museum in New Orleans, and make sure you get tickets to the 4D movie there.

Destrehan is the closest Plantation Home to NOLA. Take I 10 W to Exit 220 just W of the NOLA airport and go S on I 310 to Exit 6 just before you reach the river. Turn and go E to the home. They offer tours daily except major holidays.
Destrehan Plantation @ 13034 River Road, Destrehan, LA 985 - 764 - 8785.
http://www.destrehanplantation.org/
Laura, Evergreen and Oak Alley are within 10 miles of each other. You can reach these homes in about an hour. Evergreen and Laura are very good tours that are presented from a historical perspective.
Take I 10 E to Exit 194 and take Highway 641 S to Gramercy Bridge. Cross the river and turn right on Highway 18 and go W to Laura Plantation. The tour information is available at the LP website. Tours are available daily except holidays. To get to Evergreen Plantation take a left when you cross Gramercy Bridge and go E on Highway 18/River Road. Evergreen Plantation is a working plantation with 37 buildings in the National Register of Historial Places. Tours are available daily.
Laura Plantation @ 2247 Highway 18, Vacherie, LA 225 - 265 - 7690.
http://www.lauraplantation.com/
Evergreen Plantation @ 4649 Louisiana 18, Edgard, LA 985 - 497 - 3837. (51M/60Minutes)
http://www.evergreenplantation.org/
After you tour Laura Plantation and/or Evergreen go W on Highway 18 to Oak Alley Plantation. You can view the home from the Highway and see the grand oak trees lining the driveway from the river road to the house. Take pictures from the road. There's no use touring OA. It's not very impressive.
Oak Alley Plantation @ 3645 Highway 18, Vacherie, LA 225 - 265 - 2151.
http://www.oakalleyplantation.com/
After you leave OA drive W on Highway 18 to Donaldsonville, LA and have lunch at Grapevine Cafe.
Grapevine Cafe and Gallery @ 211 Railroad Avenue, Donaldsonville, LA 225 - 473 - 8463.
http://www.grapevinecafeandgallery.com/
After lunch take Highway 1 NW to White Castle to Nottoway Plantation and tour this home. It's a working B&B and has a nice restaurant. It's one of the most beautiful plantation homes IMO. It's about an hour and a half from NOLA.
Nottoway Plantation @ 31025 Louisiana Highway 1, White Castle, LA 225 - 545 - 2992.
http://www.nottoway.com/
Take Highway 1 back SE to Donaldsonville, LA and cross the Highway 70 Bridge. Turn left on Highway 44/River Road and go NW to Houmas House which is another very beautiful home. It's about an hour from NOLA to Houmas. Lunch and dinner is served there if you are interested. They offer tours daily and also offer a tour that will pick you up in the FQ in NOLA at 10:30 AM and returns around 4 PM. You ride in a 32 passenger bus and get to watch a video presentation of Houmas Plantation on your drive to the home.
Houmas House Plantation @ 40136 Hwy 942, Darrow, LA 225 - 473 - 9380.
http://www.houmashouse.com/
You could also dine at Cabin Restaurant which is near Houmas House.
Cabin Restaurant @ 5405 Highway 44 # Msc 85, Gonzales, LA 225 - 473 - 3007.
http://www.thecabinrestaurant.com/
You should be able to drive from the FQ to Houmas House or Nottoway in an hour depending on traffic. You should be able to drive to Evergreen, Laura, and Oak Alley in less than an hour. The roads are good and it's a safe drive.
Driving on the River Road is slow and there is not much to see. You can't see the river because of the levee. Don't depend on your GPS to get from the Laura/Oak Alley area to the Nottoway/Houmas area. Use a road map.

I do not agree with the observation that Oak Alley's house tour is unimpressive. I've been on it, and I liked this tour very much, as much as the tours I've taken of Laura and Nottaway. But will agree that Oak Alley is indeed impressive from the outside.

Whew! Vanderglenn, I think you may've been given too much information! If I wanted to visit civil rights landmarks in the south, I can't imagine missing the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis. It's nationally known and very well-regarded. civilrightsmuseum.org.

Susan you might be right but I appreciate it all. It's great to be armed with options. When we travel, I typically put together a binder of info in light of not traveling with internet access. I suppose I could get a laptop or something but that is the way I've always done it.

Vanderglenn - you remind me of a close friend who makes binders of information before visiting a new place. She's very well-organized, and I'm....well...not.