Heavens

Next summer we will be in Nashville for 5 days for a business trip. We want to extend the trip a few days. We were talking about New Orleans, but not totally sold on it. So, thought I would get some ideas from my favorite travelers.

So, do you have a favorite destination in the south, if so, where and why???

Thanks.

Patrick

Charleston and Savannah are my favorites in the "deep south", but not terribly convenient from Nashville. I also enjoy Natchez which is closer. I wanted to love Mobile, but somehow its charm totally escaped me.

Kal

Any bar.

tcapp

We absolutly love Charleston. It is such a beautiful destination with so many things to see and do.

Tandoori_Girl

I've always loved Atlanta. I truly feel it has that big city deep south feel. I don't think Charleston or Savannah feel like the deep South anymore. But that's only my opinion. I think Memphis has a good Southern feel. Richmond too.

ilovetulips

I will tell you that summer and New Orleans equals very hot sticky weather. I enjoyed New Orleans when I went but summer isn't the best time to go. For summer I love the Asheville NC and the Boone/Blowing Rock NC areas. They are in the mountains and they are cool and absolutely beautiful. In Asheville you could visit Biltmore Estate and the downtown area. In Blowing Rock- Grandfather Mountain is close by and the town has many quaint shops.

Jayne11159

That time of year--Western NC, either Cashiers, Highlands or Ashville (Ashville can get hot whereas with the other two you can't count on cool weather). Blowing Rock is also one our favorites.

makai1

Do the Smoky Mountains count as deep?

Stayed in a cabin in the foothills outside Pigeon Forge and it was one of the best surprise destinations ever... sitting out on the deck in the hot tub, early am w/ the smoke over the mountains, not a soul in sight, crisp mountain air... it was great.

GoTravel

TandooriGirl, I'm completely opposite of you. I think Atlanta long ago lost it's deep south feel. Charleston, Beaufort, and Savannah feel very deep south.

JJ5

Never visited the Carolina cities mentioned, but I have them on my list.

Last winter, we drove from Chicago to Biloxi and took our time both ways. It's not really a city, more like a town- but Tupelo was surprising and had a real deep south feel.

Biloxi itself has Jefferson Davis' home which was made into a home for Confederate soldiers. Its grounds and surrounding parks where well worth the day spent away from the casinos. The tomb of the unknown Confederate soldier, all the clothing/ rooms on display were extremely interesting. We had a tour with about 4 other people that was fantastic. Especially in the light of hurricane trouble right now, it was super to go under it and see the stilts/ supports it is built on so that the surges can go right underneath it and into the fields. The building has only lost some of its exquiste cut glass panels in the doors, through about 15-20 hurricanes. It was an active US Army retirement home until late in the last century. And still is, but the residents are no longer in the main, original house. The parks are now filled with our armed forces' retirees. If you go into "off the main drag" places it has some of the best "deep South" and soul cooking I have ever tasted. It looks to us like this location is going to be developed
big time soon. They were knocking down entire sections two or three blocks from the Gulf.

We ate in a structure built by the French before this area was a part of the United States. The food was deep South mixed with creole touches. It's a long drive, but I will probably get there again. People everywhere were personable and friendly.

Heavens

Thanks all. You have given me much to think about, research on.

I do agree with you about NO being hot and sticky in Aug. Mid Aug at that. But also wanted to be open to other options.

I love Memphis, and do believe that they have the best BBQ in the nation, and I am from TX.

Will look into Ashville NC and cooler destinations.

A cabin in the Smokey Mountains does sound quite nice.

Thanks a bunch. Please keep info coming if you have more to say.

pollyvw

Actually, any place that qualifies as "Deep South" will be hot and sticky. Just consider it part of the charm?