Dec/Jan road trip deep south, 7-10 days
 

Hi all. Aussie family of 5 (kids 14,11,7) coming from a week in Orlando Disneyworld. Flying out to Hawaii early Jan but have approx 7-10 days after Christmas to tour in the region.
Figured south is easiest to access from orlando. We are happy to drive and would like to see some fun, less touristy but real Southern experiences after being all disney-ed out. We like fun, music, good food and generally having fun and meeting people on the road.

My proposed itenerary was
fly from Orlando-atlanta then
hire car in Atlanta and drive to Smoky mountains NP. We saw Yosemite a few years ago same time of year and loved it. Drive through to Gatlinburg for perhaps New years and one other night (is it as kitchscy a place as the internet says it is? thats ok, we have kids:).
Perhaps do Dollywood for a day nearby , then
drive to Nashville for 2-3 nights then
drive to Memphis for 2-3 more nights, then fly out to Hawaii

Questions i have are:

1) are we staying long enough in GBurg, Nashville and Memphis? Are these the best places to go in this area. given we only have a week /10 days and want to cover most of it by car not going in and out of airports etc?
2) any other fun/quirky/historical towns worth visiting along the way for a diversion? Is it worth pushing to see Asheville/Birmingham, more time in Atlanta etc?
3) I know its winter then but its the only time we can take this long a vacation. How much will winter affect us on this route?
4) where is best place to be (or not be) on New Years?
5) Is Memphis a good place to fly out of the US from to Hawaii?

Thanks for any advice and feedback . We are open to suggestions !
:)

IMO, Atlanta would be a waste of time. You could easily drive from Orlando and see a lovely part of the south.
Go to Charleston for a few days.
Drive up to Asheville.
Asheville to Nashville. Could take a dip into the Great Smoky Mountain Park.
I have been surprised that Memphis has good connections to Australia and maybe Hawaii (as I seem to recall a long ago post).
I guess if your kids and you like music so much, Nashville and Memphis can take up that many days. I think there are other things to enjoy in the South also that you could see, particularly with children.
St. Augustine could be a half day on the way to Charleston. There are islands outside of Charleston with wonderful wildlife. Beaufort, Edisto Savannah on the way to Charleston are interesting little touches of the old South.
If there are NASCAR fans, you could drive to Charlotte and see the NASCAR garages just north in Mooresville.
From Charleston you could drive to Winston Salem and see Old Salem, a restored 18th century Moravian community. Then on to Asheville, etc.
If you are looking for an alternative airport to fly out of, Charlotte is the country's 5th busiest with excellent connections to anywhere.

Finally, I guess this is NEXT year!!

I agree with Gretchen, particularly as she has given you a range of choices.

Orlando-Charleston-Asheville-GSMNP-Nashville-Memphis is a good route.

Charleston and Nashville have history, Asheville has become an artsy hipster center, Nashville and Memphis have music.

All these places are connected by interstate highways but all have parallel slower routes that you can and should take to see more of the south AND to get something decent to eat.

In particular, taking the US highway rather than the interstate through the Smokies is recommended. Yes, Gatlinburg has all the tat you could possibly want, but, weather and road conditions permitting, you should take some of the scenic drives in the park.

Two things to look for beyond burgers: cafeterias and meat-and-threes and both offer great value for money.

In this part of the south, cafeterias are a way of life. Cafeterias are usually located just outside the city center. You take a tray, stand in a line, and tell the servers what you want, chosen from regional favorites (that you may never have heard of). At the end of the line, you pay and someone takes your tray to an available table. You help yourself to drinks and perhaps dessert.

Meat-and-threes are cafes or restaurants that offer table service. They will have burgers and BLT's but especially at lunch will give you a choice of several meats, three vegetables, and bread for a fixed price, usually a great bargain. You will find these in towns off the interstate highway. Ask at a gas station or best ask a policeman or sheriff's deputy.

Charleston, SC is a great and fun, old Southern city as is Savanah,GA. I would choose both over Atlanta. If you can rent it, watch the movie, "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil." The setting is Savanah, and it is filled with quirky Southern characters. This is the American South at its best. Charleston has absolutely fabulous food, beautiful architecture representative of the South, horse and carriage rides, music, etc.

Have Barbeque in different places. In SC, it is a tangy vinegar (sometimes mustard) based sauce.
If you get to Memphis, it is sweet, tomato/ketchup based.

St Augustine, Florida is a great town to spend a day. The history of the fort is interesting and worth a tour.

Personally, IMHO, spending time in some of the places that are really the American South would be a much better experience than Dollywood, a made up place.

Asheville is a haven for fine artisans, with wonderful galleries and guilds, and the landscape is pretty. There are often great bluegrass music events. If you go there, do tour the Vanderbuilt house and mill. It is 100% worth it!

Nashville is good if you like country music and want to attend an event of some kind.

Memphis, of course, home of Elvis Presley and lots of pop music, so lots of history.

Thanks everyone for all the replies -definitely got me thinking! we are happy to take diversions and go off the interstate if it gets us to see the real south as you all suggest.

questions:

1) approx drive time and things to see on way from orlando to savannah/charleston? seems like a long drive out of orlando to anywhere else?
2) the route orlando-savannah-charleston-smokey/nashville-memphis-still doable in 7-10 days? bit more driving than my original plan! ackislander this seems like a fun route though!
3) the historical sites mentioned above sound awesome (to us as mum and dad). trying to keep 3 kids in mind( various ages 7,11,14) stil quirky and fun enough to keep them /some of them entertained and amused?

and yes gretchen i should have specified this is in 12 months time! us aussies plan a long way ahead, especially with our crappy exchange rate need to save up some $$:(

Thanks again!

<i>1) approx drive time and things to see on way from orlando to savannah/charleston? seems like a long drive out of orlando to anywhere else?</i>

It is. :) Google Maps will give you a better idea than I could if you go to Savannah/Charleston, but if you were to stick with your original plan, I'd fly Orlando to Knoxville (the Knoxville airport has relatively easy access to the Smokies), rent a car there and skip Atlanta altogether.

<i>2) the route orlando-savannah-charleston-smokey/nashville-memphis-still doable in 7-10 days? bit more driving than my original plan! ackislander this seems like a fun route though!</i>

I would say no on the timeline, although all those places are certainly worth visiting, so it's a matter of what interests you. Charleston to East Tennessee is about an 8-hour drive if I recall correctly (not including the extra time required with small kids), so that eats up one full day. You could pick one of Savannah or Charleston and narrow it down that way, but either is out of your way compared to the original plan.

<i>3) the historical sites mentioned above sound awesome (to us as mum and dad). trying to keep 3 kids in mind( various ages 7,11,14) stil quirky and fun enough to keep them /some of them entertained and amused?</i>

I love Asheville, I really do, but I think it depends on your kids. The main attractions for me are food (and breweries, if you're into that) and the nature around the area (plus the Biltmore). I don't know of many kid-focused things to do (though someone may certainly correct me). Gatlinburg, on the other hand - which is ABSOLUTELY as kitschy as you've read - has tons of things meant to attract children. So it's a matter of knowing your kids, I think. My nephew is 7 and he'd be bored in Asheville, but he'd love the aquarium in Gatlinburg, for example. But a 14-year-old and 11-year-old would have their own opinions, so maybe involve them and see what they'd rather see.

If you decide to add Charleston, there's the boat ride to Fort Sumter and carriage rides around downtown and that kind of thing - I wouldn't worry about the kids there.

I think your original timelines on Nashville and Memphis are about right - I'd say probably 5 days total for both. Nashville always has a huge event downtown on New Year's Eve with local bands and a guitar drop. It's a madhouse and you may not want the kids in such a huge crowd close to midnight, but the bands start playing pretty early (6:30-7pm or so) so you could go down for a little while and then go somewhere calmer for midnight if you wanted.

Thanks jent103, much appreciated

As you say, kids are a bit of a wildcard. I can probably guarantee one of my kids will like a place and the others wont rate it, then reverse scenario on the next town. I guess the bigger the place (ie Disneyworld which we go to prior the road trip) , the more chances they will all find something to like in its offerings. Hence with a family theres a bit of "safety" in a larger destination to appeal more widely.

In that aspect Gatlinburg seems to offer this - Kitchscy but probably still a laugh and fun. Asheville perhaps a bit more grown up and not as much for kids to grab on to?

Whats Savannah like? Is it worth doing it over Charleston or vice versa? Or are both different enough and close enough to justify seeing both with a family?

We had thought on our timeline of either being in Nashville or Gatlinburg for new years eve, sounds like either will have enough to keep us happy?

Any side diversions off the interstate worth seeing on this route? quirkier the better i say!

Thanks again

Charleston has more. It has the Aquarium and the other carriage rides. AND great food.
As with trips to Europe with our kids, or anywhere, it isn't just about "them", it IS about us all having a good trip.
Your kids are not "that" young--they are at least tweens, and the 7 year old is trying to keep up, if he/she is anything like american kids.
How about a challenge--you've decided to come to America. Let 'em learn.

Aside from being beautiful, Charleston is a city of such history. It is not always pleasant to think about slavery in the US, but the role slavery played in the cultural and historic development (and vulnerability) of the South cannot be overestimated. The plantation way of life and Charleston, was a great part of that. Understanding it and the affect to this day on lives and culture in America is a worthwhile history lesson. You could visit a plantation and see the slave trade market. IMHO, your kids are old enough to comprehend that and get an idea of the formation of Southern culture.

Savanah is a great example of the quintessential City of the old South.

Good luck with your decision.

Thanks guys, this is the sort of background and encouragement we needed
We want to travel to the US partly because we already like the US and some of the similarities and same culture, but also to see what the differences in culture, history etc are, and yes to learn. and yes the 7yo will think hes as old as the others!
We stretched the kids a bit last time by doing San Francisco and Yosemite after LA/Disneyland. It was originally the "Mum and Dad" part of the trip we were most looking forward to personally, but we all loved both those parts.
I am thinking Savannah and Charleston and the whole road trip in general will be enjoyable, learning experiences

For christmas eve/day and new years eve we could be in any of the road trip places but most likely would be christmas in charleston and new years in either nashville or gatlinburg - sound the best places to be for those two ?

We found Christmas Day in LA a bit of a dead day last trip, so would like a good authentic experience .

Any other places to stop/see on the drive from Charleston-Asheville (assuming we stay there a night before taking on GSMNP and Gatlinburg)?

Thanks again

Asheville will be much, much more interesting to the kids than you might think if you don't know more about it.

It was the home of the Vanderbuilts, one of the richest most influential families in American? If you go to Asheville, do not miss touring their home, the Builtmore house, set in the Vanderbuilt estate, and the weaving mill.

While there were other beautiful homes, this house had many firsts. The first indoor swimming pool, a free standing stair way, a bowling alley. The estate was entirely self sufficient, complete with a dairy. They grew sheep for wool, hired spinners and weavers, bought the best looms available at the time, and made high quality cloth to sell.

Ms Edith Vanderbuilt was an amazing and kind woman who felt she had been given a lot and should help others with her money. The vanderbuilts established many schools for local people and industries to give local people jobs, even creating a village for workers to have comfortable homes. They took care of the poor and children.

They donated the land to establish the first national forest for preservation of land, trees and animals.

The craft schools they established has led to the area being renown, not just for simple country crafts, but some of the finest crafts (jewelry, ceramics, sculpture, weaving, etc.) in the whole US.
Also, while there, stop by the New Morning gallery. It is a wow gallery! Even the kids will be impressed. It is in the village established by the Vanderbuilts. There is another big crafts place outside of town, but sorry, I don't remember the name.

In the US there are hotels considered to be the Gand Old Hotels of America. One is in Asheville and well worth seeing. I can't remember the name, will look it up. If it is in your budget, have a meal there.

I would plan at least 1 whole day in Savanah, 2 whole days in Charleston if you visit a plantation one day and 1 or 2 whole days in Asheville. You will not be sorry to see these three places.

The hotel is the Grove Park Inn, now owned by Omni. The front facade is made of stone and is most unusual, worth a short stop and at least a peek inside.

Thanks for the extra info, yes was thinking of the Vamderbuilt estate. Us Aussies love our shopping so seeing there are outlet stores in Asheville made the wife happy too!

The craft place is the Southern Highlands Craft Shop on the Blue Ridge Parkway just outside of Asheville--DEFINITELY worth a visit.

Talk about shopping. Forget the outlets and go to the Southern Highlands craft shop and New Morning Gallery. Thanks Gretchen.
If the wife really wants to hit the outlets too, you need to allow a couple of days, at least 1&1/2 minimum for Asheville, and that is going at a very fast pace.

<i>In that aspect Gatlinburg seems to offer this - Kitchscy but probably still a laugh and fun. Asheville perhaps a bit more grown up and not as much for kids to grab on to?</i>

That would be my assessment, yep. The level of kitsch in Gatlinburg cannot be overestimated, but if the kids need to be "entertained" in order to be happy it's a safer bet. But if the kids will be pretty pleasant in Asheville without a bunch of activities, the grownups would enjoy it more, and depending on your kids they might too.

There are outlet malls in lots of places - I wouldn't let their presence be the deciding factor. (Pigeon Forge, near Gatlinburg, has a massive number, and there's an outlet mall or two around Nashville as well.) But that craft shop in NC is indeed great.

https://www.southernhighlandguild.or...nd-craft-shop/

Coming late to this thread but had a question/idea.

What about heading north through Savannah and Charleston, then east to Asheville, then up the Blue Ridge, ending up in Washington DC? You could still visit Great Smoky Mts. NP, but then instead of heading west, stay in the hills (assuming the driving is decent) to, say, Charlottesville. Visit Monticello and the gorgeous UVA campus, then it's not a long drive into DC. Next January things in DC will be buzzing with the impending inauguration of President ____, and I could imagine your kids (and their parents) would get a kick out of the Smithsonian, the monuments...

Just a thought.

I missed that they were going to fly out from Memphis.

Love Gordyloos's plan! So much to see in DC.

I think we were all looking at their original desire for stuff like Dollywood, Nashville and Memphis.

If they do DC, then they could put most of their time there, easily three full days, if not more. Lots of interest for the kids too.

Several choices for airports too, even Baltimore, which is close and an easy airport to get into and out of. Even though it is in Baltimore, it might be better than Dulles, depending on how they are getting there, costs, time and flights.

Washington DC is and should be the tourist AND resident mecca of the USA. It is SO overlooked, and like every other capital in the world, should be highly regarded.
There are endless things to do--especially for the age of these children--AND they are not only educational, they are historic.
Think HARD about this idea. It is the absolute best.

Gretchen,
I so agree with you. From dozens of unique, fabulous museums to excellent theater, all kinds of sports and physical activities, variety of outstanding music events, plus all the historic places, any family could spend a week filled everyday with exciting things.

<i>AND they are not only educational, they are historic.</i>

And also free.

Yes we so want to do dc but figured it's best to pair it with New York and do both together In a few years time next trip, in warmer time of year. Blizzards scare us Aussies ��. If we could spare 2 weeks in sept or oct to do ny and dc I have been told that's a great time of year to visit?

If we kept going north fc would make sense but probably at the sacrifice of Nashville and Memphis?

Thanks for the extra ideas and input
I so want to see all from Orlando to Savannah and Charleston across to Asheville smoky mountains and Nashville Memphis and even tacky gatlinburg. If we only have 10-12 days for a road trip after disneyworld I might be pushing my luck!!?

If we only have 10-12 days for a road trip after disneyworld I might be pushing my luck!!?

Nashville and Memphis have to go--it just won't be anything but a drive by from the car windows.
It' already a lot.

Hi all . Just conforming dc and ny stand alone trip In a few years time
Does 11-12 days still give long enough to drive Orlando Savannah Charleston Asheville smokey mountain Nashville and Memphis?

It would be good to spend longer on some or all of these places but can't see us wanting to skip any of them! I know it may only be 1-2 nights in some places but can allow 2-3 in others.

OK, I personally don't find some of those places as interesting as others in the US, and would not enjoy it at all in winter when the trees are bare in the mountains and things look bleak. I have driven all those routes, summer and winter. IMHO, they are pretty in Spring through Fall. Altogether, it is about 19 hours of driving time through landscape that, IMHO, is not that Interesting in winter.

However, it is your trip and if you have your heart set on it, you could do this.
Drive times are approx. Allow extra for rest stops. It will be rushed with one longish driving day.
Day 1, Drive straight from Orlando to Savannah - 4 hrs. 2 nights
Day 2, Savannah
Day 3, drive to Charleston - 2 &1/2 hours. 2 nights
Day 4, Charleston
Day 5, drive to Asheville - 4+ hours. 2 nights
Day 6, Asheville
Day 7, drive to Nashville - 5-6 + hours. 2 nights
Day 8, Nashville
Day 9, drive to Memphis - 3+ hours. 2 nights
Day 10, Memphis
Day 11?
Day 12?
If you have 12 days, think about where you want to add the extra two. Depends on what you wish to see in each place. Maybe pick one as a shopping day.

I'll bow pretty much to the above. I could shave off a day in Savannah and add to the Charleston drive so you could stop and at least see Beaufort.
If they are leaving FROM Mempphis then this works nicely
They can make a drive through the GSMNP and Gatlinburg
They still need to think about the days and the drive times, IMO

We would keep ny and dc till another trip

In that case is 11-12 days enough for road trip and short 1-3 night stays from Orlando to
Savannah
Charleston
Asheville
Gatlinburg
Nashville
Memphis

? I know it's not long each place but they all seem too interesting to miss out on?

Oops just posted my last thread twice!
Yes it's a lot of driving but imho beats getting in and out of airports esp with kids in tow

Winter- yeah I know re weather but it's when I get holidays . We did like Yosemite in January and snow and ice are novelties to us Aussies
Not sure about a blizzard tho!

We are on the east coast already doing disneyworld and the thought of just flying in to do that then out again without seeing anything else is killing me! A road trip seems fun and Orlando is the starting point I guess

If time and money were no objects would love to do more national parks , Colorado, chicago, New York , Texas , dc etc.

Is there any alternative road trips from Orlando? Relatives did Orlando New Orleans but that was not much to see and a day or two of driving they didn't talk it up much.

Decisions! Thanks for all the honest feedback and local knowledge and tips so far!

Well, yes, I too feel it's too much. You said above that you're scared of blizzards, and since higher altitude = colder weather, and mountains tend to experience high levels of precipitation (the weather in the US travels from west to east as a rule) I think the odds of the Smoky Mountains having road closures or really poor driving conditions are quite high. Some of the most scenic roads in the national park are closed for winter, full stop; see http://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/seasonalroads.htm

The reason I suggested the DC alternative was that if you got to Asheville and the Smoky/Blue Ridge area and it <i>was</i> wintry, you could stick to the foothills and the Carolina Piedmont and have a much, much better chance of drivable weather. What happens if you get to Asheville and the mountains are socked in or snowy? With a tight timetable, which will probably be half used up by then, you'll be in something of a pickle.

I'd also mention that daylight will be very short when you're traveling, so unless you want to drive in the dark (and probably wet or white) - no to that - you'll need to curtail your hours-per-day accordingly.

This is all in the realm of thought experiments, of course, but let me throw out another option - just for your consideration.

Visit Savannah and Charleston, but then fly to Memphis and drive down to New Orleans through the Mississippi Delta, visiting Vicksburg and Natchez en route. There's a fabulous amount of scenery and history along the river, some of the best food in the US, and you won't be battling snowy mountain roads.

The Smoky Mountains and the Blue Ridge are treasures, but unless you're a real pro at driving in the snow and gloom, winter is not the best time. If you're planning to visit DC and NYC (and don't forget Philly) in the future, hit the Blue Ridge and Smoky Mts. on that trip, as a pleasant respite from subtropical heat (in the summer) or - their best seasons - during the autumn or spring. Now <i>that's</i> a great time to see that part of America.

Meanwhile, it's blues and barbecue and gospel and rock 'n roll. Stop at Abe's BBQ in Clarksdale at the Crossroads of the Blues and have a full rack. Don't sell your soul; you'll need it for NOLA.

Right now, we have a huge snow on the East Coast, two and three feet in places. Airports are closed. Businesses and schools are closed. Only idiots or street and emergency workers are driving. This storm has affected a wide area, not just the NE.

Nashville has several inches of snow with lots of accidents and thousands of people without power. Several interstates are closed in some sections.

The mid-west US states are generally flat and have good facilities for dealing with snow. The Asheville to Nashville area has mountains, so roads are more dangerous and they do not have as much equipment for clearing.

I am not telling you not to do a road trip then. In all likelihood, you will probably have perfect, clear weather. It is just better in this case to have a back up plan and you do need to allow time. Plan on two or three days in the city of your departure fight, so if you are stuck somewhere along the way, you can still make it. You need to build in a little wiggle room in case you do lose a day or two somewhere because of winter weather.

Why don't you reverse the trip, fly into Memphis and home from Orlando? That way, if you got stuck somewhere for a day or so, you could skip Asheville or Savannah, still have time for Orlando and fly home from there.

If you fly into Memphis and learn things are really bad through the mountains, you could get tickets for a few days later from New Orleans to Orlando and do Gardyloo's suggested Southern trip, which, BTW, I think is absolutely great!

Reversing it would give you both a back up plan and some insurance of a good trip whatever happens weather wise,

Thanks all. Yes you have tapped into my paranoia that we get somehow snowbound with No spare days and lots of distance to cover!

If we could do the trip in reverse it does change the dynamics of the trip ie disneyworld not done first but a week or two in. Although I do like the insurance policy aspect as you say , it might put our disneyworld dates at Christmas to New Years which is even more ridiculously busy than the week or two before?

Thought bubble- if we were happy to fly from Orlando to the start of a road trip , what's another itinerary that limits weather exposure but still offers stuff to see and do? Does this open up the possibility of moving further west into safer weather states? We would still have maybe same amount of days 11-12, less maybe a day to get to and fro airport .
I love the blues so am digging the Mississippi and clarksdale options . For the fam, I am reminded enough by all the posts above that it's a learning experience .

Any alternative drives welcome. Am seeing the potential weather risks we are taking with original plan!

Thanks again to all!

Potential weather happens every day. LOL
.
This storm is one for the century--likened to Hurricane Sandy several years ago IN THE SUMMER. It was also predicted for 10 days and airlines eased restrictions, etc. early on.
I realize your need for a tight window, but I do think that you could make what plans you really want to do without worrying about a blizzard hampering you.
There is a 4 lane highway that goes through the GSMNP, by the way. Yes some roads DO close.
Interstate 40 between Asheville and Knoxville has one of the most beautiful stretches along the Pigeon River gorge for about 45 miles outside Asheville which is winding but not "mountainous". From Knoxville to Nashville the highway (it is 4-6 lanes) is non-mountainous--really.
If you want to fly between stuff, do it.

<i>...if we were happy to fly from Orlando to the start of a road trip , what's another itinerary that limits weather exposure but still offers stuff to see and do? Does this open up the possibility of moving further west into safer weather states? We would still have maybe same amount of days 11-12, less maybe a day to get to and fro airport...</i>

Much would depend on where else in the US you've been or would like to visit. If it's a blank slate the list is pretty big. Obviously the desert southwest is a prime target. My own favorite place at that time of year is Palm Springs and Joshua Tree NP - remarkable diversity including Joshua Tree itself, the Palm Springs aerial tram that takes you from the desert up to snow country in minutes; very cool mid-century architecture, great food, and remarkably cheap.

Or Death Valley - fabulous for the kids - ghost towns, hikes...

Or Big Sur and the Monterey Bay area - millions of migrating Monarch butterflies in Pacific Grove, breeding elephant seals next to the incredible Hearst Castle, coast redwoods in several state parks, Point Lobos and its wildlife and stunning scenery...

Or a 10-11 day road trip that touches all the bases, like this - https://goo.gl/maps/qvqkQrJ6gd32 To me, this would be a lot more kid-friendly a trip than one that is, IMO, way more adult-centric, unless your kids are big fans of the blues.

Wide open, but of course that's a very big restructuring of your whole trip, and maybe you've already visited some of these places.

Thanks for the options . I saw some of the southwest 20years ago on a group tour that took 2 weeks to go from Nola to la. I loved it , tho there was lots of days travelling big miles on a bus!
Would love to take fam to Grand Canyon so the southwest does appeal. We looked last time to drive from Grand Canyon up through other np to Yosemite and sequoia but I think in winter some of the roads from the south aren't open?
Not sure we'd need Vegas with kids , but I assume it's necessary base to see the canyon? Winter obviously cold in canyon , Joshua tree etc but milder than out east? Roads less likely to be snowed in?
We've seen a bit of sf and Yosemite last trip and loved them, so am enticed by the thought of milder weather and seeing more of that country.

What about San Diego ? We drove there from la last trip to go to legoland just for the day (shudders, even the kids weren't that fussed). It seemed like mild weather , attractions that had broad appeal , and striking distance from la and some of the other southwest parks and Grand Canyon?

I love the road trip suggested by gardyloo. At 1000 miles it's a long one! Assume there's logical stops in there for few nights at a stretch ?

We're flying to Hawaii on the way back home so the thought of doing some travel on the west coast just before is appealing ��

We found west coast winter weather similar to a mild Aussie winter apart from Yosemite which was mountainous so a bit colder

I am starting to see perhaps the wife and I might keep our eastern USA trip up our sleeves a bit longer!

Thanks and Appreciate the thoughts and alternatives. We would like to see a mix of fun, history , nature and of course some blatant touristy photo ops. I think disneyworld will provide lots of some of this but leave us primed to see the rest of the us.

The southwest parks and the Grand Canyon are certainly possible, but again, altitude is not your friend. Most of the red rock parks in Arizona, New Mexico and Utah are at very high altitude, e.g. the south rim of the Grand Canyon is around 7000 feet/2100m and snow and ice on the access roads are fairly frequent in December/January. Interstate 40 near Flagstaff is also prone to blizzards and whiteouts.

Other southwest national parks are even higher; Bryce Canyon for example is over 8000 feet, and even breathing can be rough until you get acclimated.

The trip I mapped could easily be shortened by dropping Death Valley, and you could go from Palm Springs/Joshua Tree to San Diego easily. You might look at spending a couple of nights on Mission Bay; it's a shallow, warm and very kid-friendly lagoon, close to Sea World.

Here are a few photos taken in Jan/Feb in various years to illustrate what the places look like:

Monterey aquarium - http://gardyloo.us/0118-6a.JPG
Butterflies, Pacific Grove - http://gardyloo.us/20130124_187b.JPG
Big Sur coast - http://gardyloo.us/20130119_61H1a.jpg
Elephant seals, San Simeon - http://gardyloo.us/20130119_90a.JPG
Spanish mission (1820) Santa Barbara - http://gardyloo.us/20110205_8a.JPG
Joshua Tree NP - http://gardyloo.us/20110205_55a.JPG
Joshua Tree 2 - http://gardyloo.us/20110205_92a.JPG

PLEASE advise what trip you are NOW thinking about. Bevore we give you copious other itineraries we all love, for heavens's sake. Do you want the northwest also. Sorry to be snarky but......

Fair call Gretchen! Sorry . My bad. Too many great ideas and options and only one life and budget�� Was fairly set on our route till I saw the blizzard this week and it made me doubt !

The wife says let's focus on what we originally wanted to see and do

Smarter itinerary is perhaps..

Fly Orlando to Nashville spend 2 days in and around Nashville

Drive Nashville south to Memphis spend 3 days there

Drive south and see Mississippi perhaps Pick up Natchez trace parkway and take 2-4days to do so (options along the way?)

Fly to Hawaii out of somewhere south assume it needs to be New Orleans ? Any other airports between Natchez and there?

The above route seems to have us:
-spending a decent amount of time In key areas we wanted to see
- reduce weather risk by driving south
- get a bit off the beaten track and the interstate
- not changing location and not driving everyday and less driving overall


It does mean we would mIss smokey this trip and would look to Combine it with future road trip to Dc and ny in fall or springtime

Ok that's what I'm thinking - thoughts? Do we need to go all the way south to Nola? Any upside to doing this trip in reverse from Mississippi up to Nashville?

Thanks , for the ideas and the patience:)

That may be overkill IMO and MOST especially if you don't see NOLA after flying to Nashville, it is a real waste, IMO.
Also IMO, this weather thing has become an obsession.
Enjoy whatever you do.
You have also given up fairly close historic and interesting destinations on the east coast (Georgia coast,Savannah, Beaufort, Charleston) for spaced out albeit perhaps interesting backcountry south. Are the kids gonna love this?

You might find this article interesting. It is long and detailed, covering food, sights, events, etc. even great places to stay.
Vacation Faceoff: Charleston vs. Savannah - Travel Chanel

Hi Gretchen . Not sure re the kids. I love the blues so travelling south into Mississippi perhaps is an indulgence for me.
The kids will probably take turns enjoying and complaining at various points . The wife and I figure let's make up destinations we want and the kids can enjoy along the way . We're paying anyway and they may even learn something !
Agree re Nola , esp If we're heading that direction to eventually fly out then it makes sense to spend a couple of days there as I'm sure it's worth it.
Yes I am a bit paranoid re weather. Planning a trip from the other side of the world on a finite budget of time and money does make you want to limit some of the risks and factors beyond your control . An annoying trade off for travelling that time of year I guess.

This process has made me read up want to see places like Savannah , Charleston , Asheville that I didn't know Much about . They will definitely need to be worked into future trips.