My friend and I will be driving from Newark, Delaware to New Orleans. We plan to stay a couple days in Memphis before hitting New Orleans. We already have that part of the trip planned. What we are stuck on is where to go when we leave NO. Does anyone have any suggestions on where to go after that? We were thinking driving back at least half way before stopping. We've never been to Georgia, North or South Carolina, so those places are what we are leaning towards. I realize that those are some broad places, but we are just looking for someplace with some historical value, with nightlife close by. We're the sort who enjoy major historical places, not a place that isn't well known outside of the area. Also, does anyone have any comments on the Heartbreak Hotel in Memphis or the Iberville Suites in NO? I think those are the places we are staying. I'd appreciate any input. Thanks!

Hopefully you are also a huge pork bbq fan because Memphis has the best.

I highly recommend Central BBQ, Leonard's on Fox Plaza Drive, The BBQ Shoppe and Cozy Corner for the BBQ cornish game hen. I still always like Tops BBQ sandwiches as well.

Natchez LA

I meant to type Natchez MS

By all means, visit Graceland, but do NOT stay at Heartbreak Hotel. That area of town is fine for a daytime visit, but it's not anyplace you'd want to be at night.

Stay in the downtown area near Beale Street. There are lots of options: the Peabody is the most famous (also the most expensive), the Hampton Inn at the Peabody Place is nice, but is very expensive for that chain, the Radisson is across the street from the Peabody, and so is a Holiday Inn. There's a very nice Marriott Residence Inn in the downtown area, too. All those places are far superior to the Heartbreak Hotel.

In downtown Memphis, you'll definitely want to visit the Civil Rights Museum.

In New Orleans, the Iberville Suites (which are part of the Ritz-Carlton) used to have a great reputation, but it's slipped a little in recent years. In any event, it's in a good location and I think you'll be pleased with it.

Other great locations you might want to consider visiting on your way home are Savannah and Charleston. Both are wonderful, especially Charleston.