jayne1973

Everyone should see Graceland for themselves, and IMO that goes for just about any such tourist attraction. It is perfect OK to be a tourist AND a traveler.

HappyTrvlr

Caribbean suggestions..Antigua or Barbados. Or instead of the Caribbean, what about Bermuda?

tomfuller

I would not go to Austin (or anyplace in Texas) when you have bypassed Chicago. Riding the Amtrak "City of New Orleans" overnight from New Orleans (or Memphis) to Chicago would be a great finish.
Fly from Chicago to LAX to transfer to your flight back home.

jent103

I realize I'm biased because I live here, but unless you're really interested in civil rights history or going to the beach, I wouldn't pick driving through Alabama over going to Nashville!

Samsaf

October is a beautiful time of year to visit the southeast.

We went to D.C. a couple of months ago, and we stayed at the Embassy Suites in Old Town Alexandria. It was a great location, right across the street from the train that took us into the city.

I live in metro Atlanta, but it wouldn't be at the top of the list to visit. When you leave Charleston, if you could through the Carolinas, maybe stopping in Asheville, on your way to Nashville I think it would be a much prettier drive.

Also, I think someone mentioned above about going to a college football game. In the South, football is huge!! I much prefer SEC football games to NFL. I'm a Tennessee fan, but most any SEC game would be great to see.

Gretchen

Samsaf may have the best route actually, and it "threads" together. Driving across Georgia from the coast is just a "hike".