My husband and I are thinking about taking and auto trip in June or July. We would like to visit New Orleans first and then drive to Memphis. Would like suggestions about side trips - we like to stop often and not just drive. We enjoy both outdoor activities and museums, historic homes etc. Suggestions re: route and things to see would be appreciated.

From New Orleans, you could drive up to Natchez to enjoy the antebellum homes then up Hwy. 61 to Vicksburg. The scenery along the way is great and Vicksburg also has some historic sights. From Natchez, you could continue up Hwy. 61 through the Delta (Merigold is my favorite stop on this route) - or take I-20 to Jackson then north on I-55 to Memphis. Please let me know if you need more info.

That sounds like a great trip. I was thinking of doing the same thing but in reverse, starting at Memphis and working my way down to New Orleans. I've put that trip on hold for a while, though. Meg gave you some good ideas. Tour the antebellum homes in Natchez. Vicksburg has a national park in memory of the civil war and the battle fought there. You could check out the Blues Museum in Clarksdale in the Delta. From the New Orleans end, you could check out some of the old plantation homes along the river road toward Baton Rouge. There is a lot of information available online from Mississippi and Louisiana tourism offices. I used to live in Mississippi and I always got a kick out of the names of towns (Hot Coffee, Itta Bena, etc.) It will be really hot in June and July, so be prepared! Have a great time!

Gee, Ess - you left out Eastabutchee, Chunky and Ovett! I grew up in Mississippi in Gulfport and ended up in Jackson as an adult before leaving for New Orleans. That drive from Vicksburg to Natchez is just great - whichever direction you go!

And don't forget Greenville, home of Shelby Foote, Walker Percy, Hodding Carter, the Stein family (founders of SteinMart), interesting Indian burial sites - and casinos. The Greenville Writers exhibit at the library is an enlightenment. Wonderful state park with cabins nearby - Leroy Percy, at Hollandale. Enjoy .. . .

Harriet's right, Barbara. Greenville is definitely worth a stop, and I forgot about the Indian burial mounds in Winterville, outside Greenville. They're fascinating. Is Doe's still there, Harriet? Barbara might enjoy having dinner there -- for the atmosphere!

Meg, cousins of mine grew up in Gulfport. I was born in Brookhaven, and lived in Meridien and Greenville at various points in my life (now I live in New York). I always imagined the gulf coast to be the best place to live.

Have a great time, Barbara. You will enjoy this trip, not only for the sights, but for the friendliness of the people.

Ess - I have friends from Brookhaven. My husband lived in Greenville after he graduated. It's such a small world, isn't it? Gulfport was a great place to grow up, but when I left for college in the late 80's, the casinos started coming in. It's a totally different place now. I will never move back.

Oh - I think Doe's is still around.