Deep South Road Trip
 

Hi-
I live in Maryland between DC and Baltimore. And me and a friend of mine are planning a trip down south to South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Kentucky. We don't really have an itinerary or plan on having one. But, some places i have in mind is visiting my friend in Clemson, South Carolina, Atlanta, Georgia, Fort Panye, Alabama, Birmingham, Alabama, Jackson, Mississippi, Vicksburg, Mississippi, Rosedale, Mississippi, Clarksdale, Mississippi, Memphis, tennessee, Nashville, Tennessee, and Lexington, Kentucky. Part of the focus for this trip is to study some music. But, also, just general sightseeing. Anyother places i should check out?

You're covering a lot of ground. How much time are you planning on?

www.hereinfranklin.wordpress.com

I don't know exactly the roads you will be traveling, but Charleston, SC and Savannah GA are close to each other and both are well worth seeing.

Clemson and Charleston are not close if you are also headed to Atlanta. I'd get out a map and see what will work for you based on time and direction of your trip. Pick your route and then start asking about specific cities. Each city you've listed is a trip in and of itself!

i have 2- 2 1/2 weeks. I am only coming across the tip of south carolina to visit a friend of mine at clemson. Charleston I have been too, and it considerably out of the way of my main route, so thats something i ll skip. Atlanta and its vicienty, alabama, the Mississippi Delta, and the cities of Nashville and Memphis are the places i want to focus on. The Mississippi Delta and Memphis and Nashville, Tennessee is where i want to spend most of my time. But, I also want to spend a little time in Northern Georgia and Northern and Central Alabama.

Suggestion, take I-81 south through Virginia to I-77. I-77 to Charlotte and then I-85 to Clemson.

Go to Atlanta next, then I-75 west to Chattanooga. From Chattanooga, I-59 to Birmingham and then I-20/59
south with I-20 going into Jackson and that area.

On your return trip to TN, take the Natchez Trace Parkway, a very interesting trip. You would have to check a map to decide where you want to leave the parkway to head over to Memphis. Any where from Tupelo on.

We were in the Jackson area and took the parkway to Franklin before getting onto I-40 and 81.

Enjoy the trip.

I'm a Marylander also but Hub is from KY.
Berea Kentucky is pretty cool-college there was orginally for students of Appalachia (may still be-not certain) and the town is filled with amazing crafters.
Kentucky also has an excellent system of state parks if you are looking for places to stay.
Versailles Road and area between Lexington and Louisville see the lovely horse farms.
Horse museum around Louisville interesting if you like horseys.

The city of Natchez, MS, is wonderful. The Yankees used the houses for their bases and so did not burn the city.

Louisville has the Derby Museum, Slugger Bat Museum, Speed Art Museum, Muhammed Ali Center, lots of pretty Frederick Olmsted-designed parks, and good restaurants.

I noticed your post, and Fort Payne, Al.
Any reason for choosing that paticular town?

I live close by, so I may can help with any specifics.

Sounds like a great, wandering road trip.
My advice, stay off the interstates and enjoy.

Pharlap

If you are just wondering around the south from town to town and want to see something stay off the Interstate Highway. Driving thru the small towns in the south can be a real treat, Interstate Highways and 18wheelers are not.. Invest in a Rand McNally Road Atlas, WalMart sells one for $5.97.

A fun adjunct to your trip could be John T. Edge's book Southern Belly. Go to the restaurants he suggests in that book--really really cool old timey places.

Yeah. That sounds good. In Fort Payne, the Little River Canyon and Desoto State park caught my eye.

If you are not in a hurry, get off 85 in SC and take the Cherokee Foothills Parkway. It goes by Lake Jocassee which is very pretty, Table Rock, etc. and it runs Southwest towards Clemson, which is a pretty little college town. Downtown Greenville is also very nice and has some great spots, a waterfall running through town, etc.

Hi,

DH and I live in Mississippi, small town, big univeristy.

The Trace has a 55 mph limit but no 18 wheelers, rvs allowed.

Karin

Absolutely take the Natchez Trace Parkway between Natchez and Nashville. You will not be sorry. It is a wonderful and educational drive. Allow time to really see and experience all this Trail has to offer. Take a picnic lunch and stop along the way (no restaurants on the Trail) http://www.nps.gov/natr/index.htm

Consider staying at the Monmouth Plantation in Natchez. Having dinner in their dining room is a must! http://www.monmouthplantation.com/

Rvs are allowed on the Trace.

I am still looking for an editor.

Karin