Memphis & New Orleans trip help
 

Hi there, We are just starting to consider the idea of a trip to Memphis and New Orleans September 18-25 this year.

Originally I thought we'd drive from Ontario (2h from Detroit), but I think flying would make more sense for time. We'd fly from Detroit into Memphis for 3 nights then drive to New Orleans for 4 nights and fly home from there.

Our main interests would be music and food related but also any interesting sights. We've never been to the South. I know we can fill the time in New Orleans, but is 3 nights too much in Memphis? Should we spend one night somewhere else en route to New Orleans? Any must sees on the drive? Would a side trip to Nashville be worthwhile?

Also, does anyone have any experience or advice with one-way car rentals in this area? I know in some states it can be prohibitively expensive to drop a car from a different location.

This is very preliminary, just wondering if anyone has any suggestions on how to break up the trip or the rental car situation.

Thanks for any advice!

By "side trip to Nashville," do you mean driving there and back from Memphis in one day? If so, I would not do that - you need at least overnight. It's a longish (boring) drive between the two, and Nashville has plenty to see in its own right.

I'm assuming you would have two full days in Memphis if you spend three nights. You could easily fill that time. One day would be at least half taken up by Graceland (assuming that's interesting to you). I would also really recommend the National Civil Rights Museum, so that's another half day. Between eating barbecue, hanging out on Beale Street, and whatever else you want to do, it wouldn't be hard to fill two days.

Plenty to do in Memphis. Ask locals where to eat and visit. Beale street is only half of what memphis has. Midtown has very cool bars and restaurants as well. I wouldnt side trip to nashville. You could leave early and go to the beaches of alabama or florida panhandle. But it looks like there may be a giant oil spill headed that way.

I'd also recommend saving Nashville for another time -- there's easily enough there to fill at least 2 and as many as 4 days.

Would recommend doing a board search for ideas on Memphis and NOLA. I just did a trip to these two cities recently -- check out my threads:

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...-itinerary.cfm

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...y-184065-2.cfm

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...experience.cfm

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...experience.cfm

Great, thanks so much for the good advice and links.

I agree we'd probably find plenty to do in Memphis but just didn't want to miss out if there's anything spectacular to see nearby or between Memphis and NOLA.

Any tips on car rentals?