Monday to Friday drive through the South
 

Looking for advice/suggestions on things NOT to miss in the South. Still haven't decided where to fly into and out of, just looking for the least layovers from Washington state. We want to drive through and see as much stuff and history as we can. I want to see a couple plantations. Any help is much appreciated.

Tennessee is another state we'd like to hit, but I must've missed it when I was tagging. I also should've included the fact we have a 16 year old that has to be somewhat entertained so he doesn't sour the WHOLE trip for us. Ha! Kidding. Sort of.

How long and when is your trip? What made you pick the South besides plantations - are you specifically interested in Civil War history, or the civil rights movement, Appalachian history, country music, mountains, Southern food...? "The South" has a lot of different microcultures, so knowing what made you plan this trip will help with recommendations.

Major airports - Atlanta, obviously, and Charlotte, but also check Nashville. We're a Southwest hub and there at least used to be a direct flight to/from Seattle; I haven't checked lately.

What is the 16-year-old interested in?

Since you tagged Louisiana, I'll add NOL as a possible airport.
See New Orleans by foot and streetcar and maybe take a plantation tour before you rent a car to see Mississippi and Tennessee. Return the car in New Orleans and then get up early the next morning and ride the Amtrak Crescent (leaves 7AM) to Atlanta. Rent another car in Atlanta for the eastern part of your adventure. Fly home from Atlanta.
Check the route of the Crescent to see if you want to see an Alabama town (Birmingham?).

When? Makes a huge difference.

What you expect makes a big difference. If you are from arid Eastern Washington, do you want to see mountains,trees and waterfalls? Country or city?

Is the beach more important than history? Is car racing more important than roots, rock, and blues music? Is country music more interesting than civil war battles? Are you adventurous esters or happy with Olive Garden? Do you like quaint inns, luxury resorts, or Hampton Inn?

If your son has not been to Washington, DC, I would bag the rest of the south, fly there, and see your heritage first. It doesn't hurt that the best things in Washington are free or cheap. It will seem plenty Southern because it is, but it is the heart of America as well.

The Spring Pilgrimage in Natchez, MS, is great for viewing old houses. On the way to Natchez, you could drive the Natchez Trace (or any part of it) from Tennessee, see the Grand Old Opry in Nashville, Elvis's Graceland in Memphis, and the Civil War cemeteries in Shiloh and Vicksburg.

We are going to New Orleans week after next and plan to see some of the plantations on the way down.