Road trip through the south
 

Hi! I am currently planning a road trip through the south. We have a little over 2 weeks in the middle of July for our trip and are starting in Atlanta. After that we are thinking Great Smokey Mountains on our way to Nashville. Then continuing to Memphis and Graceland. After that our thoughts are Mississippi Petrified forest in Flora - Natchez - Helena - West Helena (because of the amazing name :) ) - New Orleans - Louisiana (any nice Gumbo recommendations?) and then we end our trip in Dallas.
Does this sound doable? Any advice/suggestions?
Any input is appreciated!
Kind regards,
Helena

Any particular reason to go on to Dallas? Just a big city and not really "south" except in geography.

I agree, why add Dallas? It is quite a long way from New Orleans and not much there unless you want to visit Dealy Plaza where JFK was shot. The rest of the trip is very doable. I would leave off Dallas and spend more time along the coast of Mississippi and Alabama. Gulfport and Biloxi are nice. Gulf Shores. Visit Oxford in Mississippi- a charming small town with a square, shops, etc. Lots to do. I would also take a plantation home tour in Mississippi or Louisana. In Nashville a riverboat ride with lunch and country western entertainment is great. I believe the Riverboat is called the General Jackson. Of course in Memphis you will want to visit Graceland home of Elvis- will be dissappointed by its size like all of us- but hey you have to go and it is nice tour and not too expensive.
In New Orleans check out the World War II Museum, very nice and tells the story of D-Day. Husbands and children will really like it. Movies and WWII vehicles. I went on a walking tour of the Garden District which was nice. It is always nice to ride the street cars thru the Garden District, but go mid day and not at the time schools let out as children ride them to school. Do not get caught with a hundred 7th graders with band instruments as a friend of mine did.
The French Quarter is fine to visit in the day time and early evening, but is a six block drunken mess late at night, I am sorry to say. Many places to dine, but make reservations and go early. Do not stay in the FQ unless you want to be awake all night.
For breakfast you will remember for years, try Petunias in an old house 4-6 blocks from French Quarter.
You mentioned the Smokies- so beautiful. The hike to Rainbow Falls is short and medium exertion. Do not miss the drive to Cade's Cove. Get up early to see the wildlife and you will meet deer on trails. Gatlinburg for touristy shopping, but very crowded and expect slow driving and congestion there. Have fun.

If you could say if This is adults or children too it would be helpful. Also age helps determine activity you might like. thanks

Thanks for your responses! We are 4 adults in our mid-thirtys.
We added Dallas because we hoped for some Ewing-feeling and we also hoped for some ranches and maybe rodeos?
/Helena

You might run into a rodeo in Louisiana around Breaux Bridge?

I like rodeos too, but I don't go in July unless it's indoors. OP, you do realize that July will be hot, right?

In Memphis, go to Sun Studios (birthplace of rock and roll and where Elvis cut his first records) and Beale Street.

If you're into music, stop at the Blues Museum in Clarksville, MS. Vicksburg for the Civil War Battlefield.

OR you could take the Natchez Trace Parkway from northern Mississippi to Natchez.

In the French Quarter, Hotel Le Richelieu is quiet and near the French Market and a streetcar stop, and has parking (used to be free, now I think they charge). It's also a short walk to Frenchmen Street for good jazz clubs.

I would not describe all the French Quarter as a "drunken mess" at night-certainly true of Bourbon Street and Jackson Square, but not so much the rest, at least not outside carnival season.

I'd also not go to Dallas and would instead see the Gulf Coast to the east of New Orleans: Bellingrath Gardens outside Mobile, old Spanish Ford at Pensacola, and beautiful beaches.

Warning: It will be hot in the middle of July everywhere but in the Smokeys and the Gulf Coast (and maybe even there), and very hot and humid (maybe sweltering) in Atlanta, Memphis and New Orleans. So prepare accordingly. If you have some flexibility, go in the late fall.