BigRuss

And it's soccer in the US because we adopted the English term that distinguished asSOCiation football from Rugby football.

mamabearUK

Not sure what you are getting at Big Russ....completely understand the difference between soccer and football....I am English therefore was talking about football in the UK.... my mistake for referring to pre-season games as friendly...it's something we do here (in case you ever visit).

voyager61

MamabearUK, go Seahawks indeed! I'm from the Northwest U.S. so can't help you too much on your itinerary, but I was just in Nashville recently and enjoyed Merchants restaurant for lunch (great pulled pork sandwich) and The Southern and Etch for dinner. I think the food in Nashville is quite good, and the service is outstanding. And in Nashville, staying downtown is best. I think you could do three nights there easily, especially if you want to go to the Grand Ole Opry, which I highly recommend. Tickets need to be reserved well in advance; it is pure Americana and really entertaining. Be sure to also tour the Ryman Auditorium, which was the original home of the Grand Ole Opry. Haven't been to the UK for several years, but hope to go back soon. Have a great trip!

mamabearUK

We've decided against NOLA......so are heading to Vicksberg and then plan to visit Montgomery but stay elsewhere before heading to Savannah...was going to stop in Americus for 1 night to break up journey.....we now have three spare nights by not staying in NOLA/Plantation...Any suggestions on routing? Or take the obvious and add the days to existing destination?

starrs

I think you may regret that, but less since you are going to Savannah and Charleston. You could dip down to the white sugar sand beaches of 30a for a different experiences. You could spend more time in western GA, in addition to Andersonville because there's a lot to see and do there. Or you can just use the extra time in the cooler mountains.

dwdvagamundo

Sigh--NOLA is one of our favorites cities in the world and it would be one of the highlights of your trip, but if you must--

I'd add a day to Chattanooga and spend a nite and day in Columbus (Confederate Naval Museum). I'd also add a nite in either Savannah or Charleston. Probably Savannah given your time around Charleston.

tower

Mammabear:

I promised you my in-depth itinerary called "Sampling the Deep South"
but I would need your email address to send it. It's an attachment on my computer. Please send me a note to [email protected] and I will send it out immediately. I think it will help you with choices in Savannah and Charleston. Happy travels. (I'm in California)
Stuart Tower

HappyTrvlr

In Atlanta, I recommend that you include a visit to the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Site, www.nps.gov/malu. It includes several buildings, church in his neighborhood plus an excellent interpretive center. It would be very worthwhile for your son as you said he is interested in U.S> history.

mamabearUK

Thanks guys.......I just think we were spreading ourselves too thin....we definitely have NOLA as one of our must visit destinations but given the time of year and the limited time we would have there we have decided to save it for another trip so we can do it justice!

Gretchen

roz, you might want to ask the editors to remove your post so you can put at instead of a real email address. You're gonna get pounded with spam.

Gretchen

I see it is Tower with the complete email address.

tower

Grechen, thanks for you concern, but I don't really care. I've used my real address periodically and I don't recall any unusual spam. I even use my real name as a screen name as I have here for ten years. At 86 as of this week, my fright factor and my caution have dipped to zero.

I'm just trying to get to Mamabear to fulfill my promise to send her my "Sampling the Deep South" treatise which she requested. I just want to help new travelers (or old) wherever I can. "It's what ah do, Ma'am!"
Since I'm a writer of historical ficton, I have not retired by any means...nor do I intend to.

You may have noticed that the "other" Stu (Dudley) always uses his actual email so he can generously share his compehensive France itineraries.

But again, I honestly do appreciate your goodness. More of that wouldn't hurt this forum. I feel it's getting away from the pleasant atmosphere it once had.
Stu

Gretchen

Just wanted to help--if needed. 'o)

dmrt

I live in Memphis and recommend three places for BBQ, Central BBQ, Corky's and The Rendezvous. Central and Corky's have better sandwiches and ribs, The Rendezvous has the best atmosphere. Of course if you like smoky BBQ, Cozy Corner is the place (that is if it gets renovated after a recent fire.)

Other places of interest/things to do are the National Civil Rights Museum, the National Ornamental Metal Museum and river boat cruises on the Mississippi River. I don't know what time of year you are coming, but we also have a AAA baseball team, the Redbirds, that play March thru the first week of September.

Have a great trip. It sounds like fun.

Gretchen

When in Nashville don't forget to partake of the famous hot chicken.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hot_chicken

mamabearUK

August dmrt......where do you recommend staying...we were thinking of The Peabody Hotel and are any of the BBQs walkable? Gretchen ....love hot chicken so will check that out. Hotels in Chattanooga (?Chattanoogan) and Nashville? We want to be able to walk to restaurants, music etc...and drive to attractions....

jent103

I live in Nashville, so haven't visited many of the hotels, but anywhere south of Charlotte, north of Korean Vets, and between 8th/Rosa Parks and the river would be fine from a downtown location standpoint (most tourists focus on that area). There's a Hilton and a Hampton Inn downtown that I've seen recommended here, plus several other options. Anything in that area will let you walk to some restaurants, the honky-tonks on Lower Broadway, the Country Music Hall of Fame, the new Johnny Cash museum and the Ryman. There are some great new restaurants downtown as well - it used to be tough to eat well down there, but there are good options now (and many more a short car ride away). You'll still need to drive to the Grand Ole Opry, the Hermitage or the Bluebird Cafe, for example.

If you post your budget for restaurants, I can give you some great suggestions. If you're not specifically interested in the Falcons, and happen to be in town while the Tennessee Titans have a preseason game, I guarantee you you could get tickets to that.

And yes, it will probably be blazing hot compared to the UK, but everywhere indoors will be air conditioned to be freezing, so you'll be fine!

dmrt

The Peabody would be ideal. You can walk from there to The Rendezvous, Beale Street and even Sun Studio (although that is a bit of a hike). There is also a Hampton Inn (downtown) that is in the same area. There are a variety of restaurants within walking distance of both of these hotels. There are several on Main Street which is a pedestrian walkway.

Are you coming in August during Elvis Week? That is tentatively set for 8/8 - 8/16. If so, hotels and Graceland will be packed. Just a heads up.

For something different, I would recommend looking at Backbeat Tours at www.backbeattours.com for a variety of interesting tours both historical and musical in nature. My daughter and I took the Memphis Mojo Tour and it was great.

tower

In Charleston...take the short boat ride to Fort Sumter...your son will appreciate that. The Fort is still somewhat intact.

mamabearUK

Hi guys, just an update...we have planned our trip and will be visiting as planned in August.....Atlanta-Chatanooga-Memphis-Nashville-Smoky Mountains Charleston-Beaufort-Jeckyl Island and back to Atlanta. We have an amazing trip planned taking in Civil War history/Civil rights sights/music venues and a couple of pre-season NFL games....thanks to all for your help Starrs....Gretchen...JanisJ et al...will post our trip MBx