louisiana mississippi alabama road trip

Deep South, America Road Trip – Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana

After the success of our Great American Road Trip to the heart of the United States a couple of years ago, I was excited to turn a trip to Huntsville Alabama to a larger road trip to Deep South America: Alabama and Mississippi (with a stop at a UNESCO World Heritage site in Louisiana).

Gulf Shores

Selma to montgomery national historic trail, tuskegee airmen national historic site, freedom riders national monument, montgomery alabama, huntsville alabama, natchez trace parkway, vicksburg mississippi.

• Poverty Point National Monument (Lousiana)

Great American Road Trip

I was in Huntsville Alabama for the TBEX North America conference. I had a chance to do a press trip afterward down to Gulf Shores Alabama.

Gulf Shores is an area with long beautiful white sand beaches, a surprisingly good small zoo, some great opportunities for watersports, and other outdoor recreation. Besides biking, boating, sailing, and lots of eating, I also had a chance to visit Fort Morgan State Park which was the site of the Battle of Mobile Bay in the Civil War. Read more about my visit to Gulf Shores in these detailed posts:

• 12 Great Things to do in Gulf Shores, Alabama
• 8 Great Places to Eat in Gulf Shores, Alabama

Alabama National Parks

After the press trip to Gulf Shores ended, I had two days to make it back to Huntsville Alabama to meet up with my wife and decided to spend it exploring Alabama’s National Parks.

I grew up in the 1960s. The civil rights movement was on the nightly news when I was a kid. As someone who grew up way out in California the problems the United States was having at the time in the South made little sense to me, so I was excited to visit this national historic trail that spans the route from Selma to Montgomery Alabama.

On March 7, 1965, an estimated 500-600 civil rights marchers headed from Selma on U.S. Highway 80, heading towards the state capitol in Montgomery to protest illegal restrictions on their right to vote. The marchers encountered Sheriff Jim Clark and a crowd of recently deputized white men at the Edmund Pettus Bridge. When the marchers failed to disperse the Sheriff’s men attacked in what became known as “Bloody Sunday”. 17 marchers were hospitalized. All of this was captured by TV cameras. A second march later in the month was also turned around and led to the death of one protester.

The civil rights marchers regrouped, organized, and persisted. A third march was protected by the Alabama National Guard, which President Johnson decided to federalize. This park commemorates the struggle and eventual victory of these protests.

I didn’t stop and every marker along this route but stopped at the visitor center halfway along which tries to explain the story.

This park is relatively new, having been created in 1996. The visitor center is small but modern. It uses a lot of videos to talk about the civil rights march from Selma with many of the clips coming from the nightly news I grew up watching. The museum introduces the main actors, both those organizing the march and those opposing it.

Near the town of Tuskegee, Alabama, the United States somewhat reluctantly conducted a controversial experiment in World War II. The Army Air Corps (the precursor to today’s Air Force) was not convinced that a “Negro” man had the capacity to learn to be a pilot. The Army was not at first interested in putting this thesis to the test with its precious airplanes until forced to by political pressure.

They chose an airfield near the Tuskegee Institute for this experiment. The Tuskegee Institute was founded by George Washington Carver as one of the first universities in the south to teach African Americans. The Tuskegee Institute is itself a national historic site, although I did not have time to visit it on this trip.

Black men came from all over the U.S. to Tuskegee to learn to become pilots. For some, it was their first trip to the deep South. They likely had experienced prejudice before, but some had not experienced the Jim Crow laws enforced in the South that was separate and unequal. The museum talks about how the pilots had to fight on two fronts. They fight against fascism abroad and racism at home.

Not only could a black man learn to fly, he could learn to fly well. One pilot instructor at a different training facility would later comment about Tuskegee, “we were graduating men that Tuskeegee would have failed”. The officers at Tuskegee do that just to be competent would not be good enough. The United States was reluctant to deploy these new pilots, until Eleanor Roosevelt took a flight with one in a training plane, and made it very awkward for anyone in the army to claim these Tuskegee airmen were unqualified.

When they were finally deployed to North Africa and later to Italy they were deployed in segregated squadrons. The most well-known of these was the 332nd Fighter Group whose planes were easily identifiable by their red tails. This squadron was tasked with escorting American bombers on raids deep into Germany. They distinguished themselves and their success led eventually to the bomber pilots of all-white units requesting specifically to be escorted by the “Red Tail Angels”.

This museum will take about two hours and uses lots of videos to let the Tuskegee airmen explain their story in their own words. The story continues after the war when the performance of the Tuskegee airmen led in part to Truman’s order to desegregate the armed forces.

Getting back to a civil rights theme, I wanted to visit the Freedom Riders National Monument in Anniston, Alabama.

In 1961 groups of civil rights activists challenged “Jim Crow” segregation laws on buses and in bus stations in the south. Stations had separate restrooms, waiting rooms, and lunch counters for blacks and whites. The United States Supreme Court had ruled this segregation to be illegal on two occasions but this was not being enforced in the South.

A group of “Freedom Rides” was organized by the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) and the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC). Integrated groups of riders would challenge these laws. They would sit together with at least one black person sitting in the front of the bus where they were not allowed by local custom.

Violence broke out when a mob of KKK members attacked a bus at the Greyhound station in Anniston. They blocked its exit and slashed the bus tires. Sheriff deputies came in but only “protected” the bus as far as the city line. Crowds put up with the buses caught up with the Greyhound bus, lit it on fire with a molotov cocktail, and beat the activists as they came off the bus. An hour later when a Trailways bus arrived in town, 8 KKK members came on the bus, beat the Freedom Riders, and left them semi-unconscious.

More rides and more violence happened throughout the South in the Summer of 1961. Pressured by the Kennedy White House, on November 1, 1961, the Interstate Commerce Commission used its authority over interstate commerce to desegregate long-haul buses like Greyhound and Trailways.

The Freedom Riders National Monument is a bit off the beaten path, and while I recommend reading up on the story, I can’t quite recommend the site as it is still under development. It has no visitors center yet and all that I could find was some information on the old Greyhound depot. What signage is there today, does a good job of telling the story, but I wouldn’t go out of my way to see it until such time as they build a visitor center. A project which seems unlikely in the current political climate.

Stop in the capital of Montgomery to visit some iconic Montgomery civil rights sites like the Rosa Parks Museum or the Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church. Or visit the Legacy Museum and National Memorial to Peace and Justice (lynching memorial) which were created by the Equal Justice Initiative.

While you are there if the Montgomery Biscuits are in town, take in a ballgame at one of the better minor league ballparks in the United States.

Read more at:

• 11 Things to Do in Montgomery Alabama
• Montgomery, Alabama – Civil Rights, Slavery, Lynching and the Legacy Museum (Video #98)
• 16 Great Places to Eat or Drink in Montgomery Alabama

You can still see one of three existing Saturn V rockets hanging from the ceiling of the U.S. Space & Rocket Center here. While you’re looking at it don’t be too surprised if a retired rocket scientist turned docent walks up because “his wife wants him to get out of the house”. He probably worked on the very piece of the rocket that you were looking at and can explain it in detail. Next door to the museum is Space Camp.

Huntsville also has a thriving arts scene and the largest private art space in the country at the converted cotton mill Lowe Mill . It is a great food scene, beautiful botanical gardens, and a collection of antebellum homes. See more about Huntsville and my posts:

• Huntsville, Alabama – The Rocket City and More (Video #88)
• “Huntsville, Alabama TBEX Preview Trip” – This Week in Travel #212

As Tennessee Alabama and Mississippi were being settled by European settlers, they used an old Indian trading route from Nashville, Tennessee to Natchez, Mississippi, on the Mississippi River. That trading route is now the Natchez Trace Parkway, a beautiful road run by the National Park Service. The parkway is a swath of green parkland that runs for 444 miles. We drove west from Huntsville and picked up the Natchez Trace towards the city of Vicksburg, Mississippi.

Along the way, we stopped at the visitor center to learn about the history of this route. We also stopped at a nature trail through swampland and at some of the Indian burial mounds along the route. There are no services along the route that we saw, but there is a listing of nearby gas, drinking water and local markets organized by different mileage markers. This is not the fastest route through the state, but probably the prettiest.

As a history buff and a Civil War history buff, in particular, I have been trying to get to Vicksburg Mississippi for a few years. The siege of Vicksburg in 1863 was a major turning point of the Civil War. Its capture allowed the union to control the Mississippi from its headwaters to the Gulf of Mexico which cut the Confederacy in half.

The Vicksburg National Military Park commemorates the battle and those who fought here. One of the more interesting features of the park is the U.S.S. Cairo that is an old Union ironclad gunboat that was sunk during the battle but raised from the muddy waters, largely preserved, in 1965.

Vicksburg seems to me to be a town on the rise after some difficult years. We enjoyed visiting its museum about the Lower Mississippi River . The museum is run by the Army Corps of Engineers which has a base here in Vicksburg. The museum focuses on the Corps’ work on navigation and flood control of the lower Mississippi River. We also enjoined a visit to the Old Courthouse Museum and to some of the wonderful restaurants in town.

Read more about our Vicksburg visit at these posts:

• What to See and Do in Vicksburg, Mississippi
• Where to Eat in Vicksburg, Mississippi

Poverty Point National Monument

The best flights we could find were not out of Vicksburg but out of Little Rock, Arkansas, So we drove from Vicksburg through Louisiana and Arkansas to catch a flight.

Along the way, we stopped at a UNESCO World Heritage Site named Poverty Point. The site is a national monument run by the Louisiana State Park System.

Poverty Point is a series of Indian mounds, not burial mounds, but built probably created for some ceremonial purpose. If the mounds don’t look spectacularly impressive, then you’ve missed the point that they were built in a short period of time by Native Americans using little more technology than reed baskets. If you’re in the area Poverty Point is a very interesting stop that will take you an hour to see by car or longer if you walk the trails instead.

It Little Rock was one of the places that we visited on our Great American Road Trip which included Kansas City , Little Rock , Memphis , Nashville , Louisville , and Cincinnati . If you want to continue the drive from Little Rock check out more information about that trip.

The American South

I’m not sure what I expected from the American South, but most of it was very familiar. There are certainly familiar restaurants and stores. Alabama, in particular, is much prettier than I think I expected. It is very green, and quite beautiful on a warm late spring day. The other states were also beautiful although they may look a little more economically challenged in the rural areas.

We did see some evidence of the difficulties that some rural towns are having when we stopped in Eudora, Arkansas. The grocery store downtown was almost the only building not boarded up on the main street and it had signs declaring it was not going out of business because it totally looked like it was going out of business.

Every once in a while, we saw something that made us do a double-take. I had to stop when I saw the signs for a haunted chicken house in Helfin, Alabama. We also saw signs for two different coon dog cemeteries. We don’t have those at home and that, of course, is the reason I like a good road trip .

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by Chris Christensen

+Chris Christensen | @chris2x | facebook

One Response to “Deep South, America Road Trip – Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana”

Bryan Johnson

Great blog, man. I really want to check out the freedom riders now.

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The Perfect USA Deep South Road Trip Itinerary

Last updated: April 17, 2024 . Written by Laurence Norah - 57 Comments

One of the trips in the US that we had always wanted to do was a “Deep South” road trip. We think the USA is the perfect country for road tripping in, and we’ve already done a number of road trips here, including iconic Route 66 , the Pacific Coast Highway , and the Oregon Trail.

The Deep South was a part of the USA that neither of us had fully explored, so we decided to spend five weeks crossing five states to find out what it was all about. Read on for everything you need to know to plan your own perfect USA Deep South Road Trip, including what to eat, what to see, and where to go!

Where is the Deep South of the USA?

First things first. If you’re going to road trip somewhere, you should probably know where it is, right? Well, the Deep South of the USA is usually defined as covering the following states: South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana.

This Deep South road trip itinerary covers a road trip across all five of those states, covering key sights and attractions along the way. We’ve personally done this itinerary, and can definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a fantastic road trip across America’s Deep South.

Why Should You Visit the Deep South of the USA?

The Deep South is a fascinating part of the USA, a land with its own culture and history. The people are known for their friendliness, the food is legendary (so are the portion sizes!), and there is a huge amount of history here to learn about, from the native peoples through to the American Civil War and civil rights movement.

There are lovely old towns, stunning wilderness areas, sumptuous plantation homes, spooky old cemeteries and fun events – like the world famous Mardi Gras parades. To be honest there’s something for everyone. And what better way to experience all of this than by taking a classic road trip across the Deep South?

We’d argue there isn’t a better way. So let’s take a look at our idea of a perfect Deep South road trip itinerary.

Deep South Road Trip Itinerary

This is a one way road trip itinerary. We find this makes the most sense for this road trip, as it saves you driving all the way back to the start.

If you rent a car for the trip, be aware that most car rental providers charge a one-way fee. As is often the case with our road trips, we booked our hire car directly with Enterprise who offered the best value for our trip.

We can also recommend comparing prices across a range of providers using a website like Discover Cars . If you decide to rent an RV, then we recommend Motorhome Republic to compare and book.

The timings below are for a three week trip, however you can adjust the days to suit your own schedule, and we have some suggested itineraries in the section on timing further on in the post.

Days 1-3: Charleston, South Carolina

Charleston is the perfect place to start this road trip. It has a food scene that is one of the best in the country, and there is a lot to see and do here – plus the airport is fairly large, so it’s easy to get to.

We’d suggest spending at least two days in Charleston. Spend some time exploring the downtown area – a good way to do so is to take a carriage ride through the historic part of town.

There are also a number of museums and old houses that are worth visiting, including Charleston Museum – the oldest in the US, and the Old Slave Mart Museum , which will help you learn about a darker part of US history.

If you’re interested in naval or military history, the USS Yorktown at Patriots Point is well worth a visit – a retired US aircraft carrier which you can lose a whole day exploring. A trip out to Fort Sumter is also well worth it – this was where the first shots were fired in the American Civil War.

You’re going to be encountering a lot of civil war sights and information on this road trip, so starting with Fort Sumter will get you up to speed quickly. You can get your tickets for Fort Sumter in advance here .

If you’ve got time, I’d also suggest heading out of town and visiting some of the old plantation homes around Charleston.

We visited four of these, and can definitely recommend adding at least one to your itinerary. There are four within a twenty minute drive of the city: Magnolia Plantation , Boone Hall Plantation , Middleton Place Plantation and Drayton Hall .

See our complete guide to the Charleston Plantations for more information and to help plan your visit.

For more on Charleston, take a look at my detailed guide to visiting Charleston , which has everything you need for getting the most out of your stay. We can also recommend the Charleston Tour Pass (also check price here ) for saving money on attractions in the city.

Where to stay in Charleston : We’ve stayed in and can recommend both the Mills House Wyndham Grand and the Francis Marion Hotel . Other recommended options are the Days Inn by Wyndham , the NotsoHostel and Barksdale House Inn .

Days 4 – 6: Savannah, Georgia

The oldest city in Georgia, Savannah has a totally different vibe to Charleston – and there’s plenty to see and do here as well.

For that reason, you’ll want to spend at least a day or two in Savannah. I’d also suggest on your way down that you take the time to pop out to Botany Bay Island – there’s a beautiful beach here full of driftwood trees that is worth visiting.

Once you get to Savannah, you won’t be short of options for signt-seeing, eating and drinking. From learning about the town’s history and the civil war and civil rights movement at the Savannah History Museum , through to taking a trolley tour and exploring the beautiful waterfront, you’ll find your days full in no time.

If you’ve got time, we also recommend heading out of town to Tybee Island – an old seaside resort, where you’ll find a lengthy beach and historic lighthouse. On the way there, you’ll also be able to visit the civil war era Fort Pulaski , and the excellent Oatland Island Wildlife Centre , home to everything from mountain lions to birds of prey.

Finally, don’t miss the incredible Bonaventure Cemetery , and, as you head out of town, we also suggest visiting Wormsloe Historic Site . Read more about what to see and do (and some great food ideas!) in Savannah in our Savannah guide .

Savannah also has a pass that can save you money, the Savannah Tour Pass (compare price here too), which is worth looking into if you plan on visiting some of the attractions it covers.

Where to stay in Savannah : We stayed in and can recommend the  Quality Inn in downtown Savannah. Other options to consider include the Olde Harbour Inn , The Alida , and the Fairfield Inn & Suites .

Days 7 & 8: Atlanta, Georgia

Next stop on our Deep South road trip is the capital city of Georgia – Atlanta.

If you have time though, I’d recommend taking the time to head a bit further south of Savannah to Jekyll Island. There’s a beautiful driftwood beach at the north end of the island, perfect for watching the sunset or sunrise, and the island itself has a relaxed laid back feeling.

Then, rather than the interstate, cruise up the quieter country roads from Brunswick to Macon, and the onto Atlanta.

Atlanta is the capital city of Georgia, and has a definite city feel. We didn’t spend a lot of time here, but we did visit the World of Coca Cola , where we learnt all about the history of this iconic soft drink (and drank a lot of it too!).

Other highlights in Atlanta include the Georgia Aquarium , the Atlanta Zoo , CNN Studio Tours , the Centre for Civil and Human Rights and the Fernbank Museum of National History .

If you’re planning on visiting a number of these locations, we recommend checking out the Atlanta CityPass , which can save you over 40% on ticket prices.

Once you’re done with Atlanta, it’s time to head to a new state – Alabama!

Where to stay in Atlanta : Options to consider in Atlanta include the AC Hotel Atlanta , Loews Atlanta Hotel ,  the Springhill Suites by Marriott and the Clarion Inn & Suites .

Days 9 & 10: Birmingham, Alabama

The Civil Rights movement in the USA existed across the nation, but many of the key events in the march towards equal rights for all happened in Alabama.

One of these events was the bombing of the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church, which killed four African-American girls, and injured at least 14 others.

It was also the home of the Birmingham Campaign , one of the key movements that focused the attention of the country, and the world, on the civil rights movement.

One of the best places to learn about these events is at the excellent Birmingham Civil Rights Institute , which forms a part of the Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument , alongside other key civil rights locations in the city.

These include the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church and Kelly Ingram Park, both of which are just over the road from the Institute, as well as the Bethel Baptist Church and the A.G. Gaston Motel.

As well as learning about Civil Rights, Birmingham has a number of other attractions. This was a major mining town and there are a number of sights you can visit to learn about this history. The old Sloss Furnaces , now a National Historic Landmark, offer an insight into the industrial past of the city.

You can also head to the top of Red Mountain, home of the Sloss Mines, where the ore for the furnaces was mined. Today, the mountain is topped by a giant statue of the Roman god Vulcan – the largest cast iron statue in the world. This statue is the symbol of the city, and from the top of the hill you can get a wonderful view of the city and surrounds.

Finally, before continuing your adventure, a food recommendation. We ate a lot of great BBQ across the South, and Saw’s BBQ in Birmingham was definitely among our favourites. If you like BBQ – check them out.

Where to stay in Birmingham : Options to consider in Birmingham include the historic 3* Cobb Lane B&B , the 3* Redmont Hotel and the 4* Elyton Hotel . For more budget options, consider the Red Roof Inn or the Quality Inn & Suites , just be aware that these are a short drive out of the city centre.

Days 11 & 12: Montgomery, Alabama

Heading south from Birmingham now, and our road trips takes us to Alabama’s state capital – Montgomery. Again, there’s a lot to see and do here.

We really enjoyed visiting the free Museum found in the Alabama Department of Archives and History , which took us through a whole history of the state, from the native people through to the civil war, civil rights movement and on to modern day Alabama.

Just opposite this is the First White House of the Confederacy, also worth a visit, which was where the President of the Confederate States was based during the period of time that Montgomery was the capital city of these states in early 1861.

There are some other fascinating museums in and around Montgomery if you’re feeling like learning. There’s the Mooseum , which will teach you everything you didn’t know about the beef industry.

Then there’s the Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald Museum , found in one of their former homes, which, as the name suggests, is all about the life of Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald – Scott being particularly famous for penning the Great Gatsby .

Finally, there’s the excellent Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts , showcasing fine art from both American and International artists.

Don’t worry, there’s more to Montgomery than museums of course. We loved visiting Chris’ Hot Dogs , a staple Montgomery diner, which has been serving up classic American fare since 1917!

Finally, there are some lovely locations just to wander. Montgomery has some wonderful historic districts that are worth exploring on foot, and the riverwalk area (also home to the visitors information centre), is a pleasant spot for a stroll.

Where to stay in Montgomery, AL : Accommodation options to consider in Montgomery include the Lattice Inn , the Red Bluff Cottage B&B , the Hampton Inn & Suites . Nearby budget options include this Red Roof Inn and this Extended Stay America .

Day 13: Selma, Alabama

From Montgomery, it’s a short trip across to Selma, which is well worth visiting. We had recently seen the movie Selma when we visited, which had helped with some of our understanding of the importance of this town.

It was in Selma that the famous Selma to Montgomery march took place, with marchers including Dr. Martin Luther King. The march met with violent resistance on Edmund Pettus Bridge on a day that became known as Bloody Sunday, and was unable to continue.

The march was attempted again two days later, but again was forcefully stopped. Finally, on the 21st March 1965, the march was allowed to proceed, and made it all the way to Montgomery, arriving on the 25th March 1965.

Today, Selma is worth visiting to get a feel for the town where these key civil rights events took place. You can walk across the bridge, visit the National Voting Rights Museum & Institute , and the Selma Interpretative Centre, to get eye witness accounts and first hand information on the civil rights movement.

Once you’ve finished seeing Selma, our next destination will be Mobile, but we definitely recommend taking the 20 minutes to drive out to the Old Cahawba Archaeological Site .

For five years, from 1820 to 1825, Cahawaba was the state capital of Alabama. This is hard to believe today, as the town is entirely abandoned, known instead as Alabama’s most famous ghost town. Some buildings have survived, and it is eerie to drive or walk around what was once a large town that is now silent.

Where to stay in Selma, AL : Selma is a relatively small town so there is not a huge choice. This Holiday Inn Express Hotel is the best rated of the options available.

Day 14: Mobile, Alabama

Time to head for the coast now, and the last stop in Alabama – Mobile. In Mobile you’ll notice that famous style of French architecture that the old quarter of New Orleans is famed for, this is because Mobile was the original capital of French Louisiana. It was subsequently colonised by the British and then the Spanish, before joining the United States in 1813.

Again, there’s a lot to do in Mobile, with plenty of museums, historic attractions, parks, not to mention restaurants and bars. However, our real interest in visiting Mobile was to learn about the roots of the Mardi Gras Carnival, because it was in Mobile that the first organised Carnival celebrations took place, leading to the huge parades and celebrations that we now associated with Mardi Gras in the south.

We were in Mobile for their Mardi Gras festivities, and very much enjoyed seeing the night time parade. We also visited the Mobile Carnival Museum , which is a great way to get up to speed with the history of the Carnival in the USA.

Where to stay in Mobile, AL : Good central options in Mobile include the Candlewood Suites , Hampton Inn and Suites and the Forte Conde Inn . Value options a little way out of the city centre include La Quinta by Wyndham and Wingate by Wyndham .

Days 15 & 16: Biloxi, Mississippi

From Mobile, it’s time to leave Alabama and head west, into Mississippi. I’ll be honest – time constraints meant that we didn’t have time on our trip to do a lot of sight-seeing in Mississippi. Which is a shame, because this is a state with a lot to offer, and it’s somewhere we fully intend to return to.

On the route across to Louisiana we mostly just drove through, but we think if you have time, you might want to add in some sight-seeing in Mississippi.

Most logically, the city of Biloxi falls on the route and is a good stopping point.

Other highlights of the route include the INFINITY Science Centre – a 72,000 sq foot NASA visitor and science museum which forms a part of the John C. Stennis Space Centre. If you like space, rockets and science, this is a must visit.

After Biloxi, you’ll be crossing the border and into Louisiana, the final state of your deep south road trip!

Where to stay in Biloxi, MS : There’s a wide range of great value accommodation in Biloxi, including several casino resort hotels. These can be fantastic value if you resist the temptation to gamble. Some examples include the Golden Nugget and the IP Casino Resort and Spa . There’s also a good value Suburban Extended Stay just outside the city.

Days 17 & 18: Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Baton Rouge is the State Capital of Louisiana, and again, there’s plenty to do here to fill two or three days of exploring and eating time.

A highlight for us was a trip to the State Capitol building . This incredible construction towers over the city, and you get incredible views from the top floor – plus you can visit the House of Representatives, and the State Senate, to see politics in action.

Whilst you’re at the State Capitol, you should also visit the old Baton Rouge Arsenal, originally a powder magazine, and now a museum about its history. Capitol Park Museum , which covers a full history of the state of Louisiana, is also well worth a couple of hours of your time at least.

Other highlights of Baton Rouge include the castle-like Old State Capitol Building , which has a stunningly beautiful interior, the Old Governors Mansion , and the USS Kidd – a naval museum on an old warship anchored in the Mississippi.

For more information on what to do on your time in Baton Rouge, including advice for visiting during Mardi Gras, check out our post on the top Things to Do in Baton Rouge .

Between Baton Rouge and New Orleans, along the mighty Mississippi river, is the famous “river road”. This was once home to hundreds of plantation homes and some of the wealthiest people in the country, who made their money predominantly growing sugar cane and through slave labour.

Today, a small number of these plantation homes survive, mostly as visitor attractions. There are a good many to choose from, all of which offer a slightly different experience to the visitor, including some which let you stay overnight.

Helping you choose which one to visit is a post in itself – thankfully Jess has already written one. Check it out for the definitive guide to the Plantations of the Louisiana River Road , based on our experiences visiting 12 of these plantations.

Where to stay in Baton Rouge, LA : We stayed at the very central Hampton Inn and Suites in Baton Route. Other options to consider include the Holiday Inn Express Baton Rouge , the 4* Watermark Baton Rouge and the Hotel Indigo Baton Rouge . For budget out of town options, try Sleep Inn South , Microtel Inn & Suites or SureStay Plus .

Days 19 – 21: New Orleans, Louisiana

Last stop on our epic road trip across the Deep South of the USA is New Orleans . Famous for its huge Mardi Gras celebrations, there is a lot to see and do here – so much so that we happily spent a week exploring the city.

Of course, if you want to experience a huge Mardi Gras, then New Orleans is the place to come. The parades are massive, the crowds are gigantic, and the atmosphere is tough to beat.

We had a lot of fun visiting New Orleans during Mardi Gras and would happily recommend it. That said, there is a lot more to the city than Mardi Gras.

We suggest visiting Mardi Gras World to get a handle on the carnival, heading to the French Quarter to admire the beautiful old balconied buildings, eating Beignets at Café Beignet , sipping coffee at Cafe du Monde , and taking a tour of one of the old cemeteries.

We also took a river boat cruise on the steam powered riverboat the Natchez , which was a wonderful way to end our Deep South adventure.

For more on what to see and do in New Orleans, check out our guide to visiting  New Orleans during Mardi Gras , which has lots of information on activities, plus advice on visiting during Mardi Gras.

We can also recommend the New Orleans Pass to save money on attractions in the city.

Where to stay in New Orleans, LA : There’s a huge amount of choice in New Orleans, although if you visit during Mardi Gras, expect prices to be high. Some options for you to consider are: Bourbon Orleans Hotel , La Quinta by Wyndham , Hotel Mazarin , Hotel le Marais and French Market Inn .

Deep South Road Trip Itinerary Map

Here’s a map of the above route to help you plan your own trip.

Well done – you made it! And so did we. Now, let’s answer some questions you might have, and then cover some practicalities for your trip.

How Long Does a Deep South Road Trip Take?

We spent five weeks road tripping from Charleston to New Orleans, although we spent almost a week at either end, and we travelled fairly slowly, taking our time and really savoring the adventure.

We’d suggest that a two week deep south road trip would be the minimum amount of time we’d recommend, and if you have time, try to stretch it to three weeks so you can fit more in.

As an example of how each of these might look, we have put together suggested timings for a two week deep south road trip itinerary and a three week deep south road trip itinerary below.

2 Week Deep South Road Trip Itinerary

• Days 1 & 2: Charleston, South Carolina
• Days 3 & 4: Savannah, Georgia
• Day 5: Atlanta, Georgia
• Day 6: Birmingham, Alabama
• Day 7: Montgomery, Alabama
• Day 8: Selma, Alabama
• Day 9: Mobile, Alabama
• Day 10: Biloxi, Mississippi
• Days 11 & 12: Baton Rouge, Louisiana
• Day 13 & 14: New Orleans, Louisiana

3 Week Deep South Road Trip Itinerary

• Days 1 – 3 : Charleston, South Carolina
• Days 4 – 6 : Savannah, Georgia
• Days 7 & 8 : Atlanta, Georgia
• Days 9 & 10 : Birmingham, Alabama
• Days 11 & 12 : Montgomery, Alabama
• Day 13 : Selma, Alabama
• Day 14 : Mobile, Alabama
• Days 15 & 16 : Biloxi, Mississippi
• Days 17 & 18 : Baton Rouge, Louisiana
• Day 19 – 21 : New Orleans, Louisiana

Of course, there’s a lot more to see in all the states we’ve mentioned, so you could easily extend this itinerary for as long as you wish!

When to Visit the Deep South

We visited in January, when the temperatures were pleasant for the most part – although we did experience light and brief snowfall in Birmingham, Alabama! We’d definitely suggest Winter or Spring / Fall would offer the most reasonable temperatures. In the summer this part of the USA gets very hot and humid, which can make sight-seeing uncomfortable.

If you’re interested in attending the Mardi Gras festivities, these vary in timing as they are based around Shrove Tuesday, a religious date which changes every year. It usually falls somewhere in February or March.

If you’re not interested in Mardi Gras, it’s best to avoid cities that celebrate it during this time, particularly places like New Orleans, Mobile and Baton Rouge, as accommodations will be both expensive and hard to find.

What to Eat in the Deep South

Fair warning, don’t come to the Deep South expecting to lose weight. Portions are large and the food is definitely waist expanding.

There are a lot of foods to try, but some of our favourites were:

Gumbo – A soup which can be made with seafood or meat and is either cajun or creole in style

Jambalaya – A Louisianan rice dish mixed up with various meats, usually including smokey sausage

Fried Chicken – No round up of Southern food would be complete without mentioning fried chicken. Usually battered, this is an absolute must-try when journeying through the south. We had it presented in all kinds of forms, from the classic no frills fried chicken, through to fried chicken on waffles with bacon and maple syrup. Amazing.

BBQ – Of course, the Deep South doesn’t have a monopoly on BBQ (Texans in particular would have something to say about this I suspect), but the origins of BBQ are definitely in the south. Different regions have different BBQ sauce styles, with the classic meat being pork.

Grits – I’d never had grits before visiting the Deep South, and was I missing out! Served generally as an accompaniment, they are made from ground corn which is boiled. Tastier than they sound!

Where to Stay in the Deep South

There are a lot of lodging options in the USA, truly something for pretty much every budget. On our trip, we did a mix of motels, hotels and AirBnB stays, generally booking online using booking.com as we found that was cheaper than turning up at the property.

Often we’d arrive at hotels and ask if they would price match, but we were usually told by the reception staff to book through booking.com for the best deal! So we did.

For your convenience, here are direct links to all the city pages on booking.com that we used for our deep south road trip. Each section of the article also has recommended lodgings.

• Baton Rouge
• New Orleans

Practicalities for your Deep South Road Trip

Travelling in the Deep South of the USA is relatively easy. People are generally friendly, you can ask for help, and the infrastructure is good. There are a few things to be aware of, so here’s a run down of some of the most important.

The USA uses a 120 Volt electrical system, which means if you’re coming from Europe you need to check if your equipment is supported. Most laptops and phone chargers will work (the adapter will have 100 – 240V marked on it), however high powered items like hair dryers and travel kettles may not. You can buy voltage convertors, but these tend to be heavy – my advice would be just to pick up a cheap version of whatever it is you need in the country from somewhere like Walmart.

The plugs are for the most part a narrow two pin plug, if you’re coming from abroad you’ll need a travel adapter . See more on travel adapters and how to choose one for your trip in our guide to the best travel adapters .

I also advise travelling with a power strip – often motels / hotels don’t have enough outlets to charge all those gadgets we travel with. Something like this would be good.

Internet Access

Internet access is relatively easy to find in the US. WiFi networks can be found at most bars, restaurants, cafes and hotels, and there are also free networks in some public areas. So getting online isn’t too hard.

If you need to be permanently online with data on your phone, you have a number of options. First, check if your cellphone provider has some form of overseas roaming policy. If the prices are unreasonable, you have a number of other options.

First, if your phone is unlocked, you can pick up a SIM card locally. One of the better value deals in the USA I found was the Straight Talk plan, which offers 5GB of data for $45, and can be picked up at any Walmart. There are lots of other PAYG options to choose from, see an overview here .

For more information on the various options you have for getting online, see our complete guide to getting online when you travel .

Health / Insurance

The USA has a great healthcare system, with the huge caveat that it’s mind-bogglingly expensive. I cannot stress the importance of good travel insurance enough that will cover your medical fees if the worst should happen.

Depending on where you live in the world there are numerous travel insurance companies, so do shop around for a good policy.

We have a full guide to travel insurance for UK travellers here.

Safety Tips

The USA is a safe country to travel in for the most part, however, sensible precautions should apply. Don’t leave valuables alone or in plain sight, especially in parked cars. Take advantage of the safe in your hotel or motel. Don’t travel with large amounts of cash – use your credit card or debit card instead, and just keep small bills for tips and instances where cards aren’t accepted.

Be aware of your surroundings, particularly if travelling alone or in an unfamiliar neighbourhood. Check with locals, like your AirBnB host, if there are neighbourhoods to avoid.

Finally, take a look at your governments travel advice page for the latest information that may apply to you – for example, the UK Foreign Office has some helpful information for travellers to the USA here , which applies to both UK and non UK nationals.

The USA uses the US dollar bill. These are all green, and come in seven denominations – $1, $2, $5, $20, $50 and $100. They are all the same size, with only the number and illustration being different, so they can be a little hard to get used to at first. There are also coins, running from 1 cent through to $1.

Credit cards are widely accepted, and are usually the easiest way to pay. At gas stations in particular, it’s most common to pay at the pump with a credit card rather than at the till.

One thing to be aware of – prices in the USA are usually displayed without sales tax or tip included. Sales tax varies state to state, from 0% to around 10%. This is something to keep in mind, especially in restaurants, as everything on the menu will be a bit more expensive than indicated once tax is added.

Tipping is also a part of the culture in the USA, especially in the service industry. Tips average 15%, but can vary between 10% and 20%. You can either add the tip to the credit card, or leave cash. It’s always helpful to have some $1 bills for tipping purposes.

For an idea of how much to budget for a road trip like this, see our guide to how much it costs to travel in the USA .

Driving in the USA is quite easy – the roads are large, well-signed and the vehicles are usually automatic which gives you less to worry about.

There are definitely a few quirks to be aware of though if you’ve not driven here before – things like turning on a red light and the rules at STOP intersections. It’s a lot to cover, so I wrote a whole post on tips for driving in the USA which will answer all your questions.

Otherwise, take a look at car rental prices here to compare the best deals from a number of providers and get yourself booked for your adventure!

Further Reading for your Deep South Road Trip

We’ve written a fair amount about travelling in the USA , plus we have some resources that we think you will find useful for a trip like this. These are:

• A guide to how much it costs to travel in the USA
• Tips for Driving in the USA
• A comprehensive guide to the River Road Plantations of Louisiana
• City guides for New Orleans , Baton Rouge , Savannah and Charleston
• For more road trip inspiration, take a look at our two week California road trip , our two week  Route 66 itinerary , our Pacific Coast Highway guide , our 1 week Route 66 itinerary , and our two week Las Vegas, Grand Canyon and California road trip itinerary
• This is my South – a travel blog focused on what to see and do in this part of the world
• Lonely Planet’s guide to Louisiana and the Deep South
• Our guide to the best Airbnb Alternatives , to help you get the best lodging, whatever your budget
• Looking for more road trip inspiration? Check out our guide to the world’s best road trips for more ideas!

And that pretty much sums up our post on the perfect USA Deep South Road Trip! Have you ever done a trip like this? Anywhere you’d suggest adding to the itinerary? Let us know in the comments below!

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Lee & Sue says

1st January 2024 at 9:44 am

Hi guys…

We really enjoyed reading about your trip… We are doing a trip in April 2024 for 3-4 weeks but we are starting in Dallas Texas & possibly finishing in Miami (Haven’t fully decided yet)…

I have one question that hopefully you may be able to answer… With car rental, say we Start in Dallas are we able to return the vehicle to a totally different place & is there anything we should know about this ??? I’m in my mid 50’s & this will be a new experience for me…

Laurence Norah says

1st January 2024 at 4:05 pm

Hi Lee & Sue

You can definitely book a hire car one way. The only thing to be aware of is that pretty much every car rental company we know of does charge a fee for this, known as a one-way fee. This fee varies by company and where you are returning the car to. Some very popular routes don’t always have a fee (for example we once did a trip from Las Vegas to San Francisco and there was no one way fee when we did it), but that’s the exception.

The fee is normally displayed at the end of the booking process, and you should just be aware the rental car comparison sites don’t always include this fee. So it’s best to get a quote direct to ensure the fee is included.

I hope this helps, have an amazing road trip and let me know if you have any more questions!

Stewart says

1st November 2023 at 11:04 am

Excellent post on a Southern road trip, just wanted to saw we found it very helpful!

1st November 2023 at 1:20 pm

Thanks very much Stewart, I hope you have a great time!

James Messenger says

22nd May 2023 at 5:11 am

May 2023. My wife and I followed your guide virtually to the letter. Starting with Charlestone. We skipped Atlanta due to time. And you were spot on with all your destinations. However for future travellers. Skip Mobile totally. Very little to see and for us a total bust as we arrived on Saturday. On Sunday & Monday most museums, houses and tourist sites are closed. The city Trolley Tour of 90 minutes doesn’t operate those two days. We went to Visitors Centre at 1pm for guidance. It never bothered to open. After 12 days Road Trip this was the most severely disappointing city. We hope this is the only let down as we continue for another 20 days on our 9th US Road Trip.

12th June 2023 at 7:05 pm

I’m delighted to hear you guys have had a great time in following our Deep South road trip itinerary! Interesting to hear your feedback on Mobile, I am sure that will help other travellers. I hope the rest of your adventure also went well 🙂

Safe travels!

Michelle says

14th September 2021 at 6:15 pm

Hello, a friend and i are driving from CT to TX and back all along the south and middle states on way home. CT, NY, PA, WV, KY, TN, Alabama, Miss, Lousiana, Tx. We are looking for places that are not just the tourism attractions, but the places that are a WOW experience – views etc. from PA to TX is there any places that you would say are you have to go to…. Thank you in advance for any guidence on this.

I am looking forward to staying in an amish comunity – yes i am sure it is touristy but they are truley facinating.

17th September 2021 at 11:27 am

Hi Michelle!

Wow, that sounds like a fantastic road trip! I have to be honest that I’ve not visited the first states on your list in sufficient depth to be able to give solid recommendations. For Alambama I can definitely recommend Huntsville, it’s an awesome town with tonnes to do (see our guide to things to do in Huntsville here ). There are also some excellent civil rights trail stops in AL, including in Birmingham, Montgomery and Selma. Old Cahawba Archaeological Park outside Selma is really interesting as well. Further south you can learn about the history of Mardi Gras in Mobile, although you might have crossed into Mississippi by then. In Louisiana, Baton Route is definitely worth some time exploring, and the river road plantations along the way into New Orleans are definitely worth visiting.

I can definitely recommend Amish country. My wife is from Ohio and we’ve visited Amish country a number of times. The food is always a highlight of a visit 😀

Have an amazing trip, let me know if I can offer any further insights!

Jon parker says

15th July 2021 at 6:42 am

Hiya, could I do a Deep South trip over 3 months using a backpack, travelling without a car? Would look to travel from end October for 3 months, what would the weather be like?

15th July 2021 at 11:42 am

You certainly could do that, the locations mentioned in this deep south itinerary are all linked by Greyhound bus, so that would be achievable. The weather is definitely cooler at that time of year, particularly around November and December. In Alabama we were there in January, and we had a few flakes of snow and the temperatures were just above freezing. However it can warm up a bit more. I’d definitely dress warmly though!

Have a safe trip!

Kristin Arnone says

27th May 2021 at 3:26 pm

Hello – I have loved reading several of your itineraries and have gotten several great trip ideas these past few days! Where is the lovely plantation located that is in the photo at the beginning of this Deep South Road Trip article? Thank you so much!!!

28th May 2021 at 1:23 pm

Hi Kristin! That’s Oak Alley Plantation 🙂 You can read all about it in our blog post all about Oak Alley here 🙂

Jessica L Chann says

29th January 2020 at 8:21 pm

Thank you for sharing! These are all fantastic cities. I must admit I am sad to see Tennessee get left off of the list. Nashville and Chattanooga are two amazing cities to visit! Also North Carolina deserves some love! Nothing like the mountains!!

30th January 2020 at 7:29 am

Hi Jessica!

My pleasure. I agree, there are some wonderful stops not on the list – unfortunately I couldn’t include everywhere. Seems I will have to make another itinerary!

Carolyn says

8th July 2019 at 12:27 am

Hey! Great article. I would have loved to read more on your site, but the ads were super frustrating. I know writers have got to make a living, but I actually found it very difficult to read because videos were playing and graphics were flashing beside and at the bottom of my screen.

9th July 2019 at 3:39 pm

Hi Carolyn,

Thanks for your feedback! Unfortunately there are few ways for us to monetize the site beyond ads, most people aren’t willing to pay for content on the internet these days, so the ads are the only option we really have to pay the bills and allow us to travel and write about destinations. We’re not massive fans of ads either, but it’s just the reality. For the ad unit at the bottom you should be able to press the “X” to close it out at least.

Johan Lupander says

20th May 2019 at 10:07 am

Very informative and a great help in planning for a visit in early 2020!

The price advantage for an European in arriving and departing in/from the same airport (ATL) is compelling but naturally means a round-trip itinerary. Your trip suggestion does not include the up-river area Baton Rouge – Natchez – Vicksburg. Any particular reason why?

20th May 2019 at 10:33 am

Hi Johan – thanks very much!

It’s largely just a question of time – there are large chunks of every state that have been left out, such is the nature of a road trip across states. We’re often just as happy spending weeks exploring one state as we are travelling between them. The trip certainly isn’t meant to be prescriptive though, feel free to adjust to your own interests 🙂

23rd April 2019 at 2:17 pm

Great little guide to the South! My girlfriend are from the UK and I are planning a road trip in September-October (six weeks total). Right now our plan is to do it in 2 legs (a Western states leg and a Southern States leg).

Perhaps something like this….

1st leg: Hire RV in San Francisco, then…..Yosemite – Death Valley – Las Vegas – Grand Canyon – Monument Valley – back to Las Vegas (to drop off RV and fly out).

2nd leg: A bit more undecided at the moment. I’ve got some friends just south of Nashville so would like to visit them for a couple of days. But would also love to see New Orleans so perhaps makes sense to fly into there from Vegas and work our way up? I’ve been to Memphis, Nashville and Knoxville on a previous trip so perhaps keen to see some other places with good food and music in the south! Also thinking perhaps better to hire a car in the south and stay in motels, as could be more economical/easy than RV-ing everywhere?

We fly out from New York at the end of the 6 weeks so will plan to spend at least 2-3 days there at the end.

Any advice would be welcome!

Thanks Miles

23rd April 2019 at 2:27 pm

First, thanks very much!

So your first section sounds great, it’s an itinerary that is very popular and is something we hope to write about soon on our blogs 🙂

For the second leg, I’d say flying in NOLA makes sense, and then you can build your itinerary around what you are most interested in. There are lots of cities and attractions (as you can see from this itinerary), and you won’t have any problem filling in your route.

I would say that for this stretch it will likely be more economic to rent a car and stay in budget motels rather than renting an RV. RV’s are great, but they are pretty expensive to rent, and then you often have to pay for campsites anyway. So it makes sense out in the west as there are many areas where you can camp, but in more populated areas it is less logical I think.

I hope this has helped a little bit at least 🙂

23rd April 2019 at 2:34 pm

Hi Laurence,

Thanks a lot for the speedy reply. And you’ve confirmed what I was thinking already, which is great! Just one more question. Do you think 6 weeks is fine for this sort of itinerary?

Thanks again Miles

23rd April 2019 at 3:06 pm

I’d say so yes. Of course, the more time you have the more you can see (the States is a big place!) but you will definitely be able to see a lot in six weeks for sure!

Jeremy says

8th March 2019 at 7:32 pm

Hey, just a quick correction to the Montgomery section of your trip. Cahawba was only the capital city temporarily from 1820 until 1826 – not for over 100 years. Huntsville was the first temporary capital after Alabama became a state in 1819 (200 years ago on December 14 of this year), then Cahawba (as I said, until 1826), then Tuscaloosa until 1846 which is when it moved to Montgomery in an attempt to have the capital be a more centrally located city in the state. Love the blog, My wife and I are heading to Savannah for our anniversary this year and thanks to your blog, we are going to take a couple of extra days to go to Charleston. I’ve been there but it was long ago and I had forgotten how beautiful it was. Thanks.

8th March 2019 at 7:44 pm

Hi Jeremy! Thanks for the information, I’m not sure how I got that so wrong – I must have misread a date somewhere along the line. I’ve updated that. Interestingly, some sources say that Selma was the state capital from 1825 – 1826, wheras others seem to indicate it went from Cahawba to Tuscaloosa. Anyway, I have corrected it in the post to be more accurate! Thanks again, and have a wonderful trip – we loved Charleston, and we hope you do too 🙂

Richard Sullivan says

12th February 2019 at 2:25 pm

This all looks very interesting indeed. I am hoping to do a family road trip, either deep-south, or West to East coast. But blimey, the food does not look at all appealing! Gosh is all food either brown or covered in cheese in America?

12th February 2019 at 5:29 pm

Hi Richard,

Definitely not – there’s pretty much everything you could imagine, from healthy options to more cheese covered dishes 😉

I’m sure you’ll find something you enjoy

Keith & Ann Garner says

21st January 2019 at 12:36 pm

Hi Laurence & Jessica Love your web page, we live in the UK and are thinking of planning a trip to the south for two weeks and looking for advice for the best route to take for us to see the most interesting places. We are thinking of going in May is this a good time? We are planning to arrange the trip ourselves, rather than an agent so is it wise to book hotels/motels or airbnb in advance here in the UK. Any advice would be much appreciated.

many thanks

Keith & Ann

21st January 2019 at 1:12 pm

Hey Keith and Ann,

Thanks very much. It’s a fantastic trip and we’re sure you’ll have a great time. May is a great time for this trip, temperatures will be pleasant but not unbearable, likely in the 20C – 30C range.

For your hotels, I would say that generally you will be ok not to book far in advance at this time of year, the only exceptions would be if there any any events happening in any of the locations you are headed to that you need to be aware of. I can’t think of any off the top of my head. May should also not be too busy in general, so availability should be reasonable. We have not normally had a problem just booking a day or two in advance on trips like this, but if you prefer peace of mind and greater choice, then you can always book in advance. One idea is to book using a platform like booking.com at properties that allow for cancellation, and then you can switch it up as you go if you prefer, whilst having a fallback option.

Have a fantastic trip, and do drop by and let us know how it goes – either here, or in our facebook group 🙂

https://www.facebook.com/groups/travelloversandphotography/

7th January 2019 at 12:04 am

I found your blog, while I was trying to figure out where to go for my 50th birthday. My wife said that we can go anywhere I want, as long as we stay inside the USA. We have up to four weeks, of vacation, ready to go. But we do have two elementary age children. So the trip will have to be between mid June and late August. Over the past 12 years, we’ve taken road trips to West Virginia, across the Northern states. Traveled all around the Mid-West (Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri, and Kentucky). Road trips down the Oregon and California coasts, And we’ve spent a week (give or take a day or two) in each of the following: Hawaii, Miami, New York, Washington D.C, Las Vegas, Phoenix and San Francisco. But I’ve never spent any time in the Deep South. After reading your blog, that may change. You made the Deep South sound like a great place to go with our kids (especially since I’m into American history). The only part I’m worried about, is its weather and the humidity. We’ll be coming from the Seattle area, where the weather and humidity is the exact opposite from the South. So the Summer weather, kind of worries me.

7th January 2019 at 11:16 am

The south is definitely a wonderful place to travel, but you are correct, that time of year is more challenging when it comes to the weather. It’s hot and humid, and it’s also the rainiest time of the year! There are some upsides though – it tends to be less busy, and hotel rates are better! It’s going to be a personal decision of course, I’d say if you do go just make sure to prepare with lots of sunscreen, loose clothing and a hat 🙂

Have a great trip wherever you go!

Larry Spielman says

5th January 2019 at 8:51 pm

Wow, what a gift to discover your post! You have expanded my vision of the deep south. We have visited Charleston, Alanta, and Savannah and loved these locations. Planning this summer going from San Antonio to Mobile with extended time in New Orleans. Obviously we need to plan more time in the Mobile area. Any other words of wisdom for us?

5th January 2019 at 10:30 pm

Thanks very much 🙂 We were in Mobile during Mardi Gras, and we can definitely recommend a visit to the Mardi Gras Museum which is very good. However, we didn’t see much else during our time there. We were also just in San Antonio, I’m not sure if you’re from San Antonio or just starting there, but we did just publish a guide to San Antonio as well 🙂 Of course, if you’re from San Antonio I’m sure all this will be familiar to you!

https://www.findingtheuniverse.com/things-to-do-san-antonio-texas/

Have a great trip!

5th January 2019 at 11:35 pm

Thanks – we will check out your suggestions, flying into San Antonio, train to New Orleans, then rent a car for Alabama. Thanks again.

5th January 2019 at 11:41 pm

My pleasure! Sounds like it’s going to be a great trip 😀 Let us know if you have any more questions!

Connie Fidler Glassford says

17th November 2018 at 4:47 am

I’ve been to a number of cities on your list and loved them all. My town Fairhope, across the bay from Mobile is a gem.

Larisa says

2nd November 2018 at 3:36 am

Great read as we are planing to come over in Dec next year for a road trip as a family of five and we need to do as much research as possible! Our itinerary will be ideally a 7 night Cruise from Galveston then Houston-Lafayette-Slidell-Tallheusee-Orlando-Savannah- Montgomgery-Jackson-Dallas and back to Houston. Excuse the mis-spellings.!

3rd November 2018 at 9:01 am

Sounds like an awesome trip Larisa!

Sherryl Rivers says

10th October 2018 at 7:32 pm

You can also head to the top of Red Mountain, home of the Sloss Mines, where the ore for the furnaces was mind.

You can also head to the top of Red Mountain, home of the Sloss Mines, where the ore for the furnaces was mined.

*****Ore was MINED…not MIND******

12th October 2018 at 3:41 am

Fixed! Thanks so much 🙂

David Shows says

15th August 2018 at 1:11 pm

As a Mississippian who grew up in Long Beach (next to Biloxi) and living in North Carolina let me complement you on your excellent choices. You nailed Charleston and Savannah, two of my favorite towns. For ship watchers, Savannah is one of the busiest ports in the United States, part of a railroad corridor that stretches across the U.S. to San Diego.

I’ve also lived in Mobile and Montgomery and they are two hidden gems. Montgomery has live music on the weekends and a Baseball park built on top of an old confederate barracks. Dauphin Island is near Mobile and it has miles of white sand beaches. If you are a seafood lover btw, I would try our oysters on the the Gulf Coast, in my very prejudiced opinion, some of best tasting anywhere. They can be fried, in a broth, or you can have them char-broiled, cooking in the half-shell with garlic.

I grew up two blocks from the beach, even moved back after Camille, and love the Gulf Coast beaches, where you can get a sunrise and a sunset! On the Coast we have a small town vibe but we have visitors year round, and there are two big military bases in Gulfport and Biloxi that contribute to the big net we cast.

Thanks for the great article! As we say on the Coast, don’t be a stranger! Come back when you can!

15th August 2018 at 8:23 pm

Thank you very much David, it’s always wonderful to hear from a local that we’ve managed to put something together that showcases their part of the world 😀 We certainly do want to come back sometime soon for the amazing food & people, not to mention all the scenery 🙂

12th August 2018 at 11:41 pm

We spent two weeks driving from California to visit the deep south. We stopped in New Orleans, Tallahassee, Savannah, and Charleston. We drove the backroads through deep Georgia and it was amazing! The people in the deep south are straight out of a character novel. They are warm and friendly and some of them say the quirkiest things! The food is phenomenal!! I gained 5 pounds over our trip and I do not regret one bite! We visited in July and the humidity definitely takes some getting used to but after about 3 days, my skin seemed to love it. The architecture, history, plantations, and culture are beautiful and fascinating. The cicadas and the sounds of the insects were truly magical and the lightning bugs!! Seeing the lightning bugs was definitely on my bucket list! So beautiful, like little twinkling fairies. We originally made the trip because we were considering moving out there in 2 years. After the trip, we pushed up our move to next year. We completely fell in love with the deep south. It was everything that I had hoped it would be!

13th August 2018 at 9:05 pm

I am so pleased that you had a wonderful time. The food really is amazing isn’t it? And you are so right about the people. Love that you are moving there a year early too – I hope it all goes well for you!

Have a great journey

Vanessa Perumal says

24th June 2018 at 12:30 pm

Such generous sharing thank you. From New York where would you start your road trip please

24th June 2018 at 10:45 pm

Hey Vanessa – are you thinking of flying from New York or driving? It’s quite a long drive from New York (11 or 12 hours straight driving), so you might prefer to fly to Charleston and start there 🙂

Martha Mason says

26th April 2018 at 7:39 pm

I’m born and raised in Alabama – with a few sojourns in California, New York and Chicago. If you come to Alabama again, make sure you hit Fairhope, a quaint, beautiful town across Mobile Bay from Mobile, AL. If you come this far, also visit Gulf Shores on the shores of the Gulf of Mexico – one of the secrets we keep from beach lovers so it stays pretty and white.

I enjoyed your article on the deep south trip and although I’ve been to all of the places you mentioned, your info. will send me back to those places again better informed.

26th April 2018 at 7:42 pm

Thanks Martha! We’re actually going to be in Alabama this September most likely, visiting Huntsville and some of the space related sights 🙂 Not sure how much time we have, but I’ll definitely keep your tips in mind – thanks very much!

Stephanie says

16th March 2018 at 12:04 pm

Wow this is awesome! I work in the school system So unfortunately summer is the only time my boys and I can travel. We live in Charlotte so we will hit the road this summer. I’ll be sure to prepare for the unbearable heat! We will have about 3 weeks! Thank you for sharing!

16th March 2018 at 4:30 pm

My pleasure, and thanks Stephanie. I’m sure you’ll be fine and are probably used to the heat anyway 🙂 Have a fantastic trip – three weeks is the perfect amount of time for it 😀

9th March 2018 at 8:03 pm

Just wondering how many days total did you spend on this trip:) thanks

9th March 2018 at 8:06 pm

Hi Susy 🙂 We spent five weeks doing the trip, but we spent a week of that in New Orleans at the end. For the suggested itinerary, we’d suggest a minimum of two weeks, and ideally three weeks if you can spare the time. You can see more in this section of the post: https://www.findingtheuniverse.com/usa-deep-south-road-trip-itinerary/#How-Long-Does-a-Deep-South-Road-Trip-Take

11th February 2018 at 6:24 am

Thank you so much for this really informative itinerary! My boyfriend and I are doing a deep south road trip this summer and you’ve given us some great ideas which move away from the typical cities.

11th February 2018 at 10:51 am

My pleasure – have a really wonderful trip and do shout if you have any questions!

Melissa says

25th January 2018 at 8:20 pm

I LOVE THIS! I live in Hawaii, but doing a Road Trip around the South is on my bucket list. Thank you so much for the info and suggestions.

26th January 2018 at 12:39 am

Thanks Melissa! Have an awesome trip when you do it – we sure did 😀

Linda Aksomitis says

26th February 2017 at 5:22 pm

Love your article. There are so many of my favourite deep South destinations on it. As a Canadian, I need to get my Gulf Coast “fix” on a regular basis.

Laurence says

27th February 2017 at 2:48 pm

Thanks Linda! And we still feel there’s so much more to see down here 🙂

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Driving the Byway:

The perfect socially-distanced road trip, when you’re ready to travel and craving some fresh air, there’s nothing better than taking a drive down alabama’s coastal connection scenic byway ..

The drive from the heart of Coastal Mississippi through the ports of Mobile and down to Gulf Shores isn’t particularly long, but it’s full of famous outdoor attractions and open-air restaurants that make the journey so much sweeter. We know you’re anxious to sink your toes into the white-sand of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, but you won’t regret making a stop (or several) at some of these best spots the scenic byway has to offer!

HEADING OUT: COASTAL MISSISSIPPI

Your journey begins on Hwy 90 in Coastal Mississippi. These 62 miles of coastal beauty cross the state’s shoreline along sleepy oak-lined streets and through bustling city centers. In Biloxi, you’ll experience a glimpse of some of the best the state has to offer in a few short miles - and have plenty of places to stop and sample local life.  

Stop in and stretch your legs at Biloxi Small Craft Harbor, the oldest harbor in Biloxi. With stunning waterfront views, large slips for commercial and pleasure crafts, and a variety of activities on-site, it’s always busy with the sights and sounds of an active harbor. You’ll especially love watching the charming shrimp boats drop anchor and sort through their daily catch before it makes its way to local restaurants! 

Want to get even closer? Take a Biloxi Shrimping Trip. This 70-minute marine adventure dives deep into the maritime and seafood industry of Coastal Mississippi as you cast your net for heaps of local marine life and learn every step of the shrimping trade, from the net to your plate.

When you’re ready for a bite, stop by The Reef on Biloxi Beach. On the second floor you’ll find plenty of open-air seating and a magical view of the Gulf of Mexico. Their menu offers everything from fried chicken sandwiches and boudin to grilled grouper and oysters on the half shell.

COASTAL MISSISSIPPI TO MOBILE, ALABAMA

Across the line in Sweet Home Alabama, you’ll head north on Hwy 90 or I-10 to cross the beautiful Mobile Bay before snaking south toward Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. Along the way, you’ll pass through Mobile, a bustling port city that’s full of historic southern charm and waterfront beauty. Though just a short drive from Alabama’s beaches, Mobile has a distinct vibe that deserves a stop (or three) to experience for yourself. 

Though a little off the beaten path, Bellingrath Gardens and Home is something you don’t want to miss. A 65-acre garden and historic home on Fowl River, the gardens showcase beautiful flowers and other fauna all year long. The path through Bellingrath is a little over two miles, and tours are self-guided so you can take as much time as you need to marvel at the sights.

Stay firmly rooted in the past - the military past - at  USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park . Climb aboard the USS Alabama, a WWII naval battleship, to tour all three levels of the ship and experience every aspect of life as a naval soldier. Battleship Memorial Park also houses the Drum (the oldest WWII submarine available to the public), an aircraft pavilion, and several war memorials. All of these exhibits are outdoors and quite spacious, offering you plenty of room to stay safe and socially-distanced.

After all that history, you’ll need to refuel in the present - and there’s nowhere better to whet your appetite than at Bluegill. A staple in Mobile since 1958, this is a haven for locals who love good food, delicious drinks and live music. The restaurant offers plenty of outdoor seating and a robust menu filled with Coastal Alabama classics like seafood gumbo, fried shrimp and grilled oysters.

MOBILE TO ALABAMA’S BEACHES 

As you head south, you’ll jump on Alt Hwy 98 to ride the beautiful Alabama Coastal Connection Scenic Byway right to the shore. The route meanders through a diverse snapshot of south Alabama to end in your ultimate destination –  Alabama’s beaches . Along the way, you’ll pass through rolling farmlands and sleepy southern towns, waterfront fishing communities and bustling hubs of commerce. There are several stops you can make along the way to stretch your legs and experience the area. 

The Gulf Coast is known for our waterfront lifestyle, and the  Weeks Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve  exists to protect it. The public facility includes 9,317 acres of estuarine habitats, each with its own diverse ecosystems and active wildlife. Stroll through a variety of outdoor nature trails to stretch your legs or head inside to explore the Interpretative Center and its educational displays and live animal exhibits. 

A few miles south, the  Graham Creek Nature Preserve  is a 500-acre park that’s dedicated to the preservation of hundreds of rare plant and animal species. Walking trails, wildlife tours, kayaking launches, and family areas are just some of the ways you can branch out to experience this coastal wonder. Or, save your energy for a long stop at the  Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail  in Orange Beach. With 28+ miles that span over nine diverse ecosystems, it’s one of the area’s most popular nature attractions and puts you right in the heart of the Gulf Coast scenery.

If you need a bite before you check-in to your beach vacation rental, you’ll find no shortage of delicious open-air and waterfront  restaurants  to tantalize your taste buds. Stop in at  LuLu’s  to eat and burn off a little energy from the road trip. If you just can’t wait for a Gulf-front view, head to  The Gulf , a beachfront restaurant that’s made of recycled shipping containers and offers custom cocktails right on the sand.

Now that you’re here, we can’t wait to show you around! Stop by one of our  welcome centers  before you check-in for all the info, coupons and southern hospitality you can handle. 

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Explore Coastal Alabama on the Scenic Byway

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Plan a Deep South Road Trip Itinerary: What to See, Do and Eat

Planning a USA Deep South road trip? Here’s my guide to the ultimate itinerary!

One of the most fascinating regions in the United States, southern USA is an area of great natural beauty, friendly folks, sweet accents, rich cultures and traditions, and a love of fried food that speaks to me.

It’s also an enormous area, so when we were planning our Deep South road trip it was tricky to figure out where to go – I can tell you, there was a lot of FOMO involved.

So, if you’re planning a southern USA road trip and need some help, here’s my guide to planning an incredible Deep South USA itinerary that will take you from cities to countryside, picking up history, food, music and culture along the way.

This itinerary focuses on a three-week trip, but if you don’t have that much time, I’ve got suggestions for how to cut it down.

This blog post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you book or buy something through one of these links, I may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you).

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Where is the Deep South?

Before we get into this Deep South road trip itinerary, where exactly is the Deep South of America?

The Deep South is generally considered to be the states of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina. Other states are often included (hey, Texas and Florida), but they’re not technically part of the definition that has developed over time.

I’ve been a bit sneaky with this Deep South USA road trip because I’ve thrown in stops in Tennessee and North Carolina – but I think they’re worth it, and they provide a nice loop for the road trip.

How to do this Deep South road trip

To do this road trip and see the Deep South properly, you’re going to need a car. It is a road trip, after all!

While you can get around the region via public transport if you really have to or want to, having your own wheels gives you the flexibility to go at your own place and explore more.

When we drove this route, we had our own car (my husband’s beloved F150 – he was devastated when he had to sell it when we moved home to Australia!). But you can easily rent a vehicle in any major city. I like to check Discover Cars to compare and choose the best price and vehicle across dozens of rental car companies. 

Another idea is to rent an RV or a campervan to get around the Deep South, which ticks your transport and accommodation costs off in one go. I like Motorhome Republic for RV or campervan rentals as they consolidate options from a variety of companies.

Suggested Deep South road trip itinerary

We were on a longer USA road trip, so we didn’t follow this itinerary exactly – we actually stopped in quite a few more places throughout the South on our southern states road trip itinerary. But after spending time in all of these states, this article curates my personal highlights.

This itinerary will give you a taster of the South’s best big cities and small towns, history and culture, and food and the outdoors. 

This is definitely a choose-your-own-adventure itinerary that you can piece together based on your own personal interests. Start and end where you like, add or remove destinations. Make it your own!

It can be overwhelming, so feel free to get in touch if you’ve got any questions about planning your trip to the Deep South.

To do this itinerary, I think you need at least 3 weeks, but you could squeeze a Deep South road trip like this into 2 weeks if you only spend one or two days max in each location and cut out a couple of these suggested cities. 

If you follow the itinerary I’ve outlined below, it’ll look like this:

• Memphis, Tennessee – 2-3 days 
• Clarksdale, Mississippi – 2 days 
• Natchez, Mississippi – 2 days 
• New Orleans, Louisiana – 2-3 days
• Montgomery, Alabama – 1 day
• Atlanta, Georgia – 2-3 days
• Savannah, Georgia – 2 days
• Charleston, South Carolina – 2 days
• Asheville, North Carolina – 2 days
• Nashville, Tennessee – 2-3 days

And this is how this Deep South road trip 3 weeks itinerary looks on a map.

Let’s hit the road!

Deep South Road Trip Stop 1: Memphis, TN

Start your adventure through the American Deep South in Memphis. The Home of the Blues and the Birthplace of Rock ‘n’ Roll is one of the coolest places to visit in the United States , full of food, music, history and friendly people.

It’s also an easily accessible city from most parts of the United States, with all major airlines flying into Memphis International Airport. Compare prices and book your flight with Skyscanner .

If you’re flying into Memphis, you can rent a car easily at the airport – check prices, vehicles and availability online at Discover Cars . If you’ve already got your own car, then let’s go explore Memphis.

You could easily spend a week in Memphis, but there are plenty more bucket list places to see in the USA Deep South, so try to stick to 2-3 days here. 

Hit the highlights of the city, including:

• The many Memphis museums that cover history, culture and music
• Listen to music at the blues bars along famous Beale Street – Blues City Café, Blind Bear Speakeasy (a short stroll from Beale Street) and Rum Boogie Café Blues Hall are a few great choices
• You can’t visit Memphis without a stop at Sun Studio and the Stax Museum of American Soul Music
• Graceland is the former home of Elvis Presley, and here you can check out plenty of memorabilia like his clothes, records and planes (that’s planes, plural !)
• Of course, the Civil Rights Museum is a must – it’s housed in the Lorraine Motel where Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated on 4 April 1968

Where to eat in Memphis

One of the other highlights of a trip to Memphis is the food. Some of my favourite spots are:

• Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken | Join the queues itching to munch on perfectly fried chicken
• Central BBQ | One of the city’s most well-known BBQ joints
• The Beauty Shop | New American restaurant in a former beauty parlour

Where to stay in Memphis

We stayed in an Airbnb (that I don’t really recommend), but if you’re in Memphis for only a few days it’s better to stay central. Options include the famous The Peabody Hotel  (where Elvis signed his first contract) or Hotel Napoleon . 

Stop 2: Clarksdale, MS

Driving distance from Memphis to Clarksdale: 76 miles / 1.5 hours Stops along the way: Gateway to the Blues Museum , a modern, fun and interactive museum in Tunica

Head south into Mississippi to Clarksdale, one of the key stops on the Mississippi Blues Trail . 

We had only planned to stay here two nights, but it’s such a cool town that we booked a few extra nights. To stick to this Deep South road trip itinerary, plan on 2-3 nights (fewer days if you’re not that into blues music).

Clarksdale has been called home by many famous musicians, including Charley Patton and Ike Turner.

Music is the reason to visit this small, friendly town, and there are several must-visit joints: Ground Zero (co-owned by none other than Morgan Freeman), Red’s, The Shack Up Inn and the Delta Blues Alley Café. This is one of the best places to visit in southern USA for music lovers.

Outside of Clarksdale, there are several sites of interest:

• Indianola  – home to the  B.B. King Museum
• Money  – infamous as the small town where 14-year-old Emmett Till was brutally lynched. There’s a marker (part of the  Mississippi Freedom Trail ) at the location of Bryant’s Grocery. The  Emmett Till Interpretive Center  in nearby Sumner is located in the courthouse where his murderers stood trial and were subsequently acquitted despite mounds of evidence
• Tupelo  – in the birthplace of Elvis Presley, you can see the humble shotgun home he grew up in and visit the  Elvis Presley Museum

Where to eat in Clarksdale

• Abe’s Bar-B-Q  | Great BBQ in a small diner that’s been open since 1949
• Hick’s BBQ and Tamales | As the name says, this place serves up BBQ and tamales
• Hooker Grocer + Eatery  | Serves breakfast and lunch along with a range of groceries

Where to stay in Clarksdale

I highly, highly recommend the very unique Shack Up Inn . We stayed here in both the refurbished grain bins and the shotgun shacks. The whole place has a casual, homely vibe. Blues music is played here many nights throughout the week.

Other options in Clarksdale are The Clark House Inn , a beautiful old homestead, or the modern Lofts at the Five & Dime .

If you want to spend more time in Mississippi (a totally underrated state, in my opinion), I have a whole separate Mississippi road trip itinerary that’s a lot of fun.

Stop 3: Natchez, MS

Driving distance from Clarksdale to Natchez: 216 miles / 4 hours

Stops along the way:

• Cleveland, home to the  GRAMMY Museum Mississippi
• Indianola, where you’ll find the  B.B. King Museum
• Leland, where you’ll find the  Birthplace of Kermit the Frog Museum  
• Vicksburg, a key Civil War site and the location of the  Vicksburg National Military Park

Continue south to Natchez. To get here, you can join a section of the Natchez Trace Parkway, the 440-mile road that runs between Natchez and Nashville. It’s a stunning drive, especially in the fall, when the leaves turn red and gold.

Natchez sits on the Mississippi River, which means some gorgeous sunsets. Head down to Bluff Park for a stroll along the grassy waterfront area and the best sunset views.

It’s a city famous for its antebellum houses. Natchez surrendered quite quickly during the Civil War, which means that these homes weren’t burned or ransacked. There are more than 600 homes around the city, several of which are open to the public. Stanton Hall, Longwood Historic Home and Choctaw Hall Historic Home are some of the most popular to visit. 

During the  Natchez Pilgrimage (held each spring and fall), even more private homes are opened to the public.

While there’s a lot of beauty in the city, you can’t visit Natchez without learning about its tragic and terrible past. Natchez was once home to the second-largest slave market in the South. There’s a marker at the former Forks of the Road Slave Market that commemorates the atrocities of this time.

The African American Museum of History and Culture shares more stories and information about the role of African Americans in the development of Natchez. Miss Lou Heritage Tours has a variety of tours focused on history, music and important areas in the city.

For insights into even older history, visit the Grand Village of the Natchez Indians . The city is named after the Natchez, who inhabited this area for hundreds and hundreds of years. 

The Grand Village – now a museum and 128-acre park – is believed to have been their main ceremonial centre between 1682 and 1730. At the Grand Village you’ll find three historic mounds and a reconstructed house, as well as a nature trail.

Where to eat in Natchez

• Fat Mama’s Tamales  | Has the best tamales in town, if not in the state (this place is listed on the  Mississippi Delta Hot Tamale Trail )
• Magnolia Grill  | Popular joint right on the river

Where to stay in Natchez

The Monmouth Historic Inn  is a beautiful old home on a huge block of land, or the Guest House Historic Mansion   is in downtown Natchez.

Stop 4: New Orleans, LA

Driving distance from Natchez to New Orleans: 176 miles / 2.75 hours

New Orleans is a must-visit on any Deep South road trip. The Big Easy is where you’ll find music spilling out of bars into the streets, gorgeous architecture, unique festivals and traditions, great comfort food, a melting pot of cultures and history, and even some spooky ghost stories and voodoo mysticism. 

Some of the best things to do in New Orleans are:

• Hang out in Bourbon Street for live music and fun (both day and night) or Frenchmen Street
• Check out the lavish floats at Blaine Kern’s Mardi Gras World – a great way to learn about Mardi Gras if you can’t be here during the celebration
• Learn at the National World War II Museum
• Visit the stunning New Orleans Museum of Art
• Take a Sunday Brunch tour on the Steamboat Natchez along the Mississippi River
• Stroll through the Garden District and gape at the historic mansions, or join a food and history walking tour
• Check out the gorgeous architecture around the French Quarter
• Visit the city’s cemeteries and learn about their famous residents – you can do this solo or join a tour (the very brave could even visit the cemeteries at night )
• Hot sauce lovers will enjoy a trip to the Tabasco Factory Tour and Museum
• Go beyond voodoo dolls and discover the traditions and roots of voodoo at the New Orleans National Historic Voodoo Museum

Where to eat in New Orleans

New Orleans is known for its food. From chargrilled oysters to Po’Boys to beignets to boudin, eating the city’s classic dishes should be the centre point of your visit.

• Johnny’s Po-Boys | For the Po-Boys of course (I like mine with fried shrimp)
• Café Du Monde | This place is always packed, but the wait is worth it for the delicious beignets
• Central Grocery | Try a Muffuletta, a sandwich loaded with cheese and cold cuts like salami and ham, topped off with an olive salad
• Commander’s Palace | You’ll probably recognise the blue-and-white-striped front from Instagram. This upscale restaurant is popular so book well in advance

If you want to learn how to make some of New Orleans’ popular dishes, this Cajun and Creole Cooking Class gets great reviews.

Where to stay in New Orleans

The St James Hotel in the French Quarter has rooms with balconies, while the Hotel Tonnelle is in a great location in the Garden District.

Stop 5: Montgomery, AL

Driving distance from New Orleans to Montgomery: 309 miles / 4.5 hours

• Take a driving break in Biloxi and grab some sea air from the Biloxi Lighthouse
• Mobile, home to the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park
• Selma, to cross the Edmund Pettus Bridge and reflect on the Civil Rights Movement

It’s time to continue further east and into “Sweet Home Alabama”, state number 4 on this trip.

Montgomery isn’t always on the list of must-visit places in the Deep South, but I highly recommend it for anyone with an interest in history. 

A major reason to visit Montgomery to is experience the Legacy Museum and National Memorial for Peace and Justice , managed by the Equal Justice Initiative. These two separate sites trace a long history of racial injustice in the United States, from slavery to today.

You’ll need to plan ahead to book your ticket to the Legacy Museum because they are timed. I’d recommend visiting here first, and then catching the complimentary shuttle to the memorial site.

I’m not going to sugarcoat it – this is a tough place to visit. It’s one of the most harrowing places I’ve ever been to. Don’t let the tragedy put you off visiting here – it should be essential for every American to visit.

One of the best things I did in Montgomery was visit the Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church, the church where Martin Luther King Jr. preached for six years. It’s not often you get to sit in the office of a legend who changed the world!

Our guide Wanda had such incredible spirit and energy and left me on such a high all day. Tours run Friday and Saturday, by appointment only.

Montgomery is also home to the Rosa Parks Library and Museum . Rosa lived in Montgomery from the age of 11, and the museum is an in-depth insight into how her actions sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott.

Where to eat in Montgomery

• Central | One of the best places to eat in Montgomery, we had a delicious lunch here and thought the service was outstanding
• Capitol Oyster Bar | Popular spot overlooking the river

Where to stay in Montgomery

Montgomery’s accommodation options are mostly big-name hotel chains. We stayed at the DoubleTree in Downtown Montgomery which was centrally located (and I can never say no to those warm cookies!). There was a Spike Lee movie filming outside the window while we ate breakfast!

Another option that gets good ratings from guests is the Renaissance Montgomery Hotel & Spa at the Convention Center .

Deep South Road Trip Stop 6: Atlanta, GA

Driving distance from Montgomery to Atlanta: 161 miles / 2.5 hours Stops along the way: Birmingham, to continue your history lesson at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute

Home to a population of almost 6 million, Atlanta is a hub for food and culture – and a rapidly growing film industry. 

Plan to spend a day or two in Atlanta, hitting a few of the highlights of the city (I’ve got more details in this guide to spending a weekend in Atlanta ):

• Visit the World of Coca-Cola , a museum dedicated to everyone’s favourite sugary beverage
• Sports lovers will go mad at the College Football Hall of Fame
• Check out the live music scene – Atlanta’s contribution to the music scene has included Outkast, TLC, Ray Charles, Usher and John Mayer

Top tip: Consider purchasing an Atlanta CityPASS  because you’ll save a tonne of money on some of these and other Atlanta attractions.

Where to eat in Atlanta

Oooh, prepare to eat your way through this city!

• LT’s Wings | A venerable Atlanta institution 
• Miller Union | For farm-to-table, seasonal dining
• Virgil’s Gullah Kitchen and Bar | For Gullah and Lowcountry inspired food
• Slutty Vegan | For vegan burgers that even carnivores won’t mind

Where to stay in Atlanta

We didn’t stop overnight in Atlanta, so I don’t have a personal hotel recommendation. But you can never go wrong with a W Hotel and the W Atlanta is located in Downtown. A fabulous historic hotel is The Candler Hotel Atlanta , built by the Coca-Cola founder.

Stop 7: Savannah, GA

Driving distance from Atlanta to Savannah: 248 miles / 3.5 hours

One of the most beautiful cities in the South, Savannah’s Spanish moss-lined streets are filled with well-preserved architecture, rich history – and a ghost or two.

Start your visit to Savannah with a walking tour. There are plenty of walking tours on offer – we chose to go with Old City Tours . The tour took us around the city, starting at Chippewa Square – you may recognise it from Forrest Gump .

We were guided through several of the 22 town squares dotted around Savannah, with stops in front of the famous Mercer Williams House and other spots. It was a great way to learn about the fascinating history of this city.

Although a bit creepy, one of the popular things to do in Savannah is visit the cemeteries in the area. Military generals, poets and politicians are all buried at Bonaventure Cemetery. You can pick up a free map to explore by yourself or join a Savannah cemetery tour .

If you want to get even creepier, join a ghost tour . Savannah is considered one of the most haunted cities in the entire United States. I jumped and almost screamed several times on our tour! I swear I saw someone looking at us from a window of an abandoned house…

Get out of the city and head to Tybee Island, just 20 minutes’ drive from Savannah. This lovely beach enclave is packed with holiday-makers in summer, but you can still find space to park a beach towel on the sand. There are also great seafood restaurants.

Where to eat in Savannah

• Little Duck Diner | This “vintage chic diner” serves up Southern classics with a modern twist
• The Grey | Book well in advance to get a seat at Mashama Bailey’s restaurant inside a restored 1938 Greyhound bus station

Because you’ve only got a few days in Savannah, you could even start your trip off with one of Savannah Taste Experience’s food tours to get a quick insight into the foodie scene.

Where to stay in Savannah

We struggled to find an affordable, pet-friendly option in Savannah so we had our first experience of an Extended Stay America motel . It was surprisingly fine, friendly and comfortable!

But I’d recommend something a little nicer for your stay in Savannah, like the Hamilton Turner Inn , a charming B&B, or the Broughton Corner Loft , which would be good for families.

Stop 8: Charleston, SC

Driving distance from Savannah to Charleston: 107 miles / 2 hours

• Driftwood Beach, a beach on Jekyll Island that’s filled with, well, driftwood – particularly spectacular for photographers at sunrise and sunset
• Angel Oak Tree to gaze in awe at this tree that’s estimated to be between 400 and 500 years old

Another stunning city in the Deep South, Charleston is a must-stop on this Southern USA road trip itinerary.

Charleston’s a very walkable city, so lace up your sneakers and hit the pavement. This is a great self-guided Charleston walking itinerary , which stops by some of the city’s highlights including Waterfront Park and the famous Pineapple Fountain, the French Huguenot Church, the Dock Street Theatre, the Pink House, the Old Slave Mart Museum and Rainbow Row.

When we visited Charleston, we took this intriguing Tragical Hystery tour . Its description – “stories of drunken founders, pirates, murderers and houses of ill repute” – gives you a good idea of the stories you’ll hear and characters you’ll meet along the way!

For a fascinating insight into the Gullah people of the area, book a spot on a Gullah Gullah tour . This tour deep dives into the history and culture of the Gullah Geechee people, descendants of West and Central Africans who were enslaved. These enslaved people were brought to coastal plantations and barrier islands, where they were able to retain many of their traditions – and even created a new Creole language, Gullah.

We didn’t visit Magnolia Plantation, but I hear that the Slavery to Freedom tour is very good. Many plantation tours gloss over their slave pasts, but Magnolia Plantation doesn’t, guiding visitors through the lives of some of the enslaved people who lived there.

Outside of the city, take a drive to Cypress Gardens to enjoy the walking trails and imagine yourself as an extra in The Notebook , which was filmed here. Beware the (fairly small) alligators you’ll see everywhere!

Where to eat in Charleston

• Bertha’s Kitchen | No-frills soul food in a family-run restaurant. Go early to make sure you get a taste of everything
• Chez Nous | Lovely, pint-sized spot with a rotating set menu. We loved sitting at the bar and chatting with staff and other diners
• Zero Restaurant + Bar | For a special night out, book a table at this fine-dining establishment inside the gorgeous Zero George Street Hotel

Where to stay in Charleston

The rooms at the 86 Cannon Historic Inn (adults only) are gorgeous.

Stop 9: Asheville, NC

Driving distance from Charleston to Asheville: 268 miles / 4 hours

Asheville is undoubtedly one of the coolest cities in the Deep South, with a chilled-out population, plenty of breweries and great places to eat, and access to some beautiful outdoor locations.

There’s loads to keep you occupied here:

• Visit the sprawling Biltmore Estate . Take a self-guided tour of just some of the hundreds of rooms built by George Washington Vanderbilt – you can even stay overnight
• Explore the working studios and galleries of dozens of artists around the River Arts District
• Check out Downtown Asheville to see well-preserved Art Deco buildings – don’t forget to stop in and browse a few titles with a glass of Champagne in hand at the cosy Battery Park Book Exchange & Champagne Bar , combining two of my favourite things!
• Sip a few of the local brews in “Beer City USA”. Asheville has more breweries per capita than any other U.S. city. Our favourites were Burial Beer Co and Wedge Brewing 
• Get out of the city for some hiking at Chimney Rock State Park or Grandfather Mountain.
• Or stay behind the wheel and enjoy a few hours exploring the Blue Ridge Parkway – the visitor centre is just outside of Asheville
• Try out your dance moves at Lake Lure, filming location of 80s classic Dirty Dancing

Where to eat in Asheville

• Cúrate | Our lunch here transported us back to our time eating tapas in Spain . The food here is divine, and they have a great vermouth menu
• Smoky Park Supper Club | We loved the grassy riverside location of this farm-to-table restaurant
• Tupelo Honey Café | Fried chicken, shrimp and grits and biscuits are all on the menu of this Southern café. But they have a few healthy green bowls, too (to which you can, of course, add fried chicken!)

Where to stay in Asheville

We stayed at an awesome Airbnb in Asheville but sadly it’s no longer listed. Instead, take a look at The Sinclair , three modern apartments in Downtown Asheville. Or, The Radical is known for its colourful, quirky design – and rooms have terraces.

Deep South Road Trip Stop 10: Nashville, TN

Driving distance from Asheville to Nashville: 294 miles / 4.5 hours

• Knoxville, the first capital of Tennessee and home to some Civil War sites
• Gatlinburg, the “Gateway to the Smoky Mountains”, provides easy access to the most-visited national park in the United States
• Pigeon Forge, to hit up the rides at Dollywood, Dolly Parton’s own amusement park!
• Chattanooga, to see the incredible Rock City , Ruby Falls and Lookout Mountain (you can’t miss the signs for Rock City – you’ll see the billboards along the highway for miles)
• Lynchburg, to tour the Jack Daniel’s Distillery (only if you’ve got a designated driver, of course – or you can take a day tour from Nashville )
• Huntsville, to see the U.S. Space & Rocket Center

Head back into Tennessee, where we’ll end this Deep South road trip in Music City, USA – also known as Nashville, the capital of the state.

But the trip isn’t over yet – make sure you plan to have at least two days to enjoy the city.

Nashville is one of the most popular cities in the USA to visit, and there’s plenty to do here. I have a whole post dedicated to things to do in Nashville , and a few of the must-dos are:

• Take a tour or see a show at the historic Ryman Auditorium
• Visit the Grand Ole Opry , the stage that launched the careers of many stars
• Check out country music royalty at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
• Wander through the Johnny Cash Museum , home to the largest collection of The Undertaker’s memorabilia
• Explore Nashville’s famous murals – just be prepared to line up for a while to get a photo!
• Explore the highlights of city at your own pace, hopping on and off the Old Town Trolley  
• Head out for a night on the town, exploring the honky tonks along Broadway – although there’s live music here at all hours of the day
• Take a look inside the National Museum of African American Music

Where to eat in Nashville

Nashville is a foodie’s dream. There are so many places to eat that it can be hard to decide where to begin, so perhaps book a spot on a food tour . You’ll get to eat classic Nashville dishes while also picking up a few historical facts along the way.

Other popular places to eat in Nashville include:

• Biscuit Love | Prepare to queue to get your hands on these famous biscuits
• Five Daughters Bakery | Incredible, melt-in-the-mouth donuts and pastries (I had to go twice!)
• Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint | Don’t even bother eating before you come here – save space for the mouthwatering BBQ at this joint with several locations around the city 
• Hattie B’s Hot Chicken | Dare you to try the “Shut the cluck up!” heat level!!
• The Treehouse | Yummy food in a lovely setting

Where to stay in Nashville

We stayed in an Airbnb similar to this one during our trip to Nashville. The Bobby Hotel is an über cool boutique hotel with a rooftop pool and a central location, while the Thompson Nashville is in the Gulch neighbourhood.

You can drop your car back in Nashville (make sure you arranged a one-way trip when you booked your rental ) and fly out of Nashville International Airport . This airport services cities across the country, with all the major airlines flying in here.

While your Deep South Road trip is over, you definitely won’t forget this trip for a long time!

Travel tips for a Deep South road trip

Now that you know where you’re planning to go on your Southern USA road trip, here are a few more travel tips to help you get the most out of your trip.

When to visit the Deep South

You can take this road trip through the South most of the year, but the best time to visit the Deep South is March to June, and September and October. July and August bring sticky heat, and January can be downright freezing in some parts of the region.

We did our drive through the Deep South between mid-March and early May, and had great sunshine, although we did have to wear jackets earlier in the trip.

You could also time your trip with some of the awesome festivals the Deep South throws on:

• Mardi Gras in New Orleans (there are also Mardi Gras celebrations in Baton Rouge and Lafayette) – book ahead for this as accommodation is usually limited and pretty expensive
• Jazz and Heritage Festival or French Quarter Festival in New Orleans
• St Patrick’s Day in Savannah – one of the U.S.’s largest St Paddy’s Day celebrations
• The Dirty Dancing Festival in Lake Lure, NC
• Tupelo Elvis Festival – watch Elvis Presley impersonators vie for the prize

This is just a handful of some of them… there are so many more food, music and culture festivals to check out.

Pick up some handy travel guides

A few of the books we had close to hand on our Deep South road trip were:

• This is My South by Caroline Eubanks
• Lonely Planet’s Florida and the South’s Best Trips which highlights some of the best southern road trips
• Deep South by travel writer Paul Theroux, a narrative of his journey through the Deep South, which gave me some interesting background into history, culture and social issues

Travel insurance

I always purchase travel insurance. Travel Insurance Master allows you to compare policies from multiple providers. World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance. Buy at home or while traveling and claim online from anywhere in the world.

Want to create your own Deep South road trip itinerary?

The itinerary I’ve outlined here is what I’d recommend based on the places I loved – but with this road trip, you get to choose your own adventure. 

Follow the itinerary I’ve outlined above, or adapt it to suit your start and end points. Or, plan your road trip around a theme. Here are some ideas for more Deep South road trips based on themes like music and history so you can really curate an itinerary that’s perfect for you.

If you like…

The Deep South is the birthplace of blues music in the United States. This region has bred some of the country’s most famous musicians, from blues to rock ‘n’ roll, country to pop. Plan a trip around some of these musical cities and regions:

• There are more than 200 markers on the Mississippi Blues Trail , highlighting key sites including the supposed “birthplace of the blues” (Dockery Farms), important juke joints and the homes of musicians
• Memphis, home to studios where some of the world’s most well-known music was made
• Nashville is the home of country music, but there’s a whole lot more to explore
• New Orleans, where you can while away the night listening to jazz in dark bars
• Tupelo, Elvis Presley’s birthplace
• Dollywood , Dolly Parton’s own amusement park where you can listen to live bluegrass and country music before stepping on to a rollercoaster

If there’s one thing you can plan on when you’re road tripping the Deep South, it’s that you’ll rarely have a bad meal. The South is known for its cuisine, full of rich flavours and steeped in history and tradition.

Every state has its regional dishes and must-stop-for foods. A few highlights to plan a road trip around:

• Barbecue – every state has its own way of barbecuing and some states even have multiple ways. Dry, wet, slathered in sauce – try them all
• White barbecue sauce – best served on pulled pork and found in Alabama
• Gumbo – a seafood stew best tried in Louisiana
• Crawfish – slap down some newspaper on a table and pick apart these shellfish, or try them in the classic crawfish étouffée, a spicy Cajun stew
• Fried chicken – a delicious staple found everywhere, including the hot, hot chicken Nashville is famous for
• Shrimp and grits – my preferred way to eat grits, but not the only way you can try grits
• Po’Boys – crusty rolls filled with meat, salad and sauce (I like mine with shrimp)
• Catfish – always fried or deep fried
• Fried okra and collard greens – get your veggies in
• Fried pickles – the snack I never knew I needed
• Tamales – try a few on the Mississippi Delta Hot Tamale Trail
• Pie – peach, apple, lemon meringue, banana cream, pecan, Mississippi mud, pumpkin, you name it, these pies are always a deliciously sweet way to finish off a meal.

This list is by no means exhaustive! There are so many dishes that are central to life in the Deep South, and it’s fun (although calorific) to try as many as you can on an American road trip.

Getting outdoors

The Deep South is home to many national and state parks, forests, lakes and other natural features. There are excellent hiking, biking, kayaking and rock climbing adventures. Create your own Deep South road trips by planning journeys through some of these natural beauties.

• Smoky Mountains National Park may be the country’s busiest national park, but it covers 816 square miles, so you’re bound to find a few quieter spots
• Asheville is a great place to base yourself for hiking to Grandfather Mountain, Chimney Rock State Park and for accessing the stunning Blueridge Parkway 
• Chattanooga is surrounded by mountains and forests, so it’s a great spot for rock climbers and people into bouldering, mountain biking and hiking. It’s been named “best town in the USA” multiple times
• We enjoyed the hikes around Boone , and it’s also known for fishing, tubing on the river in summer and kayaking
• The Natchez Trace Parkway is a gorgeous 444-mile (715km) road from Natchez, MS, to Nashville, TN. It’s a great option for those who love the outdoors but want to be behind the wheel
• Same goes for the Blue Ridge Parkway – this is a fantastic drive during fall

Civil Rights history

The fight for civil rights took place across the entirety of the United States, but the most important locations, decisions and events were in the states in the Deep South.

• The best place to start researching a Civil Rights-themed Deep South road trip is on the U.S. Civil Rights Trail website . This trail was announced in 2018. It highlights “places where activists successfully sought equal access to public education, public transportation and voting rights”
• Birmingham, Alabama, has the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, and the 16 th Street Baptist Church is where a bombing killed four young Black girls in 1963
• In Selma, Alabama, the Edmund Pettus Bridge is the location of the brutal Bloody Sunday beatings. The city also has the National Voting Rights Museum and Institute
• Jackson, Mississippi, has the insightful and moving Mississippi Civil Rights Museum (well worth a visit) and the Medgar Evers Home Museum
• In Greensboro, North Carolina, you can see the seats where students began their sit-in in 1960 at the F.W. Woolworths Building, which is now the International Civil Rights Center and Museum

Civil War history

The American Civil War, fought between 1861 and 1865, was the bloodiest battle fought on U.S. soil. The northern Union states defeated the southern Confederate states, resulting in the 13 th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

As an Australian, the Civil War is a topic I’m not familiar with at all, so it was fascinating to visit this part of the U.S. to learn more. If you’re a history buff or you want to get your kids out of the classroom to see history first hand, there are plenty of places to revisit this important part of the country’s story:

• Vicksburg National Military Park in Vicksburg, Mississippi
• Fort Sumter National Monument in Charleston, South Carolina
• Shiloh National Military Park in Shiloh, Tennessee

Virginia is also a state you should put on your Deep South road trip route if Civil War history is an interest of yours. It’s littered with Civil War sites, including the Fredericksburg Battlefield, the Manassas National Battlefield Park and of course the Appomattox Courthouse, which is where General Robert E. Lee surrendered to General Ulysses S. Grant on 9 April, 1865.

The Deep South has produced several important literary figures including William Faulkner, Alice Walker, Zora Neal Hurston, Harper Lee, Anne Rice and John Grisham.

There are several literary sites you can visit throughout the South to see authors’ homes or locations that inspired their novels and poems.

• Rowan Oak in Oxford, Mississippi, was the home of William Faulkner. His grave is also nearby in the Oxford Memorial Cemetery 
• The Tennessee Williams Home is in Columbus, Mississippi, while the Tennessee Williams Rectory Museum is in Clarksdale, Mississippi
• The Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald Museum is in Montgomery, Alabama
• For a modern-day writer, you’ll find the John Grisham Room in the Mitchell Library at Mississippi State University in Starkville 

You could easily spend months travelling through the Deep South and still not see (or eat) everything. But hopefully this post has helped you to start planning the perfect Deep South road trip itinerary!

Did you find this article helpful? Consider buying me a coffee as a way to say thanks!

What are the places you’re hoping to visit on a Deep South road trip?

Related posts

Looking for more USA road trip ideas? You might like these articles!

• New Mexico Road Trip Itinerary: 7 & 10-Day Options in the Land of Enchantment
• Mississippi Road Trip: 7 Fascinating Places to Visit in the Magnolia State
• 17 Fun Things to do in West Texas: An Unmissable West Texas Road Trip
• Utah National Parks Road Trip Itinerary: How to Plan a 7-Day Trip to the Mighty 5

USA TRIP ESSENTIALS

• Book flights to and around the USA online with Skyscanner . I like this site because it shows me which dates are cheaper.
• Find a great hotel in the USA. Check prices on Booking.com   and Expedia online.
• Check out the huge range of day tours throughout the USA on GetYourGuide or Viator . There’s something for everyone.
• A copy of the  Lonely Planet guide to the USA will be handy.
• One thing I always purchase is  travel insurance ! Travel Insurance Master allows you to compare across multiple policy providers, while SafetyWing is great for long-term travellers and digital nomads.

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About REBECCA

I'm a travel junkie who started dreaming about seeing the world from a very young age. I've visited more than 40 countries and have a Master of International Sustainable Tourism Management. A former expat, I've lived in Australia, Papua New Guinea, Argentina and the United States. I share travel resources, tips and stories based on my personal experiences, and my goal is to make travel planning just that bit easier.

2 thoughts on “Plan a Deep South Road Trip Itinerary: What to See, Do and Eat”

Fantastic write up! I’ve been itching for a Deep South road trip ever since reading The Deepest South of All and Dispatches from Pluto by Richard Grant and Theroux’s Deep South. Thanks for putting all of this together – we’ll be doing a 6 week road trip through the area in Sep/Oct and your insights will be invaluable.

Have the BEST time! It’s such a great part of the US, and 6 weeks is such a good amount of time to spend there.

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A 21-Day Road-Trip Itinerary Around the Deep South

If there’s one thing that I’ve learned in all my travels around America, it’s that the US is more like a collection of small countries than one cohesive cultural unit. The lifestyle, language, and norms of each region differ vastly from one another. And even within states, there are vast differences.

The region that surprised me the most was “the South,” defined as the states that were part of the Confederacy, from the Mason-Dixon line to the Mississippi River and down to the Gulf of Mexico. (Texas was part of the Confederacy, too, but it’s generally not considered part of the “Old South,” because, well, it’s Texas and it’s its own beast!)

Growing up as a northerner, I always kind of looked down on the region as “backwards,” but after a few trips around the area , I found that my perceptions about the region were wrong.

I grew to love my time exploring that part of the country. Sure, the South has its problems, but it has a lot more diversity, history, and natural beauty than my preconceived prejudices had allowed.

This region has a ton of parks, lakes, rivers, historical sites, and other interesting places to see. You’d need more than three weeks to properly see it but the deep south itinerary below gives you an overview:

Note : There are many, many, many potential routes you can take through this region. This three-week version is just some highlights I like. Tailor the route to your needs as you please!

Table of Contents

Days 1–3: New Orleans

Days 4–7: mississippi & alabama gulf coast, days 8–9: birmingham, days 10–12: nashville, day 13: franklin, days 14–16: memphis, day 17: oxford, day 18: vicksburg, days 19–20: natchez, day 21: return to new orleans.

But we only have a few days, so here are some suggestions to help you get started:

• Party on Bourbon Street – This probably goes without saying, but do check out Bourbon Street. Sure, it’s touristy, but it’s also exciting and home to lots of buskers, live music, and parades. It’s the beating heart of the city.
• Wander the Garden District and French Quarter – These are two of the most popular and historic districts. Spend some time strolling around, taking in the mansions and old French buildings, either on your own or with a guided walking tour (there are tons to choose from).
• Visit the National World War II Museum – This is the largest museum dedicated to the war in the United States — and it’s one of the best museums in the world. Its use of audio, video, artifacts, and personal stories ties the history of the war together in incredible detail. Listening to firsthand accounts makes it all feel that much more intimate and impactful. Adult admission is $35 USD.
• Go on a voodoo or ghost tour – NOLA has something of a creepy past, and the best way to learn about it is by taking a voodoo or ghost tour . You’ll get to visit cemeteries, explore haunted buildings, and hear all sorts of unsettling anecdotes and ghostly tales.
• Listen to live music on Frenchmen Street – Take in some live music (any night of the week) on this energetic street, the second most popular after Bourbon Street. It has lots of places to listen to blues and jazz; my favorite is the Spotted Cat.

For more things to see and do in NOLA, check out this detailed itinerary .

New Orleans is also an amazing foodie city. Some of my favorite places to indulge at are: Lilly’s Café, Bearcat, Welty’s Deli, Killer PoBoys, Jewel of the South, Acme Oyster House, and Willa Jean.

WHERE TO STAY

• HI New Orleans – This is one of the best hostels in the world and my favorite in New Orleans.
• Auberge NOLA – This hostel hosts nightly parties and events, so it’s super easy to meet people.
• India House Backpackers Hostel – Another wild party hostel, with a swimming pool and live music venue.

Need a rental car to kick-start your trip? Go with Discover Cars . They dig up the best deals so you can save money and make the most out of your road trip!  

Start with a visit to Ocean Springs, Mississippi. It’s a small town with gorgeous white-sand beaches and lots of outdoor activities (such as fishing, stand-up paddleboarding, canoeing, and kayaking). The downtown has lots of little shops and galleries as well.

Next, head to Mobile, Alabama. Visit Fort Condé (built by the French in 1723) and take a tour of the USS Alabama (a World War II vessel docked in Battleship Memorial Park). Make sure to also visit the Carnival Museum (dedicated to Mardi Gras) to learn more about the parade and its cultural significance.

From here, cruise toward Gulf Shores, Alabama, where you’ll find miles of beaches and gorgeous subtropical weather as you soak in the views of the Gulf of Mexico. There are also lots of hotels, resorts, and casinos if you feel like splurging. It’s tacky but fun.

Nearby, you’ll also find Gulf State Park, which spans 6,500 acres and offers beaches, hiking trails, fishing, golf, zip-lining, and sand dunes you can climb (parking rates vary depending on what section of the park you visit).

WHERE TO STAY There aren’t any hostels in this region, so your best bet is Airbnb or using Booking.com to find a cheap motel (or hotel if you feel like splurging!)  

Then spend two nights in Birmingham. It grew to prominence as an industrial hub, relying mostly on nonunionized immigrant workers to undercut production in the northern US. In the 1950s and ’60s, it became a focus for the civil rights movement, and it was here, in 1962, where Dr. King wrote the famous “Letter from a Birmingham Jail.”

Here are few things to see and do while in Birmingham:

• Learn at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute – Opened in 1992, this museum highlights the struggles of the civil rights movement in the 1950s and ’60s. It sheds important light on how the movement impacted the region and changed the direction of the entire country — and the world. Adult admission is $15 USD.
• Explore the Pepper Place Saturday Market – This farmers’ market is a great place to pick up local foods and artisan souvenirs. There’s also often live music, cooking demonstrations, and other activities on weekends (Saturday 7am-12pm).
• Visit the Southern Museum of Flight – This aviation museum has over a hundred airplanes, as well models, engines, artwork, and photographs. The museum even has a Wright Flyer, one of the first planes developed by the Wright brothers, as well as some experimental prototypes that never took off (pun intended). It’s a great place to visit with kids especially. Admission is $10 USD.
• Go hiking or biking – Spanning over a thousand acres, Ruffner Mountain Reserve (a mountain range once mined for iron ore) has all sorts of short hikes. Most are under two miles and range in difficulty from easy to hard. If you’d rather mountain-bike, check out Oak Mountain Park nearby, which has 50 miles of biking trails.
• See the Birmingham Botanical Gardens – For a place to relax and go for a walk, head to the Botanical Gardens. It has over 12,000 plants, 25 different gardens, dozens of sculptures, and several miles of walking paths. Best of all, it’s free!

For a list of other important civil rights sites in the region, check out the Civil Rights Trail . It’s a comprehensive database of such sites around the entire country and has tons of helpful information and resources.

WHERE TO STAY There aren’t any hostels in Birmingham, so use Airbnb or Booking.com to find your cheapest options.  

Here are some things to see and do in Nashville:

• Visit the Tennessee State Museum – Opened in 2018, this museum goes into great detail about the state’s history. It has exhibitions on First Peoples, natural history, the American Revolution, and the Civil War. Admission is free.
• Enjoy live music at the Grand Ole Opry – Opened in 1925, this is the most famous country music venue in the world. Regular live performances, TV broadcasts, and radio shows are held here. Tickets for live performances start at $53 USD per person.
• Visit the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum – With over 2.5 million items (including records, instruments, photographs, etc.), the de facto home of this brand of American music is one of the biggest museums anywhere dedicated to the genre. Museum admission is $29.95 USD.
• See the Parthenon – Built in 1897, this is a full-scale replica of the Parthenon in Athens, Greece. It was built to celebrate the city’s hundredth anniversary and was chosen because Nashville is called “the Athens of the South” (due to its focus on higher education). Admission is $10 USD.
• Listen to music on Broadway – If you’re still craving live music, head to Broadway, the city’s main thoroughfare, where you’ll find all kinds of bars and live music venues. Best of all, there’s usually no cover, so you can bar-hop and enjoy as much music as you want.
• Bode – This is perfect for budget travelers who want a central location. The hotel has really comfortable rooms and a retro in-house café where you can relax with a coffee.

To be fair, I didn’t expect much when I first visited, but Franklin really over-delivered. If you’re a foodie or a fan of live music, a stop here is a must!

Here are a few things to see and do while you’re here:

• Attend the Pilgrimage Music Festival – This massive annual festival brings many world-class musicians to Franklin. Usually held in September, it combines big-name bands with small-town charm. Don’t miss it!
• Explore the Master & Makers Trail – This tourist trail takes you to the region’s breweries, wineries, and distilleries. You’ll get to sample the best Franklin has to offer while learning a bit about how each drink is made.
• Learn about the Civil War – The Battle of Franklin was fought here in 1864. Visit the Lotz House Civil War Museum to learn more (you can even still visit an old building with original Civil War bullet holes!). Admission is by tour only. There’s a guided house tour is $14 USD, or you can choose from various specialty tours ($25 USD), such as a battlefield tour, women’s history tour, or ghost tour.

WHERE TO STAY Since Franklin is quite small, Airbnb is your best option here.  

• Visit the National Civil Rights Museum – Housed in the former motel where Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated, this museum explores the civil rights movement from the 17th century to today, its struggles, and the impact it’s had on the country. It is powerful and poignant and one of the best museums in the country. Don’t miss it! Admission is $20 USD.
• Tour Sun Studios – This is the studio where Elvis got his start. You can take a tour and learn about the King’s origins and how his humble roots eventually led to over a billion records sold. Many other famous musicians also recorded here, such as Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, and Carl Perkins. Admission is $20 USD.
• Wander Beale Street – Known as “America’s Most Iconic Street,” this is where you’ll find Memphis’s best live music. There are numerous bars hosting live performances, as well as street buskers.
• Enjoy the Rock ’n’ Soul Museum – Located on iconic Beale Street, this museum highlights the pioneers and contributions of blues, rock, and soul musicians from the 1930s to the 1970s. There are costumes and recordings from some of the most famous soul musicians, interactive media, and exhibitions on famous performers from Memphis. Admission is $14 USD.
• See Graceland – Graceland, the home of Elvis Presley, is located a few miles south of the city. Even if you’re not a diehard Elvis fan, it’s worth a visit to see just how impactful his life and music has been. You’ll see all kinds of lookalikes and fans while also learning about his life and contributions to the music industry. Admission isn’t cheap though – tours of the mansion start at $82 USD.

Memphis is also another awesome foodie city (see a pattern here?). Some of my favorite places to eat are: Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken, Central BBQ, Loflin Yard, Bounty on Broad, and the Rendezvous (a delicious BBQ place).

• Hostel Memphis – With free breakfast, a shared kitchen, and plenty of common space, this hostel has everything you’ll need!

The town is really small, though, and there are only a couple of things to do here:

• Visit the historic downtown – Downtown you’ll find a charming market square surrounded by lots of restaurants, art galleries, and local shops. It’s a nice place to stroll. For a bite to eat, head to City Grocery, a fine-dining Southern restaurant in a historic two-story brick building.
• Tour Rowan Oak – This was the home of William Faulkner from 1930 to 1962. Built in 1844, today it’s owned by the university. Many of the trees on the property predate the Civil War. Inside there’s a small museum where you can learn about Faulkner and his contributions to American literature. Daily tours are available for $5 USD (cash only).
• Explore Ole Miss – Built in 1848, Ole Miss (the University of Mississippi) is consistently ranked as one of the most beautiful university campuses in the country. Many of the buildings are built from red brick, and the main hall (the Lyceum, used as a hospital during the Civil War) boasts a set of Roman-style pillars.

WHERE TO STAY Since Oxford is quite small, Airbnb is your best option here.  

Like Oxford, there’s not much to do in town, and you really don’t need much time here.

• Take a historic walking tour – There are 35 markers around town that highlight important events and buildings, illuminating Vicksburg’s turbulent legacy. You can download a free self-guided map from Visit Vicksburg with several routes to choose from, as well as information on all the sights.
• Visit Vicksburg National Military Park – This park marks where the actual siege of Vicksburg took place between March 29 and July 4, 1863. The battle claimed over 3,000 lives and, along with Gettysburg, marked the turning point of the war in favor of the Union. In the park, you’ll find monuments (over 1,300 of them), trenches, cannon batteries, antebellum homes, and an old gunboat. Admission is $10 USD per person or $20 USD per vehicle.
• Tour antebellum homes – To get a glimpse at life before (and during) the war, visit some of Vicksburg’s historic antebellum homes (large, elegant mansions built before the Civil War), some of which date back to the 1790s. Some you can only view from the outside, while others offer tours. If you’re looking to splurge, some have even been converted to guesthouses where you can stay overnight (they aren’t cheap though). For an antebellum tour, check out Vicksburg Old Town Tours .

WHERE TO STAY Vicksburg is also super small, so use Airbnb .  

This town features countless antebellum homes. Since the city surrendered quickly during the Civil War, these weren’t torched or ransacked, which has kept them intact for visitors to visit today. Seeing them was one of the highlights of my time in the South. There are over 20 homes open for visits and tours. Of the ones I visited, my favorites were these:

• Longwood – This home had the most impressive architecture (it’s designed in an octagon).
• Rosalie – I found this home to have the most beautiful interior.
• Stanton Hall – This had the prettiest grounds.

WHERE TO STAY Natchez is expensive, so you’ll want to compare your hotel options on Booking.com with any suitable Airbnb options you find.  

It’s time to drive back to NOLA. It’s a short drive (just under three hours) so be sure to stop along the way anytime you see something that piques your interest!

While it can sometimes be challenging and sobering coming face to face with the legacy of America’s past, exploring the South is a must for anyone looking to learn more about our diverse country and the events that have shaped it.

From distinct food to unique music to rich history, a road trip around the Southern US has something to offer everyone. It’s one of the most underrated areas of the country.

Book Your Trip to the USA: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner . They are my favorite search engine, because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is being left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld . If you want to stay elsewhere, use Booking.com as it consistently returns the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it, as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

• Safety Wing (best for everyone)
• Insure My Trip (for those 70 and over)
• Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage)

Looking for the best companies to save money with? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel! I list all the ones I use — and I think they will help you too!

Need a rental car? Discover Cars is a budget-friendly international car rental website. No matter where you’re headed, they’ll be able to find the best — and cheapest — rental for your trip!

Need an affordable RV for your road trip? RVshare lets you rent RVs from private individuals all around the country, saving you tons of money in the process. It’s like Airbnb for RVs, making road trips fun and affordable!

Want More Information on Traveling the United States? Be sure to visit our robust destination guide to the US for even more tips on how to plan your visit!

Got a comment on this article? Join the conversation on Facebook , Instagram , or Twitter and share your thoughts!

Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above may be affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. I recommend only products and companies I use and the income goes to keeping the site community supported and ad free.

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The Deep South, a 2,000-mile road trip, and America’s most outstanding restaurant

Old-world southern charm – the music, the food, and the culture – can only be beaten by the stunning scenery, says sara lawrence. join her for the ride…, by sara lawrence.

Blackberry Farm

Published: Tuesday 24th September 2019

Steering my hotel golf cart alongside a white picket fence, emerald green fields roll into magnificent mountains in the distance, each valley and basin shrouded in early morning mist. It’s easy to see how the Great Smoky Mountains in eastern Tennessee got their name.

This pastoral paradise is part of the lush 4,200 acres which make up Blackberry Farm, a luxury hotel nestled in the foothills of this epic range and one of America’s most celebrated places to relax, recharge and reset. Gazing around at the abundance of nature, breathing in way more oxygen than usual, feeling fresh and connected, it occurs that if there is a heaven it must look a lot like this - my version of heaven, anyway. I’m also thinking that if you can’t find some peace, joy and happiness in this rural idyll then you’d probably be hard pressed to find it anywhere.

There’s an undeniably spiritual feeling to this special place where gratitude is the only attitude, enhanced by the endless succession of gloriously simple yet stunningly executed natural treats and surprises around every corner. My current track leads to the appealingly named ‘Singing Brook Trout Pond’, a picture-perfect natural pool surrounded by vibrant trees and a deserted wooden lodge at one end with two huge rocking chairs on the veranda. The calm water encourages reflection, both literal and metaphorical, and I sit and rock in front of the mountains rising up beyond the varying green layers of water, fields and trees – all combining to create an almost effortless meditative state.

The estate gracefully blends authentic farmstead living with old-world southern charm and super modern amenities. There’s an on-site kitchen garden, beekeeper, creamery, bakery, charcuterie, kennel full of truffle hunting dogs, pens full of turkeys, chickens, ducks and quail as well as a high-tech gym, fabulous spa and next-level cooking in the Barn restaurant. Almost everything on the seasonal menu – from the home-cured trout to the sheep’s milk cheese to the starter of fried egg with crispy chicken skin – comes from the grounds.

Various country-pursuits such as fly fishing, hiking and horse riding are on offer as well as foraging and cooking demonstrations with the resident experts. Driving the cart back to our secluded cottage from dinner we are suddenly surrounded by a parade of fireflies, tiny pin-pricks of bright light dancing about like fairies in the long grass, making this magical place even more insanely appealing.

I feel properly tearful at checkout, briefly consider throwing myself to the ground and refusing to leave, but this is only the second stop on my very own American Dream, an epic road trip through the Deep South.

Nashville, Tennessee

Honky Tonk Highway

John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge

Hotel Noelle

Emily Dorio

RCA Studio B

Ryman auditorium

I fly into Nashville, now served by daily direct BA flights from London, and head straight for Noelle, a stylish, comfortable boutique hotel perfectly located downtown. Known as music city, this creative, energetic place is home to historical venues like the Ryman Auditorium and iconic RCA recording studios as well as The Country Music Hall of Fame and Johnny Cash Museum. Sensational sounds emanate from the parade of neon-lit bars in the Honky Tonk heaven that is Lower Broadway, where world-class live music starts at 11am and continues until the small hours.

Less known is the emerging culinary scene which runs the gamut from down-home to upscale with a smorgasbord of options. Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint downtown is a carnivore’s wet dream and absolute must-visit. They serve West Tennessee-style whole hog bbq and other superlative slow-cooked meats which are fresh every day – no freezers or microwaves here. I found the ‘redneck taco’ (melty beef brisket on corncake with slaw and sauce) especially pleasing, both in title and taste. The more refined Rolf & Daughters in the trendy Germantown neighbourhood has shareable small plates of simple ingredients such as agretti - a samphire-esque succulent served with golden raisin, chilli and anchovy.

More musical history is found in Muscle Shoals, on the banks of the Tennessee River in northern Alabama - about a five-hour drive from Blackberry Farm. This sleepy place is the somewhat unlikely ‘hit recording capital of the world’ thanks to the local FAME and Muscle Shoals Sound studios. Legendary bands and singers including Aretha Franklin, the Rolling Stones, Otis Redding, Percy Sledge, Paul Simon and Cher flocked here to work. Stay at the Gunrunner Boutique Hotel in downtown Florence, where all suites are musically-themed with vast beds and then tour the studios, getting lost in endless nostalgic beats.

919 Felder Avenue in Montgomery

Frank Stitt II, the owner and head chef of The Highlands Bar & Grill

Muscle Shoals Sound Studio

Drag yourself away from the Fitzgerald’s quiet, leafy, all-American neighbourhood to tour the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church where Martin Luther King preached. Down the street is where Rosa Parks was arrested for refusing to surrender her seat on the bus. There is also a deeply affecting National Memorial for Peace & Justice. This sacred space is the first of its kind dedicated to the African American victims of racial terror lynching.

Monroeville, quaint hometown of Harper Lee and Truman Capote where Atticus Finch’s actual courthouse from To Kill A Mocking Bird is now a museum to the childhood friends, is 90 minutes along country highways dense with forest, interspersed with more churches than you’ll see anywhere. All this literary nostalgia is compelling but it’s only an hour and a half south to Mobile, a bustling port city on Alabama’s gulf coast which is hugely proud of being the first home of carnival celebration Mardi Gras in the US.

Just outside the city is the Mobile-Tensaw River Delta, the top birdwatching spot in North America and largest wetland in Alabama which encompasses 260,000 acres in a 40-by-10-mile area. Take a boat tour with the awesome dudes from WILD NATIVE and marvel at the spectacular vegetation and the great variety of wild things who live amongst it. Eagles, pelicans, ospreys, kites, owls and egrets are just a few of the birds whilst sharks, alligators and red-bellied turtles coexist with 126 species of fish in the water. If you’re anywhere near here trust me when I say it would be insanity not to take a few hours out to explore and learn.

Oak Alley Drive

Louisiana wetlands

Then it’s a night in a luxe cottage in the grounds of opulent Oak Alley in Vacherie, Louisiana’s plantation land stuffed with Gone with the Wind-style antebellum mansions on the banks of the mighty Mississippi. Eating in the jazzy dining room at Houmas House down the road makes me feel like old-world aristocracy. An exhilarating airboat ride deep into the bayou with Swamp Adventures is not for the faint-hearted as alligators splash about up close. There are also vast spider webs clinging to cypress trees draped in dangling Spanish moss and a huge variety of snakes.

Hotel Peter & Paul is a stunning conversion of a former church, rectory, school and convent in the uber-cool Marigny district of New Orleans and a special place to finish. Vibrant Frenchman Street where local hipsters head for live-music is a couple of blocks away and it’s easy to go out every night, listening to incredible bands at The Spotted Cat, Apple Barrel and DBA. Sugary beignets and chicory café au lait at Café Du Monde give a necessary boost in the mornings before taking walking tours of the French Quarter and Garden District for architecture, history and stories about the South’s most feted city.

There are better known places for USA road trips but experiencing the many delights of the Deep South like this is life-changing. The music, literary heritage, fabulous foodie hotspots, sublime scenery, chatty locals, all-encompassing culture and dreamy hotels combined to make my 1800-mile meander through Tennessee, Alabama and Louisiana the very best sort of dream.

Car hire in the USA starts from £32/day with Hertz . Here's where to go for all things Nashville ; Tennessee and the Deep South .

• In The Chair

Explore Louisiana on a Deep South Road Trip, USA

• by Dave Brett

Louisiana is a must-visit state on any road trip around the Deep South and is not to be missed.

Packed full of history and culture, New Orleans is one of the oldest states making it one of the most culturally rich cities in the US. Louisiana has loads to offer visitors.

I’ve always wanted to visit New Orleans, home to jazz music and Bourbon Street. Discover Lafayette, home to the Cajun Country. Explore the Swamplands of the Atchafalaya Basin and visit Avery Island, home to the world-famous Tabasco Factory.

Within this blog post, I will share with you some of the highlights from my visit to the state of Louisiana .

Here are my recommendations on what to do on a road trip around Louisiana.

Include Louisiana in your road trip around the Deep South

This road trip guide around Louisiana is part of a larger road trip around the Deep South of the United States that I undertook together with Scott Tisson from Intrepid Escape.

The road trip that we did took us to the states of Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee to cover the whole Deep South area.

I would recommend one week for the Louisiana section of the road trip, which will be the focus of this blog post.

Making the complete road trip along with the other states will take you around a month to complete.

So you could just do this one-week suggestion, combine two states and do two weeks, or visit all four states in the Deep South in a month.

If you have more time, you can extend your trip to six weeks to give yourself more space and time in each state, but a good week in each state will be enough to cover everything mentioned in this article.

New Orleans is a popular hub and offers a selection of direct flights from the UK so this might be a good suggestion as a starting point for your road trip around the Deep South as well as a good place to sort out your rental car for the trip.

Welcome to New Orleans, Louisiana

New Orleans, Louisiana is a city that needs no introduction. It’s world famous for its Mardi Gras and jazz music scene. If you like to move to the rhythm then this is just the city for you!

New Orleans is internationally known as a centre of fun, festivity and fine dining, as well as loads of history to explore.

New Orleans is full of popular landmarks and unique historically significant architecture abounds. Once you see the style of New Orleans architecture you will feel at home. A familiar style that has been replicated around the globe.

On your journey through New Orleans, you’ll explore restaurants and clubs famous around the world and hear some of the best authentic New Orleans jazz around.

Travel in style on the New Orleans Streetcar

The best way to get around New Orleans is by taking a ride on its expansive network of iconic streetcars . Be sure to pick up and use a Jazzy Pass to navigate the city of New Orleans in style.

This classic mode of transport has been serving New Orleans since 1835 and is a wonderful part of the city’s history.

Stay at Virgin Hotels New Orleans

Check in at the Virgin Hotel. Located in New Orleans’ lively Warehouse District, Virgin Hotels New Orleans mixes a passion for food and beverage with music and culture that fuses with the Crescent City’s unique personality, providing an inclusive environment for travellers and locals alike.

Don’t miss out on The Pool Club, located on the top floor. Chill around the rooftop pool, bar and terrace with sweeping city skyline views of New Orleans. Perfect spot to enjoy a frozen cocktail as well and kick back.

Virgin Hotels New Orleans is situated in a great location. You’re only a short walk to your favourite attractions including the French Quarter.

Start your New Orleans food adventure at Superior Seafood & Oyster Bar

Get ready to indulge in some of the most delicious food you’ll ever taste. New Orleans boasts an array of incredible dining establishments waiting to be explored. Start your culinary adventure off strong at the Superior Seafood & Oyster Bar .

Take the St. Charles streetcar uptown to reach Napoleon Avenue where you’ll find Superior Seafood & Oyster Bar. It’s the ideal spot to start your evening off in style, offering the perfect setting for your first-night dinner in the city.

Set within an old-school tiled space with views of historical uptown St. Charles Avenue, Superior Seafood & Oyster Bar offers seafood-focused Creole fare.

If you can, see if it’s possible to dine at the Oyster Bar itself, the perfect spot for solo dining. Here you can watch the Oyster Shucker get to work on the orders.

Even though they make it look all so easy, it comes from years of experience and knowledge on how to shuck an oyster correctly to maintain the quality.

I dived right in and got half a dozen of locally sourced Gulf Coast oysters to start and as we’re in Louisiana, loaded them up with a dash of Tabasco to add that kick of flavour.

Superior Seafood & Oyster Bar menus boasting the freshest ingredients of our inspired take on Louisiana classics, Superior Seafood is a desirable location for tourists and locals alike.

I was also impressed with the blackened catfish Napolean which was cooked to perfection and had an incredible gravy sauce that paired well with the sweetcorn.

Also washed it all down with a frozen French 75 which was just the ticket. Superior Seafood & Oyster Bar was an experience I would love to return to and a great way to kick-start the food adventure in NOLA.

Check out the swamp life and hit the high ropes at ZipNola

For the adventure seeker, grab a transfer over to ZipNola, New Orleans Swamp Zipline Adventure , located on the outskirts of New Orleans. This location gives you a chance to experience the swamp lands on the outskirts, not too far away from the city.

ZipNola is the world’s first fully aquatic swamp zipline. Yes, that does mean you will be ziplining across swamps with the possibility of spotting alligators in their natural habitat below.

At ZipNola you will find five different zipline adventures, along with two sky bridges for exploring the swamp below. Additionally, there’s an elevated spectating deck, picnic tables and animal enclosures.

Transport to and from the city of New Orleans can also be arranged and can be booked in advance of your visit.

For an added excursion, consider booking the Cajun Encounters Swamp Tour, which can be included in the city transfer if you desire to combine both experiences and enrich your day trip to the area.

Preservation Hall

If you’re visiting New Orleans, my top recommendation would be to book tickets in advance for Preservation Hall .

This historic music venue, located in the French Quarter, offers entertainment for all ages and holds a significant place in jazz history. Set in a no-frills space with wooden floors and no air-conditioning, Preservation Hall has remained unchanged since its opening in 1961 and continues to host traditional New Orleans jazz performances.

This was without a doubt the highlight of my trip, a real wild card experience.

I love the fact that video or photography is not allowed within Preservation Hall during live performances. Everyone switches off and focuses on enjoying the show, allowing you to concentrate on the incredible live performance.

See if you can book the house band or an All-Stars Concert at Preservation Hall – you won’t be disappointed.

Step back in time and enjoy dinner at Tujague’s restaurant

Tujague’s is the second oldest restaurant in New Orleans, Louisiana and is one not to be missed.

Maintaining its reputation for delivering an unforgettable dining experience, Tujague’s has been a favourite for more than 165 years, delighting French Quarter patrons with its robust offerings.

A visit to Tujague’s isn’t complete without starting with a Sazerac. This rye whiskey-based cocktail is believed to be one of the first ever invented and is a signature drink of New Orleans.

Must-try dishes include sea scallops or shrimp and grits – two Louisiana specialties that are sure to satisfy. Additionally, the pan-seared duck is prepared excellently.

Save room for the delightful Banana Bread Pudding to round off your meal.

Finally, end your evening with a Grasshopper, the signature cocktail created at Tujague’s. This brandy-based cream concoction serves as the perfect finale to your dining experience.

Tour New Orleans in style on a FreeWheelin’ Bike Tours

If you’re looking for a different way to head out on a tour of New Orleans neighbourhoods, be sure to check out FreeWheelin’ Bike Tours .

These state-of-the-art electric fat bikes offer a fun and effortless way to navigate the city.

You have the option to either rent bikes from FreeWheelin’ Bike Tours and follow one of their mapped tours, or join a guided tour led by a knowledgeable local guide, who will bring the neighbourhoods to life with their insider insights.

During the tour, you’ll visit various spots around New Orleans, including the French Quarter & New Orleans History, the Marigny Neighborhood, Frenchmen Street, St. Louis Cemetery – Tombs & Burial Practices, The Creole Mansion & Oak-Lined Esplanade Avenue aka ‘Avenue of the Creoles’ & ‘Millionaire’s Row’, 1,000 Year Old Oak Tree Grove in City Park, ‘Big Lake’ in City Park, Treme’ Neighborhood, Louis Armstrong Park, Congo Square – The Birthplace of Jazz Music, Bayou St. John Waterway & Neighborhood and Magnolia Bridge aka ‘Blue Bridge’.

I enjoyed the FreeWheelin’ Bike Tour, especially having a local guide from the area added that extra element of information that you wouldn’t get if you did it yourself.

It’s a great way to explore the city and gain a deeper understanding of all the different areas around New Orleans.

Experience history as it comes to life in Vue Orleans

Vue Orleans is located in the former World Trade Center building that is now home to the Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans and Residences.

Vue Orleans takes the visitor on a deep dive into New Orleans’s history, music and culture via a multi-level interactive cultural experience that brings New Orleans into sharp focus.

The attraction offers a unique 4D experience with nine different original films, seven interactive exhibits and the city’s only rooftop 360-degree panoramic viewing platform.

Vue Orleans pairs style with substance, using technology to shine a focused spotlight on the vast array of art, music, food, history and culture found only in New Orleans.

A great way to bring New Orleans history to life in this visual display.

Stop by Cochon Restaurant

At Cochon Restaurant , Chef Donald Link has embraced his culinary heritage by serving traditional Cajun Southern dishes that reflect the flavours of his upbringing.

Set in a charming, historic dig, this restaurant is the perfect local choice, specialising in pork dishes and imaginative Cajun cuisine.

Chef Link is working with locally sourced pork, fresh produce and seafood, focusing on traditional methods and creating authentic flavours of Cajun Country.

Anything pork is good here, and the shrimp is grilled perfectly too. The highlight for me was the ribs, cooked flawlessly. I also couldn’t get enough of the sensational pork crackling. Cochon Restaurant is a fantastic and enjoyable spot to dine in NOLA, especially for those eager to explore the vibrant Cajun flavours.

Walk around Bourbon Street and soak it all in

A visit to New Orleans, wouldn’t be complete without walking down Bourbon Street .

Lined with loads of fun bars to check out, you can easily end up here by the end of every night.

Hours of fun with loads of live performers and endless bars to explore. See where the night takes you!

Then you can head over to Frenchmen Street , also a popular area with loads of fun bars. I would recommend heading over to the Spotted Cat Music Club for some great live music and some fun cat-themed cocktails.

Explore the Atchafalaya basin on an Airboat Swamp Tour

On your way to Lafayette, why not stop off along the way and explore the Atchafalaya basin on an Airboat Swamp Tour ?

Time to hit the swamps for a thrilling ride through the Atchafalaya basin – the nation’s largest freshwater swamp.

The highlight of the tour has to be going through the bald cypress trees you can find around the swamp lands. They’re pretty impressive to see up close from the water.

We did keep our eyes open for some alligators but we only managed to see some from a distance which was probably a good thing.

An Airboat Swamp Tour is a great way to experience life on the swamps in Louisiana.

Check out the city of Lafayette, Lousiana

Welcome to Lafayette, the heart of Cajun Country! This region of South Louisiana was settled by the Acadians after their expulsion from Canada.

You’ll find traces of their culture woven into every aspect of life here. The accents may sound a bit different, and you might even catch snippets of Cajun French being spoken!

Grab lunch at Adopted Dog Brewing

Adopted Dog Brewing is the only brewery located in the city of Lafayette and will proudly serve craft beer brewed in-house while offering a food menu to complement the variety of beers available.

Here you will find popular American dishes such as burgers, pizzas and salads. The IPA was definitely worth a try.

Explore Downtown Lafayette

Head out on a self-guided walking tour of Downtown Lafayette. Here are some suggested places worth checking out:

Beausoleil Books & Whisper Room, Cajun Hatter, Genterie Supply, Cathedral of St. John Sans Paquet, Parish Ink, Pavy Design Studio.

For a dessert stop, check out Borden’s Ice Cream Shoppe. Open seven days a week, it offers a full old-school diner experience, still serving soda the old-fashioned way. An incredible selection of ice creams is also available, perfect for those with a sweet tooth.

Downtown Lafayette provides a rich and unique experience for groups, large or small.

Whether your interest lies in visiting, shopping, dining or playing, Downtown has something for everyone, from galleries to restaurants and everything in between.

The diversity in Louisiana’s culture and customs is reflected in the architectural styles that flourish throughout the village.

These seven major architectural influences are Caribbean, French, American Colonial, Creole, Acadian, Spanish and Neoclassical Revival.

Each style has its distinct character and personality, yet all work together to provide variety and interest throughout the many neighbourhoods.

Hangout at the Rhythms on the River

Base yourself at SpringHill Suites Lafayette South at River Ranch and then head to Rhythms on the River for a music and dinner special.

Rhythms on the River is a free concert series that takes place at River Ranch’s Town Square in Lafayette on Thursdays during the spring and fall.

Local musicians perform under the town centre’s gazebo while residents and visitors dance and enjoy food and beverages from local vendors.

Visit Avery Island, home to the Tabasco Factory

Located within driving distance of Lafayette is Avery Island, home to the Tabasco factory .

Avery Island itself is a salt dome best known as the source of Tabasco sauce.

It is located in Iberia Parish, Louisiana, United States, about three miles inland from Vermilion Bay, which opens onto the Gulf of Mexico.

Be sure to tour the Tabasco Sauce Factory, the museum, the greenhouse, the barrel-making room, the bottling plant and the storage warehouse. There’s loads to see, do and learn as you walk through all the different stages of the Tabasco bottling process.

Make sure you leave some time to visit the Tabasco factory gift shop selling a whole host of Tabasco goods.

You can also have lunch at Restaurant 1868, serving up classic dishes that use Tobasco as the main inspiration. This is a great spot to try a local favourite, such as the Louisiana classic, a shrimp po’ boy, which goes rather well with some splashes of Tabasco.

If you have some extra time, be sure to drive around the whole island and explore the incredible bird life in Bird City and the Jungle Gardens nature reserve. The island is a beautiful place to explore.

Thank you for reading my blog post about my road trip to Louisiana

Thank you for visiting my blog post and reading about my road trip around the state of Louisiana.

I hope you found all the information super useful towards your trip planning, and I wish you an amazing trip to Louisiana.

This trip was part of a bigger road trip around the Deep South. Be sure to visit the other blog posts covering Alabama, Tennessee and Mississippi. Check out my guide to Mississippi to continue the adventure after visiting Louisiana.

Wishing you a wonderful trip to Louisiana and the Deep South of the United States.

If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact me, and I will be more than happy to help.

This article was done in collaboration with TTM and the State of Louisiana to promote road trips in the Deep South.

Be sure to check out my YouTube video of my road trip around Louisiana

— Dave Brett

Travelling the world, one adventure at a time. Follow the UK's leading solo adventure travel blogger, Dave Brett on his travels around the world. An Adventure travel blog that features travel tips and advice, inspirational stories, travel videos and travel photography that will help you inspire and plan your next trip abroad.

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A springtime Southern road trip

by Mike Shubic | Feb 20, 2017 | 2 comments

Note : All travel is subject to frequently changing governmental restrictions—please check federal, state and local advisories before scheduling trips. This article was updated on August 20, 2020.

The South is full of history, intrigue and charm so unique it’s called Southern hospitality. The South is unlike other parts of the country, with its distinct cuisine, Antebellum architecture, and angelic Spanish moss-covered Cypress trees. For some Southern road trip ideas, we’ve partnered with Mike Shubic of MikesRoadTrip.com to provide some insight on this interesting region of the country.

In the spring of 2016, I flew to New Orleans where I rented a car for a southern road trip loop around the states of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. I spent 10 days learning about Civil War history, touring palatial Antebellum homes, trying lots of Southern food and listening to some soulful Blues music. I came away from that trip with an entirely new appreciation for the region. I found the people to be utterly charming, some of the scenery completely unique and a revived passion for Civil War history.

Photo by: Mike Shubic of MikesRoadTrip.com

In 2015 I had toured the upper part of the Mississippi Delta, but never made it as far south as Vicksburg.The legendary Blues Highway 61 runs right through the heart and soul of Vicksburg, so that was my first destination on this Southern road trip loop. One could argue that Highway 61 rivals that of Route 66, if not for its historical importance, certainly for the musical significance.

Spring is the perfect time for a southern road trip as the weather is quite sunny with mild temperatures. By the time summer rolls around, the heat and humidity make it uncomfortable for those not used to it.

From New Orleans, I headed up Interstate 55 toward Vicksburg. As soon as I could, I veered off onto highway 98, which cuts west across the Homochitto National Forest near Natchez where I picked up the Natchez Trace Parkway north. I had been on this parkway through Tennessee a few years earlier and would consider it on my top-20 list of most scenic stretches of road in the country. Just north of Port Gibson, the Natchez Trace Parkway intersects Highway 61, which leads straight into Vicksburg.

In Vicksburg there are some wonderful Bed and Breakfasts in large Antebellum homes to choose from. If you’re into Gaming, the AmeriStar Casino is a good choice.

Things not to miss in Vicksburg:

• National Military Park has 1350 monuments and 1800 spectacular acres to explore.
• LD’s Kitchen for some local live Blues Music.
• The Attic Gallery for an eclectic mix of local artists.
• The Old Courthouse Museum where General Grant gave his Civil War victory speech.
• Bottleneck Blues Bar at the AmeriStar Casino, a refined Blues venue.

Restaurants not to miss in Vicksburg:

• ROCA, Euro-influenced menu with a Southern flair. Golf course views and live music.
• Bourbon’s Restaurant, fine-dining experience overlooking the Mighty Mississippi.
• Beechwood, a local institution.
• Rusty’s Riverfront Grill…great seafood!
• 10 South Rooftop – Amazing venue with outstanding river views and some tasty grub.

Vicksburg makes a great home base to explore the southern region of the Blues Trail and the Mississippi Delta. A southern road trip simply would not be complete without a stop in Vicksburg as history and Southern hospitality are hallmarks.

After Vicksburg I headed east toward Jackson before heading south on Hwy 49 toward Hattiesburg, a city with roots as deep as its oaks. I spent but a short time here grabbing some lunch and strolling around a bit before continuing south toward Mobile, Alabama. I skirted DeSoto National Forest, which was named for the 16th-century explorer, Hernando DeSoto, whose presence is felt throughout Mississippi Delta. When I reached Mobile I needed to continue south toward Mobile Bay and the route took me along a number of bridged roadways that I found quite interesting. I guess the idea of traveling over bayous on an inter-connected road system was a bit of a novelty for me.

My next home base for a few days was Point Clear, on the Gulf Coast of Alabama. As I got close to Fairhope , the scenery became stunningly beautiful, even idyllic. The streets were lined with massive Oak, Cypress and Maple trees each woven with a confetti of ivy and Spanish moss. The sun had a difficult time piercing through the denseness that blanketed the trees, but when it did, the sun-flares sparkled in a way that made me feel like I was driving through a scene straight out of a fairy tale storybook.

The coast was dotted with docks and boathouses, one right after the other. The homes are finely crafted in a style that could best be described as southern cottage. The look of the area was unique to me, so much so that I had to wonder if it was indigenous to the Gulf Coast. I was so enamored of the unique beauty that I could not wait to explore further, but first, I needed to check into my hotel. I stayed at the Marriott Grand Hotel , a property that encompasses 550 pristine beachfront acres and dates back to 1847. The resort juts out into Mobile Bay, providing stunning views in either direction.

The next day I went exploring down Highway 1 South until it ended at Pelican Point, at the mouth of Weeks Bay. The Weeks Bay Reserve is over six thousand acres of coastal wetlands and water bottoms that provide a diverse habitat for a variety of rare plants, fish, crustaceans and shellfish. There is also an estuary (where a river meets the sea) and is an important site for scientific research on the ecology of the area. The reserve is a wonderful place to watch foul in such a rich habitat.

Things not to miss in the Fairhope/Point Clear area:

• South Beach Park – Winding footpaths that meander through the park with a bubbling brook that forms a pond for ducks to play.
• Relaxing on any number of beaches.
• Punta Clara Kitchen – A sinfully decadent candy shop.
• Knoll Park – Perched on a knoll just above South Beach is a spot of land left in its natural state, which I discovered is a popular spot for bird watchers.
• Mullet Point Park – Fantastic place to watch the sunset!
• Page and Palette, a well-known third generation bookstore and coffee shop.

Places to eat in Fairhope/Point Clear:

• Wintzell’s Oyster House – A local staple for southern seafood.
• Panini Petes – Fantastic sandwich shop located in the French Quarter of downtown Fairhope.
• Saltwater Grill – Delicious seafood with gorgeous bay-front scenery.

From Fairhope I headed west along the Gulf Coast of Alabama, before crossing the border into Mississippi. As I entered Biloxi something caught my eye. It was the unmistakable architecture of Frank Gehry. I expect to see Frank Gehry’s work in L.A., Chicago, Prague and Paris, but not Biloxi, Mississippi. I quickly got out of my car to explore. The sight before me was the Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art. The museum is situated on a four-acre campus, set within a grove of ancient Oak trees—Frank Gehry designed a series of six small pavilions woven among the trees and connected by an open brick plaza.

My southern road trip continued along the coast, stopping in Gulfport for lunch, but didn’t have much time to explore. Gulfport is, however, well known for its off-shore big fishing, pristine golf and coastal casinos. As I continued west toward Louisiana, I stopped at a rest area in Westonia to use the bathroom. It was a lovely day and, surprisingly, a scenic rest stop. I had my camera in tow when I noticed this scraggly old-man trying to get my attention. At first I tried to ignore him, wondering what he wanted with me, but then it became apparent he worked at the facility. For some reason I am a naturally suspicious person, always assuming when someone is trying to get your attention that they want something. In the South, however, people are just genuinely friendly. This older gentlemen saw my camera and just thought he would point out something I might want to photograph. When I turned the bend and saw what he was talking about, I was so grateful for his direction and almost felt ashamed for being so suspicious.

I don’t know how I missed seeing it on my own, but at the Westonia, MS rest stop there is an exhibit that attracts people from all over. Mounted on a set of stilts is a Lunar Lander trainer from the Apollo 13 mission. Quite an attraction for a rest area I thought, but again, was happy that the southern gentleman directed it my way.

After 9 days and about 700 miles, my southern road trip came to an end as I drove up to the New Orleans airport to drop off my rental car. I had been to New Orleans before, and while I would love to return, I just didn’t have the time on this trip.

If you know of some highlights in this southern road trip region, please leave a comment below and share with other readers.

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There is no such place as Westonia, Ms. What the gentleman saw was part of the outdoor exhibits of the Infinity Space Museum which also serves as the Visitors Center for the Stennis Space Center. Stennis Space Center tests rocket engines for NASA.

This is the most great post that I have ever come across after extensive searches. Im really thankful to yourself for giving me this unique information.

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Our suggested Louisiana Road Trip route takes in the best that this exciting State has to offer. There's the vibrancy of New Orleans, of course, but also so much more to see and do...

DAY 1-4 - 133 miles

New orleans to new iberia.

New Orleans , founded in 1718, is famous for its live music, delicious cuisine, Mardi Gras, tax free shopping, historic districts, museums, parties, parades and festivals! For a taste of Cajun cuisine, stop in Houma for traditional blackened redfish and shrimp étouffée. Drive on to New Iberia and learn about plantation life before visiting the world famous Tabasco® Sauce Factory on Avery Island where you can see how the pepper sauce is made as you tour the factory.

DAY 5 - 22 miles

New iberia to lafayette.

Lafayette, 'Capital of French Louisiana', is home to the fascinating living museums, Acadian Village and Vermilionville. Learn more about the history of the Acadians and see how the Cajuns lived, listen to their music and sample traditional cuisine. Visit the quaint towns, like St. Martinville, that surround Lafayette and add flavour to the gumbo that is Louisiana.

DAY 6 - 72 miles

Lafayette to lake charles.

Lake Charles is home to 'Louisiana's Outback', is rich in both history and scenery with a thriving arts community, riverboat gaming and miles of scenic byways. Experience the breathtaking views by driving the Creole Nature Trail National Scenic Byway.

DAY 7 - 152 miles

Lake charles to natchitoches.

Visit Alexandria's historic Loyd Hall Plantation and download the 12 Years A Slave app to learn about this fascinating part of the state's history. The beautiful historic town of Natchitoches, founded in 1714, is the oldest settlement in Louisiana, full of boutique shops, restaurants, 38 historic B&Bs and home to famous meat pies. Take a walking tour of the old Creole townhouses, a guided tour of film sites and the internationally-acclaimed architecture of the new Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame.

DAY 8 - 100 miles

Natchitoches to vicksburg.

Visit Louisiana's third largest city, Shreveport, known as 'Sportman's Paradise' through its outdoor recreational areas for fishing, swimming and camping. Learn about the battle of Vicksburg, turning point in the Civil War, as you tour the vast Military Park. Then visit Vicksburg's Old Court House Museum, Coca-Cola Museum or relax on the Mississippi River.

DAY 9-10 - 70 miles

Vicksburg to natchez.

Discover rural Mississippi's warm hospitality in the quaint and historic town of Port Gibson en route to Natchez. With over 500 exquisite antebellum homes you can encounter firsthand the elegance and charm of the 'Old South' with a B&B experience. A must-do are the horse-drawn carriage tours of these magnificent historic structures. Sample bars, restaurants, gift shops, and casino gaming, along with the Grand Village of the Natchez Indians showcasing the culture of this once-great Native American civilisation.

DAY 11 - 92 miles

Natchez to baton rouge.

Louisiana's capital city Baton Rouge has an abundance of attractions, including an art-deco Capitol building, a wonderful State Museum, a lively music scene, dining, and tax-free shopping malls.

DAY 12-14 - 80 miles

Baton rouge along the river to new orleans.

The Great River Road has a stunning collection of Louisiana's historic plantation homes, each telling a unique story reflecting the heritage and colourful history of plantation culture, the perfect place for touring. Arrive in New Orleans for flight home.

 If you'd like to know more about Louisiana, please do get in touch with our State experts!

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15+ Amazing Stops To Make For An Awesome Alabama Road Trip

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Ready to road trip Alabama? Alabama is a fantastically diverse state with mountain, beaches, cities and a fascinating history. Did I mention the great food and friendly people? You should consider these 15 amazing stops  for your road trip in Alabama whether you are just passing through Alabama on a longer visit to the  Southern USA or are spending the entire time on an Alabama road trip. In Northern Alabama, you must visit Rocket City Huntsville as well as some of the other small cities. As you go through Central Alabama, you will visit Birmingham Alabama and Montgomery Alabama. Finally there is coastal Alabama with its international flair and beautiful white sand beaches. There’s no doubt that the beautiful state of Alabama has something for everyone.

Alabama Road Trip

There’s no two ways about it – getting around Alabama is easiest by car. Hence, you can create your own standalone Alabama road trip or include it as part of a larger southern USA road trip. The conditions are great for road trips in Alabama – the roads are in great condition and there are plenty of roadside service stops if you need fuel or food.

Along with my suggestions for an Alabama road trip, I have included some fellow travel writers ideas and suggestions for what to do in Alabama, too. 

Alabama Road Trip Ideas

Are you thinking about an Alabama road trip as part of a larger Southern USA road trip ? Plenty of people I know have created a southern USA road trip that included the state of Alabama so I have broken this Alabama road trip guide into sections for Northern Alabama, Central Alabama and Coastal Alabama. You can work the section of Alabama that you will be near into your own personalised road trip adventure.

Here are some examples of nearby big cities and their distance from places in Alabama:

• New Orleans to Mobile is a 3 hour drive.
• Both Chattanooga and Nashville in Tennessee is a 2 hour drive to Huntsville.
• Both Memphis Tennessee and Atlanta Georgia are a 3 1/2 hour drive to Huntsville.
• Atlanta Georgia is also a 2 or 3 hour drive to Birmingham or Montgomery, respectively.

Continuing an Alabama Road Trip to New Orleans

In Mobile I met visitors from Lithuania who were combining a visit to the   theme parks in Orlando Florida with a Louisiana Mississippi Alabama road trip.

After Mobile, they were heading to the casinos in Biloxi Mississippi and then party central, New Orleans. How is that for a fun road trip for adults? 

One of the most memorable places to visit on a road trip in the US south is Coastal Mississippi. Calling itself  the “ Secret Coast, ” Coastal Mississippi is located between New Orleans and Mobile Alabama and below the I-10 interstate highway along the luscious US Gulf Coast, and is well worth discovering its secrets —whether for an detour scenic drive off I-10 or a one week vacation getaway. Some strongly suggested things to do in Coastal Mississippi include seeking sun and sport on USA’s largest man made beach, sampling scrumptious seafood and coastal cuisine, and savoring scintillating sunsets (and sunrises).   The Coastal Mississippi beach between Henderson Point and Biloxi is 26 miles long and 200 feet wide and most of it is undeveloped with unobstructed water views and free parking right along the sand. Take advantage of it!   Anywhere along the water in Coastal Mississippi is the perfect place to witness phenomenal sunsets. Coastal Mississippi restaurants with James Beard honored chefs include Vestige in Ocean Springs , White Pillars in Biloxi , and Doe’s Eat Place at Margaritaville Resort Biloxi. Countless other coastal Mississippi adventures await you. Make sure to spend time in the sweet small beach towns of Ocean Springs and Bay St Louis , visit amazing attractions like the brand new Mississippi Aquarium and fantastic museums—including Ohr O’Keefe Museum of Art , INFINITY Science Center , Walter Anderson Museum of Art , and Maritime & Seafood Industry Museum —and paddle and explore an abundance of nature areas—including Gulf Islands National Seashore barrier islands , several bayous, and Biloxi Bay.   – by Charles McCool at McCool Travel

Blue sky and sea, and white sand in coastal Mississippi very similar to coastal Alabama (Image credit: Charles McCool)

Road Trip Alabama

I decided to road trip Alabama in its entirely from the Northern Alabama to Coastal Alabama. Although I had people question whether there would be enough interesting sites to road trip Alabama for two weeks, I found  myself wishing I had even more time! 

When you road trip Alabama you realize how much there is to see in the state sandwiched between the mountains of Northern Alabama and the white sand beaches of Coastal Alabama.

Road trips in Alabama take you through quirky small towns, big cities and farmland.  You will sample plenty of delicious food, meet friendly people and learn some fascinating history. 

A sign showing where the Civil War prison in Montgomery Alabama was located.

Why did I decide to road trip Alabama? After all, the news was full off the religious right’s assault on women’s rights in Alabama (to the horror of more liberal Alabamians ) . Yes, there are liberals in Alabama!

On the other hand, an Alabama road trip promised history, great food and quirky attractions – definitely my interests. So I dropped my son off in Rocket City Huntsville for his two weeks at the camps run at the NASA Space Center before I ventured off on my Alabama road trips.

I spent 8 days driving from Huntsville to Mobile in coastal Alabama and then looped back up to Northern Alabama. It took me 2 days to visit Birmingham Alabama, 3 days to visit Montgomery Alabama and 3 days in coastal Alabama.

I would suggest a minimum of 3 days in Huntsville and Northern Alabama too.  Although this itinerary covers the four biggest cities in the state of Alabama, I would encourage you to branch out and visit some of the smaller cities and towns nearby.

Alabama Road Signs

And, of particular note are the amusing Alabama road signs. You really get a flavor for the state by the unique Alabama road signs. Sorry for the picture quality – my trusty navigator/assistant photographer/son is still honing his craft.

Various Alabama road signs you come across as your road trip Alabama

Just a small selection of the Alabama road signs that caught my attention. Technically the giant cross is not a road sign but I have never seen such a huge church on the side of an interstate. 

Apparently, the “Go To Church or the Devil Will Get You” sign is famous in Alabama. The owner took it down, but there was an outcry, and he replaced it. As one person said to me, you see that sign and you know you are in Central Alabama.

The signs for personal injury lawyer Alexander Shunnarah signs are everywhere in Alabama and it’s become a meme in its own right. 

The ubiquitous Shunnarah Alabama road signs have elevated him to meme-status.

Yeah, there really was a drug dealer feeding a squirrel meth in Alabama to make it more vicious. The police released it into the wild when the drug dealer got arrested. So there is some poor Meth Squirrel out there in Alabama detoxing in the wild. 

What To Do in Northern Alabama

I have to say Northern Alabama surprised me. I had no idea it was so mountainous! Coming in from Atlanta into Huntsville, we had a brief period where my SatNav refused to work because we had no WiFi. My son learned how to read a paper map which I assured him was a useful life skill. 

Momentary panic when the SatNav refuses to work in the mountains of Northern Alabama.

Rocket City Huntsville

Our first destination in Alabama was Huntsville – nicknamed Rocket City because of the NASA headquarters.

Two of the biggest attraction in Alabama are in the Rocket City Huntsville. Huntsville is a quirky cool city in Northern Alabama with all of the attractions of a major American city but with a better quality of life.

At the number one spot there is the U.S. Space and Rocket Center . Not only is it a museum, but the NASA space center runs weekly programs for school children during the summer.

My son signed up for Space Camp and Aviation Challenge and loved his two weeks there. So  much so that he is now going to his third Space Camp.

The NASA US space center has a great museum as well as well-run summer camps for kids.

Even if you are not a science person, there’s plenty to do in Rocket City Huntsville. The Number 3 most visited attraction in Alabama is the Huntsville Botanical Center .

The Huntsville Botanical Center is a great place to visit with kids.

There are also plenty of other museum, historical sites and shopping areas to keep you occupied. The city also has a burgeoning craft brewery scene as well as many great restaurants. After all, those well-paid scientists need somewhere to spend their money!

What Else is There in Northern Alabama?

Northern Alabama has several small towns to visit as well as a lot of outdoors activities.. As you know, I’m a city girl. Besides, I was being bitten alive by mosquitos everywhere in Alabama.

I skipped a lot of the nature stuff because I feared venturing further into a mosquito lair. I know the rest of my family would have loved  activities like hiking along the Natchez Trace , checking out the bioluminescent glowworms at Dismals Canyon and a cave tour of the gigantic   Cathedral Caverns .

The small towns I visited were all easy day trips from Huntsville and make great road trips in Alabama.

In Florence Alabama , I went to see where musical legends like Cher and the Rolling Stones created history at Muscle Shoals Recording Studio , the birthplace of Helen Keller at Ivy Green  and the Rosenbaum House , the only Frank Lloyd house in Alabama. 

The charming town of Florence Alabama is host to many interesting tourist sites.

My son loved Decatur Alabama  for the fantastic Cook Museum of Natural Science and the Point Mallard Park . Decatur has a long history from the very beginning of Alabama history through the Civil War. 

Scottsboro is home to a shopper’s paradise at the Unclaimed Baggage Center which has warehouses full of stuff that unlucky airline passengers have lost.

Scottsboro also has a sad historical connection as the place where the so-called Scottsboro Boys (9 African American teenagers) were falsely accused of raping two white women. This story and that of the subsequent trials is told a the Scottsboro Boys Museum and Cultural Center .

Nearby Lake Guntersville is the largest lake in Alabama and great for all types of water sports. If you want to experience more of Lake Guntersville, head to Guntersville and Lake Guntersville State Park .

The Unclaimed Baggage Centre is one of the road trips in Alabama you can take.

Practicalities for Northern Alabama  

With so many visitors to the NASA space center, Huntsville has both an airport as well as a wide choice of hotels. I stayed at several hotels in Huntsville Alabama during the 8 days I spent in the city because I wanted to see what the different options were.

Like many cities in the USA, Huntsville is pretty spread out. You have hotels in the historic downtown area, near the NASA Space Center as well as newer areas of the city.

I did regret that I did not stay at the super cool GunRunner Hotel in Florence Alabama . It’s a car warehouse conversion which would be totally in keeping with any stylish hotel in any major international city like London or New York. 

Huntsville to Birmingham

How far is Huntsville from Birmingham? A little over 100 miles. 

Getting from Huntsville AL to Birmingham AL is a super easy drive of a little over 2 hours. Once you get to Decatur Alabama, you can go straight along Interstate 65-S to Birmingham for most of the 100 miles.

Pitstop:  Ave Maria Grotto, Cullman Alabama

If you are into quirky roadside attractions on your way from Huntsville to Birmingham, check out the Ave Maria Grotto in Cullman Alabama. About an hour from Huntsville, take exit 308 from I-65S for a short distance to reach the Ave Maria Grotto.

At the Ave Maria Grotto in Cullman, a German Benedictine monk has created stone miniature replicas of world-famous Catholic religious places of worship on a 4 acre park.

We are talking everything from Jerusalem to the Shrine at Lourdes . This grotto is listed on the National Register of Historic Sites.

For good measure, he threw in some secular places like the leaning Tower of Pisa. By the way, the monk only visit about 6 of the 125+ places he created in stone so it’s not necessarily that accurate. On the other hand, the dedication needed to achieve something like the Ave Maria Grotto in Cullman is pretty extraordinary.

The Ave Maria Grotto is an easy stop to take a break and stretch your legs on your way from Huntsville AL to Birmingham AL. The address for the Ave Maria Grotto is 1600 St Bernard Drive SE, Cullman AL 25055. It is open daily except for Christmas and New Year’s days.

What To Do in Central Alabama

Central Alabama covers a wide swathe of the state. The city of Birmingham is considered north central in the state and the city of Montgomery is south central. You find Tuscaloosa, home of the University of Alabama, in west central Alabama.

Visit Birmingham Alabama

Birmingham Alabama is the largest city in Alabama. If you visit Birmingham Alabama with kids, the Birmingham Zoo is the second most visited attraction in Alabama.

Visit the historical highlights of Birmingham and also the district that was a key player in the Civil Rights Movement . I took a civil rights tour of Birmingham which included the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute , the 16th Street Baptist Church and Kelly Ingram Park .

When you visit Birmingham Alabama, you must visit the Civil Rights Institute.

I stayed at a fabulous boutique hotel in downtown, Elyton Hotel, which has got a great location near many restaurants and the Alabama Theatre, an iconic showplace since 1927. Birmingham even has a craft beer scene that you can tour .

If you are looking to visit Birmingham Alabama directly, the Birmingham-Shuttlesworth Airport is only a few miles from the city.

Here’s another perspective on Birmingham, Alabama:

The Deep South is unlike any other part of the U.S. – and that’s exactly why we loved our Deep South road trip through it. One of our favorite stops along the way was Birmingham, Alabama, a surprisingly hip and hipster town that was the site of many important (and tragic) events in America’s past. There’s so much to learn about in Birmingham, and the Vulcan Museum and the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute (BCRI) a re both absolute must-sees. The Vulcan Museum is home to the world’s largest cast-iron statue, and the exhibits next door illustrate the city’s founding and its rise as a major geopolitical center of the South. The BCRI is the most comprehensive museum on the Civil Rights Movement, covering everything from desegregation to the Civil Rights Act, as well as present-day immigration and human rights issues around the world. Birmingham is also underrated as a foodie destination, and every meal we had there was delicious. Head to Crestline Bagels in the suburb of Mountain Brook for the perfect bagel, downtown’s Brick and Tin for gourmet sandwiches, and Delta Blues Hot Tamales in Five Points South for a local twist on Mexican cuisine (with great vegetarian options).

– by Jen Ambrose and Ryan Victor of Passions and Places

Street art in Birmingham Alabama seen on a Southern USA road trip (photo credit: Jen Ambrose and Ryan Victor)

Detour: Birmingham to Tuscaloosa

Birmingham to Tuscaloosa is an easy 1 hour drive over a 58 mile route on interstate driving. Dominated by the University of Alabama campus and its football sporting prowess, Tuscaloosa is a pilgrimage stop for college football fans.

Best known for its college football team, the University of Alabama’s (UA) Crimson Tide, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, offers a lot to do on an open weekend or off-season. From exploring downtown to checking out the museums and more, it’s easy to experience all T-town offers. Go on a self-guided walking tour of the UA campus to learn more about its history. While there, check out the Alabama Museum of Natural History and view the Hodges Meteorite , the only one to hit a person, among other exhibits. Don’t overlook The Sarah Moody Gallery of Art that’s focused on contemporary art. Relax and recharge at Hotel Capstone , located nearby. The Riverwalk is a serene journey along the southern bank of the Black Warrior River. The 4.5-mile paved path is well lit and both pet- and family-friendly, providing plenty of places for rest, play and picnicking. Also along The Riverwalk is the Tuscaloosa River Market that hosts a farmers’ market every Saturday. Hotel Indigo is also on the Riverwalk. Not only is downtown filled with eateries and shops and Embassy Suites but also sites along Tuscaloosa Civil Rights Trail that highlights 1964 “Bloody Tuesday.” On the edge of downtown is Capitol Park , a reminder when Tuscaloosa served as the state capitol from 1826 to 1846. Some remains of the structure still stand after a fire in the 1920s. Tuscaloosa’s next-door neighbor, Northport, is home to Kentuck Art Center and the annual Kentuck Arts Festival . The center is open year-round and has exhibits, working artists’ studios, classes and more. It’s worth the drive to Moundville Archaeological Park , about 13 miles south of Tuscaloosa. On the 326-acre site, it preserves 29 earthen mounds created over 800 years ago by Mississippian people. – by Apryl Chapman Thomas of Southern Hospitality Magazine

The ruins of the old Alabama capitol can be found in Capitol Park Tuscaloosa (Image credit: April Chapman Thomas)

Birmingham to Montgomery

How far is Birmingham from Montgomery? A relatively short 92 miles.

Getting from Birmingham to Montgomery is likewise very easy on the interstate. The drive from Birmingham AL to Montgomery will take close to two hours.

Pitstop: Peach Park, Clanton Alabama

On the drive from Birmingham AL to Montgomery AL, you simply have to stop in Clanton Alabama on Interstate 65-S (exit 212). You know Clanton from a distance because of the water tower shaped like a peach. 

The peach water tower at Clanton in central Alabama.

Stop by Peach Park which has a barbecue restaurant, bakery and ice cream store. This is definitely the place to try peach cobbler and peach ice cream.

Once again you are about an hour on the road from Birmingham to Alabama, so Clanton makes a great pit stop.

Visit Montgomery Alabama

When you visit Montgomery Alabama, you realise that the city has been witness to so much that is uniquely American – Westward expansion, slavery, the Civil War, the Jim Crow Era, Civil Rights Movement, country music and literary greatness.

Check out Old Alabama Town , a living history  museum, if you want to see how hard and scrappy life in the Mississippi Territory was. 

Among the civil rights venues to visit are the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church where Martin Luther King Jr was a pastor and the Rosa Parks Museum dedicated to the woman whose refusal to give up her bus seat made history.

Alabama was one of the first states to secede from the Union. Jefferson Davis was sworn in as president of the Confederacy in front of the Alabama State House . The First White House of the Confederacy was also located in Montgomery Alabama.

When you visit Montgomery Alabama, the Alabama state house is an imposing structure in downtown.

The aftermath of the Civil War and the Jim Crow Era are graphically illustrated at The Legacy Museum which looks at the mistreatment of African Americans in the USA from lynching to chain gangs to mass incarceration.

The National Memorial for Peace and Justice is dedicated to the 4000+ African Americans who were lynched between 1877 and 1950.

A moving sculpture at the National Memorial for Peace and Justice.

In terms of the arts, you have the Hank Williams Museum , a pioneer of country music. In addition, the former home of F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald is now the Fitzgerald Museum.

Although the couple were only in residence for one year, F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote one of his greatest works, Tender is the Night, at this location.

Montgomery isn’t all government and historical attractions though. There’s a great food scene and nascent craft beer scene. 

In Montgomery I stayed at a couple of different places. I could not pass up staying at the Fitzgerald Museum which has rooms through AirBnB but I also chose to stay in a Marriott for the simple convenience of being downtown.

If you are looking to visit Montgomery Alabama directly, the Montgomery Regional Airport is 10 miles from the city.

More insight on what to do in Montgomery Alabama from a fellow travel blogger:

Montgomery, Alabama is an important stop in the South for anyone looking to connect to the history of the Civil Rights Movement. This is the city where Rosa Parks, the African American woman, refused to give up her seat to a white passenger, sparking the subsequent Montogomery Bus Boycott . Important sites in Montgomery to see include the Dexter Parsonage Museum , the house where the Reverend Martine Luther King Jr. lived during his time in Montgomery. You will also want to stop by the Civil Rights Memorial, the Freedom Rides Museum , and the Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church . Lovers of American literature should make sure to plan a visit to the Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald Museum , while American country and folk music lovers should head to the Hank Williams Museum and the Hank Williams Memorial and Gravesite. While in Montgomery, make sure to go to Cahawba House , where you can load up on an authentic Southern breakfast, including some of the best biscuits and gravy in all of the South! For dinner, head to Central , where you can enjoy a modern twist on Southern food. Don’t skip the roasted Brussel sprouts with bacon while you’re here! Both restaurants are locally owned, and you’ll never forget your time at either. If you plan on staying overnight, check into the comfy-yet-elegant Rennaisance Montgomery Hotel & Spa. When you’re done with Montgomery, there are tons of things to do nearby. You can head to Selma, Tuskeegee, or Birmingham to see more of what Alabama has to offer! – by Stephanie Craig at History Fan Girl

Alabama Road Trips From Montgomery Alabama

If you would like to learn more about Civil Rights issues in the USA, you need to check out these two shorter Alabama road trip ides from Montgomery.

Alabama Road Trip Ideas:  Selma Alabama

Selma is only 50 miles (about an hour drive) from Montgomery but is an important part of American civil rights history.

The Selma to Montgomery march by Martin Luther King Jr and other civili rights leader helped with the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. They chose Selma because the town had 57% African Americans of which only 3% had voting rights. 

At Selma, you can see the Edmund Pettus Bridge where Alabama state troopers stopped the marchers on their first attempt. The vicious beating of African Americans by the state troopers on the Edmund Pettus Bridge (named after a Confederate Army General and KKK Grand Dragon) brought the Civil Rights issues to the forefront of the national consciousness. Near the bridge is the National Voting Rights Museum . 

An exhibit of Klu Klux Klan items that terrorised African American communities after the Civil War.

Alabama Road Trip Ideas: Tuskegee Alabama

I did not have time to visit Tuskegee Alabama which is only a 45 minute drive from Montgomery Alabama (in the opposite direction to Selma).

I met a nice couple at Dexter Avenue Church who were doing the Civil Rights trail in Montgomery and then going to Tuskegee and finally Selma in one day. I was super impressed with their hustle because all of the museums close at 5pm so they would be packing a lot into that day.

Tuskegee is home to several interesting museums.

• There is the  George Washington Carver Museum  dedicated to George Washington Carver who was an African American scientist who encouraged the planting of alternative crops like peanuts and legumes to avoid the soil depletion caused by the growing cotton.
• There is also the home of Booker T. Washington, the Oaks which is operated by the National Park Service. Washington was an African-American educator who advocated education as a response to the Jim Crow Laws of his time.  Sort of like the Michele Obama ‘When they go low, we go high” response of his time.
• Another great museum is the Tuskegee History Center,  a history museum which tells the story of all the local peoples including Native Americans, African Americans and European Americans.

Montgomery to Mobile

Driving the 170 miles from Montgomery to Mobile takes about 3 hours. Once again most of the time and miles from Montgomery AL to Mobile AL  are spent on Interstate 65-S.

Detour: Monroeville, Alabama

If you feel like doing a short detour on the way from Montgomery to Mobile, get of I-65S at Exit 93 for the half-hour drive to Monroeville . Famous as the hometown of Harper Lee who wrote To Kill A Mockingbird, Monroeville has a small museum dedicated to the book/movie at its Courthouse. 

What to do in Coastal Alabama

I had a tour guide describe Mobile Alabama as the ‘red-headed stepchild of Alabama’ – a description that made me laugh. I can see why the rest of Alabama thinks Mobile is a little different but to be fair, so is Huntsville.

Huntsville and Mobile were also my two favorite places in Alabama but I have always been a fan of quirky. I found Central Alabama way too religious and finding decent coffee was a challenge. 

Settled by the French and the first capitol of French Louisiana, Mobile reminds me of New Orleans with its architecture and laid-back style.

Mobile Alabama would also like you to know that they were the first city to celebrate Mardi Gras in the USA . There’s a Mardi Gras Museum  to tour and  Mardi Gras is still celebrated in family -friendly style in the city. 

Mobile has lots of historic neighborhoods and a vibrant restaurant and bar scene. Take a food tour of Mobile if you are a foodie – you won’t be disappointed.

Kids will love visiting the USS Alabama , a former Navy battleship at Battleship park. 

When you visit Mobile Alabama, you discover there are lots of parks like this one, Battlefield Park.

Near Mobile, there is Bayou Le Batre made famous as the place Forrest Gump had his shrimp boat. There is also Dauphin Island , a barrier island with glorious beaches and an Audubon Bird Sanctuary . How can you not love a place that bills itself as the sunset capitol of Alabama?

Bayou Le Batre is famous for building ships and its fishing trade.

Take the Mobile Bay Ferry from Dauphin Island back onto the mainland at Fort Morgan, Alabama for one of the best Alabama scenic drives you will come across. I looped back up to Mobile on scenic route 98 but you can go further along for more coastal Alabama.

Detour:  Gulf Shores and Orange Beach

Keep going along Coastal Alabama and you get Gulf Shores and Orange Beach which will fill anyone’s idea of fun in the sun and sand.

You simply have to get out onto the water in the Gulf of Mexico For example, you can take a Bay cruise , a dolphin and eco-tour , or a sunset sailing cruise .

Here’s insight specifically into Orange Beach from a colleague:

With white powder sands and clear, calm waters, Orange Beach holds obvious appeal. But the Gulf of Mexico is just the beginning: this community is one of the south’s most well-rounded beach destinations. In-between swimming and sunbathing, you’ll also find expansive parks, hands-on art workshops and restaurants fit for foodies. When you can tear yourself away from the beach, Gulf State Park should be one of your first stops. The park holds miles of boardwalks and other trails for walking and biking, plus a lake perfect for fishing or paddling. Head just outside the park, and you’ll find several spots perfect for dolphin-watching. Join a guided cruise or day trip to Fort Morgan and look for dolphins just off-shore. When you’ve had enough nature and worked up an appetite, head to one of the area’s many restaurants. As you’d expect, fresh seafood is prominent on menus (and absolutely delicious) but you’ll also find classic southern favorites like biscuits, gumbo and bread pudding. The best part about this area is that it’s perfect no matter who you’re traveling with. It’s popular with families but can also make a romantic getaway or plan a fabulous girls trip to Orange Beach . This is one spot you won’t want to miss if you’re planning a southern roadtrip! – by Becky Pokora of SightDOING Gulf State Park at Orange Beach, coastal Alabama (Image credit: Becky Pokora)

In Mobile I stayed at the historic Battle House Renaissance Hotel and Spa. It’s got a great location walkable to most of Mobile’s sites. In addition to the spa, there is also a rooftop pool and tennis courts.

If you are looking to visit coastal Alabama directly, the Mobile Regional Airport is located on the Gulf Coast and 13 miles from Mobile, itself.

Updated: March 2021

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Ready to road trip Alabama? Alabama is a fantastically diverse state with mountain, beaches, cities and a fascinating history. Did I mention the great food and friendly people? You should consider these 15 amazing stops for your road trip in Alabama. #alabama #roadtrip #southernusa

Are you thinking about an Alabama road trip as part of a larger Southern USA road trip? Great idea. Alabama offers mountain, beaches, cities and a fascinating history. Pus you’ll find great food and hospitable people! Check out this Alabama itinerary for your road trip. #alabama #roadtrip #southernusa #itinerary

We were helped by Huntsville CVB on our visit to Northern Alabama in the form of 3 nights stay at the Drury Inn & Suites Huntsville as well as free admission to several of the area’s sites. We did not otherwise receive compensation of any form, monetary or otherwise, from any of the products, services, hotels   etc mentioned in this article.

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The Ultimate Road Trip: Gulf Coast

You’ll be taking the  scenic route  via  route 90  and route 98 from  New Orleans , Louisiana all the way to South Walton, Florida.

Day 1: Louisiana

If you have a  few days to spend in New Orleans , have a look at our  city guide  or check out some family-friendly  ideas.  Make a quick stop for breakfast and/or coffee at  Satsuma Café  on your way out of town. Stay in for the  Mexican Breakfast Plate , or take the  Green Breakfast Sandwich to go.  (Or revisit your favorite donut place.)

Hotels & Vacation Rentals - White Castle

Day 2: mississippi and alabama.

Before Hurricane Katrina, the Mississippi Gulf Coast was one of the largest casino markets in the US. After the catastrophic  destruction of the water-based casinos in the Hurricane , the  Mississippi Gaming Commission  decided to rebuild the casinos on land.  The Silver Slipper Casino  was the first casino built on the ground in Mississippi, and pays  homage to legacy of the famous Vegas casino of the same name  which closed in the 80s. Make a stop and try your luck at the table games or in the high limit salon.

Hotels & Vacation Rentals - Mobile

Day 3: alabama & florida.

Do you ever think about the connection between athletic competition and artistic expression? Did you even know there was such a thing as “sport art”? In Daphne, Alabama, on the  United States Sports Academy  campus, you can visit the  American Sport Art Museum  and find out all about it.  Their collection has more than 1,000 pieces and is believed to be the  largest collection of sport art  in the US, and possibly the world. Visit the museum any weekday (it’s closed on weekends).  Bonus: it’s free!

Hotels & Vacation Rentals - Walton-on-Thames

After three long days of driving, stay the night in  luxury  in the  Watercolor Inn & Resort  at the nearby Santa Rosa Beach, or find more hotel options  here .

The Best Alabama Road Trip Itinerary for Your Next Adventure

January 19, 2022

Are you ready to learn the truth about the most misunderstood state in the US? This Alabama road trip itinerary will open your eyes, melt your heart and, quite possibly, change your life. 

Too much to promise for a simple driving itinerary? Allow me to explain…

See also 101 interesting facts about Alabama

Table of Contents

Your Perfect Alabama Road Trip Itinerary

Disclosure  – This project took place through a partnership with Alabama Tourism Department and America As You Like It. As ever, as always, we kept the right to write what we like. There’s really no point otherwise! Also, we use some affiliate links. That means that if you book or buy through some of these links then we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We still only recommend products and services we use ourselves. Again, no point otherwise!

Alabama Road Trip Map

White sands at sunset, dolphins in waves.

Space rocket launches and cavernous caves.

Mountains with lookouts, long trails of tears. 

Carnival, Mardi Gras, parties with cheers.

Writerly stories that reach through the age.

From Gatsby to Mockingbird, turning the page. 

Then footsteps and missteps, bombing and rage.

Forgiveness. 

Non-violence. A bus stop. A change?

Drive Alabama, a culture exchange.

Alabama’s beautiful beaches…

Why You Should Visit Alabama

Alabama isn’t one of those states that people know well. Even among friends and fellow travel writers, I heard question after incredulous question. Why are you going to Alabama? What is there to do in Alabama? And even, more than once, is it worth going to Alabama?!

Well, where should I start? With the white sand beaches, award-wining eco credentials and dolphins dipping at sunset? The rust and russet rolling peaks of the Appalachian mountains? The heartbreaking and heart-fixing stories of the civil rights movement through household names like Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King?

Perhaps we’ll curl up with a good book? Choose from Truman Capote, Fiztgerald and Gatsby and Harper Lee’s classic To Kill a Mockingbird. Or party all year in Mobile, home to the oldest Mardi Gras in America.

Would the world’s biggest space museum blast your interest? Or how about some shrimp & grits, ribs in smoky barbecue sauce and a slice of pecan pie?

Yes, this Alabama road trip will sweep you through the Yellowhammer State in either seven, ten or fourteen days. But leave your prejudices at home.

Above all else, Alabama invites you to explore with an open mind.

Feeling overwhelmed with your travel plans? Check out our Travel Toolbox ©  and Road Trip Planner & Toolkit ©.  They contain all the resources you need to get everything done, easily and with a side of sass.

Waking up excited every day!

How to Use This Alabama Road Trip Itinerary

There are many ways, obviously, to plan a road trip through Alabama but the highlights remain the same. This loop runs from New Orleans to New Orleans but other good ideas for Alabama road trips involve either driving in a loop from Atlanta, Georgia, or driving south to north from New Orleans to Tennessee. For international visitors, it’s easier to fly into one of the other states and then cross the state line.

7, 10 or 14 Nights in Alabama?

If you stay one night in each of the main places here, that makes a 7 day Alabama road trip itinerary. However, to do it this way, you have to move and pack fast. I would strongly recommend expanding it to make a 10 day road trip itinerary, and I’ve indicated in each section where and why you should spend extra time in a place. To craft a full 14 day or two week Alabama road trip itinerary, I would take your time with this one, then stop off in Monroeville for the night and make excursions to Selma and the Edmund Pettus Bridge and Muscle Shoals too.

Facing the Past

A road trip through Alabama brings up some big topics amid the great hospitality and sense of joy and fun, which is why it’s such a powerful thing to do. Alabama is not alone with this, at all, but the iconic moments relating to genocide, slavery, racism and colonialism that took place here leave Alabama with a unique historical footprint. It’s hard to serve the topics well within the framework of a travel itinerary, so please rest assured that I will be back with more in-depth articles and context through individual articles later.

Sorting out Logistics

Each section has an introduction as to why you should visit that part of Alabama followed by a fact box that details things like drive times, where to stay, where to sleep and so on. If ever you get lost, head to the table of contents or Alabama road trip map here.  

And don’t forget the Road Trip Planner & Toolkit© to help you plan an amazing trip!

Alabama Itinerary Overview

Here are the key stops on a 7 day Alabama road trip itinerary. The pace is pretty full on, so if you can, I’d suggest you extend this to either 10 days or two weeks to really make the most of things. I’ve added in where and how I would make those changes in the sections below.

• New Orleans
• Appalachian Mountains
• Monroeville

Gulf Shores

Carnival in Mobile: the longest running one in the US

The first thing to know about Mobile is how to pronounce it. Mo-beeeeel. Not Mo-baisle as in crocodile.

With that out of the way, you’re ready to enjoy one of the most colourful cities in the world: Mobile.

Often described as New Orleans’ little sister, on account of its wrought iron railings and love for carnival, Mobile, while smaller, actually came first. Named the capital of French Louisiana in 1702, a full fifteen years before New Orleans came into being, today’s Mobile oozes charm and speakeasy atmosphere on Dauphin Street, a mix of theatre, restaurants and bars beneath wrought iron railings and pastel painted facades.

Honestly, I’d recommend a visit for that street alone but Mobile has other tricks up its golden beaded sleeve.

Exploring a submarine in Alabama…

History in Mobile

The History Museum of Mobile gives a good introduction to the state’s history, including the often overlooked Native American struggles, along with some harrowing depictions of the realities of the slave trade. The sections are short but powerful and manageable for young children.

Just a short drive from speakeasy Downtown, you’ll find a mighty contrast at the Battleship Memorial Park. Enthusiasts could spend an entire day here, exploring the depths of a retired submarine, staring at the wings of a B-52 and then scaling the ladders of the Battleship USS Alabama. Retired service personnel offer anecdotes about living on top of a nuclear warhead deep below the sea for 90 days at a time and the entire setup gives an insight into the reality behind the most powerful military in the world.

Carnival in Mobile

Finally, we can’t talk about Mobile without talking about Carnival and the mystic societies. To say that Mardi Gras here is a big deal is to massively underplay the concept of big deals. It’s huge. Ginormous. Gigantic. Heck, someone throw a thesaurus over here fast, we need to talk about Carnival in Mobile!

It’s the longest running Mardi Gras in America, and if you can’t make the real deal in Spring, don’t despair. The Carnival museum will welcome you with fire breathing dragon floats, jewel-studded dresses that need ball bearings to help them travel along the floor, dinner pieces that would rival royalty and a glimpse into a secret world of striped pyjamas, kings, queens and the Excelsior band.

On Dauphin Street in Mobile…

Practical Tips for Mobile

Dauphin Street is a fun street to walk along and, with the right shoes, it’s possible to walk from there to the history museum and carnival museum. In fact, the walk is half the fun.

For the Battleship Memorial Park, however, you will need to drive. Parking on site is easy once you get there. Enjoy!

Why is Alabama called the Yellowhammer State?

First of all, let me spare you some embarrassment. Yellowhammer is nothing to do with industry or communism. It’s the name of a bird. Legend has it that a group of soldiers from Huntsville wore yellow trimmed clothes during the Civil War. They were nicknamed the yellowhammers and soon the term referred to anyone from Alabama. The yellowhammer now is the official state bird.

It’s just over two hours from New Orleans to Mobile on straight, main roads.

Where to Stay

• Mobile’s Riverview Plaza lives a short and colourful walk from both the atmospheric part of Downtown and the museum district. It pierces the sky like a magnified needle, offering great sunrise views across the industrial side of Mobile and its waterway. Both self-parking and valet parking are available but don’t worry too much about breakfast. It’s only a short walk to the inimitable Mo’Bay Beignets.

How Many Nights

We squeezed by with one night but to really enjoy and appreciate the museums, it would be a gift to have more time. Probably one and a half days here is ample, which my involve two nights depending on what time you need to arrive and leave.

Where to Eat

• Wintzell’s Oyster House – a no frills, welcoming oyster bar with fried green tomatoes, crab claw baskets and award-winning seafood gumbo.
• Mo’Bay Beignets – Mobile’s favourite coffee bar, bright and white Mo’Bay serves sugar dusted beignets with signature hot sauces that include butterscotch, cinnamon and gingerbread.
• Roosters – casual spot for South American inspired food. Worth a visit to see the size of the hot sauce counter!
• Noble South – highly recommended gourmet spot for Southern food like Shrimp & Grits
• The Mobile Carnival Museum – glittering gowns, dinner invitations, floats and mystic history.
• USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park – clamber among a real submarine, battleship and fighter planes and start to understand the might of America’s military.
• Dauphin Street – atmospheric architecture and ambiance.
• The History Museum of Mobile and Fort Conde – a walk through how we got to where we are.
• Beignets at Mo’Bay Beignets – sugar dusted tradition.

Inside Tips

• I’d really recommend taking a tour around the Carnival Museum if possible. It’s such a huge part of life here that it’s good to be able to ask questions and dig a little deeper into the culture and tradition surrounding these magnificent parties. 

Montgomery. Cruel history and inspiring history all in one city.

Montgomery. It’s probably not a name that many people know, yet a few square miles in this state capital contain name upon name that all the world knows. Martin Luther King. Rosa Parks. Gatsby and his greatness.

What’s even more remarkable is how close together these places are. And that they represent but a drop in the wider Montgomery ocean.

Historic Hot Dogs

Start with a slice of history by walking in the footsteps of Elvis, Martin Luther King and all the governors of Alabama at the historic, humble… Chris’ Hot Dogs store.  Founded in 1917, this low-lit, low nonsense eatery serves up a vintage idea of America, through hot dogs and hot sauce, snug booths and retro fonts and the mountains and mountains of napkins. (Trust me, you’ll need them all…)

From there, it’s a sprint up the hill to the Dexter Avenue Memorial Church, a red brick building overshadowed at first, by the view up the hill of the white dome and columns of Alabama’s State Capitol Building.

And here’s where we need a quick trip to the history books.

What You Need to Know About Alabama’s State Capitol Building

In 1861, Jefferson Davis was inaugurated as the first president of the Confederacy on the very steps of the capitol building. For us non-Americans, the Confederates were the side that fought against Abraham Lincoln’s northern Union states. Some say it was a fight against overtaxation and northern tyranny. More say it was a fight to keep slavery as the bedrock of the economy.

Fast forward to 1955 and a time when Alabama was among one of the most segregated states in America. A 42 year old woman, Rosa Parks, refused to give up her seat for a white man, resulting in arrest, protests, the Montgomery bus boycott and the rise to prominence of a truly great spokesman, one Martin Luther King.

He was also a preacher at the Dexter Avenue Memorial Church.

Martin Luther King’s Church

Today, the place has a modified name. The Dexter Avenue King Memorial Church. Painted footprints mark the spot outside, symbolising the thousands who marched from Selma to Montgomery to campaign for fair voting rights. At the time, Governor George Wallace refused to accept the petition, vowing to extend segregation forever. At the 50 year anniversary, led by then President Barack Obama, Martin Luther King’s daughter walked up the steps to the Capitol and was received by the governor with tears and open arms. The original governor, Wallace, attended the church to beg forgiveness.

Wanda, a force of nature and our guide to the church, greets us there and invites us to stand on the tarmac. To walk in the footsteps of giants. And it’s from this point on that my professional interest melts into a blend of personal hope and shame.

African-American history is so brutal, so recent and so far from over. Yet progress came through campaign after campaign of powerful non-violence. And information in Montgomery arrives with a tsunami of human connection, hope and warm southern hospitality. It’s jarring and blurring and, for me, I would say, life changing. Forgive me, dear readers, for not expanding fully here. I need another article to do the subject justice. Subscribe or simply come back and watch this space.

That the church sits so close to the main government building seems a strange quirk of fate. So, too, the proximity of the Rosa Parks Museum near the stop where she boarded and the Freedom Riders Museum, in the original bus station attacked by a mob.

Hanging out with the costumes from the Great Gatsby at the Fitz Museum in Montgomery

Another Side of Montgomery

Away from the concrete and columns of Downtown Montgomery, the Cloverdale neighbourhood houses gardens galore. In one picturesque spot lives the Fitz Museum, marking the home of Zelda and F. Scott. Fitzgerald who lived here for a stint between 1931 and 1932.

It’s also guest house, with period Zelda and Scott suites upstairs, while manuscripts, photographs, cigarette holders and perfume bottles fill the rooms on the ground floor.

Further out again, surrounded by greenery, you’ll find the Alabama Shakespeare Festival housed in the Carolyn Blount Theatre. We caught a child-friendly performance of Cinderella but the theatre hosts a wide range of performances throughout the rest of the year.

Practical Tips for Montgomery

Bring plenty of tissues! Honestly, the stories and emotions that surround the monuments and people you will meet need time and space to sink in and breathe.

Beyond that, the Capitol Building, Chris’ Hot Dogs, and Dexter Avenue Church are in easy walking distance of one another. So, too are the Rosa Parks Museum and Freedom Riders Museum.

You will need to drive out to both the Fitz Museum and Alabama Shakespeare Festival so leave yourself plenty of time for those.

Oh, yes. And accept the mountains of napkins you will be given at Chris’s Hot Dogs. Believe me.

From Mobile to Montgomery, it’s a straightforward 2.5 hours on the road.

• Springhill Suites in Downtown Montgomery may win the prize for being the hotel I have spent the least actual time in, with our late night and early start. As with the other Springhill Suites, you’ll find parking, a grab and go breakfast buffet, shared laundry facilities and a convenient location.

Definitely more than one! Montgomery is a powerful, powerful place with many stories to tell. I believe you’d benefit from more time to put things into context and reflect, spacing out the time in each place mentioned. You could also consider visiting the new Legacy Museum: From Slavery to Incarceration and National Memorial for Peace and Justice.  This came highly recommended for adults but with question marks about its suitability for very young children.

• Chris’s Hot Dogs  – founded in 1917, this is the oldest family run restaurant in Alabama and has dished up hot dogs to Martin Luther King, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Elvis Presley, Hank Williams and every Alabama governor since it opened.
• Dreamland BBQ  – this Alabama franchise began life in Tuscaloosa, Alabama in 1958, after Big Daddy Bishop received a visitation from God. Try out their signature BBQ sauce and hickory-fired ribs.
• The Alabama State Capitol Building – where so many poignant events took place.
• The Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church – where Dr Martin Luther King Jr preached, just steps from the State Capitol Building.
• The Rosa Parks Museum and the section of road where she was arrested.
• The Freedom Riders Museum – in the bus station where people continued non violent protest against segregation.
• The Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald Museum – former home to the author of The Great Gatsby, F. Scott. Fitzgerald.
• The Alabama Shakespeare Festival – impressive and active theatre amid great greenery and grounds
• Check out the events schedule at the Freedom Riders Museum. People who took part in the civil rights struggle at the time sometimes attend to speak about their experiences.

Why is Alabama Called the Heart of Dixie?

So, there are a few layers to this. Alabama sits at the heart of a number of southern States who go (or used to go) by the name of Dixie. This dates back to the time when Louisiana printed bank notes with the French word for ten: dix. Dix (pronounced deece) became dixie as a general term for the southern states and an active PR campaign in the 1940s and 50s sought to make it Alabama’s official nickname.

So, what’s the problem? Well, those southern States largely formed the Confederacy, the losing side of the American Civil War, and the side that fought to continue the slave trade. Plus, the term Dixie was made popular through blackface minstrel shows.

As a result, it’s a term that some feel evokes a romantic idea of an era in which racism and slavery were celebrated.

Not everyone feels this way but it’s good to be aware of the controversy before you go.

Walking in Little River Canyon in the Appalachian Mountains

The Appalachian Mountains

Nothing takes you right back to the present like nature. And somehow, she also manages to spirt you to the past and future as well.

The Appalachian Mountains may start life as far north as Newfoundland in Canada, but they tumble into Alabama with a soothing rise and fall that undulates with deep green in the summer and orange needled tapestries in autumn.

The Trail of Tears

But for all the beauty, there’s heartache to find here too. Look out for a series of landmarks that commemorate the lives lost between 1830 – 1850 when the US government forcibly removed Native Americans from Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee to land west of the Mississippi in Oklahoma. Thousands died through starvation and exposure along the route which the Cherokee refer to as “the trail of tears.”

Little River Canyon National Preserve sits on the aptly named Lookout Mountain near the quirky town of Fort Payne and DeSoto State Park. It’s so hard to imagine today, but in 1838, US soldiers and local militia rounded up approximately 1100 Cherokee men, women and children, placed them in stockades and then marched them for 798 miles without adequate food and supplies.

Look out for the small plaques which invite you to reflect on this history.

Hiking & Driving Little River Canyon

In today’s world, though, friendly Park Rangers and a well stocked visitor’s centre make it an easy outdoor space to explore. Walking trails pass by landmarks like Little River Falls and, if you have the nerve, the skill and the right weather conditions, you can take to the rapids yourself.

A beautiful drive wiggles and weaves along the rim of the canyon , or so I’m reliably told. We arrived amid the twilight mist so rather than elegant hiking and staring out to the flame edged horizon, I yelped in and out of the car at each lookout point in a race against the darkness clouding the sky. Crow point overlook. Wolf creek overlook. I stood on each point in the shadows, wondering what lay below. Go, voyage during daylight and let me know what I missed!

Cathedral Caverns: one of the biggest cave systems in the world

Cathedral Caverns

Under normal circumstances, I’m not much of a cave person. Too many bad experiences with too much darkness and too many banged heads (or is that one head banged several times – Ed?)

But Cathedral Caverns really did live up to its name. It’s cavernous, possibly the third largest cave of its kind in the world, and the melting, melding display of stalactites and stalagmites in one section of the cavern really does resemble a cathedral (and in another beautiful moment, our tour guide was called Kavan. Seriously. Say it out loud…)

And for the first time in forever, as they say in Disney, it recalibrated my discomfort with darkness. Forty minutes into the cavern on well lit pathways and our Kavan switched off the lights. Complete, total darkness. Darkness I’ve not found anywhere else. At first fear, panic, dizziness, and a primitive need to protect baby Lab. Then, a kind of peace, a requirement to relinquish control, to stand in the moment, to trust a virtual stranger that everything would be fine.

When studded fairy lights punctured the darkness, the display was honestly magical.

Practical Tips for Exploring the Appalachian Mountains in Alabama

First of all, check out hiking checklist here.

Second of all, make a stop into one of the visitor centres or arrange to meet up with a Park Ranger. These are American parks so, in general, paths are well maintained and well signposted but they can still be dangerous.

Never assume that it’s safe to swim or dive in the water and learn about what to do if you see a bear.

You’ll find the small towns, like Mentone and Fort Payne, reasonably well stocked and beautifully quirky places to visit but if you need any specialist equipment or medication, make sure you have it before you set off.

In Little River Canyon, the walk past Little River Falls and back in a loop is easily manageable with young children. Enjoy!

Montgomery to Fort Payne is three hours but this can easily be longer. In good weather, you’ll likely want to stop and take photos through the scenic drive in Talladega National Forest. In bad weather, visibility will be lower and you’ll need to go slow on the fairly winding roads.

• Winston Place B&B l ooks like a museum from Gone with the Wind, set in an antebellum neoclassical mansion in the small town of Mentone. It’s no surprise that it’s on the National Register of Historic Places, with its white columns, spacious verandah and grand lawn out front. Inside, rooms keep the historic ambiance, with fireplaces, floral furniture, lace edged tablecloths and more. Yet you get all the modern comforts you’d expect, plus access to a washing machine. Breakfast is a full southern experience, with everything from pancakes to grits with fresh coffee.

If the weather is good and you love to hike, then you could spend days on end here. If you would just like a taste of the place and are likely to hit bad weather, then one night will work nicely.

• Vintage 1889 in Fort Payne – lunch on raspberry chicken and flatbread tomato pie in this quirky 125 year old historic Big Mill. Kids will love the life size fire engine that sticks out of the wall. Adults will love the antique trinkets, posters and memorabilia.
• Elevation Bistro in Mentone – chic and candlelit, Elevation Bistro serves top quality fare with locally sourced ingredients taking on far off dishes like French onion soup and sundried tomato and mozzarella balls.
• Hiking through forests and waterfalls in Little River Canyon.
• Touring one of the largest underground cave systems in the world at Cathedral Caverns State Park.
• Pausing at the Trail of Tears in remembrance of the Native Americans forced from this land.
• Driving along the edge of a canyon and perching on rocky outcrops on part of the Lookout Mountain Parkway.

Look out for Park Rangers in the beautiful State Parks. They are on duty to help out and are incredibly knowledgable about the local area. Look out for Kaleb, in particular, say hi from this article and check that he took the chair back to Winston Place B&B. He’ll know what it means ;-)

Looking at rockets in the Huntsville Space Center

Huntsville: Rocket City

Rocket City wants you to have a blast. Yes, it’s the city of dad jokes and home to the largest space museum on earth. If driving along Clinton Avenue and seeing the tip of a 36 storey Saturn V moon rocket rising into the sky like a spire doesn’t shiver your space timbers, then it’s quite possible that you have timbers that cannot be shivered.

As the site of America’s first ever satellite launch, Huntsville has quite the reputation as the tech powerhouse of Alabama. The city itself is expanding faster than expected and you’ll find over 100 different languages and dialects within the city limits.

Yet Huntsville also has time to slow down and play. Its 112 acres of Botanical Gardens offer nature’s answer to tech: transformed over Christmas into a Galaxy of Lights.

And if you haven’t yet had your fill of neoclassical southern mansions yet, then a ride through Huntsville’s historical district will give another glimpse into the architecture of another age.

Most of all, though, make sure you leave enough time to fully explore the space museum. Even if a tip like that is not really rocket science (boom!) it is out of this world (double boom!)

Practical Tips for Huntsville

Around a third of the exhibits at the space museum are outside, and some of the rides will be awkward if you’re wearing a skirt. Plan for that with your packing and when you get dressed in the morning!

From Mentone in the Appalachian Mountains to Huntsville is around one hour and a half, one of the shortest drives on this trip.

• The Springhill Suites from Marriott in Downtown Huntsville form a convenient base for catching your breath in between the Space Center and the next stop in Birmingham. Parking is on site, breakfast is a quick grab and go and you’ll find a self-operated laundry to catch up with what you need to do on your road trip.

Space enthusiasts should leave a whole day to explore US Space and Rocket Center, meaning that you need two nights if you want to see anything else.

• Rhythm on Monroe – a fun place to pick up a Honky Tonk Whiskey Woman cocktail, some stylish shrimp & grits or biscuits and gravy and a grilled cheese sandwich for the little ones.
• Stovehouse – a former factory now converted into a cool urban leisure area, with outdoor dining from a range of eateries, a children’s play area and music drifting into the night. Follow the sign that says no firearms and only moderate, not excessive, horsejackery.
• The US Space and Rocket Center with its moondust, real relics, interactive exhibits and gravity defying rides.
• Historic Huntsville – stroll or drive through this beautiful neighbourhood of period properties or else attend an event run by the Historic Huntsville Foundation.
• Huntsville Botanical Gardens   – 112 acres of earth education and greenery. We were in town for the festive extravaganza, the Galaxy of Lights night show.
• Leave yourself plenty of time for the US Space and Rocket Center. It’s the largest place of its kind on earth, and you’ll need at least half a day if not more.

Pit Stop in Decatur: Natural History and Big Bob’s BBQ

For another taste of life in Albama, make a stop in Decatur, just south of Huntsville.

A Local Landmark: Big Bob Gibson’s BBQ

Where to Eat: Big Bob’s

Big Bob Gibson’s is the only name in town, with a big smokehouse out back ready to barbecue just about any kind of meat. We arrived at lunchtime, amid a working, check-shirted crowd, with barely a table free.

Big Bob’s is famous for a number of things, most notably their white barbecue sauce, a mayonnaise based tangy sauce with paprika, mustard and a dash of garlic.

What to See: Alabama’s Biodiversity

The Cook Museum of Natural Science is an absolute must see for the kids but if you’re new to Alabama, I’d recommend a visit for adults as well. Through fresh and imaginative interactive exhibits, you can not only get up to speed with tides, gemstones and the latest on the solar system, but you get an appreciation of Alabama’s biodiversity as well.

For, somewhat surprisingly, Alabama is America’s Amazon , an area with more species than anywhere else in the country.

Get up close with turtles and alligators, learn more about Alabama’s complex cave systems and stand eye to eye with the local black bears (yes, bears!)

Finally, leave inspired by both the story and the mission of the place. The Cook began life as a collection of bugs in a pest control company. The owner used his collection to train new recruits. Over time, staff brought their children to see the collections and from there, the spark of an idea for a museum was born.

The museum has an ethos as well: life is amazing. The first gallery prompts you to “look closer” and it’s another way for Alabama to invite you to think a little deeper, reach higher and get more out of each and every single day.

Don’t miss the pecan pie at Big Bob’s.

Birmingham by name, Birmingham by nature. Unlike so many cities in the world, Birmingham was built by design and built without basing itself around a river. Instead, in the mid 19th century, a group of industrialists decided to create an industrial city in the middle of Alabama, using the railroad instead of the waterways to connect it to the world. And so they did.

The Vulcan Centre, high on a vertiginous plain that overlooks the city, offers an appropriately severe introduction to the city. First, there is the giant himself, Vulcan. Bare bottomed and wielding tools that use fire to bend metal, his presence is a cross between a threat and a welcome to residents and visitors alike.

Then, there is the Vulcan Center, an introduction to the place as much as the man, charting the arrival of workers, from the recently emancipated plantation workers to Italian and Jewish immigrants desperate to start a new life. The museum covers the construction of this behemoth sculpture (the foot stands taller than a man) and the uniting force of Baseball.

But it is for civil rights that most people know the name Birmingham, Alabama, and not, it is fair to say, for all the best reasons.

Birmingham Civil Rights Monuments

Clustered together, just half a mile from the historic Tutwiler hotel, lie a trinity of core Civil Rights landmarks. The erudite Birmingham Civil Rights Institute , the evocative Kelly Ingram Park and the heartbreaking story of the 16th Street Baptist Church.

It was within these walls on 15th September 1963 when four girls were preparing for Sunday school, that Ku Klux Klan terrorists bombed the church and stole their lives. The scripture they were studying at the time was this:

“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.” Matthew 5:44.

Practical Tips for Birmingham

In practical terms, Birmingham is an emotionally tough though important place to visit. The three core places are close together so it is just about possible to visit all three in one morning, as we did, but I would recommend you leave yourself more time.

The tour through the 16th Street Baptist church is incredibly powerful and it feels rude to rush it. The BCRI is self-guided and the amount of time you will need depends on how much of the history you already know.

While in theory, you can walk around the Kelly Ingram park in minutes, the reality is that I needed time with those sculptures to try to sift through my heavy thoughts and emotions. It’s not a place to rush through, any more than a war or holocaust memorial.

On that note, look out for graphic depictions of lynchings in the BCRI and a graphic description of the bombing in the 16th Street Baptist Church. It’s a personal parental choice but I feel that both could be absolutely terrifying for very young children. I distracted Rosa through the audiovisual parts so that she has an overview of that history but doesn’t suffer from nightmares from something she cannot unsee.

As with so many parts of this Alabama road trip itinerary, I will be writing more about these topics in separate articles. Stay tuned and watch this space.

It’s another short drive of only around 90 minutes from Huntsville to Birmingham, a little longer if you take the detour to Decatur.

• A designated National Historic Landmark, the grand Tutwiler Hotel is now owned and run as part of the Hampton Inn & Suites under the Hilton umbrella. It’s only a 4 minute drive from the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute and has valet parking on site. It also has a waffle maker on the breakfast buffet options…

One is possible, two is ideal, since you won’t want to rush through the 16th Street Baptist Church and BCRI.

• Blueprint on 3rd – absolutely gorgeous Brasserie with historical Sloss Furnaces as a backdrop, industrial Art Deco decor and a fabulous fresh cocktail list.
• Pizitz Food Hall – something of a local landmark within reach of the BCRI with black and white floor tiles and a range of modern global food stalls.
• The Vulcan Statue that towers over the city and the museum that tells its story.
• The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute – an interpretive museum and research centre.
• Kelly Ingram Park – an outdoor park on the Civil Rights Trail with emotive sculptures.
• 16th Street Baptist Church – the site of an attack by the KKK which killed four young girls at Sunday school.

Try to time your visit to the Vulcan Center to align with sunset. It’s mesmerising to watch all the lights flicker into life across this impressive industrial city.

Monroe County Museum in Alabama

Monroeville and the Mockingbird

Between Birmingham and the coast lies a beautiful small town that seems somehow familiar. The layout of the streets. The shape of the courthouse. The song of the mockingbird?

Could this, could this just be Maycomb, Alabama, the fictional town from Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird?

Why yes, Miss Maudie, it is.

Welcome to Monroeville, a small village and home to childhood friends Harper Lee and Truman Capote. And you can visit Monroe County Museum to learn more about them both.

The museum itself contains Capote’s blue glass souvenirs and crazy quilt coat, as well as a 1930s lawyer’s office, a home for Atticus Finch. But it’s the courtroom that stands out, as the original inspiration for both the book and the 1962 movie with Gregory Peck.

Practical Tips for Monroeville

The museum is small and you can easily zip in and out in between Birmingham and Gulf Shores on this Alabama Road Trip itinerary. But I really wish we’d stayed at least overnight.

Monroeville Main Street oozes with small town southern charm and you can follow a Mockingbird trail to piece together the likely Boo Radley house and school.

It’s a great place to visit with young children to introduce the concept of the justice system and with older ones to help them gain a deeper appreciation of the Mockingbird text.

• Read more about the town that inspired Maycomb here.

Gulf Shores and Orange Beach bring a sense of lightness and hope to this Alabama Road Trip itinerary. Not just becuase days seem better at the beach and sunshine makes everyone feel better.

But because the place has managed to turn an environmental disaster into a success.

From Oil Disaster to Eco Success

In 2010, the largest marine oil spill in history took place as Deepwater Horizon slicked five million barrels of oil along the Gulf Coast after 11 people lost their lives on the rig. Traced back to reckless conduct on behalf of BP, the courts ordered the company to pay compensation to the tune of around 20 billion dollars.

When a slice of those funds arrived in Gulf Shores, a decision had to be made. Rebuild as normal? Or use the funds to truly rebuild better?

Landmark Eco Development

Gulf Shores decided to be bold and the result is one of the most genuinely eco-friendly resorts in the world. The Lodge by Hilton may not look as eco-pretty as you might expect but the credentials are sound. LEED Gold, SITES Platinum and FORTIFIED Commercial TM certification put the paperwork in order, making it the first building in the world to achieve that status.

Beyond that, the resort generates 110% of its electricity, meaning that it sells some back to the grid. It reuses water from air conditioning units, installed solar panels for power, made its windows bird strike friendly and developed amber lights that don’t disturb turtles. And more. The ins and outs of how this has been achieved deserves an article in its own right and believe me, I’ll be writing more about this.

Looking at Lake Shelby

Eco Pretty Eagle Cottages

And if you do want eco pretty, then Gulf Shores has that for you as well. We stayed in the stunning Eagle Cottages in Gulf State Park, overlooking the lapping shores of Lake Shelby. You’ll still see high rises if you lean forward and crane your neck. But sit back or cycle along the path and you could be miles from anywhere.

Eagle Cottages also have sustainability at the forefront of their mission, partnering with National Geographic’s Unique Lodges of the World initiative when it was in operation. From the cottages, you can attend lectures in the Learning Center and join a sustainability tour, as well as the more conventional hiking trips to learn about local plants and berries and track down bald eagles nesting.

Family friendly nature activities in Gulf State Park

Practical Tips for Gulf Shores and Orange Beach

When we visited in December, it was easy to get around and warm enough to eat outside or stroll around on the dunes without jackets. However, no one was in the sea and you wouldn’t want to lie around sunbathing.

On the flip side, apparently when the sunshine comes, so do the crowds and then you need to plan a little more strategically.

The Wharf in Orange Beach is a good place for restaurants and shops, while Gulf State Park is a great place to connect with nature.

From Birmingham to Gulf Shores is five hours on the road, longer if you take the detour to Monroeville for To Kill a Mockingbird. The drive is beautiful by day but tougher going by night, with risks of deer collisions as well. Consider yourself advised!

• The gorgeous Eagle Cottages in Gulf State Park. These stand-alone villas have views across the water, bicycles to ride around the park and a delicious welcoming basket of cheese, cured meats and honey. They’re part of a bigger eco project in Gulf Shores and provide a sense of getting away from it all. More about them later!

With white sand beaches and the lapping shores of Lake Shelby from Eagle Cottages, you could easily spend a week here to relax and recharge. Sit on the verandah for bird watching. Cycle through Gulf Shores State Park. Scrunch your toes on the sand and swim if it’s warm enough… But if you only have time for one night, then don’t skip this place. Head there and embrace the time you have!

• Villaggio Grille on The Wharf in Orange Beach brings a quality touch to modern dining, with a range of Italian dishes.
• Foodcraft at The Lodge in Gulf State Park features traditional American dishes like shrimp & grits with locally sourced ingredients and a calming sea and sand view.
• The white sand, sea views and dolphins at sunset.
• Lake Shelby views from Eagle Cottages.
• Bald eagles nesting in Gulf State Park.
• Forward thinking eco credentials.
• Leisure activities at The Wharf, Orange Beach.
• Take a nature trail from Eagle Cottages and look out for nesting bald eagles.

Self-drive and DIY or use a tour operator?

To be honest, either would work when planning a road trip through Alabama. The roads are easy, the language is easy, the booking systems are easy. You can definitely plan the components by yourself based on this itinerary and take care of the whole thing.

That said, tour operators do offer certain advantages. First of all, they can access cheaper deals, particularly with flights and car hire. And second of all, they keep up to date with the travel news while you are away.

For this trip, America As You Like It managed to find cheaper flights and car hire than I did (and I am a pro at finding deals after a decade of professional travel.) They also followed the changes in Covid restrictions while we were away, which was a huge relief and freed me up from spending hours squinting at my phone and making sure that I was up to date.

So, particularly in Covid times, I would recommend using a tour operator. Check out the Alabama itineraries from America As You Like It here.

Top: Shrimp & Grits. Bottom: Biscuits & Gravy

What to Eat in Alabama

An entire article awaits, but for now, here are the highlights:

• Shrimp & grits
• Beignets in Mobile
• White BBQ Sauce at Big Bob Gibson’s Barbecue
• Biscuits and gravy
• Fried green tomatoes
• Make your own waffles at a breakfast station
• Chicory coffee

Meeting Dorothy from the Freedom Riders Museum. People risked their lives to make travel through Alabama safe… Her message now is to come!

When to Visit Alabama

There’s never a bad time to visit Alabama but as the state has different regions (the tech north, cotton middle and swampy south) the best time of year depends on what you want to do. To help get your bearings, Alabama borders Tennessee, Georgia, Louisiana, Florida and Mississippi. The highest point is Cheaha Mountain in Cheaha State Park.

The beaches in the south are hottest (and busiest) during June to September but pleasant to visit in December, though outdoor pools and a swim in the sea is pretty much out. The Appalachian mountains can be enjoyed year round with few extremes, but check the details if you wish to go rafting or spot certain wildlife. Lookout mountain looks stunning with autumn foliage.

For the civil rights sightseeing, both spring and autumn work well and winter is possible with a warm coat, hat and gloves.

Flights to Alabama

Alabama has a number of airports but the big international hubs lie just outside the state. We travelled in and out of New Orleans (MSY), driving a loop through the state of Alabama. You can follow the same approach from Atlanta, Georgia (ATL) or Nashville, Tennessee (BNA.)

A fun route for an Alabama Road Trip looks to be from New Orleans to Nashville or vice versa. However, bear in mind that you will have to pay a supplementary fee if you do not return your hire car to the same place you picked it up.

I’d always recommend looking for flights and routes on Skyscanner and also checking with a tour operator as they can sometimes access deals that consumers can’t. In our case, we used America As You Like It as a partner of this project.

Safety While Driving in Alabama

It’s pretty safe to drive in Alabama. Roads are in excellent condition, well signposted and with frequent fuel stations and rest breaks. Parking is easy since most places have their own car parks and even the winding roads in the mountains are missing some of the tight and fright-filled hairpin turns you’ll find in older European villages.

You do have to be careful driving at night away from the main roads, though, as deer can cause considerable damage on impact. We were generally advised to drive by day for this reason.  Plus, it’s more fun to see the landscapes change as you drive on by.

Is Alabama Safe for People of Colour?

Given Alabama’s prominent and painful very recent past, I was asked this question several times both before I set off and while we were on the road. Since the three of us all have pale skin, we can’t answer that question from a personal perspective.

But I did ask people we met along the way, which obviously is a limited sample. Everyone I spoke to, whether Black or White, seemed horrified by the question and confident that people of colour would receive just as warm a welcome as those with white skin.

No one said it was perfect, though. “No different to anywhere else in America,” was the general gist. “We can do better,” was the other.

To get some modern context, Alabama’s population currently stands at around 74% White & 24% Black, with the remaining 1-2% consisting of American Indian and Asian according to the 2010 Alabama census.

If you are worried about this, it may be worth you reading this article from the Yellowhammer news.

You can wear almost anything you like in Alabama…

What to Wear in Alabama

In general, Alabama has a fairly relaxed dress code for its residents and visitors, unless you’re talking about Mardi Gras when costumes matter a lot. The weather varies enormously, though, both throughout the year and throughout the state.

The south is sticky and tropical for most of the year, cooling off a little in December – February. Whereas, Birmingham and further north can get bitingly cold in winter, as can the peaks of the Appalachian Mountains. But you won’t find yourself hemmed in with snow as in Alaska.

Overall, I’d recommend packing a pair of long jeans and trousers, a combination of long and short sleeved tops, a sweater, blazer or jacket, hiking shoes and going out shoes and one or two dresses if that’s your thing.

What to Pack for Alabama

Whenever you travel anywhere, check out our Travel Toolbox © and ultimate travel packing list. And for an Alabama Road Trip, of course it makes sense to consult our list of road trip essentials here.  Beyond that, I’ll highlight the following:

• Reusable water bottle and travel cutlery to cut down on plastic.
• A travel adapter like this if your appliances are not from the US. 
• Sat Nav or an in car phone holder if you plan on using your phone for navigation. 
• Some plastic bags for rubbish. 
• Some road trip snacks (although food is very easy to come by on the road.)
• Comfy shoes for making the most of the important museums, trails and Downtown areas. 
• An open mind. Cheesy but true ;-)
• And, erm, stretchy waistbands. Food is tasty, plentiful and not all that light!

More on Travel in the United States

We love a good road trip through America. It’s such a fascinating country to drive through with so many different landscapes, stories, peoples and cultures.

Check out our American road trip itineraries:

• Your two week road trip from New Orleans
• A fly-drive itinerary for the west coast in Florida
• Driving Massachusetts: road trips from Boston
• Your perfect road trip through Alabama

Read more about Alabama here:

• Meet the real Maycomb from Harper Lee’s Mockingbird
• 101 Interesting facts about Alabama
• The beach in Alabama that is changing the world. Seriously.

And our useful prep guides here:

• The Travel Toolbox ©
• The international travel checklist you can print and download
• Your printable road trip checklist  PDF
• Our Road Trip Planner & Toolkit ©

Bookmark this road trip Alabama itinerary on Pinterest for later… 

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Southern USA Road Trip Route and Recommendations

The Fab Fam just took another successful road trip!  This was a Southern USA road trip, taking us from Texas through the southern states of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida, then looping back through the southeast through Georgia, Tennessee, and Arkansas before making our way back home to Texas.  Overall on our south USA road trip we covered eight states, about 3,000 miles, and 46 hours of drive time over the course of nine days.  I am pleased to say that the whole family did great, and our southern US road trip was one of our most memorable trips to date.  Check out my tried-and-true tips for having the best, low-stress family road trip (including lots of car activities for toddlers and young kids) , and pin today’s post for roadside attractions and things to do on a southeast road trip.

Last week I shared our driving playlist for the southern states road trip journey.  Today I am sharing our itinerary and reviews of the sight-seeing and food stops we made along the way.

• Recommendations: Po-boys
• Check-in to hotel: Hilton Garden Inn New Orleans French Quarter/CBD (821 Gravier Street, New Orleans, LA 70130)‏
• Misc. sight-seeing opportunities: Jackson Square, Mississippi River, cemetery, Voodoo Museum, French Market, etc. (for more detailed reviews and tips for a trip to NOLA, click here and here )
• Recommendations: BBQ shrimp (see my review of Mr. B’s in this post )
• Recommendations: Beignets and chicory coffee (see my review of Café Du Monde in this post )
• Visit USS Alabama Battleship (2703 Battleship Pkwy, Mobile, AL 36603)

• Recommendations: Seafood pizza, gator cakes
• Visit Gator Alley Farm (19500 Co Rd 71, Summerdale, AL 36580) – Note: Alligator feedings at 11:00 am, 1:00 pm, 4:00 pm

Drive to Marianna (2.5 hrs.)

• Recommendations: Burgers, wings, nachos, craft beers

• Check-in to hotel:  Hampton Inn Tallahassee-Central (2979 Apalachee Parkway, Tallahassee, FL 32301)
• Recommendations: Breakfast skillets, sweet potato pancakes
• Drive around FSU campus

• Visit Johnny Donutseed roadside attraction (2804 Gamble Rd, Monticello, FL 32344)

Drive to Gainesville (2 hrs.)

• Recommendations: Eat in the van
• Actual lunch (Satchel’s was closed):  Crane Ramen (16 SW 1st Ave, Gainesville, FL 32601)

• Visit University of Florida campus

• Visit Florida Museum of Natural History (3215 Hull Rd, Gainesville, FL 32611) – General Admission is free!

• Visit concrete monoliths roadside attraction (park at Sheriff’s South Multi District Office, Ocala, FL 34480).  The remnants of supports for a bridge that would have crossed a never-built cross-Florida barge canal stand over-grown in the woods.  More on this project from the 1930’s can be found in this article .

• Check-in to hotel:  DoubleTree by Hilton Universal Orlando (5780 Major Blvd, Orlando, FL 32819)
• Recommendations: Sicilian pizza
• Visit LEGOLAND Florida (1 LEGOLAND Way, Winter Haven, FL 33884)

• Swimming and enjoying the hotel amenities

Drive to Jacksonville (2.25 hrs.)

• Recommendations: Southern fried chicken

Drive to Savannah (2.25 hrs.)

• Spend the night with friends
• St. Patty’s Day Parade.  We happened to be in Savannah for St. Patrick’s Day this year (more on that in this blog post ).  For more Savannah tips and recommendations, click here for my previous posts on a long weekend in Savannah and a DIY walking ghost tour in Savannah .

• Recommendations: El Jefe burger

• Go out for drinks on the Riverwalk
• Recommendations: Chili dog, onion rings, frosted orange drink
• Drive around Georgia Tech campus
• Visit College Football Hall of Fame (250 Marietta St, Atlanta, GA 30313)
• Visit Georgia Aquarium (225 Baker St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313)

• Drive by Margaret Mitchell House (990 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30309)
• Visit Incline Railway at Lookout Mountain (3917 St. Elmo Avenue, Chattanooga, TN 37409
• Recommendations: If you are there around a meal time, eat pizza in the Silver Diner dining car

• Recommendations: Unique taco combinations, soups
• Check-in to hotel:  Hampton Inn Nashville/Vanderbilt (1919 West End Avenue, Nashville, TN 37203)
• Misc. sight-seeing (Honky Tonk Row, Country Music Hall of Fame, Ryman Auditorium, etc.  For more reviews and recommendations for Nashville, see this post )
• Drive by Graceland (3734 Elvis Presley Blvd, Memphis, TN 38116)
• Recommendations: BBQ pork sandwich, ribs, BBQ spaghetti

• Visit Beale St.
• Visit National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel (450 Mulberry St, Memphis, TN 38103)

Drive to Little Rock (2 hrs.)

• Recommendations: Hubcap burger, onion rings, fried green tomatoes, fried pie

Drive to Arkadelphia (1.25 hrs.)

• Check-in to hotel:  Hampton Inn Arkadelphia (108 Malvern Road, Arkadelphia, AR 71923)
• Recommendations: Desserts

Drive to Texarkana state line (1.25 hrs.)

• Half-n-Half Post Office photo opp (500 Wood St., Texarkana, AR)

• Visit Fouke/Boggy Creek Monster (Bigfoot of the South) roadside attraction at Fouke Monster Mart  (104 US-71, Fouke, AR 71837).  Click here to learn more about this local legend.

Drive to Ark-La-Tex Tripoint (30 min.)

• Photo opp at tripoint monument (near Magnolia Club House, 22300 LA-1, Rodessa, LA 71069)

More family road trip resources and itineraries

Interested in planning more family road trip itineraries? Check out these resources.

• Big Sur Coastal Drive Stops
• Route 66 road trip itinerary with stops that inspired Disney Cars Radiator Springs
• Road Trip from Austin to New Orleans
• Family Road Trip from Texas to California
• Southern U.S. Road Trip Driving Playlist
• Route and Recommendations for a Road Trip Through the U.S. Southwest
• Itinerary and Recommendations for a Family Road Trip from Texas to Washington, DC
• Route and recommendations for planning the ultimate Midwest baseball road trip
• Connecting with my family and personal history in the U.K. with Kia
• One-Day Road Trip Through Wales – Seeking Ancient Ruins, Dragons, and Castles
• The Ultimate UK Road Trip Itinerary – Driving Around England, Scotland, and Wales with the Family
• Family Road Trip Packing List
• Tips for having the best, low-stress family road trip (including lots of car activities for toddlers and young kids)
• Super Easy DIY Hanging Organizer for Your Next Family Road Trip
• DIY road trip activities folder for toddlers and young kids

Melanie says

March 10, 2022 at 10:55 pm

Your road trip with young children is inspiring! 9 days of diving sounds like a lot, but you saw and experienced so much! Thanks for sharing. I plan to readabout your other road trips.

Ramona Cruz-Peters says

March 11, 2022 at 7:56 am

Thank you for the kind words! With long trips like this we do try to stay in at least one or two places for more than one night in order to break up driving days (in this case we stayed in Orlando and Savannah each for a few nights). We also take frequent sight-seeing stops as you can see.

Nikki Smith says

June 23, 2022 at 1:55 pm

I came across your Southern US Family Road Trip posting on Pinterest. AMAZING!!!! I can not thank you enough, the way you presented all the trips information is astounding! I have never stumbled across another person that has published their’s and it be the exact same way I think. Your families interest in attractions, food and fun make me feel like we were there (all the same things we would do). I truly am grateful for your postings! Thank you from one Mom/Family Road Tripper to another!!

June 23, 2022 at 2:15 pm

Your comment warms my heart! I am SO glad that you found our itinerary and recommendations helpful! If you like this one be sure to check out our other road trip itineraries for future inspiration, too. Thanks for taking the time to comment.

[…] Travel Tuesday: Southern U.S. Family Road Trip Route and Recommendations […]

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Follow The Mississippi River Along This Scenic Drive Through Louisiana

Louisiana native and LSU Alum (Geaux Tigers!), Jackie has lived in Louisiana for over three decades and currently lives in New Orleans. She's been writing for OnlyInYourState since 2016 and can often be found with a coffee at her side, dreaming of her next adventure.

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Did you know that there are 19 scenic byways in Louisiana ? Each one showcases a different side of Louisiana’s history, ranging from the lumber and gas industry to Zydeco and Cajun music. River Road is probably the most well-known scenic byway in Louisiana, but not the entirety of it. There’s actually a little portion of the River Road Byway that’s often overlooked, but we’re about to change that. This portion of the River Road Byway is one of the most scenic drives in Louisiana, so gas up the car and get ready to head to the tip of the boot.

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Have you ever driven down this road? Let us know in the comments below! And if you thought LA-23 was impressive, just wait until you take a drive along the 180-mile Creole Nature Trail.

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