Deep South trip - what's not to miss?

[Marverel]

Hi everybody

My wife and I will be on vacation in the US in late April. We're planning a 4 week long "Deep South" round trip, start and finish is Miami.

Some very obvious stops will be New Orleans (we'll be there for 1 day of Jazzfest, yay ), Natchez, Memphis, Nashville, GSM NP, Charleston, Savannah and St. Augustine, along with the well-known must-sees, e.g. French Quarter, Beale Street, Graceland, Sun Studios, Country Music Hall of Fame, Grand Ole Opry, Magnolia Plantation...

So I wanted to ask you guys - are there any not so well known places that are worth a visit? Any restaurant recommendations, any swamp/bayou tours, viewpoints or state parks that are not to be missed?

Thanks for your input,
Martin

 

[CES]

Looks like you have a pretty good list. If you're going through Birmingham Ala, the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute is worth a stop.

 

[angelique510]

I know it's not the Deep South, but, you should go see Biltmore Biltmore Estate & Biltmore House Guide

And while you're in Asheville, make the trek to the top of Mount Mitchell. It is as high as you can get, east of the Mississippi.

~A

 

[TDale]

In Savannah: Riverstreet and City Market. Just outside Savannah, Tybee Island. Middle of nowhere, Georgia: Providence Canyon State Park. Go dry canyon hiking in the Deep South.

 

[scinsc]

Savannah is a beautiful place but didn't they ban vaping there?

 

[drew_devereaux]

They did ban vaping in the public buildings as of 1/1/11 when smoking was banned.

 

[NCC]

Since you're going as far north as Tennessee, I would add Chattanooga's Tennessee Aquarium to your list, if you're into that kind of thing. Chattanooga beautiful city too.

You could take a guided tour of the Kennedy Space Center.


Enjoy your adventure!

 

[Marverel]

Hey folks,

thanks for all these recommendations. Will definitely put them on our list.

The pictures from Providence Canyon State Park look like it's a small version of Bryce Canyon in Utah. Very pretty.

Enjoy your adventure!

You bet

Thanks again,
Martin

 

[Southern Gent]

Space center in Huntsville is pretty cool

 

[firefox335]

Ruby Falls - Chattanooga TN

http://www.destination360.com/north-america/us/tennessee/images/s/ruby-falls.jpg

Stone Mountain - Atlanta Georgia

angelique510 is right about the Biltmore. It's worth a trip.

Saw both of these as a kid and would love to see them again.

 

[Dustydragon]

Welcome to Gatorland, the Alligator Capital of the World and Orlando's Best Half Day Attraction! I grew up in Orlando Fl if you like animals try them out it's pretty cool and not that exspensive

 

[jerrydon10]

Ya might wanna check out Dollywood in Gatlinberg TN for some good food, roller coasters and hot bluegrass music:

Also, sounds like you'll be going through Pensacola FL. There is a huge air force base there with a museum open to the public. You get to explore all kinds of wild airplanes, atom bombs and talk to retired blue angels (famous U.S. fighter pilots).

In Mobile AL is the USS Alabama Navy park.....You can tour the battleship and some cool submarines.

 

[DaveP]

Did anyone mention Lookout Mountain and Ruby Falls in Tennessee?

 

[WolfMemnoch]

I highly recommend The Morikami Museum & Japanese Gardens . I regretted not bringing my camera during the Bon Festival. This place is paradise for a photographer and VERY peaceful.

If you want to hit up an eco tour there's always Billie Swap Safari: Seminole Tribe of Florida: Billie Swamp Safari

If you're up for shopping you could head to Sawgrass Mills Mall : Sawgrass Mills - Sunrise, FL 33323 | Simon Malls

If you love wolves, big cats, coyotes, fennec foxes, volunteer for a day or a weekend at Shy Wolf Sanctuary in Naples.: Shy Wolf Sanctuary Education and Experience Center Volunteer opportunities Naples Florida

I would mention some of the smaller local only things, but I haven't been to those places in quite a few years so I'm not sure if them or the people I knew are still around. Otherwise, I could have recommended some of the best smoked fish around.

 

[DaveP]

In Atlanta, there's the Grant Park Zoo and Stone Mountain. Both are great half day visits.

 

[CaliChic]

Savannah area - make reservations at Paula Deens. Along the GA or FL coast - at least a half day of charter fishing. Low country boil from a mom and pop shop.

 

[Girl4givn]

Don't miss going to Cafe du Monde in New Orleans for bignets - best thing you EVER put in your mouth. I dunno what your budget or time restraints are, but you should look into chartering a Gulf fishing trip - unforgettable experience!

 

[uba egar320]

French Quarter Hotel | Bourbon Orleans Hotel - New Orleans

We stayed here the last time I went to New Orleans. Very cool spot. Two story rooms are neat as well. Right smack dab in the middle of all the action of Bourbon Street. The windows in the rooms are HUGE! You can sit in your room to take a break and watch all the crowd pass by.

 

[drew_devereaux]

In Savannah, I'd suggest dining at The Olde Pink House, an 18th century mansion that is reported to be haunted (Savannah is said to be the most haunted town in America). The food is excellent. When making a reservation, ask to be seated either in the 2nd story ballroom or in the garden level.

 

[TDale]

Drew, THE Old Pink House ain't haunted. That's what the spirits told me to tell you.