South - Recommendations for TN, MS, LA

Hello,

I will soon be traveling with some friends (we are all 24-25) by car across Tennessee, Mississippi and Louisiana. In particular from the Atlanta-Smoky Mountains-Nashville-Memphis-New Orleans.

I have two questions:

Is there anything worthwhile to see and do in between these stops (even some extra miles are not a problem, time is not a constraint)?

Does anyone have any suggestion for fun places to go in these three cities? Cool (local) restaurants, bars, music places, etc.

It is my first time in the "deep south", any help from southerners and experts would be highly appreciated! Thanks!

dup.....

I know a lot of folks who have travelled Memphis to New Orleans along the Blues Trail, seeing where American music was born. Places like Clarksdale MS; the crossroads made famous by Robert Johnson & Eric Clapton; the BB King museum, etc. If you're not into blues or music history, though, you might just get bored.

Some ideas here:
http://www.visitthedelta.com/touring/music-meets-soul/

Well, I'm taking the family white-water rafting down the Ocoee river next weekend. (It is a little outside of Chattanooga.) You might find that fun. Rock City in Chattanooga is also a nice outdoors excursion.

You might also enjoy a short stop in Lynchburg, TN and a get a tour of the Jack Daniels distillery.

There is just a wealth of things to do in the southeast. Hiking on the Appalcian trail? As someone else said, the blues tour, whate water rafting, we kinda need a clue as to what you are looking for.

Thanks a lot for the tips, I will definitely look into all the outdoor options around the Appalachians.

However, I am more looking for tips regarding local places to eat, experience the South, listen to music, etc,...that are not so easy to find on the travel guides!

Tennessee has a weath of options for the music lover.

Sevierville & Pigeon Forge have a number of musical theatres. They tend to draw an older crowd and often feature artists who were once popular and are no longer (not that there's anything wrong with that). While you're there, visit the Great Smoky Mountains National Park for scenic beauty and wildlife.

Nashville has Music Row and the Grand Ole Opry. Worth a couple nights at least. You never know who you'll see in their struggling days on their way to the top of the charts.

Beale Street in Memphis is where you go to see jazz and blues. You can tour Graceland (Elvis Presley's home) and cross the Mississippi into Arkansas just to say you were there. There may still be a greyhound track in West Memphis. You can try and recoup some of your travelling expenses (or not).