[matt_uk]

Hi All,

I'm planning a trip to the states (I live in London) later this year and was looking for some advice. One leg of the journey means driving from New Orleans to Atlanta, so right through Alabama. We have a day set aside for this as it was initially to catch a flight but we're keen to see the sites so could turn it into 2 days.

As you can imagine we're not visiting the South to see big cities or towns but more the traditional, old-fashioned areas and sites. So is there anything that you would strongly recommend? Particularly things we might not see in Memphis, Natchez and New Orleans as we're visiting these just before? We're just having a look at deserted towns and other historical sites but any suggestions would be very welcome.

Also suggestions of a nice route would be good too as it's nice to have something to look at on a long drive!

Cheers

[Dirt Grinder]

Hmmm... "having a look at deserted towns" - you could always try Tyneham. Oops, sorry that's back in your homeland.
Driving through "The South" could be miles of interstate or it could be driving along the historic "Natchez Trace" or driving the local rural roads. I came here from London myself - it's a wonderful country and region and every city/town has its own character. However, I would avoid "deserted" towns as they are, quite often, deserted. Go for the towns populated by friendly locals - and ALWAYS seek-out local foods. Feel free to PM me for recommendations from a fellow (former) Londoner - I'm now a proud Suth'ner.

[Keeper]

I like the Natchez Trace suggestion and Natchez has a lot of history as does Vicksburg too. They tell me that if you are in Memphis you need to see Elvis's home and eat BBQ.

Mobile also has a lot of history and many beautiful old homes. There are several forts to visit which guarded Mobile Bay during the Civil War. The area is known for the great seafood. Gulf Shores or Dauphin Island are right on the gulf of mexico.

Huntsville has NASA the space and rocket center and different food with lots of small towns all around with lakes and caves all around. Check out the link below for many places to visit

Sweet Home Alabama - Sweet Home Alabama

[southernnaturelover]

If you want to see small town Alabama I suggest driving along US Route 31. This will take you through towns like Bay Minette, Brewton, Evergreen, Georgiana (birthplace of Hank Williams), Greenville, etc..

Stay off the interstate as much as possible, because you won't see anything but billboards, warehouses, and pine trees.

[harry chickpea]

I think you may need to be a little more realistic. It is a good eight hour drive from NO to ATL if you allow for stops and a traffic issue or two, and that is with driving on an interstate. Any variations are going to make for a long day, and a two day journey won't afford that much more time once you factor in getting in and out of motels, eating, and so on. New Orleans has ample history for an extra day of exploring (provided it isn't too hot- you don't mention the season of your visit). The U.S. is a LOT bigger than England, and once you get out of New England, distances can be huge between frontier settlements.

Questions about NO and Memphis would be better addressed in the Tennessee and Louisiana forums.

[Reactionary]

harry chickpea - Alabama is larger than England:

Alabama = 52,419 square miles or 135,765 square kilometers
England = 50,337 square miles or 130,373 square kilometers

A tourist might get a nice feel for Alabama by visiting Mobile then up through Montgomery to Birmingham then over to Atlanta. If the trip is during warm weather, then I would recommend a trip to the Gulf Coast beaches (Gulf Shores / Orange Beach / Fort Morgan).

[Southern man]

Originally Posted by southernnaturelover

If you want to see small town Alabama I suggest driving along US Route 31. This will take you through towns like Bay Minette, Brewton, Evergreen, Georgiana (birthplace of Hank Williams), Greenville, etc..

Stay off the interstate as much as possible, because you won't see anything but billboards, warehouses, and pine trees.

If you get near Greenville, stop and have lunch at Bates, House of Turkey. Get a smoked turkey sandwich. You won't regret it.

[Reactionary]

Southern man - I've been eating at Bates all my life - for a long time it seemed like the only restaurant between Montgomery and the beach. Have you ever toured their turkey farm just up the road?

[cpg35223]

Well, just up the road from Bates is Priester's Pecans which is a monument to Southern Dessertdom. They even have a tour where you can peer down into the kitchen and watch how they do things. And for tacky souvenirs, they're right up there with any Stuckey's.

OP, if you drive through Birmingham, I'd say the two must-sees are the Civil Rights Museum and the Barber Motorsports Museum. The Barbers museum has, I believe, the world's largest collection of motorcycles. It's amazing.

[Southern man]

Originally Posted by Reactionary

Southern man - I've been eating at Bates all my life - for a long time it seemed like the only restaurant between Montgomery and the beach. Have you ever toured their turkey farm just up the road?

I have not, but I will check it out the next chance I get.