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We are thinking about flying into Birmingham and taking a road trip from there. We are interested in historical monuments/museums, regional food, unique sights/restaurants. Looking to travel no more than 1400 miles or so round trip (flying out of B'ham, too).
We would like to hit the Gulf Coast during that, too.
So, where should we go???
My rough idea was B'ham, Jackson, MS, New Orleans, Destin area, then back to B'ham. But, would prefer insider knowledge on what to actually do/see/visit.
2 adults, 2 kids - will be 11 and 8 at the time.
So...fire away with suggestions on what cool things we can do and see!!
Thanks in advance!
PS - we definitely want to hit some good meat and 3 joints. LOOOOVE that style of cooking...and it is not something you can get in MN on any given day!
I know this is in the opposite direction from the Gulf- but I would seriously consider adding Chattanooga onto your list.
There''s a ton of stuff to do for both adults and kids. An major aquarium, a zoo, a wonderful duck tour
( amphibious vehicle ), the Creative Discovery Museum ( the kids will love it as it's hands on & inside & outside ) .
For Civil War history and major battle sites, there's Chattanooga Military Park, Chickamauga & Lookout Mountain Park. There's lots more to do, I'm just touching on some of it.
If you want ribs- head for Sticky Fingers.
On the way to Chattanooga you could also stop in Huntsville, Al for the Huntsville Rocket Center - stuff suitable for both adults & kids.
One main question is how much time do you have? That said, I would start by heading north from Birmingham with you first stop in Huntsville for the rocket center. Afterwards, I'd venture up to Nashville, TN. If country music isn't your thing, I'd recommend Andrew Jackson's Hermitage and there are still some nice sights to see downtown. Afterwards, I'd then travel over to Memphis and check out its own sights (Pyramid, MLK memorial, Beale Street, Sun/Stax Records/Graceland). Afterwards, it's a straight shot down I-55 to Jackson, MS (there is also a Jackson, TN for a good lunch stop between Nashville and Memphis that has a Rockabilly Hall of Fame and a decent Farmers' Market). After Jackson, MS, I'd recommend heading west on I-20 to Vicksburg to check out the important Civil War sights, then down US 61 to Natchez, though I recommend just past Port Gibson to take the Natchez Trace parkway to get a feel of this historic road. Natchez itself is full of good antebellum architechture. Aftewards, head back down south on 61 to Baton Rouge, Louisiana's state capitol, though you might just want to continue and pick up I-10 east to New Orleans. After you're done with that city (spend at least 2 days), you'll have a chance to see a portion of the Gulf Coast. The MS coast has casino resorts, Jefferson Davis' summer home, and the Gulf Islands National Seashore. You'll pass Mobile in Alabama, though after New Orleans, I'd just continue on to Gulf Shores or Pensacola in the extreme western portion of Florida for more great sights. The other Emerald Coast resorts (Destin, Fort Walton Peach, Panama City Beach) are other options just to take it easy. After your done those and if you have time, take US 331 north into southern Alabama getting a good look at the deep southern countryside before picking up I-65 in Montgomery, Alabama's state capitol. Even though this may be the fourth state capitol you may have visited at this point, Alabama's contains the first White House of the Confederacy. Finally, head back up 65 to Birmingham to fly home. All of this comes out to right around 1400 miles, but I'd recommend two weeks for all of this. You could always skip some of these if you don't have the time to do so. Try to avoid going in the heat of summer though.
Depending on the time you guys arrive while in Baton Rouge you should try and go to Blue Bayou water park and the Mall of Louisiana which has a really large carousel inside. Lots of stores and there is also like a little boardwalk area which is nice. And yes the capitol is the tallest in the country so its worth a visit. When I was younger we went on a school trip and got to go all the way to the top. Not sure if that is still allowed but it was pretty cool. There is also the Old State Capitol building which is beautiful on the inside with some nice architecture. Their are museums and such along the riverfront and a park downtown. In New Orleans there is the Audubon Zoo which is one of the best in the country. There is an aquarium downtown which is really nice as well. Take a ride in the streetcar to city park which is huge. Play miniature golf and such. There are lots of places to take pictures and also you can take a ride on the ferry across the river. So much to do. The best of New Orleans is off the tourist trap of bourbon street which I doubt you want to spend time with two small kids. Have fun :-) I would go to the New Orleans forum and ask about more things and sites to visit there.
If you're going to be in southern Alabama, go to Lambert's Cafe in Foley. Foley is east of Mobile Bay, about halfway between I-10 and Gulf Shores. They have some great food there, plus servers who come around with extra sides if you want. I recommend their fried chicken, which is honestly the best I've ever had. The restaurant is famous for its "throwed rolls." Each section of the restaurant has a server with a cart full of rolls that he throws to people when they hold their hands up for one. They're very accurate too, even from long range. I've honestly never seen a roll thrower miss his target at either location that I've been to (the original location is in Sikeston, MO). So anyway, I strongly recommend Lambert's Cafe. The food is great and the atmosphere is fun. The decorations are cool too, with lots of old license plates all over the walls, and other tidbits of old-school Americana. They have a gift shop too, if you want a souvenir.
If you're going to be in southern Alabama, go to Lambert's Cafe in Foley. Foley is east of Mobile Bay, about halfway between I-10 and Gulf Shores. They have some great food there, plus servers who come around with extra sides if you want. I recommend their fried chicken, which is honestly the best I've ever had. The restaurant is famous for its "throwed rolls." Each section of the restaurant has a server with a cart full of rolls that he throws to people when they hold their hands up for one. They're very accurate too, even from long range. I've honestly never seen a roll thrower miss his target at either location that I've been to (the original location is in Sikeston, MO). So anyway, I strongly recommend Lambert's Cafe. The food is great and the atmosphere is fun. The decorations are cool too, with lots of old license plates all over the walls, and other tidbits of old-school Americana. They have a gift shop too, if you want a souvenir.
Lamberts is pretty good. I also recommend the Original Oyster House on the causeway (Mobile Bay), great shrimp po-boys and cheese grits.
We are thinking about flying into Birmingham and taking a road trip from there. We are interested in historical monuments/museums, regional food, unique sights/restaurants. Looking to travel no more than 1400 miles or so round trip (flying out of B'ham, too).
We would like to hit the Gulf Coast during that, too.
So, where should we go???
My rough idea was B'ham, Jackson, MS, New Orleans, Destin area, then back to B'ham. But, would prefer insider knowledge on what to actually do/see/visit.
2 adults, 2 kids - will be 11 and 8 at the time.
So...fire away with suggestions on what cool things we can do and see!!
Thanks in advance!
PS - we definitely want to hit some good meat and 3 joints. LOOOOVE that style of cooking...and it is not something you can get in MN on any given day!
Looking at your proposed route I would suggest visiting Vicksburg Military park in Mississippi. This was one of the most important battles of the war, there are tons of monuments and earthworks to see. It also has a really good museum. Natchez Mississippi is down river from there, lots of old homes there. Now there are some really nice places in the South that you will miss if you stick to that route. Charleston South Carolina is a gem as is Savannah Georgia. Smoky mountain national park in Tennessee/North Carolina is beautiful, Shiloh military park in TN is another important battlefield from the war, Chickamauga battlefield near Chattanooga is another. Chattanooga also has lookout mountain, Ruby Falls, and one of the best aquariums around. Atlanta Georgia also has a great Aquarium and Stone mountain is a fun place. If you can add a bit to your drive you may want to consider some of these places as additions to your route.
I would not waste my time in Jackson, MS. In my opinion, one of the most important and interesting areas of the South is the Mississippi Delta.
Just driving through the Delta is an experience in itself. It is one of the poorest areas of the country but also, some very interesting places full of character. I could write a book on the Delta since it is one of my favorite regions of the country, just too many iconic and legendary places to see but I recommend:
Shack Up Inn- Clarksdale, MS- One of the most unique hotels in the USA
Po Monkey's Juke Joint in Merigold, MS- Only open on Thursdays
Ground Zero Blues Club-Clarksdale, MS
BB King Museum- Indianola, MS
Tchula, MS is probably one of my favorite towns in the Delta. Nothing special about it but it is one of the poorest towns in the USA. Home of the Tchula Hardware Co. It looks like you are in a Third World Country but I love this place!
Anyways, there is just too much to see in MS and other places you mentioned.
If you're in Montgomery or the vicinity, check out the Chicken Shack in Wetumpka for meat and three greatness. Wetumpka is a little town outside of Montgomery with a cool, historic downtown (Big Fish was filmed there). Don't let the building scare you away.
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