Planning a road trip... Jackson? (Greenville, Columbus: places to eat, to stay, places)

[spark240]

Hi folks.

I'm planning a road trip for May. I haven't worked out the exact itinerary yet (except I know that I will definitely be going through Birmingham) but the towns listed below are possible stops. I'd be interested in hearing from natives or current residents of these towns about things to see, places to stay, and places to eat, in the towns mentioned or along the roads between. I like happening downtowns and I like country back roads. I might decide to tent-camp some nights. I appreciate history and local flavor. I'm not interested in anything with a national chain name on it, or anything real expensive.

Thanks for your help.

Tennessee: Sevierville, Chattanooga (I've already done the Tennessee Aquarium)
North Carolina: Kannapolis, Hickory, Black Mountain, Asheville
South Carolina: Greenville, Anderson, Aiken
Georgia: Royston, Augusta, Macon, Albany, Columbus, Rome
Alabama: Huntsville, Birmingham, Montgomery
Mississippi: Jackson

[spark240]

UPDATE: Well, after going over the possibilities some more, it looks like I'm probably not going to do any part of Mississippi on this trip after all. Next time...