While California often takes the plaudits when it comes to great road trips in America, the Deep South offers a huge amount for fans of the open road. With miles to cover and plenty of incredible attractions to visit, it’s a fascinating adventure or family holiday to try to get to grips with this sometimes confusing region tucked away in America’s southeast corner.
Georgia
A good starting point for many road trippers, Atlanta is an interesting city that is home to some interesting landmarks like the High Museum of Art. As Martin Luther King Jr’s hometown, there are plenty of civil rights monuments. Also popular is the seaside town of Savannah which is a beautiful stopping point. You may well also make your way through the second biggest city of Marietta. If you encounter any problems on the road, auto repair services are available.
Louisiana
The jewel in the crown is obviously New Orleans, which is still recovering from the serious damage caused by Hurricane Katrina back in 2005. Things have moved forward massively since then, and the home of jazz is back swinging again. Make sure to enjoy the lively bars on Bourbon Street and some of the classic Creole restaurants. Beyond New Orleans, the sugar plantations along the Mississippi are well worth a visit.
Mississippi
This state was made for driving – particularly the Natchez Trace Parkway which runs through a big portion of Mississippi to Nashville. And what music fan could miss out on a trip to Elvis Presley’s birthplace which has been turned into a museum that pays tribute to one of the most iconic performers of all time.
Alabama
A trip to Alabama will likely involve a visit to at least one Civil Rights monument. The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute offers a detailed look back at this turbulent time in US history. Also near the top of the list should be the Battleship USS ALABAMA which is an amazing piece of history that dates back all the way from the Second World War.
Tennessee
Fans of Elvis will head straight for Graceland in Memphis to pay tribute to the musical icon. The city a destination for all types of music lover, particularly rock and soul, and there are plenty of museums and sights that look back at some great periods of musical history. No Deep South road trip would be complete without a trip to Nashville, where you can take in some history about another hugely popular musical genre – country.
The Carolina’s
Often overlooked by visitors to this region, North and South Carolina can be covered in a relatively short space of time but shouldn’t be skipped. Probably the highlight is a trip to Charleston in the south, which is another city with a great deal of history behind it as it was where the Civil War started.
The best Deep South road trips meander up and down through the states and these are just some of the sights and attractions you can take in during your time here.
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