Spring Break Trip, from Cville, VA to New Orleans

I'm a 4th-year UVA student and my roommates and I are going on a road trip this spring break (March 1-9). We are driving from Charlottesville, VA and know at some point we want to make it to New Orleans. I was wondering if anyone had any cool suggestions of stops along the way (Nat'l Parks, whitewater rafting, etc) or specific attractions/food in cities like Knoxville, Chattanooga, Birmingham, or Baton Rouge. We are also willing to spur off into Florida or go west to Memphis if it would be worth it. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Welcome to the RoadTrip America Forum!

All of the places that you mentioned would be worth stopping at, and they are all on the direct route. I think you would be safe going to Memphis on the way down, and taking the direct route on the way back, stopping in the other cities that you mentioned.

Extending this trip into Florida would most likely be adding on a bit too much for the amount of time you are going to have to make this trip.