Graduation trip: The Southern Route

Me an my roomate, two 23 year old girls are planning a 2 1/2 week drive from San Diego to New York city. We will be renting a car and dropping it off in New York. I have gone to AAA and have some ideas as to what paths we will take but I am having a hard time figuring out what to see on the way. Our journey will go as follows. Phoenix, El Paso, Dallas, New Orleans, Memphis, Nashville, Charleston, Myrtle Beach, (Washington DC, Virignia Beach or philadelphia....we haven't decided yet so any suggestions would be great) Boston and New York. We aren't concerned with money, and we know we will be safe yet we would like to know any off the wall things to see or great (non touristy) things to do in any of those places. Thank you.

Lauren,

First of all, have you considered going through Southern Utah instead of just taking I-10 the entire way to New Orleans? Zion, Bryce Canyon, Arches, and Canyonlands National Parks encompass some of the most stunning scenery in this country, and as some world-traveler-type friends have told me, some of the most beautiful in the world. This is particularly true if you will be driving an SUV or other high-clearance, 4x4 vehicle. If so, you'll have access to some extra roads that will take you deep within the parks (especially Canyonlands)

Also, I would strongly consider not going to Myrtle Beach (which royally SUCKS) and hitting some of the mountainous areas in the southeast instead. Consider going to Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Shenandoah National Park in Tennessee/North Carolina and Virginia respectively. The Blue Ridge Parkway connects the two parks, and is a wonderfully scenic road for just about all of its 470 miles.

Myrtle Beach, SC and Virginia Beach, VA are two of the most touristy and overrated places to stop in the entire country (I'm sure I'll catch some flak for this, but everyone is entitled to their opinion. Even those who enjoy Myrtle and Virginia beach, though they are WRONG! WRONG! WRONG!!!)

Other than that, my best advice is to not plan TOO much. Leave a little leeway for detours and the like. Your trip sounds like an absolute blast, and you should have plenty of time to see the things you want to see. Do a little research and see what you can find. There are numerous state parks and national monument sites that I haven't mentioned here either.


Good luck and safe driving, wherever your trip takes you!


ab

your post didnt say what time of year you would be going. i have been to both myrtle beach and virginia beach several times but in late april, early may and in mid october. both of these times are before/after the main tourist season and the weather and water are still great. (at least when i went) october was the best as everything was still open but all the tourists were gone. we partied with several locals and a LOT of military men from the nearby base. i would think it would be ok to stop up until about mid june, after that i definatly agree with angus that you should avoid both. angus definatly knows his travel stuff but doesnt think like a single girl!!! if you are at all attracted to military men it is a great off season place to party. although with the impending war there might not be too many around. either way have fun!!!

Thank you for the feedback. Our trip is still in the first stages so your advice I am sure will be helpful. It is always nice to get another persons opinion and it sounds like you know what you're talking about. Thanks! If you think of anything else I am all ears....or rather eyes!

Kristy,
We are planning on stopping in Myrtle Beach during the first week of June. I guess I can blame the movie Shag for influencing us to stop in Myrtle Beach. I realize that movie took place in a totally different era, but hey girls will be girls, and yes we most certainly think like single girls. Thanks so much for your input and if you have any more advice for us it is greatly appreciated.

Even In June I think you'll like Myrtle Beach I did. Make sure you hit the mall that surrounds the lake (I forgot the name). The beaches are decent and the locals are cool. Must get fireworks and eat a Joes crab shack.

I also am heading to Myrtle in May for Bike week. Have fun

Hey,

I'm going to have to agree with Angus. If you like history, some of my favorite cities are Williamsburg, VA and Winston Salem, NC. Another one of my favs is Asheville, NC...great campground called Campfire Lodgings (they have a website) and a great resturant nearby is The Cabin...of course there are a lot of outdoor activities in the mountains. Also in Asheville is the Biltmore Mansion...visit their website...lots of things going on in the summer (I have a season pass). Downtown Asheville is a great place as well...mostly local businesses...the city has a very peaceful and artsy feel to it. I could go on and on...Savannah, GA is nice. If you go as far down as Florida ST. Augustine is absolutely wonderful! I'm from Nashville, been going to school in Knoxville (near the Smokies) for a few years, used to live in VA Beach, go to New Orleans every year, go to Dallas every summer (my uncle lives there), Austin, TX is also really neat. I've heard wonderful things about San Antonio, TX (I'll be traveling there this summer)...if you have anymore questions about that you can email me:)