Atlanta-Jackson Mississippi....HELP!

[KirstyL]

Need help! Have booked flights and carhire into Atlanta and back from Jackson MS.

We have 2 weeks from the 21st Apr to the 6th May

We have a stag/hen do in New Orleans on the 2nd May and then the rest of the time til the 6th will be taken up with wedding stuff in Mississippi.

So we have from the 21st-2nd May to drive from Atlanta to New Orleans.

We were planning to go down to Savannah (maybe stop en route somewhere) and then down the Atlantic coast to Orlando and then up through the pan handle.

Is this a good route and can anyone recommend anything to see on the way or a great place to stay?

I would really appreciate it

Thank you

[Mark Sedenquist]

So we have from the 21st-2nd May to drive from Atlanta to New Orleans.

& Savannah, Orlando and Florida's Pan handle... Welcome to the Great American RoadTrip Forum! If I understand this correctly, you have ~ 12 days for a southern states roadtrip. Total mileage will be somewhere in the 2200 miles range for this zig zag route, which is a very reasonable distance for the time period. But I am not sure I understand why you are traveling west from Atlanta to New Orleans, east to Savannah (Orlando to the south) and then back to the panhandle and back to the wedding in Jackson (unless you are trying to see as much of those states as you can)?

This sounds like a really fun route -- but in case I have misinterpreted some of the intended adventure -- perhaps you could confirm that you prefer this zig-zag and also share some of your expectations for this trip -- what kinds of things, places, events, interest you?

Mark

[KirstyL]

Thanks for your reply Mark.

We were originally thinking of driving ATL-Nashville-Memphis and down through Mississippi, but since neither of us have any interest in country music or civil war history (sorry anyone from this area!) we thought we'd head down the beachy route.

We'd probably like to visit orlando for a couple of nights just because we are big kids and Savannah is supposed to be beautiful. Someone suggested travelling across the pan handle but we are very open to any routes that might be great from Atlanta - New Orleans really.

We leave on Saturday and are pretty disorganised (as you can tell!).

[Mark Sedenquist]

We'd probably like to visit orlando for a couple of nights just because we are big kids

OK, what I would suggest is that you jump on I-75 and make a beeline for Orlando. Get your fill of the WDW experience, indulge at some of these member-recommended restaurants and then slowly make your way north along the Atlantic coast of Florida to Savannah and then zig-zag your way back to Jackson.

Mark

[KirstyL]

when you say zigzag back to Jackson - could anyone recommend exact places? To my shame i'm a travel agent but I really don't know this area very well!

Thanks for your help
Kirsty

[Mark Sedenquist]

when you say zigzag back to Jackson - could anyone recommend exact places?

Kirsty, Not in an order than makes sense, but I have always found Wakulla Springs in northern Florida to be special.

On your drive north from Orlando -- since this a wedding-themed roadtrip -- you might swing by Brunswick, Georgia and stop by the "Lover's Oak" (located on Albany Street)-- no one really knows how old this tree is --some believe it to be several hundred years old. Brunswick is also home to some of the oldest homes in the south.

In Savannah -- make a point of driving along Bull Street. Bull Street bisects several of the historic squares and gives you a good taste for the area. Speaking of taste, I am pretty sure that Mrs. Wilkes' Boarding House is still open and serving lunch (on Jones Street) and make a point to sit at the round tables. You will meet both tourist and locals. Savannah runs a shuttle service -- but walking is the best way to see the squares. Bonaventure Cemetery is the inspiration for some of the images from the hit novel "Midnight in the Garden of Good & Evil". And certainly follow US-80 over the Intracoastal Waterway to Skidaway and Tybee for fresh breezes and some local seafood.

The carving of the Confederate leaders on the side of the cliff in Stone Mountain Park near Atlanta is pretty cool.

The Shack-up Inn in Clarksdale, Mississippi is one of those places I have wanted to visit and here are a few more ideas about this very interesting section of the country.

Also take a look at this list of suggestions from a southern local!

Mark