Anyone been to the 'deep south' (New Orleans, Savannah, etc)?

[seobaina]

Hi all

We've just booked a flight to Orlando for 25th Sept. We're only spending 2 days there though as we were actually planning on travelling around the southern states. Orlando just happened to be the cheapest place to fly to (what a shame )

We're driving on a loop for 11 days. We're driving from Orlando to New Orleans, then to Jackson, Alabama (via Baton Rouge), on to Birmingham AL, then Atlanta GA, Charleston SC, Savannah GA and back to Orlando (via Jacksonville).

Does anyone have any 'mustdos' for those places or for places on the way?

It's a road trip so we have a schedule time wise of locations but very few plans as to what we do in each place. My friend's biggest wish is to see a gator in it's natural environment. More 'not a zoo' than particularly 'swamp'. I was debating going to Silver Springs, Florida. Any thoughts or other suggestions?

Any help would be welcome.

Thanks
x

 

[LauraDaveCharlie]

Hi,

That sounds like a wonderful trip!

Before children, we lived out in Florida for a year which was wonderful in many ways! We took lots of opportunities to see more of the USA and so once we flew to Washington DC, spent some time there and then spent 10 days driving down the east coast (mostly on I-95) stopping off in places.

One of my absolute favourite places was Savannh, Georgia. I loved it. It was beautiful - full of gorgeous little squares and fabulous houses. We did one of those trolley tours where you can hop on hop off. We stayed at the Marshall House which is a really (for the US!) historic hotel and I would heartily recommend. Just loved it all!

We did go to Charleston although I wasn't that keen. We did a tour again and it was in a little mini bus and we couldn't see that well plus the weather was not great. I sometimes wonder if all that coloured how we felt about Charleston because other people say it is lovely but that wasn't our experience.

We also spent a couple of days in St Augustine in Florida which we also loved. Beautiful town in a lovely location - just wonderful architecture too. Would very much recommend.

You are not going as far up as our other destinations so not many other useful things to tell you but have a wonderful time planning and then doing!

 

[bazzanoid]

Silver Springs is lovely, a totally relaxing day.. i took a few photos while there:

http://s73.photobucket.com/albums/i213/bazzanoid/Florida 2006/Silver Springs/

Now if I were doing that road trip i'd be going to Six Flags over Georgia, Wild Adventures and Carowinds, but then I'm a coaster junkie!

 

[disneyholic family]

been there zillions of times and driven through it a zillion more...

be sure to keep to the speed limit...

 

[seobaina]

Hi,

That sounds like a wonderful trip!

Thanks, I'm getting very excited now

Before children, we lived out in Florida for a year which was wonderful in many ways! We took lots of opportunities to see more of the USA and so once we flew to Washington DC, spent some time there and then spent 10 days driving down the east coast (mostly on I-95) stopping off in places.

Oooh nice. I used to live near DC

One of my absolute favourite places was Savannh, Georgia. I loved it. It was beautiful - full of gorgeous little squares and fabulous houses. We did one of those trolley tours where you can hop on hop off. We stayed at the Marshall House which is a really (for the US!) historic hotel and I would heartily recommend. Just loved it all!

I've been looking at that today and it does look fantastic. The trolley tour does look like the best way to get around as we only have a day there. Thanks for the suggestion on where to stay too, I'll check that out.

We did go to Charleston although I wasn't that keen. We did a tour again and it was in a little mini bus and we couldn't see that well plus the weather was not great. I sometimes wonder if all that coloured how we felt about Charleston because other people say it is lovely but that wasn't our experience.

Humm, it is on our list to visit. I know what things like that can do though. First time I visited LA it poured down and I hated it. Now I love it

We also spent a couple of days in St Augustine in Florida which we also loved. Beautiful town in a lovely location - just wonderful architecture too. Would very much recommend.

Someone else recommended that to me, think it's probably our main stop on the day from Savannah to Orlando Did you walk around or get the trolley again?

You are not going as far up as our other destinations so not many other useful things to tell you but have a wonderful time planning and then doing!

Thank you

Silver Springs is lovely, a totally relaxing day.. i took a few photos while there:
http://s73.photobucket.com/albums/i213/bazzanoid/Florida 2006/Silver Springs/
Now if I were doing that road trip i'd be going to Six Flags over Georgia, Wild Adventures and Carowinds, but then I'm a coaster junkie!

lol I'm a coaster wuss so that would be no good for me lol. Thanks for the news on Silver Springs. I'm thinking that might be our first day activity before we drive up towards Pensacola area in the afternoon/evening. Off to look at the pics now

been there zillions of times and driven through it a zillion more...
be sure to keep to the speed limit...

Any suggestions on where to go? What to do? Etc?

The plan at the moment is a 1 1/2 to two day drive Orlando to New Orleans. Then two & 1/2 days in NO before heading to Jackson. Then a day in each of these (with evening travel onwards) to Birmingham Al, Atlanta GA, Charleston SC, Savannah GA. And a drive to Orlando via St Augustine. Only difference would be if we decide to do 1 day less in NO with a trip to the Great Smokey Mountains in between Atlanta and Charleston.


Thanks guys for all the help

 

[dixonsontour]

We did a deep south driving tour in 2005.

We loved New orleans. Went on a river boat and also did a southern comfort walking tour - you went into various bars and had different drinks eg a hurricane. Just checked the tour is still running - we really enjoyed it, would definitely recommend.

We stayed on bourbon street - nightlife was very intersting - very similar vibe to key west if you have been there.

We were booked on a cemetry walking tour but it was cancelled due to torrential rain. Also had beignets at cafe du monde.

We also stopped at Pensacola at DH's request to see the military planes.

We also enjoyed stone mountain park and coca cola factory in Atlanta.

I used the fodor's guide books.

 

[dixonsontour]

We've done a few driving tours in the US. I used to get the brochures for escorted tours from the travel agents eg titan and have a look at where they were visiting to give you an idea of what is a doable drive and 'must sees'.

 

[seobaina]

We've done a few driving tours in the US. I used to get the brochures for escorted tours from the travel agents eg titan and have a look at where they were visiting to give you an idea of what is a doable drive and 'must sees'.

Good tip. Thanks for all the advice. I'd got a couple of those things on my possible list so I'll move them to mustdos. Thanks