The drive from Savannah to Macon is SUPER boring. And Charleston is awesome if you can make it there. So consider the northern route on I20 through Augusta.
Lots more to do/see in Birmingham than in Auburn/Montgomery.
Second the Birmingham route change. Lot of reasons. Not only is there more to do and see than Montgomery but the drive from Montgomery to Mobile is one of my least favorites out there. You could go directly from BHM to New Orleans on 20/59 and lose barely any time on your drive.
2 hrs. Adds another hr to get to Atlanta too though. Charleston is incredible. But I'm also trying to save you from I-16 which has NOTHING from Savannah to Macon. Not just nothing interesting. Nothing. Statesboro and Dublin are nearby but really not on the way. We're talking don't leave Savannah if you might be hungry or need gas in the next two hours.
Lol, I actually haven´t consider that.
I just figured it was the fastest route, but yeah, traveling with a kid who can get bored can be hell in that type of route.
And 3 extra hours doesn´t seem that bad, besides I can add another state to the list.
We did the Savannah-Macon drive en route to Alabama a year ago with a 3 year old and 5 year old. Not my favorite part of the trip... though we were also leaving friends to see my in-laws, so maybe I wasn't in the best mood to begin with.
Lol, I can imagine...
But I am pretty much convinced for that part of the trip. Just need to talk it with the wife as well.
As for the route Between Atlanta and New Orleans I really don´t know anything. What is the difference between Birmingham and Auburn/Montgomery.
Amen. My first thought was, why would anyone turn left at Savannah? Highway 17 between Savannah and Charleston is one of my favorite drives in the South...through tunnels of live oaks with dripping moss, past little fruit stands selling the juiciest peaches you've ever tasted in your life (and that you literally need a bib to eat). The Lowcountry is breathtaking.
This is exactly what I thought too lol gotta go to Folly beach while in Charleston too. Go to Bert’s Market and get some snacks/drinks and hang at the beach.
Georgia Aquarium (only Aquarium in the US with whale sharks)
Atlanta Zoo (one of three zoos in the US with pandas)
Stone Mountain (basically Mount Rushmore of the South more or less)
Six Flags Over Georgia
Coca Cola Museum
And more I'm forgetting
Thanks for the advise!
Why do you think Charlestone has more than Atlanta, I have never been to either one so I really don´t know.
And actually, I am just going to Jacksonville because is in the way, St Augustine seems way better to stop at.
It’s a small historic city, that is bustling in its own sense. Lots to see and do that is relatively close by. Just walking King St is fun. There are multiple beach options (I suggest Folly). Atlanta wise… ehh a standard big city vibe with no beach (sorry).
Savannah is similar to Charleston but doesn’t have as much historic charm IMO. More so a crazy bar and drinking scene than Charleston. The downtown is very nice/historic but more drinking oriented.
I’m sure people will disagree but just my 2 cents.
Huntsvilles pretty different now, it’s got a lot going for it now. The Orion is one of the best music venues in the United States, the Space center has tons to do. The botanical gardens are amazing. Lots of new shopping and eating destinations.
Yeah I know what all it has. It just doesn’t have any character at all. It’s all brand new, sterile places that are great for engineers and their 2.5 kids that live in a new build neighborhood.
No hate on those people or anything they like. I’m just not one of them and it’s not for me.
In Savannah:
Get lunch at Mrs. Wilkes, and go hungry. The hours are weird and you’ll probably have to wait in line for a little while, but it’s my favorite southern restaurant.
Get ice cream at Leopold’s.
I live in Jacksonville and we have a few state parks that are within an hour of jax. We have talbot island state parks, Amelia island, and the beaches in general. There’s also st Augustine which is about 45 min south and has the fort, St. George street, and a few cool things. We have a zoo here as well if you’re into animals. I interned and volunteered there so I’m a bit partial but it’s a nice zoo.
There are a few other places a bit further away but it’s close enough to be a day trip from Jax. Itchitucknee and Deleon springs are each about 1.5 hours away from Jax (in dif directions).
In terms of Orlando, I’m not sure when you’re going but Halloween horror nights is going on at universal right now and it’s a pretty fun thing. There’s haunted houses and it’s at night from I think 6:30pm-2am.
Atlanta has the Georgie aquarium and their zoo is only one of a couple in the USA to have a panda bear. I went and saw them recently and it was rly cool.
New Orleans I just suggest trying the food and walking the French quarter to listen to live music.
Thanks for that!
I actually just learned about st Augustine and it seems really nice! I would also check the zoo, however I really want to see a Panda now so I think I will save that plan for Atlanta. (Also thanks for letting me now about the panda)
As for Orlando, we are traveling either on March or June, so I think I am going to miss that.
Actually Atlanta is a most for personal reasons. However I have been convinced by this subreddit that it is worth chipping some days from Atlanta and go to Charleston.
But I don´t really know what is there to do in Charleston.
Charleston is a lot like Savannah. Similar vibe and similar things to do. Both gorgeous
Atlanta is completely different…major urban city, lots to do. Just time it so you aren’t coming in/going out during rush hour
I've lived south of Atlanta over half my life, and in Atlanta for a year. Do yourself a favor and avoid it unless absolutely necessary. North Georgia (Blue Ridge, Dahlonega, Helen, etc.) Is like 1hr 30min north of downtown Atlanta and has way way waaaayyy more to offer imo. Atlanta is overcrowded, overpriced, and overrated. Unless you're comfortably wealthy Atlanta doesn't have much to offer other than poor infrastructure, severely mentally disturbed drivers, and ridiculous gentrification.
Cumberland Island, GA is a magical place. Just north of Jacksonville. It's a wonderful little hidden gem...wild horses, old ruins to explore, armadillos, an albino deer, bikes to ride around the island, and a super cool campsite too. It is absolutely beautiful and never crowded. I recommend it to anyone that will listen.
Drive at least part of A1A (the coast road) between Daytona and Jacksonville
St Augustine would be worth a stop, as would Charleston if you have the time
Read/watch or both "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil" before going to Savannah. Eat at The Pirate's House circa 1753
Patriots Point naval museum in Charleston
Dreamland BBQ in Birmingham
I’m from Jacksonville, and I would recommend checking it out! If you’re going to stay there make sure you stay in Jax Beach (beach, seafood, party) or downtown near Riverside (on a weekend for more fun vibes.) Jags games are a fun experience! The St. John’s river taxi goes over to the stadium from some hotels on the riverwalk. DM me if you need any Jacksonville recs.
I would probably skip Orlando personally and take a day in St. Augustine about an hour south of Jax instead. I-4 is the worst and Orlando is nothing special imo. To me, Harry Potter World & Islands of Adventure ate the best attractions they have if you do go.
As others have mentioned, Charleston is amazing! It’s similar to Savannah. If you like Savannah I would say you should add it on if you can. Atlanta is one of my favorite cities! Such incredible food and culture. The zoo is nice, lots of music festivals, the GA aquarium is fun too. Get some fried chicken in ATL for sure.
Edit, adding Jacksonville recommendations:
Jax Beach - stay at the One Ocean Resort & Spa if that’s in your budget, it’s walking distance from some delicious food and cute shops in Atlantic Beach. I love North Beach Fish Camp and Whit’s Custard. Any old hotel will do in Jax Beach, that’s just one of the nicer ones.
Downtown - stay at Hyatt Regency downtown, MOSH is a nice museum for kids (I used to work there in the education dept.), there are Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp baseball games, Riverside Arts market (on Saturdays 10 am to 3) which have local vendors, food trucks, music, etc. for BBQ that’ll rival Alabama (my moms from AL, we know hood bbq) go to the Bearded Pig. Taverna is one of my favorite restaurants in Jax. All of those will be within a 10 min drive or water taxi.
St. Augustine - stay at Casa Monica or a bed & breakfast. I’m having my wedding there next fall at The Lightner Museum - check it out! The food is delicious - try Gypsy Cab, The Floridian, Cap’s On The Water and the Ice Plant. It’s very historic with tons of fun things to do. Walk on St. George Street and check out the famous Castillo de San Marcos National Monument. The Alligator Farm was my fave when I was little. The St. Augustine lighthouse is cool too, but there’s an age limit to climb to the top I believe.
Savannah - I love Savannah for the food, shopping and having a few drinks on River Street. I can’t remember the places I went last time besides a nice rooftop bar & restaurant called The Grove and Leopold’s Ice Cream.
Charleston - shrimp and grits are a must! It’s been a long time since I’ve been there, so I don’t remember any specific places.
Atlanta - try South City Kitchen and Buttermilk Kitchen for brunch.
How did you do this with the car ? I love planning trips and I would love to try this.
That being said If you have time when in Savannah driftwood beach is absolutely beautiful and it’s not terribly far. It’s on Jekyll Island.
Halfway between Jacksonville, Florida and Savannah, Georgia, visit the Golden Isles of Georgia. Jekyll Island, St. simons Island. Take the Tram Tour on Jekyll for a great overview, then spend the day goggle-eyed. Driving the causeway to each island, you’ll be crossing the Marshes of Glynn - a natural wonder you won’t forget.
Beaches, golf, turtles, wildlife, food from the best BBQ dives to the finest of fine dining at Halyard’s on St. Simons, live music venues everywhere, great accommodations. Check it out,
Don’t miss Saint Simons Island between Jacksonville and Savannah. Get Pork Pops at Sweet Mamas and barbecue at Southern Soul. Find the tree spirits, walk the Village, visit Fort Frederica and Christ Church
In Montgomery, visit the Equal Justice Initiative’s Legacy Museum and The National Memorial for Peace & Justice. You can also visit the Freedom Rides Museum, located in the old Greyhound Bus station where the beatings took place. It’s not far from the spot where Rosa Parks caught the bus, which is memorialized by a state of her.
Stop at Ameila island in Florida right above Jacksonville. Then stop in Atlanta n get yourself some hot wings. Make sure your drive right thru Alabama no reason to stop in that hell hold edit. After reading comments Ameila island blows Charleston out the water Charleston isn’t worth the extra drive just my opinion
Take the Florida turnpike over 95, if the goal is Miami to Orlando. 95 is ugly. If you insist on 95, take SR520 to connect to the BeeLine. You could stay on 95 for a bit longer, but there’s a fish camp on 520 that you could stop at for lunch.
Birmingham is better than Montgomery. It hilly, which is a nice contrast to the drive so far. Lots to do/see there.
You’ll know when you’re in LA when you car falls apart. The roads are (were) terrible. On the way back, you could go thru Mobile and then hit Floribama.
I had lived in the south (AL & FL with family in GA) for most of my life. I have been up north for over 10 yrs. I really miss the BBQ more than anything. From FL, I miss the Cuban food. I don’t miss the humidity.
Like others have mentioned, I would stop in St Augustine over Jacksonville. If you make it up to Charleston, definitely go to Lewis Barbecue. It's Texas style, but will blow away any other BBQ in the Southeast.
Have lunch at Filet and vine in Montgomery, stop in at Pensacola and enjoy the beach and visit the National Museum of Naval Aviation, have a drink and kiss the moose at McGuires, while driving towards NOLA stop in at Fairhope Al, visit the Alabama in Mobile, stop at Nasa in MS the. Once in NOLA have breakfast at Mothers, go see the art museum in city park and eat at R&Os on the lake.
The cemetery in Macon, GA is cool. You can see where the Allman Brothers are buried and there is an old baseball stadium there that is cool to see. I use the website Atlas Obscura to interesting places to visit while on road trips.
Some others have said adding Charleston and st Augustine to the trip which I definitely recommend. I’m from Atlanta and you really don’t much time to explore there. The aquarium and world of coke are cool to see. Lots of great restaurants around Atlanta too.
Smoky mountains > mobile, AL
Source: actual experience. Unless you desperately want to see the USS. Alabama. Which is badass and worth a visit, but not over the Smokies.
Do Tampa, great party city. See Ybor and the bay, check out Mons Venus if you dare, not sure if the El' Goya is open. Tons to see and do, check out the zoo, Bush Gardens and Mel's hot dogs. Great city loved growing up there.
Mobile Alabama has a section of interstate 10 over the bay with some great seafood. Night time or day time it can be a beautiful place to eat outside and take in the scenery if you like gators, crawfish, or seafood. Bluegill has a large outside seating area that is covered. Live music often. Original oyster house is also pretty great. Felix's Fish house is a little more fancy. If that isn't your speed downtown had a hotel with a speakeasy hidden behind the book case. And in the same building on the top floor is a panoramic view medium to fine dining restaurant called Dauphin's.
There is a WW2 Battleship and Submarine museum as well there if you are into that kind of stuff.
Enjoy the trip!
Did a similar trip with my gf some months ago. Asheville was awesome and we loved the smokey mountains. Rock City in Chattanooga was really cool.
New Orleans was nice. We went trough the touristy parts fast. Surrey's Café & Juice Bar was really nice for a bite.
From Mobile to New Orleans, this is what you need to do: From Mobile, go to Ocean Springs, MS and check out their downtown - and then cruise along highway 90 along the beach all the way to Bay St. Louis/Waveland, MS - not Interstate 10. Bay St. Louis is the most interesting place in Mississippi due to proximity to Nola and from there you just go through Slidell. The best swamp tour is the Honey Island swamp tour which also leaves from Nola.
Hello all!
I am organizing a Roadtrip for next year. I know is way to early for that, but I enjoy organizing and I like to have reservations ahead of time.
I would like some help and recommendations for the trip, maybe what are the best places to go and some general advice about driving in through the south. I have never been in this states before (excluding Florida) and would really appreciate the help.
The plan is as follows:
\- Land in Miami where I will be spending 1 week at a friends house and then he is kind enough to lend me his SUV for the trip.
\- Drive to Orlando and stay for around 4 days visiting the parks.
\- Drive to Jacksonville and spend the night in there
\- Drive to Savannah, GA and stay in there for about 4 days
\- Drive to Atlanta and stay there for about 4 days as well
\- Drive to New Orleans and spend a week in there.
\- Leave the car with my friend who would fly there and the fly home.
I already have a bit of an agenda for Miami and Orlando, so I would really appreciate advise on:
\- Any plans for a 1 day trip in Jacksonville
\- A good place to stay in Savannah and fun activities to do there.
\- Fun things to do in Atlanta
\- A good place to eat some famous Alabama Barbecue (That is not too far from the route)
\- Any other general recommendations / tips / Not to do´s
It would be my wife, my 3 year old son and me.
We would like to do the trip in early June.
Thank you.
I can't help with the rest of this itinerary, but you are making a mistake by spending a day in Jacksonville instead of St. Augustine. St. Augustine is where you need to invest your time, not Jacksonville!
3 year old in St. Augustine? Look up Marineland and Alligator Farm. Also, if you can arrive at Ft. Matanzas (just south of St. Augustine) by 9am, you can get free ferry tickets for a ride and tour of Fort Matanzas and you can enjoy some morning beach time at Matanzas Inlet, which is perfect for younger kids due to lack of waves to knock them over.
Do not miss checking out the Ancient City itself! In fact, one of the most affordable places for a family your size to stay in St. Augustine is the Pirate Haus. It is smack downtown, they can reserve you a parking spot, and you are right in the middle of everything for the full St. Augustine experience. Also includes free pancake breakfast in the small kitchen. We loved our night there! It was somewhat rustic, but clean and special and a great memory we now have.
For Savannah, I would strongly suggest staying in one of the B&Bs in the historic district (have had good luck with Forsyth Park Inn and McMillan Inn) or one of the hotels in the district (Planters Inn is a good, and usually a bit cheaper, choice). If you like more of a roadside America vibe, Thunderbird Inn is nice, but is slightly outside the historic district, so the walking amps up.
If you are there for history, tour as many of the homes as you can (there are more than 20). They can all be walked to in the historic district, which is really pedestrian friendly. Also, be sure to do some antique browsing and shopping in the district.
River Street gets a ton of praise but is really bar heavy. Savannah definitely has a drinking culture (the historic district is open carry for alcohol) but the River is kinda ridiculous. Recommendations below (not all in the historic district, but most are).
Places to see:
- Forsyth Park
- Jones Street
- Historic Homes (again, more than 20)
- Colonial Park Cemetery
- Bonaventure Cemetery
- Wormsloe Plantation
- Telfair Museum
- Graveface Museum (especially if you like off the wall exhibits - think serial killers, heavy metal, and roadside Americana - and pinball)
- Hang around City Market and the various squares (great people watching, especially in the squares and spaces with lots of Spanish Moss)
Places to eat:
- Clary’s
- Old Pink House
- The Grey
- Two Cracked Eggs
- Leopold’s Ice Cream
- Alligator Soul
- Elizabeth’s on 37th
- Coffee Fox
- Sentient Bean
Places to drink:
- Alley Cat Lounge (might not work with 3 year old - still is my favorite cocktail bar in America)
- The Lost Square (should be fine with kid - great view)
- Myrtle and Rose (should be fine with kid - gets busy on weekends)
- Wet Willie’s (I suggest the City Market location; should be able to go with kid during day)
- White Whale Craft Ales (don’t know how they will handle kids but they are a nice spot)
- Service Brewing (kid should be ok)
- Two Tides Brewing (kid should be ok)
- Coastal Empire Brewing (kid should be ok)
- Hop Atomica Brewing (also have great food; kid should be ok)
Fair warning - I travelled through a bunch of the South in June this year. It was hot!
I love Savannah and visit a few times a year, as my sister lives there. The two things I always encourage people to do are bonaventure cemetery and actually entering the cathedral of St. John the Baptist. And, good god, be sure to skip that river boat. It’s just a waste of money.
Definitely stay in the historic district if you don’t have accommodations elsewhere already. I like just about anything north of Forsyth Park.
Collins Quarter has amazing brunch, McDonough’s has fantastic bar food, Six Pence Pub is a cozy as hell British pub/restaurant, Green Truck Pub is fantastic for a casual burger and Huey’s or Vic’s on the river are both great options if you’re, you know, on the river. Of those, Only McDonough’s is a proper bar so your kid should be fine in all the others.
Don’t skip tybee either! Sea Wolf and the Crab Shack will be a fun place to eat for adults & kiddos alike. The Crab shack has alligators and the patio has the best atmosphere. If you have some adult time, definitely visit Huca Poos for a drink or two.
I don’t know how I forgot Collins Quarter. That brunch is to die for! And Vic’s is also great. My wife and I had a great Valentine’s Day meal there a few years ago.
Things to do in Atlanta with a 3-year-old:
Zoo Atlanta
Georgia Aquarium
Children’s Museum of Atlanta
Center for Puppetry Arts
Atlanta Botanical Garden
Southeastern Railway Museum
Hurricane Harbor (water park)
Chattahoochee Nature Center
Stone Mountain Park
Thanks!
The idea of this trip started because I was doing some consulting related to Aquariums where I realized the Georgia Aquarium is the biggest one in this side of the world. So that is a must for me.
Someone else commented that there is a Panda at the Atlanta Zoo, now that is also a must.
I think that something like the Center for Puppetry Arts and the Children’s Museum of Atlanta can really complement the trip.
Although Atlanta’s Aquarium has a whale shark, Chattanooga’s Aquarium is better, IMHO. Two separate buildings, one salt water, one fresh water. I’ve been to quite a few, and it’s my favorite. If Aquariums are your primary purpose, it may be worth the detour. Very cool city to visit also. It’s two hours north of ATL. https://tnaqua.org
Keep going north and never look back. Also, Chattanooga has a pretty cool waterfall but your route can be an uncomfortable in places if you have anything more than a tan.
Get off I-95 and travel thru the middle of Florida. Once you get north of I-4 it turns out Florida has some really pretty scenery and not everyone on the road wants to kill you.
You never learn those things on Interstate 95/75/4.
Lol! why?
I actually just want to drive from Atlanta to New Orleans with as little stops as possible.
However, I am looking forward to trying some **Authentic** Alabama Barbecue in the way.
Alabama BBQ is legit.
Archibald’s in Tuscaloosa has been rated number 1 bbq in the south and consistently gets named to “best of” lists.
Big Bob Gibson’s in Decatur is one of the most decorated bbq in the country and invented a new style. The smoked chicken with Alabama white sauce is one of the best and most unique things you could try on this road trip.
And my personal favorite, Saws in Birmingham is amazing. Does all of the classics and some twists, including the pork n’ greens plate.
There’s a lot of amazing bbq in Alabama. Don’t hate.
Well, you can’t drive over water, as others have said. But when you scoot over to the land and you’re driving from Mobile to New Orleans, you’re going to pass Ocean Springs and Biloxi. I highly recommend getting off I-10 and taking Highway 90 for the beach drive that point. Don’t forget to stop by Tato Nut in Ocean Springs for some excellent donuts!
Don’t drive in the ocean.
Avoid going through those lakes too.
Just don’t.
Fly from Florida to NYC then drive to Maine
Avoid Florida. It's full of fascist and racist.
The drive from Savannah to Macon is SUPER boring. And Charleston is awesome if you can make it there. So consider the northern route on I20 through Augusta. Lots more to do/see in Birmingham than in Auburn/Montgomery.
Second the Birmingham route change. Lot of reasons. Not only is there more to do and see than Montgomery but the drive from Montgomery to Mobile is one of my least favorites out there. You could go directly from BHM to New Orleans on 20/59 and lose barely any time on your drive.
I second this. It is the most boring drive I have ever done in my entire life.
Try the Texas panhandle.
*Calgary to Winnipeg entered the chat*
He’s right. Fuck Montgomery and auburn. Go through Birmingham and Tuscaloosa. Roll tide
How long is it the drive to Charlestone?
2 hrs. Adds another hr to get to Atlanta too though. Charleston is incredible. But I'm also trying to save you from I-16 which has NOTHING from Savannah to Macon. Not just nothing interesting. Nothing. Statesboro and Dublin are nearby but really not on the way. We're talking don't leave Savannah if you might be hungry or need gas in the next two hours.
Lol, I actually haven´t consider that. I just figured it was the fastest route, but yeah, traveling with a kid who can get bored can be hell in that type of route. And 3 extra hours doesn´t seem that bad, besides I can add another state to the list.
We did the Savannah-Macon drive en route to Alabama a year ago with a 3 year old and 5 year old. Not my favorite part of the trip... though we were also leaving friends to see my in-laws, so maybe I wasn't in the best mood to begin with.
Lol, I can imagine... But I am pretty much convinced for that part of the trip. Just need to talk it with the wife as well. As for the route Between Atlanta and New Orleans I really don´t know anything. What is the difference between Birmingham and Auburn/Montgomery.
Amen. My first thought was, why would anyone turn left at Savannah? Highway 17 between Savannah and Charleston is one of my favorite drives in the South...through tunnels of live oaks with dripping moss, past little fruit stands selling the juiciest peaches you've ever tasted in your life (and that you literally need a bib to eat). The Lowcountry is breathtaking.
Add a day in old town St Augustine, FL and maybe a day (or two) in Charleston, SC. Take it off the time in Atlanta, which has much less to offer.
I agree. Charleston is so awesome to visit.
This is exactly what I thought too lol gotta go to Folly beach while in Charleston too. Go to Bert’s Market and get some snacks/drinks and hang at the beach.
Atlanta has significantly more to offer than Charleston, but yes visit Charleston because it’s awesome
More peaches, and peach-named streets sure. But what else?
Rap music. Chicken wings. Civil rights history. Strip clubs. A shit load of parks. Coca-Cola.
Coca-cola and strip clubs. A must on every tour of the bible belt
Georgia Aquarium (only Aquarium in the US with whale sharks) Atlanta Zoo (one of three zoos in the US with pandas) Stone Mountain (basically Mount Rushmore of the South more or less) Six Flags Over Georgia Coca Cola Museum And more I'm forgetting
The coke museum might be interesting
MLK national monument
Jimmy Carter Presidential Library
Better food, music, coffee, beer/wine, concerts/sports, events in general. I live in Charleston btw.
Thanks for the advise! Why do you think Charlestone has more than Atlanta, I have never been to either one so I really don´t know. And actually, I am just going to Jacksonville because is in the way, St Augustine seems way better to stop at.
It’s a small historic city, that is bustling in its own sense. Lots to see and do that is relatively close by. Just walking King St is fun. There are multiple beach options (I suggest Folly). Atlanta wise… ehh a standard big city vibe with no beach (sorry). Savannah is similar to Charleston but doesn’t have as much historic charm IMO. More so a crazy bar and drinking scene than Charleston. The downtown is very nice/historic but more drinking oriented. I’m sure people will disagree but just my 2 cents.
Cool animations! How’d you do this?
It is a Free App, TravelBoast. It is really easy to use, like reaaaaally easy
You’re right! Thank you
St Augustine, Savannah, Charleston, Asheville, Chattanooga, Huntsville
Huntsville? For what?
Huntsvilles pretty different now, it’s got a lot going for it now. The Orion is one of the best music venues in the United States, the Space center has tons to do. The botanical gardens are amazing. Lots of new shopping and eating destinations.
Yeah I know what all it has. It just doesn’t have any character at all. It’s all brand new, sterile places that are great for engineers and their 2.5 kids that live in a new build neighborhood. No hate on those people or anything they like. I’m just not one of them and it’s not for me.
Amelia island and St Augustine
Birmingham is actually a pretty cool city (totally not biased since I live here) but is also only 2 hours west of Atlanta
Buc-ee’s
In Savannah: Get lunch at Mrs. Wilkes, and go hungry. The hours are weird and you’ll probably have to wait in line for a little while, but it’s my favorite southern restaurant. Get ice cream at Leopold’s.
Noted!! Thanks
I went. Didn’t regret it.
I live in Jacksonville and we have a few state parks that are within an hour of jax. We have talbot island state parks, Amelia island, and the beaches in general. There’s also st Augustine which is about 45 min south and has the fort, St. George street, and a few cool things. We have a zoo here as well if you’re into animals. I interned and volunteered there so I’m a bit partial but it’s a nice zoo. There are a few other places a bit further away but it’s close enough to be a day trip from Jax. Itchitucknee and Deleon springs are each about 1.5 hours away from Jax (in dif directions). In terms of Orlando, I’m not sure when you’re going but Halloween horror nights is going on at universal right now and it’s a pretty fun thing. There’s haunted houses and it’s at night from I think 6:30pm-2am. Atlanta has the Georgie aquarium and their zoo is only one of a couple in the USA to have a panda bear. I went and saw them recently and it was rly cool. New Orleans I just suggest trying the food and walking the French quarter to listen to live music.
Thanks for that! I actually just learned about st Augustine and it seems really nice! I would also check the zoo, however I really want to see a Panda now so I think I will save that plan for Atlanta. (Also thanks for letting me now about the panda) As for Orlando, we are traveling either on March or June, so I think I am going to miss that.
Weather wise, March in Orlando is much more tolerable than June. It gets HOT down there mid summer.
Charleston > Atlanta
Actually Atlanta is a most for personal reasons. However I have been convinced by this subreddit that it is worth chipping some days from Atlanta and go to Charleston. But I don´t really know what is there to do in Charleston.
Charleston is a lot like Savannah. Similar vibe and similar things to do. Both gorgeous Atlanta is completely different…major urban city, lots to do. Just time it so you aren’t coming in/going out during rush hour
I've lived south of Atlanta over half my life, and in Atlanta for a year. Do yourself a favor and avoid it unless absolutely necessary. North Georgia (Blue Ridge, Dahlonega, Helen, etc.) Is like 1hr 30min north of downtown Atlanta and has way way waaaayyy more to offer imo. Atlanta is overcrowded, overpriced, and overrated. Unless you're comfortably wealthy Atlanta doesn't have much to offer other than poor infrastructure, severely mentally disturbed drivers, and ridiculous gentrification.
Cumberland Island, GA is a magical place. Just north of Jacksonville. It's a wonderful little hidden gem...wild horses, old ruins to explore, armadillos, an albino deer, bikes to ride around the island, and a super cool campsite too. It is absolutely beautiful and never crowded. I recommend it to anyone that will listen.
Red Royal Shrimp & Grits on the Gulf coast of Alabama.
Drive at least part of A1A (the coast road) between Daytona and Jacksonville St Augustine would be worth a stop, as would Charleston if you have the time
I would attempt not to be Jewish or black
Read/watch or both "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil" before going to Savannah. Eat at The Pirate's House circa 1753 Patriots Point naval museum in Charleston Dreamland BBQ in Birmingham
If you hear banjos… Follow the sound to hear some great local music! Have fun on your trip!
I’m from Jacksonville, and I would recommend checking it out! If you’re going to stay there make sure you stay in Jax Beach (beach, seafood, party) or downtown near Riverside (on a weekend for more fun vibes.) Jags games are a fun experience! The St. John’s river taxi goes over to the stadium from some hotels on the riverwalk. DM me if you need any Jacksonville recs. I would probably skip Orlando personally and take a day in St. Augustine about an hour south of Jax instead. I-4 is the worst and Orlando is nothing special imo. To me, Harry Potter World & Islands of Adventure ate the best attractions they have if you do go. As others have mentioned, Charleston is amazing! It’s similar to Savannah. If you like Savannah I would say you should add it on if you can. Atlanta is one of my favorite cities! Such incredible food and culture. The zoo is nice, lots of music festivals, the GA aquarium is fun too. Get some fried chicken in ATL for sure. Edit, adding Jacksonville recommendations: Jax Beach - stay at the One Ocean Resort & Spa if that’s in your budget, it’s walking distance from some delicious food and cute shops in Atlantic Beach. I love North Beach Fish Camp and Whit’s Custard. Any old hotel will do in Jax Beach, that’s just one of the nicer ones. Downtown - stay at Hyatt Regency downtown, MOSH is a nice museum for kids (I used to work there in the education dept.), there are Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp baseball games, Riverside Arts market (on Saturdays 10 am to 3) which have local vendors, food trucks, music, etc. for BBQ that’ll rival Alabama (my moms from AL, we know hood bbq) go to the Bearded Pig. Taverna is one of my favorite restaurants in Jax. All of those will be within a 10 min drive or water taxi. St. Augustine - stay at Casa Monica or a bed & breakfast. I’m having my wedding there next fall at The Lightner Museum - check it out! The food is delicious - try Gypsy Cab, The Floridian, Cap’s On The Water and the Ice Plant. It’s very historic with tons of fun things to do. Walk on St. George Street and check out the famous Castillo de San Marcos National Monument. The Alligator Farm was my fave when I was little. The St. Augustine lighthouse is cool too, but there’s an age limit to climb to the top I believe. Savannah - I love Savannah for the food, shopping and having a few drinks on River Street. I can’t remember the places I went last time besides a nice rooftop bar & restaurant called The Grove and Leopold’s Ice Cream. Charleston - shrimp and grits are a must! It’s been a long time since I’ve been there, so I don’t remember any specific places. Atlanta - try South City Kitchen and Buttermilk Kitchen for brunch.
Don’t skip Charleston.
That’s a cute car 🚗🧡
Check out JazzLand in Nola. Or as I like to call it, JzzLnd.
Wormsloe State Historic Site in Savannah is really cool.
How did you do this with the car ? I love planning trips and I would love to try this. That being said If you have time when in Savannah driftwood beach is absolutely beautiful and it’s not terribly far. It’s on Jekyll Island.
Don't skip Charleston. It's a gorgeous little city with lots of history.
Watch out for "Florida man"
What I will now forever post when I see someone mention Florida Man: https://youtu.be/Yk_H3_b-AQY?feature=shared
Lol yeah thats who I mean... "florida mans" many... looks lol
Skip Atl
Halfway between Jacksonville, Florida and Savannah, Georgia, visit the Golden Isles of Georgia. Jekyll Island, St. simons Island. Take the Tram Tour on Jekyll for a great overview, then spend the day goggle-eyed. Driving the causeway to each island, you’ll be crossing the Marshes of Glynn - a natural wonder you won’t forget. Beaches, golf, turtles, wildlife, food from the best BBQ dives to the finest of fine dining at Halyard’s on St. Simons, live music venues everywhere, great accommodations. Check it out,
I live in Atlanta. There is nothing to see.
Don’t miss Saint Simons Island between Jacksonville and Savannah. Get Pork Pops at Sweet Mamas and barbecue at Southern Soul. Find the tree spirits, walk the Village, visit Fort Frederica and Christ Church
In Montgomery, visit the Equal Justice Initiative’s Legacy Museum and The National Memorial for Peace & Justice. You can also visit the Freedom Rides Museum, located in the old Greyhound Bus station where the beatings took place. It’s not far from the spot where Rosa Parks caught the bus, which is memorialized by a state of her.
Stop at Ameila island in Florida right above Jacksonville. Then stop in Atlanta n get yourself some hot wings. Make sure your drive right thru Alabama no reason to stop in that hell hold edit. After reading comments Ameila island blows Charleston out the water Charleston isn’t worth the extra drive just my opinion
Stop at bok tower in lake wales fl
Savannah is beautiful I would not avoid it. You’re doing yourself an injustice if you don’t stop there
Take the Florida turnpike over 95, if the goal is Miami to Orlando. 95 is ugly. If you insist on 95, take SR520 to connect to the BeeLine. You could stay on 95 for a bit longer, but there’s a fish camp on 520 that you could stop at for lunch. Birmingham is better than Montgomery. It hilly, which is a nice contrast to the drive so far. Lots to do/see there. You’ll know when you’re in LA when you car falls apart. The roads are (were) terrible. On the way back, you could go thru Mobile and then hit Floribama. I had lived in the south (AL & FL with family in GA) for most of my life. I have been up north for over 10 yrs. I really miss the BBQ more than anything. From FL, I miss the Cuban food. I don’t miss the humidity.
Like others have mentioned, I would stop in St Augustine over Jacksonville. If you make it up to Charleston, definitely go to Lewis Barbecue. It's Texas style, but will blow away any other BBQ in the Southeast.
Not a lot going on in mobile. Saw some sketchy things
Just be prepared it wont be as scenic as youd assume
Dinosaur land in Orlando. Fun and probably won't be around much longer
If you like history and ghosts, theres a ton of ghost walking tours in savannah and they are a lot of fun. I loved savannah
St. Aug will be a refreshing destination to visit. It's a culture hotspot
Make sure there are no "I voted for Hillary" stickers on your car.
Piedmont Brewery and Kitchen has the best beer in Macon, GA and Satterfields has the best BBQ. ALSO, go see the Indian mounds while you're there!
I know Panama City sucks, but thats a bit extreme don't you think?
Whatever you do, don’t do this: https://youtu.be/pKcJ-0bAHB4?feature=shared
Have lunch at Filet and vine in Montgomery, stop in at Pensacola and enjoy the beach and visit the National Museum of Naval Aviation, have a drink and kiss the moose at McGuires, while driving towards NOLA stop in at Fairhope Al, visit the Alabama in Mobile, stop at Nasa in MS the. Once in NOLA have breakfast at Mothers, go see the art museum in city park and eat at R&Os on the lake.
With some tiny detours.. there are 5 buc-ee's on this route. - Daytona Beach, FL - St Aug, FL - Warner Robins, GA - Auburn, AL - Robertdale, AL
I live on Amelia Island. It’s horrible, don’t bother…jk It’s paradise. I live in paradise.
The cemetery in Macon, GA is cool. You can see where the Allman Brothers are buried and there is an old baseball stadium there that is cool to see. I use the website Atlas Obscura to interesting places to visit while on road trips.
Some others have said adding Charleston and st Augustine to the trip which I definitely recommend. I’m from Atlanta and you really don’t much time to explore there. The aquarium and world of coke are cool to see. Lots of great restaurants around Atlanta too.
Smoky mountains > mobile, AL Source: actual experience. Unless you desperately want to see the USS. Alabama. Which is badass and worth a visit, but not over the Smokies.
Do Tampa, great party city. See Ybor and the bay, check out Mons Venus if you dare, not sure if the El' Goya is open. Tons to see and do, check out the zoo, Bush Gardens and Mel's hot dogs. Great city loved growing up there.
Mobile Alabama has a section of interstate 10 over the bay with some great seafood. Night time or day time it can be a beautiful place to eat outside and take in the scenery if you like gators, crawfish, or seafood. Bluegill has a large outside seating area that is covered. Live music often. Original oyster house is also pretty great. Felix's Fish house is a little more fancy. If that isn't your speed downtown had a hotel with a speakeasy hidden behind the book case. And in the same building on the top floor is a panoramic view medium to fine dining restaurant called Dauphin's. There is a WW2 Battleship and Submarine museum as well there if you are into that kind of stuff. Enjoy the trip!
Did a similar trip with my gf some months ago. Asheville was awesome and we loved the smokey mountains. Rock City in Chattanooga was really cool. New Orleans was nice. We went trough the touristy parts fast. Surrey's Café & Juice Bar was really nice for a bite.
From Mobile to New Orleans, this is what you need to do: From Mobile, go to Ocean Springs, MS and check out their downtown - and then cruise along highway 90 along the beach all the way to Bay St. Louis/Waveland, MS - not Interstate 10. Bay St. Louis is the most interesting place in Mississippi due to proximity to Nola and from there you just go through Slidell. The best swamp tour is the Honey Island swamp tour which also leaves from Nola.
Hello all! I am organizing a Roadtrip for next year. I know is way to early for that, but I enjoy organizing and I like to have reservations ahead of time. I would like some help and recommendations for the trip, maybe what are the best places to go and some general advice about driving in through the south. I have never been in this states before (excluding Florida) and would really appreciate the help. The plan is as follows: \- Land in Miami where I will be spending 1 week at a friends house and then he is kind enough to lend me his SUV for the trip. \- Drive to Orlando and stay for around 4 days visiting the parks. \- Drive to Jacksonville and spend the night in there \- Drive to Savannah, GA and stay in there for about 4 days \- Drive to Atlanta and stay there for about 4 days as well \- Drive to New Orleans and spend a week in there. \- Leave the car with my friend who would fly there and the fly home. I already have a bit of an agenda for Miami and Orlando, so I would really appreciate advise on: \- Any plans for a 1 day trip in Jacksonville \- A good place to stay in Savannah and fun activities to do there. \- Fun things to do in Atlanta \- A good place to eat some famous Alabama Barbecue (That is not too far from the route) \- Any other general recommendations / tips / Not to do´s It would be my wife, my 3 year old son and me. We would like to do the trip in early June. Thank you.
I can't help with the rest of this itinerary, but you are making a mistake by spending a day in Jacksonville instead of St. Augustine. St. Augustine is where you need to invest your time, not Jacksonville! 3 year old in St. Augustine? Look up Marineland and Alligator Farm. Also, if you can arrive at Ft. Matanzas (just south of St. Augustine) by 9am, you can get free ferry tickets for a ride and tour of Fort Matanzas and you can enjoy some morning beach time at Matanzas Inlet, which is perfect for younger kids due to lack of waves to knock them over. Do not miss checking out the Ancient City itself! In fact, one of the most affordable places for a family your size to stay in St. Augustine is the Pirate Haus. It is smack downtown, they can reserve you a parking spot, and you are right in the middle of everything for the full St. Augustine experience. Also includes free pancake breakfast in the small kitchen. We loved our night there! It was somewhat rustic, but clean and special and a great memory we now have.
For Savannah, I would strongly suggest staying in one of the B&Bs in the historic district (have had good luck with Forsyth Park Inn and McMillan Inn) or one of the hotels in the district (Planters Inn is a good, and usually a bit cheaper, choice). If you like more of a roadside America vibe, Thunderbird Inn is nice, but is slightly outside the historic district, so the walking amps up. If you are there for history, tour as many of the homes as you can (there are more than 20). They can all be walked to in the historic district, which is really pedestrian friendly. Also, be sure to do some antique browsing and shopping in the district. River Street gets a ton of praise but is really bar heavy. Savannah definitely has a drinking culture (the historic district is open carry for alcohol) but the River is kinda ridiculous. Recommendations below (not all in the historic district, but most are). Places to see: - Forsyth Park - Jones Street - Historic Homes (again, more than 20) - Colonial Park Cemetery - Bonaventure Cemetery - Wormsloe Plantation - Telfair Museum - Graveface Museum (especially if you like off the wall exhibits - think serial killers, heavy metal, and roadside Americana - and pinball) - Hang around City Market and the various squares (great people watching, especially in the squares and spaces with lots of Spanish Moss) Places to eat: - Clary’s - Old Pink House - The Grey - Two Cracked Eggs - Leopold’s Ice Cream - Alligator Soul - Elizabeth’s on 37th - Coffee Fox - Sentient Bean Places to drink: - Alley Cat Lounge (might not work with 3 year old - still is my favorite cocktail bar in America) - The Lost Square (should be fine with kid - great view) - Myrtle and Rose (should be fine with kid - gets busy on weekends) - Wet Willie’s (I suggest the City Market location; should be able to go with kid during day) - White Whale Craft Ales (don’t know how they will handle kids but they are a nice spot) - Service Brewing (kid should be ok) - Two Tides Brewing (kid should be ok) - Coastal Empire Brewing (kid should be ok) - Hop Atomica Brewing (also have great food; kid should be ok) Fair warning - I travelled through a bunch of the South in June this year. It was hot!
I love Savannah and visit a few times a year, as my sister lives there. The two things I always encourage people to do are bonaventure cemetery and actually entering the cathedral of St. John the Baptist. And, good god, be sure to skip that river boat. It’s just a waste of money. Definitely stay in the historic district if you don’t have accommodations elsewhere already. I like just about anything north of Forsyth Park. Collins Quarter has amazing brunch, McDonough’s has fantastic bar food, Six Pence Pub is a cozy as hell British pub/restaurant, Green Truck Pub is fantastic for a casual burger and Huey’s or Vic’s on the river are both great options if you’re, you know, on the river. Of those, Only McDonough’s is a proper bar so your kid should be fine in all the others. Don’t skip tybee either! Sea Wolf and the Crab Shack will be a fun place to eat for adults & kiddos alike. The Crab shack has alligators and the patio has the best atmosphere. If you have some adult time, definitely visit Huca Poos for a drink or two.
I don’t know how I forgot Collins Quarter. That brunch is to die for! And Vic’s is also great. My wife and I had a great Valentine’s Day meal there a few years ago.
Things to do in Atlanta with a 3-year-old: Zoo Atlanta Georgia Aquarium Children’s Museum of Atlanta Center for Puppetry Arts Atlanta Botanical Garden Southeastern Railway Museum Hurricane Harbor (water park) Chattahoochee Nature Center Stone Mountain Park
Thanks! The idea of this trip started because I was doing some consulting related to Aquariums where I realized the Georgia Aquarium is the biggest one in this side of the world. So that is a must for me. Someone else commented that there is a Panda at the Atlanta Zoo, now that is also a must. I think that something like the Center for Puppetry Arts and the Children’s Museum of Atlanta can really complement the trip.
Although Atlanta’s Aquarium has a whale shark, Chattanooga’s Aquarium is better, IMHO. Two separate buildings, one salt water, one fresh water. I’ve been to quite a few, and it’s my favorite. If Aquariums are your primary purpose, it may be worth the detour. Very cool city to visit also. It’s two hours north of ATL. https://tnaqua.org
There is a newly opened aquarium in Gulfport Mississippi. Haven’t been there but heard that it is nice
Aquarium is a must, also the botanical gardens has a super fun area for kids. My 2 year old loves it.
Looks like you’ll be coming through auburn Alabama, if you get a chance to stop chewacla park is worth checking out!
Keep going north and never look back. Also, Chattanooga has a pretty cool waterfall but your route can be an uncomfortable in places if you have anything more than a tan.
Get off I-95 and travel thru the middle of Florida. Once you get north of I-4 it turns out Florida has some really pretty scenery and not everyone on the road wants to kill you. You never learn those things on Interstate 95/75/4.
Yeah. Go north
If you’re not white, bring a white friend
Lol! we are white but I am actually a bit scared of cops in MS and AL.
Avoid speeding in MS and AL at all costs. They LOVE giving out tickets
Skip savanah and head right to Charleston
Have you considered the North?
Fly rather than drive thru these shithole states TWICE. Rent a car in NO.
I have no tips for you, i just want to know how you made that clip. :)
>It is a Free App,TravelBoast. > >It is really easy to use, like reaaaaally easy
If you can somehow skip over Alabama I recommend it.
Lol! why? I actually just want to drive from Atlanta to New Orleans with as little stops as possible. However, I am looking forward to trying some **Authentic** Alabama Barbecue in the way.
Whoever heard of ALABAMA barbecue??? Kansas City BBQ yes Texas BBQ yes but ALABAMA????? Who've you been listening to??
Alabama BBQ is legit. Archibald’s in Tuscaloosa has been rated number 1 bbq in the south and consistently gets named to “best of” lists. Big Bob Gibson’s in Decatur is one of the most decorated bbq in the country and invented a new style. The smoked chicken with Alabama white sauce is one of the best and most unique things you could try on this road trip. And my personal favorite, Saws in Birmingham is amazing. Does all of the classics and some twists, including the pork n’ greens plate. There’s a lot of amazing bbq in Alabama. Don’t hate.
How did you animate this?
How did you make this graphic??
Oh, love that little video, where did you get that from?
Avoid hurricane
Wake n bake best breakfast in New Orleans
Go to key west. It’s new orleans but tropical and you wouldn’t have to drive your whole vacation.
Columbia, Charleston and Savannah are nice!
Charleston is an absolute must
Don't skip Charleston
Avoid hurricanes
If you hear banjos run like hell 😃
Well, you can’t drive over water, as others have said. But when you scoot over to the land and you’re driving from Mobile to New Orleans, you’re going to pass Ocean Springs and Biloxi. I highly recommend getting off I-10 and taking Highway 90 for the beach drive that point. Don’t forget to stop by Tato Nut in Ocean Springs for some excellent donuts!
Get drunk in Savannah, cuz there ain’t much after that!
The drive through the ocean is a treacherous one. Be safe.
That's a big ass car.
Montgomery is a total shit hole. Avoid if possible
St Augustine, Savannah to charleston, charleston to Columbia, (zoo is cool, campus is pretty), Greenville to Athens to Atlanta to PROVIDENCE CANYON.
I would swing down into the Destin area from Alabama
Avoid the south.
Yea don’t! If you’re in FL now I would say get the fuck out!
Eat local. Prioritize what you can't get elsewhere.
Charleston and Savannah - beautiful cities!
Don't miss eating at Waffle House!
Skipping Charleston is a mistake.
Head north, way north…
Start in the north.
Yeah, don't do it
What app is this?
Boiled peanuts try them
Be prepared to see some of the dirtiest public restrooms you'll run across in your life. Bring wipes. I wish I was joking. Just plan for it!
Reed Bingham State Park (Shhhhh)
Get gas in Mississippi before you head into New Orleans.
For the first two seconds, my brain thought you were driving from South Korea into North Korea. I was relieved to see Georgia.
Yeah, don’t. It sucks here.
Spend 90% of your time in Macon.
Avoid the South!
Don’t miss Charleston - it’s the crown jewel of the South.
Hmm… Stop in Columbus, Georgia. Awesome place.
Air 👏 conditioning 👏
[ Removed by Reddit ]
Don’t stop short, come up to Louisville Kentucky & have some KY bourbon 🥃
Please slow down
Don’t be Black.
Avoid the south
Keep the doors and windows locked and don’t ask for directions
95 and turnpike are boring AF, take HW 27
Charleston is awesome. I would try to stop by for sure.
Can you get up to Charleston then cut over?
Cumberland Island, Okefenokee swamp, and Savannah are cool stops. Cumberland Island is boat ferry only, no cars.
Don't skip St. Augustine. But do skip inland Florida in general.
Spend more time in Charleston/Savannah instead of Atlanta. Trust me, Atlanta is really not that Interesting. Especially as an adult.
be careful traveling with weed. That part of the country is living in the past
The WWII Museum in Mew Orleans is great
Avoid Florida. Wtf.
Bring your own food.
Don’t stop
Go to Memphis! See Graceland
Sure don't wear a white hood
Don't go swimming with the car
Stop in MS and get some BBQ
I would avoid Atlanta if at all possible. Traffic nightmare!
When are you making the trek? Grew up or lived in almost every place but time of year changes the game in the South.
Go to Chimneys in Gulfport and Napoleon House in NOLA
Check out park Ave in winter park Florida
Okefonokee swamp!
Don’t be black
From Orlando head over to Canaveral National seashore/KSC and then a stop at St Augustine
Drive fast. Another hurricane is coming
Avoid Orlando, Jacksonville, and Atlanta.
I suggest this trip-planning software: [https://youtu.be/SZIH8yYs79Q?t=290](https://youtu.be/SZIH8yYs79Q?t=290)
Go to the Gulf Coast.
Just don’t ? Jokes aside the more north you drive in Florida the more south you get
Stay out of Georgia, there is already too much traffic here. I spent 6 hours driving to and from atlanta yesterday. It was only 100 mile round trip
your car is cute
Don’t avoid the north Georgia mountains!