Emma’s Deep South Family Adventure

Posted on 14th Nov 2019

I have travelled and wide and this is by far one of the best family trips we have done. We went with one clear purpose; to eat our body weight in Southern comfort food and take in some other experiences along the way. It helps that we are all carnivores.

The hard part was the planning, with different age groups and interests to please, the job of putting this mammoth three-week adventure together was no mean feat. Fortunately, we got it right having done an unprecedented amount of research and I am richer (definitely not financially) wiser (and wider) and generally better for living this Southern dream first hand.

We were two hungry adults, 4 children driving across 8 states over 3 weeks with 4 suitcases and 1 large SUV. Here is our journey…..

Days 1-3 Charleston, SC. A charming little waterfront city with Georgian style sweeping mansions, horse and cart and a big city market. We didn’t have long
here but we covered most things and whilst it was extremely hot, there plenty of places to cool off in the form of air-conditioned restaurants, shops and cafes.

Days 3 – 4 Savannah, GA. It felt (if possible) even hotter but the beauty of this city was worth it. Quaint little streets, a beautiful city park and great restaurants and soulful food.

Days 4 – 6 Asheville, NC. Headed north into the mountains of North Carolina which saw a welcomed climate shift from ridiculously hot to very manageable hot. We opted for
a cabin near the entrance to the Blue Ridge Mountains and close to the ever so trendy Asheville. I had worked in the mountains for a summer when I was 18 so it was lovely to be back and see the makeover on Asheville which was once a sleepy little city. We did some gentle hikes, swimming in waterfalls,
blueberry picking and burger eating. Asheville should definitely be included on your route and is a must for those that like beer. There is a vast number
of breweries offering tours and cycle routes specifically designed to give you a stop at some of the best beer bars!

Day 6 -7 Knoxville TN. Our Tennessee adventure started in Knoxville, possibly one of my favourite places of the trip. The University of Tennessee is located in Knoxville so there is a young and energetic vibe. Many graduates stay on setup businesses or invest in property so there is a stream of new and
exciting businesses opening all the time. Here we did treetop canopy adventures, ate the most incredible deserts at a pharmacy, an absolute must, and a trip to the top of the Sunsphere for views across the city. We also had the privilege of meeting with one of the city’s most loved restaurateurs,
Mahastie, the owner of Tomato Head where she talked to us over lunch about life in Knoxville. Dinner was at cool restaurant come brewery where we enjoyed the best burgers of the entire trip.

Day 7 – 8 Chattanooga, TN. 24 hours was enough in this riverside town. We hit it hard with a journey on the Chattanooga train, a visit to the aquarium, shopping at the largest mall in Tennessee and the kids’ first-ever visit to Taco Bell.

Day 8 -9 Huntsville, Al. A stop specifically for the US Space and Rocket Centre. 24 hours was not enough time to explore this thriving Alabama City so were left wanting more but we have vowed to head back.

Day 9 – 12 Nashville, TN. Nashville blew our socks off. We had three of the best days here. From live music to achingly cool suburbs to fine dining; this city is an absolute must-see for anyone with an appetite for excitement. You may not know at this point whether you like country music but I guarantee you will afterwards! And buying cowboy boots is mandatory (I purchased two pairs).

Day 12 – 15 Memphis, TN. We covered the highlights; Sun City, Graceland and the Martin Luther King and Civil Rights Museum. Beyond Beale Street and barbeque you will find a democratic city with a beating heart and a strong sense of identity.We tried to walk the mile across the bridge from Tennessee into Arkansas but thanks to the torrential rain we drove it instead.

Day 15 – 17 Natchez, MS. We stopped in Jackson ( ate lunch at a diner that has been serving since 1946 and not been decorated since) en route to this quirky, historically rich city which sits on a bluff overlooking the Mississippi at the end of the Natchez Trace Parkway. We made traditionally
Southern biscuits with the queen of baking at her cookery school visited America’s largest Octagonal house, ate proper southern comfort food on the banks of the river and learnt how to cook some African American specialty dishes where the kids surprised us by getting well and truly stuck in. Natchez has a
cheeky glint in its eye: quaint and subdued by day and deceptively lively with young revelers at night. This felt truly “Deep South” and is a must-stop on your route.

Day 17 – 18 Vacherie, LA via Baton Rouge. We had to have at least one night in a Plantation House on our trip so we settled for one on the banks of the River Bayou. On the way we took in a taste of Baton Rouge and some incredible tacos with local celebrity chef Jay Ducote. A highlight was definitely a cooking class with a local character in his little hut where he makes the best Gumbo and Jambalaya. Be warned though, you will never be able to eat dishes this good again so they may very well be your final tastes of these Cajun specialties. Kids were less interested in being in the heat of the kitchen so they were entertained by the local staff. our 24 hours in Louisiana were put to good use and we were excited for the last part of our trip. Before hitting New Orleans, we made a quick detour to have a special all-access tour of the Tabasco Factory on Avery Island. For all the hot sauce fans out there, it’s definitely something to add to your wish list.

Day 18 – 21 – New Orleans, LA. Everything you may have ever read about this melting pot of a city is true. When it comes to food, you’ve hit the jackpot here. This city has one of the few indigenous cuisines in the country and one of the most vibrant. Its fair to say having kids in tow made some of the more lively areas such as Bourbon Street a challenge but the quieter Frenchman Street gives you the opportunity to experience a softer and more local side to the city’s nightlife. There is so much to do, 3 days was tight so I recommend longer but it is possible to enjoy some of the best restaurants that show
off local cuisine and experience the essence of it. Chances are whatever time you visit you’ll catch some sort of celebration – we were there for decadence festival which brought in a lively and party hungry crowd but only added to the spirit of New Orleans (speaking of spirits you must definitely
try the local Sazerac cocktail at the Roosevelt Hotel!)