Discover the rich history, natural beauty and cuisine of the Southern states on this 10-day road trip itinerary through Tennessee, the Carolinas, Georgia and Alabama.

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Day 1: Memphis – Tennessee

Morning: In the footsteps of the King of Rock ‘n Roll

Start and endpoint of this road trip-loop is Memphis, a city steeped in music history. Visit iconic recording studios Stax Records and Sun Studio, which launched the careers of many soul and rock ‘n roll artists, including the King himself. Elvis found refuge in his beloved Memphis’ mansion Graceland, where he was also laid to rest. Tour the mansion, admire Elvis’ talent for decorating and finish with a milkshake from fifties-themed Gladys’ Diner.

Afternoon: The legacy of MLK and the King of the Blues

The National Civil Rights Museum is housed in the former Lorraine Motel, where Martin Luther King was assassinated. As an important city in the Civil Rights Movement, Memphis shaped the sound of blues music. Most legendary blues artists took their first steps to success on Beale Street, nowadays Memphis’ version of Bourbon Street. Dine on soul food with live music in BB King’s Blues Club, founded by the King of the Blues.

Day 2: Nashville – Tennessee

Afternoon: Tour Downtown Nashville

After driving in from Memphis in the morning, fuel up with brunch from The Southern Steak & Oyster. Brunch in the South is sacred, reflected in a long list of brunch classics that can only be found on Southern menus. Burn the brunch calories with a walking tour of Downtown Nashville, learning all about the history and culture of Music City while passing the main landmarks.

Evening: Spend the night out in Music City

Nashville is nicknamed Music City because of its longstanding reputation as a music hub. The city’s music industry attracts many musicians that want to kickstart their career, making it one of the best spots for live music. Head to the Listening Room Cafe for an intimate intro to Nashville’s country music scene. A visit to Music City is not complete without entering one of Lower Broadway‘s honky tonks, rowdy bars with live music. End the evening with Hattie B’s hot chicken, a Nashville staple that is served in different levels of spicy.

Day 3: Jack Daniel’s Distillery & Drive to GSMNP – Tennessee

Morning: Visit Jack Daniel’s Distillery

A 90-minute drive south from Nashville leads to Lynchburg, the home of Jack Daniel’s Distillery. The iconic Tennessee whiskey is solely produced at this Lynchburg distillery, which is ironically located in a dry county. These counties prohibit the sale of alcohol, but the distillery managed to get an exception for out-of-county visitors. Tour the distillery on a guided walk before concluding with a tasting.

Afternoon: Drive to Great Smokey Mountains National Park

Great Smokey Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in the US, located on the border of Tennessee and North Carolina. It also marks the end of the stunning Blue Ridge Parkway, one of America’s most scenic drives. Stay the night in Gatlinburg to visit the park from the Tennessee side the next day.

Day 4: Great Smokey Mountains National Park – Tennessee

Morning: Hike to Mount LeConte

Fuel up for a day of hiking with an American breakfast from Hillbilly’s Restaurant. The Myrtle Point and Mount LeConte via Alum Cave Trail adds up to 12 miles round-trip, 3,000 feet of elevation gain and countless stunning views. Once you reach LeConte Lodge, continue for 0.4 miles on the Boulevard Trail to Myrtle Point. You’ll be rewarded with a spectacular 360º view of Great Smokey Mountains National Park. This popular hike takes around seven hours to complete.

Evening: Explore Asheville

After exiting the park on the North Carolina side, continue to Asheville. This charming city is surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains. Downtown Asheville is lined with craft breweries, earning it a spot as one of the top beer cities in the US. Many restaurants and hotels offer scenic views of the mountains, including the Montford Rooftop Bar at the DoubleTree by Hilton. Asheville’s green surroundings make it a popular area for cabin rentals, like this enchanting cabin in the woods.

Day 5: Blue Ridge Parkway – North Carolina

Morning: Drive the Blue Ridge Parkway to Linn Cove Viaduct

Asheville is located on the Blue Ridge Parkway, which winds through the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia and North Carolina for 469 gorgeous miles. Follow the parkway for 80 miles to the iconic Linn Cove Viaduct. Right after the engineering marvel is the trailhead to Rough Ridge Lookout. On top of the sweeping mountains vistas, the boardwalk leads to views of Linn Cove Viaduct from a distance.

Afternoon: Linville Falls Winery & Crabtree Falls

The North Carolina mountains house hundreds of beautiful waterfalls. Hike to Linville Falls or Crabtree Falls, both located along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Linville Winery is a quick half-mile detour from the parkway and the perfect spot to relax after hiking. End the day at the Blue Ridge Parkway with a stunning sunset from nearby Three Knobs Overlook. For more amazing stops, have a look at my guide to the ultimate Blue Ridge Parkway road trip.

Day 6: Congaree National Park & Charleston – South Carolina

Morning: Congaree National Park

On the road from Asheville to Charleston, the North Carolina mountains make way for South Carolina’s wetlands. Apply a thick layer of insect repellent to explore one of the smallest and least visited US national parks. Congaree National Park is a floodplain forest, as it regularly floods but is not constantly under water like a swamp. The Boardwalk Loop Trail keeps your feet dry on a 2.5-mile loop through the park.

Afternoon: Evening Reception and Dinner in Charleston

Charleston is one of the most charming cities in the South, with a beautiful historic center facing the waterfront. We stayed at the elegant HarbourView Inn, a waterfront boutique hotel. Many upscale hotels offer a complimentary hour of wine sipping and cheese nibbling to get the evening started. Continue with fresh seafood from hip Amen Street Fish & Raw Bar or classic Hank’s Seafood Restaurant.

Day 7: Charleston – South Carolina

Morning: Charleston’s Historic District

Start the day with beautiful views at the HarbourView Inn’s rooftop terrace. The hotel serves a delicious customized breakfast at the time and place of your choice. After breakfast, take a stroll in the colorful streets of Charleston’s Historic District. Waterfront Park, Whitepoint Garden and Rainbow Row are just a couple of the scenic locations in the city. For lunch with a view of the waterfront, head to Fleet Landing Restaurant.

Afternoon: History at the Old Slave Mart

Dive into Charleston’s less colorful history at the Old Slave Mart, which was turned into a museum on African American history. The port of Charleston used to be one of the largest slave entry ports in the USA. The people who survived the journey were auctioned and sold on slave marts. Charleston’s Old Slave Mart conducted the last slave auction in 1863.

Day 8: Savannah – Georgia

Morning: Drayton Hall Plantation

From Charleston, a scenic two-hour drive past marshes and wetlands leads to Savannah. Visit the historic Drayton Hall Plantation upon exiting Charleston. The plantation estate built in 1738 survived both the Revolutionary and Civil War. Contrary to most plantation homes, Drayton Hall is preserved in its original condition. The real draw is the idyllic garden with a pond and Spanish moss-draped trees.

Afternoon: Evening Reception & Dinner at Husk

Just like Charleston, Savannah houses many charming boutique hotels. We stayed at the historic Marshall House, the oldest operating hotel in the city that comes with a haunted reputation. The nightly wine and cheese reception is held in the library and accompanied by live music or a history talk. For dinner, reserve a table at Husk Restaurant. With locations in Charleston, Nashville and Savannah, Husk serves Southern classics with a modern twist and locally sourced ingredients.

Day 9: Savannah – Georgia

Morning: Savannah Historic District

Stroll through the enchanting streets of Savannah’s Historic District, laid out in a distinctive grid pattern. The streets lead to 23 beautiful squares that date back to the city’s original 18th century-design. Chippewa Square features in the movie Forest Gump as the backdrop for the bus stop. Live oaks draped with Spanish Moss make Savannah one of the greenest cities in the US, benefiting from the year-round hot and humid weather.

Afternoon: Tybee Island

Just 20 minutes east of Savannah, this little barrier island is a popular holiday destination in the South. Spend an afternoon at one of the pristine beaches or explore the quaint beach town. The Crab Shack is a Tybee Island staple for seafood boils and scenic spot for an early outdoor dinner, before mosquitos take over.

Day 10: Birmingham – Alabama

Morning: Birmingham Civil Rights Institute

Cut the 10-hour drive from Savannah to Memphis in half with a stop in Birmingham. The Alabama city is known for its role in the civil rights movement, which you can learn all about in the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. The Birmingham Campaign was led by Martin Luther King to protest peacefully against the strong segregation laws in the South. The violent reaction was a bombing which killed four school girls, an eye-opener for the entire country.

Afternoon: Explore Magic City

Nowadays, Birmingham is a laid-back town tucked away in the heart of Dixie. Stroll through Railroad Park with views of the Birmingham skyline before rehydrating at Good People Brewing Company, facing the Regions Field. The Pizitz Food Hall in Birmingham’s Downtown is a great spot for lunch or pre-dinner drinks. Wrap up the trip with a last Southern dinner at The Southern Kitchen And Bar.

Day 11: Return to Memphis

Complete the loop by returning to Memphis, a four-hour drive from Birmingham.

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