If you’re looking for one of the best road trips in the south, then you absolutely need to check this out.
This road trip from Nashville (Tennessee) to New Orleans (Louisiana) takes you to some of the best things to see and do along the way.
You’ll cruise through three states, where you’ll find small towns with big stories, wild hikes, glowing caves, and food so delicious it could make you cry (no joke).
There’s definitely something on this list for everyone, but what will be your favorite stop?
1. Nashville, TN
Nashville, Tennessee, is right in the middle of the state and is famous for country music, hot chicken, and neon-lit honky-tonks on Broadway.
You can tour the Grand Ole Opry, snap a photo of the Parthenon replica in Centennial Park, or check out Elvis’ gold Cadillac at the Country Music Hall of Fame.
This city turns up the fun with live music on nearly every corner, hundreds of recording studios, and over 100 murals perfect for taking photos next to.
2. Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park, TN
About an hour away from Nashville, Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park in Manchester takes you way back in time.
This ancient Native American site sits on a bluff between the Duck and Little Duck Rivers, and has a trail that loops past waterfalls, cliffs, and ceremonial mounds.
It’s part hiking trail, part history lesson, and part waterfall-hunting fun, with Blue Hole Falls stealing the show.
3. Lynchburg, TN
Just 40 minutes from Old Stone Fort, Lynchburg is tiny but totally iconic thanks to one big name—Jack Daniel’s.
You can take a guided tour of the Jack Daniel’s Distillery, see the famous Cave Spring Hollow, and learn how Tennessee whiskey is made from start to finish.
Afterward, swing by Miss Mary Bobo’s Boarding House for some fried okra, then explore the quaint town square lined with shops and BBQ joints.
4. Tuscumbia, AL
Crossing into Alabama, Tuscumbia stands out as a small town full of history and the birthplace of Helen Keller.
You can tour Ivy Green, where Helen grew up, and even see the famous water pump where she first realized that objects could be identified with language.
Right nearby, Tuscumbia Spring Park has a jet fountain that shoots water high up in the air as well as a beautiful man-made waterfall.
When you’re done exploring, Claunch Café is ready to satisfy your cravings.
5. Dismals Canyon, AL
Up next is Dismals Canyon in Phil Campbell, which feels like stepping into a hidden jungle straight out of a fantasy movie.
This National Natural Landmark has a 1.5-mile trail that winds past moss-covered boulders, secret caves, and waterfalls.
At night, it glows with thousands of tiny bioluminescent creatures called dismalites which are kind of like fireflies, but even cooler.
You can hike during the day, join a nighttime glow tour, or even rent a cabin so you can fall asleep to the sound of rushing water.
6. Canton, MS
Cruising into Mississippi, Canton is a lovely little town that’s packed with movie magic and Southern appeal.
It’s known as the “Movie Capital of Mississippi” because films like A Time to Kill and My Dog Skip were shot right on its historic Courthouse Square.
You can stroll past colorful buildings from the 1800s, check out the Canton Movie Museum, and grab a plate of seafood at Two Rivers.
7. Jackson, MS
Just a half-hour drive from Canton, Jackson is Mississippi’s capital and the kind of place where history, music, and soul food all come together.
You can check out exhibits at the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum, see real fossils at the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science, or catch live blues at Hal & Mal’s.
And don’t even think about leaving without trying the fried chicken at Bully’s Soul Food Restaurant (it’s been featured on the Food Network for a reason).
8. Natchez, MS
Next up is Natchez, which sits high on the bluffs of the Mississippi River and is loaded with jaw-dropping mansions and deep Southern roots.
You can tour places like Longwood, the largest octagonal house in the U.S., or stroll the Natchez Bluff Trail for stunning sunset views over the river.
For a real treat, catch live music and cocktails at Under-the-Hill Saloon, a riverside bar with wild stories from the 1800s.
9. St. Francisville, LA
As you swing over to Louisiana, St. Francisville appears like a town frozen in time with its oak-lined streets, 19th-century homes, and haunting old plantations.
Here, you can tour the Myrtles Plantation, which is one of the most famous “haunted” houses in America.
For a change of pace, you can venture out and hike the trails at Tunica Hills Wildlife Management Area that lead through steep ravines.
If you want to fuel up, pop into Birdman Coffee for breakfast or grab some delicious gumbo at Magnolia Café.
10. Baton Rouge, LA
About 35 minutes from St. Francisville, Baton Rouge serves as Louisiana’s capital and has college-town energy with deep bayou roots.
You can climb the 34-story Louisiana State Capitol (the tallest in the U.S.), explore the USS Kidd warship on the Mississippi River, or catch an LSU Tigers football game.
For lunch, try the crawfish étouffée at Parrain’s Seafood, and walk it off by exploring the downtown area.
11. New Orleans, LA
Rolling into New Orleans, you’ll feel the energy shift as the city comes alive with color and loud music.
Start by wandering the French Quarter’s narrow streets lined with jazz clubs and grab a beignet at Café du Monde.
After that, take a streetcar ride through the elegant mansions of the Garden District.
Don’t miss the spooky side either, where ghost tours, voodoo shops, and above-ground cemeteries like St. Louis No. 1 create a vibe you won’t find anywhere else.
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