NPCER: SE US road trip ideas

[Cicero]

I know there is a travel board but I also know that there are a lot of people with southeastern ties on here so I figured this would be a better place to ask.

M's godmother and her boyfriend are coming for several weeks this summer. He's never been to the U.S. before. She has been once to DC for work and once to NC for M's baptism. They want to take a week or so while they're here and go on a road trip.

I am thinking of suggesting the following three ideas and would love any further ideas or critiques you might have. They're not really interested in the beach because they've go a big beach vacation coming up later in the year. Does anyone have any further thoughts/ideas/places to add? Or specific places to see?

North: DC, Annapolis, Assateague

West: a night or two at Primland in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville, Nashville, fly back to NC.

South: Charleston and Savannah, maybe Atlanta

[tres3]

If you only have a week I don't think you have too much time. but if you do West you may want to add Memphis... Graceland and BBQ

[Cicero]

TBH H doesn't want to even suggest the northern option since the godmother has already been to DC and neither of them are Americans or have a real interest in US civic history.

[tres3]

You know what I might do... Fly in to Nashville and make a triangle. Nashville, Birmingham and Memphis.

[spunkarella]

I would do a loop with a bit of city, mountains, history, and beaches. Start with 2 nights in Atlanta, drive to Asheville through the Blue Ridge mountains with scenery stops along the way, then Asheville for 2 nights / go to the Biltmore house, then 3 nights in Charleston, then back to Atlanta.

Charleston and Savannah are pretty similar, and I prefer (adore) Charleston.

[Cicero]

The start and end points are the Research Triangle area of NC since that is where we live. They are flying in, staying for a weekend, taking off to somewhere and then coming back for what is left of their trip. They are fine flying one way of need be since they're renting a car for this.

We are also kicking around the idea of going with them to the Outer Banks for a few days before they leave.

[frlcb]

I would definitely choose charleston over Savannah

[Deleted]

Uhm I live in/near Savannah so duh.

[origami]

How about Blue Ridge mountains, Nashville, Memphis, New Orleans? Is that too much?
ETA: there are River cruises on the Mississippi from Memphis to New Orleans. I've never been on one but if they're not gross that would be fun for a tourist.

[Cicero]

May 30, 2015 16:20:21 GMT -5 @helenabonhamcarter said:

Uhm I live in/near Savannah so duh.

If I were going on this trip I wouldn't be offering options. It would be Atlanta, Savannah done. Don't mind me if I leave to meet up with friends in either city and I'll let you stop for a bit in Charleston on the way back.

But alas, it's not meant to be.

[Cicero]

May 30, 2015 21:39:44 GMT -5 origami said:

How about Blue Ridge mountains, Nashville, Memphis, New Orleans? Is that too much?
ETA: there are River cruises on the Mississippi from Memphis to New Orleans. I've never been on one but if they're not gross that would be fun for a tourist.

hmmm. Maybe I will ask how much flying they want to do. Because now I'm thinking about suggesting they scrap the road trip idea and just fly to NO.

[origami]

May 30, 2015 22:04:12 GMT -5 Cicero said:

May 30, 2015 21:39:44 GMT -5 origami said:

How about Blue Ridge mountains, Nashville, Memphis, New Orleans? Is that too much?
ETA: there are River cruises on the Mississippi from Memphis to New Orleans. I've never been on one but if they're not gross that would be fun for a tourist.

hmmm. Maybe I will ask how much flying they want to do. Because now I'm thinking about suggesting they scrap the road trip idea and just fly to NO.

ITA that would be fun too. But I like the road trip idea and seeing a few cities. They are all so different and the mountains are beautiful. It's a great intro to America IMO.

[Cicero]

May 31, 2015 7:12:00 GMT -5 @mrsbecky said:

Where are they from? I would suggest the route that's the most different from that.

Zimbabwe and Australia but both live in Europe.