New Orleans to Nashville

It's about a 400 mile drive between New Orleans and Memphis. If you are interested in southern history/charm, you might consider Natchez and Vicksburg in Mississippi on your way to Memphis. There are a number of plantations there as well as civil war historical locations. Of course, there is the Mississippi river...

In Memphis, get some ribs and bbq at the Rendezvous. I'm not sure what your budget is, but a nice hotel in Memphis is the Peabody. They used to parade their ducks through the lobby every day but I'm not sure if they still do. In Nashville, there is a nice Hilton right in the middle of everything.

The road leading to Graceland is really depressed (and depressing looking), with very few amenities (mostly very low-end type stuff), but they were building a new hotel there when I was there last in 2015. It looks very nice:
The Guest House at Graceland
http://www.booking.com/Share-UjH180
Graceland is so crazy busy, I could see an advantage of getting there first thing in the AM and being within walking distance. On the other hand, it's much nicer to stay downtown near the music joints on Beale Street (I stayed at the Holiday Inn downtown and there are plenty of nice hotels - just look on www.booking.com). It's going to be two very long drives to hit both Memphis AND Nashville. Memphis deserves at least 2 full days, more likely 3 if you set one day aside for Graceland. I really enjoyed taking a tour of the old recording studio (Sun Studio) and the Civil Rights Museum. Yes, the ducks are still there at The Peabody Hotel - worth checking out no matter where you stay. Nashville needs about 3-4 days. There are so many interesting places outside of Nashville that the trip could easily turn into a weeklong trip just in the Nashville environs. Franklin is also a lovely town outside Nashville, but I actually stayed in Brentwood Suites (in Brentwood, about 10 miles from Nashville)...was really happy with the place and the price. Hotel rooms in downtown Nashville were outrageously expensive, so I opted for the suburbs. Nashville's music and food scene were outstanding, and driving in was not a big deal.

There are even lots of places to see not counting Memphis or Nashville....depending on what direction you drive in. There are interesting sites in Louisiana, Alabama, and even Texas (Houston). There are a variety of itineraries you could put together starting from New Orleans. I would get a library book and read up and see what interests you the most. If you go just to Memphis and Nashville, you'll skip a lot of stuff in between. One week is really not that long when you include the very lengthy drive time from one city to another. I would try to extend it, if you can.

Memphis is a great city!! We stayed at the most wonderful bed and breakfast called the James Lee House. You will not regret it if you choose to stay there. The civil rights museum should not be missed when in Memphis, and plan to spend 3-4 hours. Memphis has so much great food!! Central BBQ is right by the civil rights museum and makes for a great lunch stop. Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken is also tasty. Sun Studios is also a must do for Memphis. As for Nashville, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is really interesting. For some great food, definitely visit East Nashville. Also, there's a place called Biscuit Love which requires some patience to wait in line for a table. However, it is WELL worth the wait!!!

Our first spring in the RV had us traveling north on the Natchez Trace Parkway, which runs between Natchez, Mississippi and Nashville, Tennessee. If I remember correctly it's some 443 miles in length. It's a peaceful drive, nice and green, with a 50 mph speed limit. We followed the redbuds and dogwoods north. One can exit the parkway at numerous places. If a such a drive appeals to you, consider driving at least a portion of it as a counterpart to city visits. We were in Natchez during Holy Week when all churches were open to the public. One of them, sorry can't remember which, has some stained glass windows by Tiffany.

Natchez, in my opinion, is a must see town as is the Natchez Trace Parkway from there to Nashville. It's a delightful drive with a slow speed limit and no billboards. One can get off at several places at small towns that have really delicious southern cooking. Also along the parkway are several American Indian mounds including the Emerald Mount that is on the National Registry of Historic Places. Do some google searches and see if Natchez and or the Parkway holds any interest for your group.

Oxford Mississippi, home of William Faulkner. Clarksdale Mississippi, the "Crossroads" of Robert Johnson and delta blues music.

Sara,
What time of year would you be traveling to Memphis and Nashville? Are there particular things that interest you (such as historic sights, quaint shopping, gardens, fabulous restaurants (high-end or casual)? Is music important to you; if so, what type? Are you a late-night type or an early riser? For hotels, are you looking for something high-end and special or more modest? Do you like historic-type hotels or modern?

Nashville is an IT City, and we love our tourists. We've been written up as a destination of choice in several national publication, and you can probably Google to find the Wall Street Journal's advice for a long weekend in Nashville a year or two ago. Soooo much to see and do here, and something for individuals with lots of different interests.

I'll be glad to make some recommendations based on your individual tastes. The Convention and Visitor's Bureau also has a fabulous web site that provides some great info by category.

Ya'll come see us now!!

The Peabody Hotel in Memphis still does the twice daily duck walk to/from the fountain in the lobby. We've stayed there, and it was a lovely treat! I enjoyed the Memphis Zoo (if you like animals), and there are TONS of great places to eat there!

I second the question about what time of year you'll be traveling up to Tennessee. What kinds of things are you wanting to do? Are you interested in music? History? Dining? Hiking? Nashville has tons to do, but some of it is better enjoyed at certain seasons.