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A road trip across the southern states of the USA had been on my bucket list for a long time. I wanted that crazy Thelma and Louise style experience full of adventure and freedom, minus the death at the end (obviously). So myself and my friend Melanie booked our tickets, picked up our rental car and set off across Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana and Alabama on the trip of a lifetime.
In this post I’ll tell you all about our Deep South road trip, everything we got up to and give you some tips for planning your own fly drive trip. Let’s go!
What is the Deep South?!
The Deep South essentially refers to four states; Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana and Alabama. These states are known for music (Blues, Rock and Roll, Elvis and more), delicious southern food (bury me with a slice of cobbler!), significant historical landmarks and that world famous southern charm.
Of course, these states all have a complicated history with the cotton trade, plantations, the slave trade and the civil war. In order to truly get a feel for these states you need to understand this history and confront it as you travel from state to state. There are lots of great places to visit along the way where you can educate yourself on these matters and local history. I’ll tell you more about the ones I visited in the itinerary.
When it comes to southern food, there are a few things I recommend you try for that quintessential southern experience. First up, a cold glass of sweet tea will keep you cool on a hot day. Cornbread, mac and cheese, pimento cheese and deep fried okra (or pickles or green tomatoes) are some of my savoury favourites. When it comes to sweet treats you have to try cobbler, beignets and bread pudding.
Honestly, pack your most baggy, flowy and stretchy clothing because you’ll probably end up a few lbs heavier by the end of your trip!!
One of the other things I absolutely loved about our Deep South road trip was the people! Everyone we met along the way was kind, curious and welcoming. People passed us on the street and paid us compliments. Locals asked us questions about where we were visiting from and told us all the best places to see while we were in town. Honestly, southern people are some of the friendliest people I’ve ever met.
11 Day Deep South Road Trip Itinerary
Day 1 – Fly into Nashville, TN.
We took the direct Aer Lingus flight from Dublin to Nashville which is such a great gateway into the southern states. The minute we stepped off the plane we knew we were in Nashville, AKA Music City, because there was live music being performed in the airport.
We grabbed an Uber straight into the city which took about 25mins. First we checked into our 4* Hotel, the Noelle, before setting out to explore Nashville. There was live music in the hotel bar area as well, which is basically the whole theme of Nashville. I’m not sure we went anywhere without the sound of live music humming in the background.
Our flight had landed at 5.20pm so by the time we were ready to wander out into the city it was around 7pm and the perfect time to see the lights of the Honky Tonk highway.
Lower Broadway in Nashville is known as the Honky Tonk highway. It is famous for all the bright neon signs that line the street and the celebrity-owned honky tonk bars with live music every day of the year. There are lots of little sounvenir shops and cowboy-style outfitters to pop into as you wander down Broadway. There are also must-visit spots like the Goo Goo Cluster shop and the Johnny Cash Museum.
We headed to the Assembly food hall for dinner so that we could both get something we wanted. There was also live music and dancing here in the middle of the foodhall. I got the most delicious veggie tacos of my life at Velvet Taco and Melanie got some southern fried chicken with cornbread and collared greens. Make sure to check out the Dolly Parton wine bar as well, it is Tennessee after all!
We made a quick pitstop at Printer’s Alley before calling it a night and heading back to the hotel.
Day 2 – Nashville to Memphis, TN.
The Noelle hotel has a lovely gift shop in the lobby with all sorts of tasseled and rhinestoned hats and jackets, which I wish I’d purchased something in before we left. They also have a great coffee shop called Drug Store Coffee. Their seasonal iced coffee was the perfect way to wake up before our first full day.
D’Andrews Bakery and Cafe was recommended to us by a member of staff at the Noelle, so we headed straight there for delicious breakfast sandwiches and pastries. Honestly, their veggie egg sandwich was out of this world. I’ve been dreaming of it ever since.
We then hopped in an Uber to Hertz to pick up our rental car, which we booked via Best4Travel. Once we had our car it was a quick couple of turns before we were on the main highway to Memphis. The road was flat, wide and mostly devoid of traffic; a very easy drive . The autumn colours of the trees along the highway made it pretty scenic too.
Once we arrived in Memphis we took advantage of the valet parking at Arrive Memphis. This hotel was one of my favourites of the trip, the lobby is moody and eclectic, the rooms are absolutely stunning with every amenity you could think of and there’s a lovely coffee shop and bar onsite as well. It’s also dog-friendly if you’re travelling with a pet.
We had dinner in Fawn, which is a conept restaurant known for ingredient-driven bold flavours that appeal to adventurous eaters and comfort-food lovers alike. What I loved about it is that there’s a 50/50 split between veggie and non-veggie food options. The fried artichoke was spectacular.
Day 3 – Explore Memphis, TN.
There is so much to do in Memphis, we knew we had a big day ahead of us so we had to go big for breakfast. Just around the corner from our hotel was By The Brewery where we had a very southern breakfast. I had the grits cake biscuit which was unlike anything I’d ever tasted and was definitely hearty enough to keep me going for a full day of sight-seeing.
The Lorraine Motel in Memphis is where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr was assassinated on April 4th 1968. To learn more about this event and the civil rights movement we visited the National Civil Rights Museum which is located inside the motel. This is an incredibly moving and interactive museum. They have even preserved Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s motel room from the day of his assassination.
Next we made a bee-line for Sun Studios which is known as the “Birthplace of Rock’n’roll”. It’s known for the discovery of legends such as Elvis, B.B King, Johnny Cash and more. The tour is fun and relaxed with lots of great memorabilia. You can even stand in the very spot where Elvis first recorded. U2 actually recorded there as well and there’s a photo of them in the reception area.
For lunch we visited the Hard Times deli which was such a great vibe. The place was hopping and for good reason. They served sandwiches the length of my arm and cookies bigger than my head (and that’s saying something). The eggplant parm was so deliciously gooey and cheesy that I was utterly full halfway through.
Next up, we HAD to visit Graceland, Elvis’s home/mansion. Melanie is a HUGE Elvis far so she would have spent all day there. I whizzed through the mansion, but I did find the home videos section really interesting. I’d recommend taking the audio guide as they offer a much deeper insight into Elvis’s life and the mansion. My favourite part was exploring Elvis’s private airplanes, of course.
For dinner we headed to a stunning fine-dining establishment, Amelia Gene’s. I loved their “choose your own” cheese cart and the golden potato fondue, but the real star of the show here were the desserts! The chocolate cobbler was so good that I transcended to a higher realm. Honestly.
After dinner we embarked upon a spooky adventure with Backbeat tours. It was absolutely LASHING rain, but the tour still went ahead and honestly, it made for a nice creepy atmosphere. Our guide took us through some of the most haunted spots in Memphis, telling gruesome stories of death and debauchery as she went. The tour ended in a dive bar called Earnestine and Hazel’s which is a great spot for a drink.
We opted for a quick jaunt down the famous Beale street before bed. This has a similar vibe to Nashville’s Broadway, with all the live music and neon signs, but is a bit less chaotic. It was quiet when we visited and I’ll blame that on the rain, but it’s supposed to be the main spot for a wild night out in Memphis.
Day 4 – Memphis to Clarksdale, MS
We woke up early and headed to Sunrise Memphis for breakfast. This place gets insanely busy so join the queue and make sure you’re ready to order when it’s your turn. I got the avocado toast breakfast with hashbrowns and it was delish. There’s a reason the queue for this place often snakes out of the building and around to the back of the carpark.
We couldn’t leave Memphis without stopping into the Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid. This place is like a country version of Disneyland for outdoorsy folks. It just felt so incredibly American and unlike anything we have at home, myself and Melanie absolutely loved it. There’s a hotel, a giant shopping area, a huge indoor swamp with real alligators, a glass viewing platform and plenty more. Honestly, the shopping here is great. I got myself a lovely Wrangler jacket and fleece that’ll see me through the Irish winters.
We hit the road to Clarksdale, MS. It was only a short 1.5hr drive and I cannot stress how easy the driving conditions were. Once we got to Clarksdale we were struck my an almost abandoned ghost town vibe, but we could tell there was something interesting and unexpected waiting for us.
We stayed at the Travelers Hotel which is equal parts hotel and community hub. It’s the perfect mix of modern amenities and traditional southern hospitality. The location is also perfect for exploring Clarksdale on foot.
In Clarksdale there’s plenty to see. First we headed to the Riverside Hotel which only recently opened to tourists. This historic landmark was once a hospital for African Americans where Bessie Smith actually died. After that it was a hotel popular with travelling musicians from 1944 until 2020. It is known as the place where the blues gave birth to rock’n’roll because Ike Turner wrote and rehearsed the famous “Rocket 88” at the hotel. It’s well worth a visit.
You can’t visit Clarksdale without going down to the legendary crossroads. The tale goes that musician Robert Johnson made a deal with the devil at these crossroads – his soul in exchange for talent and fame. I’ve seen many a retelling of this spooky story in modern pop culture such a HHN houses at Universal Studios and episodes of Supernatural.
Clarksdale is a hub for artists and creativity. We loved the self-guided mural trail across the town that tells the story of Clarksdale. The Cat Head Delta Blues & Folk Art shop is full of local crafts and souvenirs. Make sure to chat to the staff to get a feel for Clarksdale and the best local recommendations.
Of course, Clarksdale is the birthplace of the Blues, so there are plenty of Blues Trail Markers marking places of significance around the town. If your interests lean more towards the present than the past, don’t worry, there are lots of junk joints where you can listen to live music and soak up the modern spirit of the Blues. Check out the legendary Red’s, Hambone Art & Music and Ground Zero (Morgan Freeman’s bar) for some of the best live music.
For dinner make sure to get a table at Hooker Grocer & Eatery where they serve Southern comfort food and great cocktails. After a full day of exploring we were dead on our feet and ready for bed.
Day 5 – Clarksdale to Vicksburg, MS
Before leaving Clarksdale we had breakfast in Our Grandma’s House of Pancakes. This place is locally beloved and very budget-friendly. It’s a family business and you’ll most likely meet Grandma when you’re in there. If you’re just looking for a quick coffee before hitting the road Meraki Roasting is the spot. This local community hub offers youths a chance to learn workplace skills and a chance to build their CV, so it’s definitely worth supporting.
The drive from Clarksdale to Vicksburg is around 2.5hrs. It’s an easy straight road with barely any traffic, just like the rest, so whack on some music and enjoy the views of the delta.
Vicksburg is famous for the 47 day long siege of Vicksburg in 1863 during the American civil war, so there is lots of history to be discovered in this city – I’m talking canon balls still lodged in walls of homes!
Once we arrived into Vicksburg we had lunch at Main Street Market. This restaurant is set in an old private home and their cakes are absolutely legendary. After lunch we set out to explore Vicksburg. First stop is the iconic Beidenharn Coca-Cola Museum where Coke was bottled for the very first time. This is kitschy and packed to the gills with nostalgia-inducing memorabilia. We loved it.
Vicksburg has some lovely murals down by the riverfront that are worth checking out. Not to mention all the wonderful artist galleries and independent boutiques. If you’re a history buff check out the old court house museum where the exhibits are mostly made up of donated pieces of local history. I loved this place, every room felt like a page from an eye spy book. Plus they have an obese cat who hangs around the office and is the official welcoming committee.
In the evening we took a spooky tour of the Anchuca Historic Mansion and learnt all about its haunted history. Then we headed over to the McRaven home for a proper spooky ghost tour. McRaven is known as the most haunted house in Mississippi and myself and Melanie both jumped out of our skin during this tour.
BnBs are the way to go when staying in Vicksburg. We stayed at Oak Hall B&B, which actually has its own haunted history, but sadly we didn’t experience any spooky happenings. The beds were insanely comfortable here and the hospitality of the owner and staff was remarkable.
Day 6 – Vicksburg to Natchez, MS
We left Vicksburg early, right after indulging in the generous breakfast at Oak Hall. The drive from Vicksburg to Natchez is a 1.5hr drive. Natchez is a stunning city that has retained a lot of its historic architecture due to the fact that it never resisted the Union during the civil war.
Natchez feels different to the other towns we visited in Mississippi. A lot of locals consider themselves more Louisianan than Mississippian due to the town being less secular and more inclined to party.
We had lunch in The Camp restaurant. I absolutely devoured my meal here. The bread pudding is spectacular. The view here of the bridge over the Mississippi river is gorgeous.
The architecture in Natchez is stunning. If you visit make sure to wander the streets and check out the boutiques. Wishes is great for coffee. Frankie’s on Main is a beautiful restaurant/bar set in an old bank, perfect for a cold cocktail on a hot day. If you’re a bookworm make sure to check out Dixon Books.
The museum of African American History and Culture is well worth a visit with insight into historic events such as the Rhythm Nightclub fire and the Forks of the Road slave market. We also visited the historic Magnolia Hall, built in 1858, for a tour with the wonderful Todd.
There’s an extremely well-stocked souvenir shop called Old South Trading Post that has every memento that you could possibly dream of. There is not an inch of free space in that shop and it is a true experience.
Melanie and I went for drinks in the Under-the-Hill Saloon which is a gritty little dive bar that doesn’t take foreign cards and generally prefers cash. There were a bunch of bikers outside and people chatted to us while we sat at the bar. It turned out to be one of our favourite spots in Natchez.
Then it was straight to bed in the Guest House Historic Mansion which also has a ghost, allegedly, of a small child haunting it. My room was luxurious with a four-poster bed and floor to ceiling windows and I experienced zero spooky activity. I did, however, sleep like the dead.
Day 7 – Natchez to Baton Rouge, LA
In the morning we grabbed a quick coffee before heading to a local supermarket to stock up on snacks. Then it was time to hop in the car and take on a new state. That’s right, we were on our way to Louisiana!
All I could think about was the Garth Brooks song “Callin’ Baton Rouge” as we drove into town. We checked into the Origin Hotel Baton Rouge which has a really fun vibe with a quirky gift shop, tiger-print carpet and giant golden grocodiles on the ceiling.
After we got settled we headed out to the Mid-City area for some shopping and drinks. We could have spent hours in Pink Elephant Antiques – it was an absolute treasure trove for vintage-lovers. Just around the corner from Pink Elephant there’s a gorgeous jewelry shop; Mimosa Handcrafted. All the hand-crafted pieces in this shop have been inspired by the state of Louisiana, from its culture to its wildlife. I truly regret not purchasing a little shiny souvenir for myself.
We needed a little refreshment after our shopping so we popped into Pelican to Mars where they were running a spooky pop up. The vibe here is very relaxed with a large outdoor seating area(as well as indoor), great craft cocktails and delicious pub grub. You could also check out other watering holes in the area such as Radio Bar or Mid-City Beer Garden.
For dinner we went to Phil’s Oyster Bar because we were meeting a group. I’m a vegetarian so there wasn’t a huge amount of options for me, but the staff were incredibly friendly and accommodating that it more than made up for it. If you’re a seafood lover you’ll be well fed, that’s for sure.
Day 8 – Baton Rouge to New Orleans, LA
In the morning we woke up early, grabbed a quick coffee in the hotel and went to find the Baton Rouge mural. After snapping a couple of photos we strolled over to the absolutely stunning Old State Capitol Building for a quick tour. This building is bright, bold and full of colour – basically nothing you’d expect from an official government building. You’ll want to take A LOT of photos in this building.
Once we’d filled out camera rolls we hopped in the care and headed for New Orleans. Returning the car in New Orleans was surprisingly fast and simple. We hopped in an Uber to our hotel, Hyatt House New Orleans Downtown, where we dropped off our bags and took a breath before what would inevitably be a big day/night.
I was VERY excited to find PoBoy place that served veggie and vegan po-boys. Killer PoBoys on Dauphine street is great for a fast and filling Louisiana-style lunch. I had the Thai BBQ Tofu PoBoy and it I was only short of jumping on the table, Tom Cruise style, and declaring my love for it.
Bourbon street is the famous party street of New Orleans which is, of course, tacky. But that doesn’t mean you should skip it. Both me and Melanie had been looking forward to New Orleans for the entire trip and we wanted to experience as much as possible from Voodoo shops to beignets and everything in between.
We popped into The Roosevelt New Orleans to see their famous Sazerac Bar where they serve the iconic sazerac drink which is made using rye whiskey, Peychaud’s bitters, a sugar cube, and an absinthe rinse, garnished with a lemon twist.
Then we paid a quick visit to the Pharmacy Museum because I’m a nerd and I was a pharmacist before I started doing all of this. It was really interesting and had an excellent gift shop. We wandered over to Jackson Square to watch happy tourists take carriage rides as we continued our search for beignets.
We intended to visit the famous Cafe du Monde but there was an absolutely SHOCKING busker right outside and we just couldn’t but our ears through that for the duration of the queue so we moved on to souvenir shopping in the stores next door.
I had been told by a friend that I absolutely had to visit Voodoo Authentica for all things witchy and mystical. You could see the practitioners making up gris gris bags and doing readings. There was A LOT to look at, but it’s a tight space and very popular so it can get crowded, Definitely worth a visit if you have something in particular you need some help with.
In the evening we did a paranormal tour with NOSecretsTours. Our guide identified as a fairy but was originally of Cajun origins. She was FULL of interesting facts and tales about the French Quarter. We visited 3 different locations where we learned about various spooky happenings and hauntings. Each location was accompanied by a cocktail, which was a nice touch and we got to try divination with a pendulum before making our own gris gris bags.
At the end of the tour we were dropped off at a tarot reader where we were smudged before our reading. I absolutely LIVE for this stuff so I was in my element. Melanie and I had our readings together and, overall they were pretty accurate for both of us. I mean, when in New Orleans you have to soak up the spooky, witchy vibes right?! Especially when it’s the night before Halloween.
After our tour we headed to the Vampire Apothecary Bar for some kitschy vampire-themed cocktails. Mine came in a blood bag! When you pay the bill you’re given a clue and a password to gain entry to another creepy bar. We were curious but we had other plans – we were headed straight for Frenchmen Street.
Frenchmen Street is known as the more local, authentic version of Bourbon Street. It’s still a party, but it’s less messy tourists and more live music. There were street-side poets, rapper freestyling to suit passersby and live jazz bands on street corners. If you only have a few hours in New Orleans, this is the place to be.
Unfortunately, we couldn’t stay out too late as we had an early train to catch the next morning. But we definitely made the most of our one night in New Orleans. A random group of lads dressed up as bananas asked us to take a photo with them and we even caught some beads being thrown from a balcony on Bourbon street!
Day 9 – Mardi Gras Amtrak to Mobile, AB
We caught the early Amtrak Mardi Gras service from New Orleans to Mobile. This is a twice daily service and was launched in late 2025. It’s an extremely comfortable service with beautiful views of the Gulf Shore. The ride from New Orleans to Mobile takes roughly 2hrs 43mins.
The train station in Mobile is super central, making it easy to walk to any attractions or hotels. We stayed in the The Admiral Hotel, which is a beautiful 4* hotel all decked out in traditional Mardi Gras colours, which happen to also be the Wexford colours (purple and gold), so I felt right at home.
We went for brunch at Bistro St. Emmanuel before heading out to explore. I absolutely loved the poutine there and they made an excellent iced latte.
Our first stop was the Mardi Gras Museum where we learnt all about the history of Mardi Gras in Mobile over the past 300 years. I loved the costumes here.
Downtown Mobile is nice and walkable so make sure to get out and explore. The Haunted Bookshop is not to be missed. This was one of my favourite spots in Mobile, and not just because they have a resident cat who roams the stacks of novels.
In the evening we took park in a special Halloween edition of the Bienville Bites food and murder mystery tour. I absolutely loved this because we got to see more of Mobile on foot, hear about the haunted history of the city and try some delicious local food and drinks.
After the tour we wandered down Dauphin street, the Bourbon street of Mobile, to watch the revelry.
Day 10 – Explore Mobile, AB
On our final day exploring the Deep South we had a full day in Mobile. We kicked things off with delicious coffee at Great Day Latte. We took our coffee to go and went mural hunting around town, There is a lot of beautiful street art so you can easily do a self guide mural tour of dowtown Mobile.
Depending on when you’re visiting there may be a market on in Cathedral Square. Luckily for us there was a farmer’s market on. There was also a vintage clothes market happening just a short walk down the road as well. Not only that but there was a Mac n Cheese festival happening in Mardi Gras Park. Mobile always has something happening!
We had lunch/brunch at Ruby Slippers which is set in an old bank and has a great merch shop. After we’d refuelled we set out to explore the many local galleries and boutiques. The Urban Emporium, Elsewhere, Bienville Souvenir & Gifts and The Frenchmen were some of our favourites.
In the afternoon we took and Uber/Lyft out to the Africatown Heritage Centre to learn more about this historic area of Mobile. Africatown was founded around 1866–1868 by West Africans who survived the last illegal slave ship, the Clotilda, which arrived in 1860. It is the only known community in the U.S. established by African-born people. The heritage centre has a fascinating exhibit about the chip, the community, how it came to be and how it has evolved into what it is today.
We were lucky enough to come across the Lantern Walk, which we were kindly invited to join by the local community. What are the odds that they would be passing when we were just walking out of the heritage centre? We were delighted to get to meet local legends from the community and walk with them to the Old Plateau Cemetery where many of the original settlers are buried.
Our final dinner was at the Noble South restaurant. The cobbler dessert here absolutely blew our minds, we almost ordered a second one! Then it was back to The Admiral for a final sleep before starting our journey home to Dublin.
Day 11 – Mobile to Nashville then Fly Home.
We caught an early flight from Mobile to Atlanta then over to Nashville. From Nashville our plan was to catch the direct Aer Lingus flight home but unfortunately our flight was cancelled so we ended up with an extra night in Nashville and a flight home via Chicago the next day. Honestly, we were happy enough with this turn of events because it meant we got an extra day in Nashville and we got to reenact the airport scene from Home Alone.
My Top Tips for a USA Road Trip
For our Deep South road trip we booked our car through Best4Travel who organised a Hertz rental for us from downtown Nashville. This was a great spot as it was only a couple of turns from the rental location onto the highway.
If it’s your first time driving in the USA and you’re nervous, opt for a rental car similar to the car you drive at home. It’s just one less thing to adapt to. But genuinely, driving on the right hand side of the road is not scary. You get used to it very quickly.
When renting your car make sure you head to the rental place as early as possible. Check in can take an age depending on the rental spot and if you have places to be, the last thing you need is to be hanging around a rental office for hours waiting in line.
Make sure you stock up on snacks. Walmart is an essential stop on any USA road trip. We loved picking up new energy drinks at gas stations as well. Speaking of gas stations, sometimes foreign cards won’t work for pay at pump, so you have to go inside and pay at the cashier’s desk, then go outside and pump the gas. Just make sure you don’t put the hose back on the pump until you’ve completely finished pumping or it will cut off. But again, you learn as you go and locals are always willing to help.
Share the driving as much as possible but know your strengths. If one of you is a better driver/passenger, then stick to that if necessary. The passenger is responsible for navigation, music, snacks, scouting out the parking situation and taking selfies.
Make sure you take a photo of your license plate as you sometimes need it for hotel parking and it’s a pain to have to go out and check it every time. They tend to need it for valet parking if your hotel offers it. Definitely avail of it if they do, it’s well worth the extra cash for the convenience.
Final Thoughts
A Deep South road trip is an absolute must for any USA bucket list or any travel list in general. It feels like you’re seeing a more real and authentic side of America. The driving is smooth and easy with wide open roads nearly completely devoid of traffic making it a perfect beginner road trip for anyone nervous about driving on the righthand side of the road. You’ll never forget the Southern food and that world famous Southern charm. Make sure to check out the Deep South website to plan your own trip!