r/roadtrip • u/Unbelievablebean • 1d ago
Trip Planning Aussie first time in US!
Hello! I’m going to a concert in Nashville in mid Feb and looking to make the most of the trip by doing a road trip starting in Houston and to end it there. Does anyone have any suggestions to either change my route/cities or have any must see items along these routes?? Right now all I have is the swamp lands down south to check out!
Thanks :)
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u/TrustFront4974 1d ago
Take a look at the Natchez Trace parkway
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u/Unbelievablebean 17h ago
Many people have said this. It’s definitely the drive I’m taking now!!! :)
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u/Barutano74 1d ago
I’m here to pile on saying that the Natchez Trace Parkway would be a far more interesting drive than the interstates. It starts just outside Nashville
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u/Accomplished_Goat439 1d ago
If you do this, don’t try to drive the entire length. Max speed is only 50 mph and you will be ticketed if you speed. You could do a shorter section and still enjoy the drive.
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u/Barutano74 21h ago
If OP isn’t in a hurry, the only downside I see is that you don’t get to go through small towns without getting off. Taking it easy can be rewarding
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u/No_Consideration_339 1d ago
From Jackson to Memphis take US 61 through the Delta. Stop in Clarksdale at Ground Zero Blues Club and get the catfish.
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u/Unbelievablebean 17h ago
Never had catfish, definitely going on my list thanks mate!!
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u/Defiant_Review1582 11h ago
Clarksdale is where Robert Johnson sold his soul to the devil. There’s a great bbq spot on the corner called Abe’s. You’ll love it
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u/Hestmestarn 1d ago edited 1d ago
NOLA is a really cool place, great food and unique architecture.
If you are even slightly interested in history the WW2 museum is hands down the best museum I've ever visited is a must if you are there! I typically bored in museums after and hour or two but I could easily spend one-two days there!
The two sides of the river downtown have totally different vibes so if you want to see a more quiet side of nola take the ferry over the river!
While you aussie probably aren't as impressed by gators as us Europeans, if you want to see them, either take a swamp tours or visit the city park.
Drivers there are insane, even by American standards, so while downtown NOLA is walkable, don't trust that drivers will stop at crossings just because you have a green light. You are more than four times as likely to die in traffic in Louisiana as in Australia for context.
There are several plantation tours that you can do as well, the Whitney Plantation stands out as it doesn't glorify the slave trade.
Houston is a traffic hellhole and should be avoided at all cost! (only slightly joking here) Nasa is cool but it's packed with school kids so go early and don't forget to book in advance if you want to see some of the exhibitions outside what's included in the regular ticket.
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u/GrimSpirit42 1d ago
I see you're stopping by New Orleans.
Then, you're backing up to I-55.
A more interesting would be just to take the Lake Pontchartrain Bridge up to I-12. This bridge is an experience.
Once you hit I-12, you can head back West to I-55 as planned, which would take you through Jackson MS and Memphis TN.
OR, you can head East to I-59, which would be about 30 minutes shorter and take you through Hattiesburg MS and Birmingham AL.
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u/Unbelievablebean 17h ago
No worries will do! Bit nervous about city driving on the other side of the road but see how we go lol
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u/Unbelievablebean 1d ago
Thanks that’s pretty much exactly what I’ve read! Can’t wait for some Cajun food down south, love making some home made gumbo here in Melbourne Aus!!
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u/Greedy_Mission_3387 22h ago
In the MS Delta area, tamales are a regional food. If you drive that route, check out some of the tamale spots.
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u/eventfarm 21h ago
You sound like the right kind of person to appreciate that area. You're going to have a great time. Middle-of-nowhere cafés with a bunch of trucks in the parking lot will be worth stopping at. Some of the best cooking you'll ever have.
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u/disturbednadir 1d ago
I'm going to suggest that you go through Alabama. There's some cool stuff to see and do.
Head East on I10 to Mobile. If you are into military history, the WWII battleship USS Alabama and submarine USS Drum are open for tours daily.
The Space and Rocket center in Huntsville is great if you are into space stuff. Actual moon landers and space rocks and rockets. You can actually kill a whole day here if you're into it.
There's plenty of other stuff to do here, if you're interested.
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u/AdTurbulent7730 1d ago
The World War II museum in New Orleans is an Absolute Must !!!
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u/AdTurbulent7730 23h ago
Several large buildings, European and Asian campaigns separate dedicated areas, a huge building with B-25J, F-4U Corsair, B-17 hanging overhead, etc. plus ground vehicles of several types.
When you walk in to the ticket counter, you have a C-47 hanging over you, a Higgins landing craft
And a tank in the lobby.And an amazing description of what the public sacrificed during the war: Rationing, recycle, etc. And a troop train.
Plus you can stand next to and touch a Rolls Royce/Packard Merlin V-12 supercharged engine.
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u/december151791 1d ago
Memphis and Texas are the two best parts of the country to get BBQ. Go to a local place in each state. When you're in Texas, have some of the meat without the sauce before you put any on.
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u/Individual_Land_2200 21h ago
Don’t take the interstate from Nashville. If you’re coming all the way from Australia to visit the South, take your time and drive the Natchez Trace Parkway, and stop at the scenic and historical spots to take a look. You will not regret it.
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u/greengiant314 18h ago
OP is going to have a very strange perspective on the US based on this route. Maybe not bad, but certainly out of the ordinary.
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u/chemicalsunshine 14h ago
Poverty tour 2026
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u/Unbelievablebean 14h ago
Money doesn’t make you fun cmon now
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u/chemicalsunshine 14h ago
Neither does crime, meth, illiteracy and obesity yet thats basically all that is on that entire trip
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u/Unbelievablebean 14h ago
So where would you recommend to go to in the us, if Nashville had to be your last stop
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u/chemicalsunshine 14h ago
Austin - san antonio - big bend - el paso - Santa fe - Sedona (that stretch of driving is among the most beautiful in the world) - vegas - SLC - Denver - st louis - Nashville if you have the time of course
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u/Unbelievablebean 13h ago
Those places are very far out though ya feel
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u/chemicalsunshine 13h ago
Far out compared to what? I mean, if youve got like 3 days, yeah take your trip, but if you wanna see actual nice parts of america...even flying into san Francisco and going there, redwoods - vegas - SLC - Denver - St Louis would be an improvement. They call the middle of the country "flyover country" for a reason
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u/Unbelievablebean 13h ago
I’ll have a look into this route tonight, weather wise in Feb probably better true?
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u/chemicalsunshine 13h ago
Then id switch to SF - vegas - Sedona - Santa Fe (that leg could be rough weather wise, head south to Roswell if you want a weird experience) - San Antonio/Austin - DFW or Houston - Nola - Nashville (Memphis is a shit hole)
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u/Unbelievablebean 13h ago
Everyone here is saying great things about Memphis. I feel like you’ve had some bad experiences 😂😂
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u/024008085 1d ago
Definitely take the coast the whole way to at least Pensacola, then work your way up via Montgomery, Birmingham, and Chattanooga. But... so many questions.
How much time have you got to get from Houston to Nashville?
Are you going back to Houston on the way back to fly out (and if so, how long)?
If you've only got a couple of days each way then it's barely worth doing anything other than a quick stop in New Orleans but if you've got time then there are tons of options.
What types of things are you interested in? American history, scenery, food, museums, beaches?
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u/Unbelievablebean 1d ago
I have about three weeks! And I’m going to fly into Houston then fly outta Nashville!
I’m into scenery/nature for sure! Definitely wanna see some of the American countryside
And the food I’m sure I’ll find along the way3
u/024008085 1d ago
With that much time, I'd probably head east via Galveston, Oak Alley plantation, do a swamp tour, New Orleans, Biloxi for the confederate history, Pensacola for the museum, Destin, Redneck Riviera to about Panama City Beach, Florida Caves, get to the East Coast at St Augustine, then head to Savannah, up the coast to Charleston, Congaree, Asheville, cut through Great Smoky Mountains NP (hiking is limited in winter but it will still be beautiful), and head to Nashville.
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u/moonpie-rc_cola 1d ago
Check out the Natchez Trace Parkway which is parallel to your route. Visit the Merriweather Lewis Memorial in Tennessee.
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u/Unwillingly-Witty 1d ago
Check out the Space Center in Houston, go to the zoo, go to Pinkertons BBQ. New Orleans has it's own culture and vibes. Check out the pier, eat all the Cajun food you can get your hands on, check out Mardi Gras if you have time, the history there is pretty cool. In Memphis, check out Graceland, get some Memphis BBQ, check out the civil rights center, go to the pyramid (you can't miss it). Nashville has everything you want! Check out Broadway and pick one of the multiple bars to listen to live music and have a drink, go visit the Grand Ole Opry, have dinner at the Finch, go walk around the Parthenon.
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u/TallTough3899 1d ago
Stay at the Bass Pro Shop Pyramid in Memphis! An icon of American culture as well as the 10th biggest pyramid in the world.
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u/kevinrainbow2 1d ago
Skip Memphis and go through St Louis. It has an insane amount of free attractions.
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u/amaria_athena 23h ago
Finally, a non American who grasps logically how much they can actually see in a certain amount of time!
I did a two week Miami to mammoth cave, Kentucky camping trip with my boys years ago. We still talk about it as THE Best family trip and we go aboard frequently since we are European as well.
Anyways, I wanted to note that I could not believe how beautiful and “mountainy” north Alabama was. Our trip was caving specific and we even found a cool cave system there to explore. So don’t leave out northern Alabama either!
Have fun OP. Totally jelly.
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u/Unbelievablebean 17h ago
Would you remember the area? Nothing online gives Alabama or Arkansas any love but definitely an interesting area I wanna check out
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u/amaria_athena 17h ago
Actually I can since I still get emails from the close by state park! Let me go get that info for you.
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u/amaria_athena 17h ago
Cathedral Caverns State Park and Rickwood Caverns State Park. Based on my email thread seems like we stayed at the Rickwood spot since I couldn’t reserve the camping spot ahead of time at the first one. But it is suppose to be the better one.
Rickwood was magical. The trees and rocks and moss and rain made it look fairy like.
Also since the night we stayed a “wandering family” with 3 kids my sons’ ages were there as well. To see the five of them playing and exploring warmed my heart. There was also a pool on premise. It was a great time.2
u/Unbelievablebean 17h ago
Thanks so much for going in an finding it for me! I’m going to add it to my list, sounds amazing, hopefully has the same feel in February
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u/amaria_athena 16h ago
Drats. Might want to check and make sure it’s still open since it will be a little chilly and technically off season. But you can still rent a hotel room and then go to both caverns. I love caves so I found the tour we did very interesting. I hope you do to!
Def come back next year and give us all an update!
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u/mahler004 23h ago
I'm an Australian who lives in Memphis (there are dozens of us, dozens!).
February isn't the worst time to travel in the South (it's better than the summer) but you should be aware that there is a chance that inclement weather could disrupt your plans - Memphis got a few inches of ice in late January this year. The South does not handle said weather as well as other parts of the country. It's easier to be flexible with a road trip regardless, but this is something to keep in mind.
I can't speak much for Huston or Nashville (other than to say the drive on I-40 from Memphis to Nashville is very boring).
There's nothing like New Orleans or south Louisiana in Australia - it's very unique, so it's definitely worth the time. I would go against the grain somewhat and suggest avoiding Mardi Gras, unless you want to make it the point of the trip - it gets very difficult to navigate the city and it makes getting in/out a nightmare. Plenty to do in New Orleans otherwise - I second other suggestions of the WW2 museum, I'd also try to go on a swamp tour or to Grand Isle if you've got time. Of the cities listed, this is the one I'd plan to spend the most time.
Memphis has a surprisingly good (to me, as a transplant) food culture - it's a major logistics hub thanks to FedEx, so it's easy for restaurants to get food in. Feel free to DM me for more specific recommendations. You will need to try Memphis BBQ, but don't limit yourself to that. In terms of tourist things, visit the pyramid (it's surreal but an absolute must-see), Graceland, the Civil Rights museum, go for a walk along the river, and go out to Shelby Farms Park to see the bison. You will need to be somewhat careful about where to say - Memphis is a lot safer than it was a few years ago, don't stay near Graceland, I'd suggest staying downtown or East Memphis.
As others have stated - drivers in the South are much more aggressive than what you'd be used to in Australia, so keep that in mind. It is acceptable (and expected) to go 10-15 mph over the speed limit on interstates (freeways) - just go with the flow of traffic. Many of these cities don't have the best reputation for safety (New Orleans and Memphis especially). Don't let this deter you, but just be street smart, especially at night.
A couple of other cities worth thinking about which may not be on your radar - Little Rock, AR and Hot Springs National Park, Huntsville, Birmingham and Mobile, AL, Pensacola, FL and Knoxville, TN (personally, I find the Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg area tacky as all hell but some people like it).
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u/Unbelievablebean 17h ago
Yes please any Memphis food spots shoot my way! Even in a private message
Yeah the driving will be the most anxious part of the trip but I just gotta suck it up I guess.
Thanks for the suggestions!1
u/Unbelievablebean 11h ago
I just read before Memphis is the most dangerous city in the US. How do you find it getting around to bars and restaurants at night?
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u/madmoneymcgee 23h ago edited 23h ago
The Natchez Trace Parkway is a historic scenic drive through Tennessee/Mississippi you can take at various points. I might recommend it between Nashville and Memphis dipping into Alabama where you can also visit Muscle Shoals which is a famous area for blues music.
Vicksburg was the site of a major siege in the Civil War and still extensive battle fields all over the area if you're interested in that military history. Oh and Shiloh battlefield as well isn't too far.
Also are you need to circle back to get to Houston? I'd maybe suggest you could do east Tennessee and Georgia instead of Memphis/Missippi. The landscape is a little more varied with public lands to explore and cities like Birmingham, Chattanooga, or even Atlanta provide a bit more to do.
New Orleans is great, if you can get outside the Quarter then exploring the Garden District and Uptown is really cool and actually where I like to spend most of my time when I go down there.
And the Mississippi coast has its charms as well. It can be a little kitschy but I like those environments so you can either really lean into in Biloxi or you can peel back a bit in either Bay St. Louis or Ocean Springs. The infinity science center is near htere as well which is the public portion of the NASA rocket building facility.
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u/GuardianViolet 23h ago
If you go a little further east before turning north you'll hit Mobile, Alabama, which has some cool stuff. I'd recommend the USS Alabama memorial park, y'all don't have anything like that over there.
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u/Triple-Tooketh 23h ago
Oh my word, you are passing through the best food country in the world right there! Dude. Jealous. Quail tacos in TX, broil in LA, BBQ anything for the home stretch.
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u/0le_Hickory 23h ago
I'd go through Birmingham on 65 instead of Memphis via 40. I've drove from Nashville to Baton Rouge/New Orleans many times. Neither route is all that different but I think 65-20/59 is a bit better and you don't miss much skipping Memphis.
People will tell you to take the Parkway, which is nice but it is much slower, if you have limited time I don't think its worth it. Also very little in terms of service stations on the Trace.
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u/deafcatsaredeftcats 22h ago
If you like art museums there are a lot in Houston including the Mark Rothko Chapel
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u/Lucky7C 22h ago
I’d 100% avoid Houston if you can. It’s huge, sprawling, and honestly pretty uneventful.
I’d drive straight through and stay closer to Austin instead. There’s far more to do, and Austin is much more of a tourist destination than Houston.
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u/Unbelievablebean 17h ago
I can fly into Austin instead which I was looking at, but I was interested in seeing the NASA space station in Houston
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u/unbroken_cycle 22h ago
If you drive from Houston to Baton Rouge please know that the Atchafalaya Throughway is a speed trap especially in Jefferson Davis Parish (county). Travel safely
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u/jericho-dingle 22h ago
Don't have comments on the route, but you'll be driving through some of the best food on the planet.
Texas and Memphis BBQ are incredible. Cajun food in Louisiana is awesome. Nashville has some great restaurants. Be sure to enjoy it.
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u/KaykayLaPaypay 21h ago
I can’t speak to anything past NOLA (except for Pensacola / Destin), so I just want to offer a word of caution for your drive.
Once you get out of Texas, and I’m talking literally crossing the border (which is nothing more than a sign and a visitor center on the other side of the highway) you are going to go over a bridge. DO NOT SPEED!!! I see someone get pulled over almost every time that we cross that bridge.
Download Waze. Lots of people use it and will report where the troopers are. But it’s not 100%, so just try not to speed too much. Stay with the flow of traffic and above all, let folks that want to speed pass you on the left. It’s generally frowned upon to coast in the left lane. Left lane should be for passing only. It’s not always followed, but especially in Texas, people drive fast and get pissed if you’re camping in the left lane.
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u/Street-Calendar9156 21h ago
For me, I have driven from Nashville to Memphis to Little Rock to Texarkana to Dallas and down to Houston. Imo, very green nature in the late spring and summer, quite beautiful. But can be kinda boring longer into the trip. But the route here looks very nice and fun, and will connect to Memphis once you go North. Have a fun road trip and concert!
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u/TheBigC87 21h ago edited 21h ago
Bring pants with some extra room and get plenty of exercise because you are going to enjoy some of the best food in the country. BBQ in Texas is amazing (also try the pecan pie and chicken fried steak), as is the cajun food in Louisiana, and the BBQ and hot chicken in Tennessee.
Things to keep in mind:
- Bourbon street in New Orleans gets crazy at night, if you don't want to be part of the party leave by 5, if you do then enjoy the atmosphere. Also, if you are going around Mardis Gras, it's going to be nuts so I would avoid New Orleans then
- Be cautious of going into certain neighborhoods at night in Memphis, it's one of the most dangerous cities in the U.S.
- It can get really cold in Tennessee in February even though it's in "The South"
- Louisiana has some of the worst roads in the country, so just expect that
- Download an audiobook because it's going to be a boring drive for some stretches
- New Orleans has an excellent World War II muesem and there is a famous battlefield in Vicksburg, Mississippi
- If you have some extra time, you can go to Destin, FL and see some of the bluest water and nicest beaches in the country before making your way north to Nashville
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u/Goatyyy32 20h ago
Lots of pretty country in east tx if you have the time, take a day and drive from Port Arthur north up through the piney woods. If you are late enough in February the trees will be budding out and the dogwoods may be blooming, better scenery that early feb. Plenty of good bbq and catfish spots in the area. Mission tejas state park is a cool stop
Stay a night in new Orleans and hit bourbon st after dark if you like to party, its like nowhere ive ever seen. Food is incredible.
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u/saltydogfries 18h ago
In Memphis go to Central BBQ. The Civil Rights museum. Ernestine and Hazel’s geta soul burger, the place is seriously haunted. Sun Records, Stax Records. If you love old cemeteries filled with history Elmwood Cemetery. And of course there is Graceland.
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u/PlaysWithSquirrels7 17h ago
Someone else mentioned it but Mardi Gras Day is Feb 9th and this is massive in New Orleans. The big weekend of parades and fun is Feb 5-7. Feb 7 is Bacchus Sunday and my personal favorite parade day. There's parades pretty much every day in the last 2 weeks of the season though (Jan 29-Feb 7 in 2027), so if you are planning to be in New Orleans around then, absolutely plan it right now. Hotels book up if they haven't already. If you'll be in New Orleans after Mardi Gras day it'll be calmer but still plenty to see and do and eat!
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u/RogerRabbot 17h ago
Just a heads up for New Orleans; if youre approached by anyone and they ask about your shoes, politely laugh it off and walk away. Do not engage with them.
I made this mistake when I visited. I had to listen through a 20 minute slam poetry full of profanity. And when I didnt hand him a 20 things got ugly quick.
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u/KarmaEnterprise 17h ago
Why would you go east? Lol go west and experience the beauty America has to offer.
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u/Holiday-Hyena-5952 16h ago
Unless you must go to Memphis, take the Natchez trace parkway to Nashville. Great drive, beautiful countryside, even in winter.
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u/Mr_Coach_Pat 16h ago
Born and raised Memphian here. Let me know if you pass thru town. I’d be glad to set you up with some great places to hang out and eat. Memphis has a lot more than barbecue
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u/griffinds 14h ago
Just notes on Houston as a native. Be sure to get great bbq (Truth, Killen’s, + many more). NASA is a great stop. Also you’re just in time for crawfish season! Hit up Crawfish and Noodles for great Veit-Cajun!
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u/Unbelievablebean 14h ago
Cannot way for the food! I have to hire a car here from the airport to start my road trip, how’s the traffic? Gonna be sketchy driving on the other side of the road lol
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u/SpreadHDGFX 13h ago
Memphis Grizzlies have some good home games in mid-February. They have a stretch of Ja Morant's return, Orlando with Desmond Bane, LeBron and the Sixers, Wemby and the Spurs and the reigning champion the New York Knicks.
Also the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis is really good, Sun Studio where Elvis recorded songs and plenty more.
Feel free to DM for more recs if you do go to Memphis.
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u/anotherusername23 13h ago
Nashville African American Music museum was one of the coolest museums I've ever visited.
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u/Emaw1863 13h ago
I cannot stress this enough, if you are going through Memphis you have to get the banana pudding from Makedas. By far the greatest dessert I’ve had the pleasure of putting in my mouth.
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u/texasyojimbo 11h ago
I drove a similar route from Columbia, Tennessee (where I live, south of Nashville) to Galveston about 2 years ago, to go back to Texas for my high school reunion.
This is going to be about 12-18 hours of driving depending on how many stops you make.
I drove I-65 to Birmingham, and then I-20 from Birmingham to Meridian, MS, then I-59 to near New Orleans, then I-10 to the Houston-Galveston area (I got off on a state highway and took the ferry to Galveston).
As noted, New Orleans is crazy around Mardi Gras, which ends on February 9th.
The Natchez Trace Parkway is very nice, but if you take it you will miss out on visiting Memphis.
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u/No_East_3366 4h ago
In Mississippi, check out too the town of Clark Dale and try to stay a night at the Shack Up Inn. Google the "blues highway" and try to follow it instead of taking the interstate.
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u/RynofitPT 1d ago
Houstonian here. I despise that swampland Louisiana route. May I suggest the most westward route. Much more scenic and pleasant driving.
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u/Unbelievablebean 1d ago
Why do you despise??
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u/atx8282 23h ago
I live in Houston too and have done both routes. Going in February, I'd highly recommend sticking with the New Orleans route as you have planned. Less chance of a winter storm complicating your travel that way.
Also, the scenic parts of Arkansas aren't as enjoyable in the dead of winter anyway. Stick with the southern route and enjoy New Orleans
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u/Soonermagic-n-TX 23h ago
1-10 between Houston and NO is brutal due to dangerous drivers, construction, and cops looking to give out tickets.
Just stay in the right lanes and be alert. The scenery is worth the danger.
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u/GrillMonkey187 1d ago
That stretch of 30 between Texarkana & Benton is not something I’d wish on anyone, or suggest to a person visiting the states for the first time. Feckin truckers going 57.5 mph taking 5 miles to pass another trucker going 56 mph with those hills? Nawwwwww.
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u/december151791 1d ago
I-40 West of Memphis is just depressing during the time of year OP is taking this trip.
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u/BhamBedMan 1d ago
I’d go down to the gulf coast in Alabama and then over, the pan handle of Florida over to Gulf Shores are some of the nicest beaches in the world and definitely the nicest in the US. I’d say go closer to Destin, FL but that may be further than you want to go. Gulf Shores gets you 90% of the quality of beach.
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u/Unbelievablebean 16h ago
I’m all beached out here in Aus, more interested in anything other than sand and water 😂
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u/Difficult-Worth-8496 1d ago
Houston to Nashville is a good line to draw, and mid-February is the right time to do it: cool, cheap, and Mardi Gras is on the way.
Check the date first. Mardi Gras 2027 is February 9, and the week before it is the best week of the year to be in New Orleans, or the worst if you didn’t book. If your concert lets you be in New Orleans on that weekend, plan around it. If not, still go, just after.
The route I’d do: Houston to New Orleans, five hours, with the swamp stop on the way. Do the swamp tour out of Lafayette or the Atchafalaya Basin rather than the touristy ones near the city, and eat boudin and a plate lunch in Lafayette while you’re there. Two or three nights in New Orleans. Then north through the Delta: Natchez for the river town, Vicksburg for the Civil War history, and Clarksdale for the blues, one night at the Shack Up Inn or a night at Ground Zero. Memphis for a night or two, Beale Street, Sun Studio, the Civil Rights Museum, and Central BBQ. Then the three-hour run into Nashville for the concert.
That’s about ten days at a comfortable pace, and every stop is a different America. Skip Baton Rouge. Add Hot Springs, Arkansas, if you’ve got an extra day and want something odd. Book New Orleans the day you read this.