Anyone been to New Orleans/graceland?

[Susan J]

A party of 4 adults 3 kids [ including me] want to land somewhere, hire a LUXURY [ and I meanLUXURY] RV and go to Memphis to Graceland, and onto New Orleans, and to the villa in Orlando from there.
Has naybody done anything similar, and can they recommend campsites/RV companies/ anything?
Thanks in advance

[Snapper]

I've done something similar but staying in motels instead of an RV. I love road trips.

Graceland is a really interesting day. The best recommendation is to leave plenty of time so that you can view the car collection and Elvis' private jets as well as Graceland itself.

New Orleans is a fantastic city, but I'm not sure how RV compatible it is. It's quite compact and parking might be an issue when you head into the city. You must visit Bourbon St. for a beer or two. Last time I was there a fantastic piano group was playing in the Howl At The Moon bar. The catfish at the Red Fish Grill is delicious. For something a bit more cajun try the Deja Vu.

The one thing I haven't yet found in New Orleans, surprisingly enough, is good barbecue ribs, or hardly any barbecue ribs. The best place for these is to head down to Beale St one night while you are up in Memphis. Mmmmmmmm. [msntongue]

I've driven to Orlando from both places. Figure something like 14 hours plus from Memphis (it's a long drive). New Orleans is a bit closer but from memory it's still about 11-12 hours.

You've now got me thinking that it's about time I went back there! [msnsmile2]

[Cruella DeVilla]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:[i]
The one thing I haven't yet found in New Orleans, surprisingly enough, is good barbecue ribs, or hardly any barbecue ribs. Mmmmmmmm. [msntongue]

[msnsmile2]
[/quote]

That's because they have all that healthy deep fried Southern cooking Steve! We had a jambalya for dinner tonight, all I need is some of those frozen cocktails and I could be in New Orleans instead of Floirda, still musn't grumble[8D].

Susan, we too have done both destinations on one trip but like Snapper we did it in a road/hotel trip. Started of in Atlanta (2) for a few days, then drove to Memphis (6), then Nashville (2), then down through Mississippi (1) onto New Orleans (5), up throuh Alabhama (1) and back to Georgia to fly home. (17 days in total).

Awesome trip but tiring. California is also a good road trip if you ever fancy that.

[chrizzy100]

I just love road trips......but its not hubbys thing......he is getting a bit fed up with me saying...I've been there..and I've been there all the time....so that may get him to travel by road more in the future.......[msnsmile2]

[karenhaworth]

We did a similar route to CDV in 2003. Fantastic experience and really enjoyed the variety of Music, Food and Sight Seeing.

Would do again given the opportunity

Colin

[Andy and Wendy]

Road trips are fantastic and the Southern States offers one of the best - CDV's route is a good one, but I'll bore you with one we did a few years back (may give you some ideas[msnsmile]......)

Started in Orlando then skipping along the top of the Panhandle onwards. Some great stops in Mobile (USS Alabama) and Biloxi (great beaches and loads of casinos - a big surprise).

Then onto New 'Awlins (not a typo, that's how the locals say it), and would confirm that an RV in downtown could be tricky.

Made it onto Texas - Galveston, Houston (NASA Mission Control), Dallas (Southfork Ranch (!), and downtown re JFK for Deeley Plaza and the 5th Floor Museum - spent hours in there as it was absolutely fascinating), then San Antonio (the Alamo and Riverwalk).

Then looped back via Arkansas (Bill C was still President then) to Tennessee. Nashville definitely worth a stop (Ryman Auditorium aka the original Grand Ole Opry) and then Memphis.

Have to say I love Memphis as it has such great character. You'll need a couple of days here as off the top of my head here are a few things to see -

- Graceland is great, even if a tad commercialised. Weird to think Elvis used to have such close neighbours as it is all quite built up around the house

- don't forget the Lorraine Motel in downtown Memphis - this is the Civil Rights Museum and became such in memoriam to Martin Luther King who was assassinated here. Really interesting stuff re the Civil Rights history. They have preserved his bedrooms just the way they were on the night he was shot - it still looks like a 1960's motel from the outside.

- Beale St at night - wow! Loads of music, food and a couple of beers.......

- Sun Studios in downtown - where Rock n' Roll was born. Have to say I think this pushes Graceland as No 1 must see in Memphis. If walls could talk....

- and don't forget the original "duck march" at the Peabody Hotel

- still trying to find where Al Green is resident preacher, but believe it's near Graceland somewhere

- and then there's the Memphis Belle on "Mud Island"

I could go on - I love Memphis[msnsmile2]

Then skipping back through Chattonooga (Lookout Mountain, and the Choo-Choo - now a hotel!)

Then to Atlanta - Coca Cola Exhibition - inc free Coke and more!, MLK re his house, church and tomb, plus old Olympic Stadium (now baseball).

Then Savannah (very atmospheric), back to Orlando, then back home to recover[msnsmile2]

A very long drive (we were over for 3 weeks), but fascinating - glad the cars have unlimited mileage[msnwink]

Enjoy!

Andy

[Cruella DeVilla]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Andy and Wendy
Road trips are fantastic and the Southern States offers one of the best - CDV's route is a good one, but I'll bore you with one we did a few years back (may give you some ideas[msnsmile]......)


- Graceland is great, even if a tad commercialised. Weird to think Elvis used to have such close neighbours as it is all quite built up around the house

- don't forget the Lorraine Motel in downtown Memphis - this is the Civil Rights Museum and became such in memoriam to Martin Luther King who was assassinated here. Really interesting stuff re the Civil Rights history. They have preserved his bedrooms just the way they were on the night he was shot - it still looks like a 1960's motel from the outside.

- Beale St at night - wow! Loads of music, food and a couple of beers.......

- Sun Studios in downtown - where Rock n' Roll was born. Have to say I think this pushes Graceland as No 1 must see in Memphis. If walls could talk....

- and don't forget the original "duck march" at the Peabody Hotel

- still trying to find where Al Green is resident preacher, but believe it's near Graceland somewhere

- and then there's the Memphis Belle on "Mud Island"

I could go on - I love Memphis[msnsmile2]


Andy
[/quote]

We did all these things too Andy plus the paddleship cruise, horse and cart ride and partied on Beale Street every night we were there (we had to go to Tennesse for a rest....not). We stayed at the Wyndham and it was fantastic. We really love Memphis. I was really surprised I was emotional at the Motel when you get to the bedroom[msneek] What about that woman that camps outside, she has been there for years....!

[Susan J]

THank you all - great info and very helpful - think we will go for it - Hubby fancied the RV thing [ myself I would rather wallow in luxury] but it should be fun. So I need a couple of nights in Atlanta, couple in Memphis, and couple in New Orleans, with stops imbetween?