Post #180060 by Mai Tai on Tue, Aug 16, 2005 12:45 PM

Hey Jab, I've done this trip twice, but in reverse order, from Florida through Georgia and then Tenessee. Here's some of my comments, for what they're worth.

Maria and I were very disappointed with Nashville. We figured that we'd spend at least a couple of days there. We ended up spending almost a full day day there, and then headed off to greener pastures. We liked Memphis much more, we'd recommend that over Nashville. We were on a cross country road trip for several months, and the best bbq we ate (and is still unmatched) was at the Blues City Cafe on Beale St, right across the street from B.B. King's club. And everyone said that it was Memphis' second best bbq - but the best bbq place kept weird hours, and closed for the day after lunch, so we were unable to make it.

The Jack Daniels Distillery tour in Lynchberg TN is a hoot! We went on this for both trips. And the drive through the Tenessee countryside is beautiful!

In Georgia, try to squeeze in a trip to Athens, GA - it's on your way to Atlanta. That was a great stop for us as well. Eat at Weaver D's "Automatic For The People" Soul Food Restaurant. There's a great record shop there, Wuxtry Records, and of course the 40 Killowatt Club, where countless bands like the B-52's and R.E.M. have been discovered (but I'm sure you already knew that).

On the way from Athens to Atlanta, make sure you stop off at Stone Mountain, which is outside of Atlanta. It's a big park, where they have the confederate generals from the civil war carved into the stone mountain, basically the South's version of Mt. Rushmore. Every evening during the summer, they project a laser light show onto the mountain, and it's all synchronized to music - you'll get to hear all of the rebel yells when they play "Dixie". Stone Mountain has a large campground, and a lake with Mark Twain style steam paddle boats.

You've got Atlanta nailed down. Check out the original Krispy Kreme doughnut shop if you get a chance, although it's in the 'hood. Also, World Of Coca Cola is in Atlanta.

An absolute must in Savannah is breakfast or lunch at Mrs. Wilke's Boarding House. We ended up eating there almost every day!!! They have a restaurant in the basement of this old boarding house for women. They serve up fantastic Southern breakfasts and lunches, all family style. You sit at a large table that seats around 16 people, and the waitresses bring out huge plates of fried chicken, corn on the cob, fried okra, potato salad, macaroni, corn bread, etc., and you just start passing plates around like it was Thanksgiving. By the time you leave, all of the strangers at your table will have become your friends.

Oh, and here's a good book to pick up before you leave. It's called "Where The Locals Eat", I don't remember the author, but it was fantastic, and their recommendations never failed to disappoint! Have fun on your trip!!! Can I come along too? :D