13 Day Music & History of the South Self Drive

Arrive in New Orleans, one of the most exotic cities in the world, famous for riverboats, jazz, Creole cuisine and a seemingly endless parade of festivals. The remainder of your evening is at leisure. Take this opportunity to enjoy dinner at one of New Orleans’ many famous Cajun or Creole restaurants. Spend the next two nights in New Orleans.
 

Enjoy a full day to explore New Orleans on your own. Walk around the Vieux Carre, popularly known as the French Quarter, a place of narrow streets, wonderful old buildings, and beautiful courtyards. Visit Jackson Square, Royal Street, Bourbon Street, and the many museums. Take a full day bayou and swamp tour or enjoy a riverboat cruise on the Mississippi (own expense).
 

Travel north to Jackson, the capital of Mississippi, where you can discover several historic sites that were significant in the civil rights movement. These include the Medgar Evers Home Museum, the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum, and the landmark Mississippi State Capitol building. Stay overnight in Jackson.
 

Today, head to Birmingham, known as the “Dinner Table of the South.” From America’s best barbecue to southern-influenced global dished from James Beard Award-winning chefs, Birmingham’s dining scene is one to relish. The city has four entertainment districts in the downtown area, Uptown, Five Points South, Avondale and Pepper Place with restaurants, bars, and music halls. Also, downtown is a network of parks, including the 10-city block CityWalk. As Alabama’s largest city there is plenty to see and do.
 

Full day to enjoy all that Birmingham has to offer when you include this area’s All-In-One attraction ticket (extra charge). More than ten attractions included including the world’s largest motorcycle  collection, an airplane museum, a railroad museum, 
the Birmingham Zoo, Alabama’s largest state  park, and five downtown Birmingham attractions  including U.S. Civil Rights sites, a science center, and the largest cast iron statue in the world, Vulcan.
 

Travel south to Montgomery, a historic city on the banks of the Alabama River with a very walkable downtown. Voted as the best historical city in the United Stated because of the events that happened related to the American Civil War and Civil Rights movement. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., lived and preached in Montgomery. Hank Williams played guitar on the streets, Rosa Parks walked, and Jefferson Davis was sworn in as president of the Confederates States of America. Driving Distance: 147 KM.
 

Explore the Montgomery region with the All-In-One attraction ticket package (extra charge) for this area that includes more than 10 museums and attractions for one price. Four of the attractions are within walking distance of any downtown Montgomery hotel, Civil Rights Memorial Center, Freedom Rides Museum, Hank Williams Museum, and the Rosa Parks Museum. Free to the public attractions include the Alabama State Capitol, the Alabama Museum and Alabama Artists Gallery. Three more Montgomery attractions in your ticket 
package are a short car ride, the W. A. Gayle Planetarium, Montgomery Zoo, Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald Museum. As an extra bonus, this ticket includes admission to several Civil Rights sites in Selma and a Vineyard outside of Tuskegee.
 

Travel to Gulf Shores/Orange Beach for a vacation along America’s best coastline. With white sand beaches and warm Gulf of Mexico waters there is no better place to relax than Alabama’s twin resorts cities. Gulf State Park, located between the two cities, offers 6,100 acres with 28 miles of paved trails, over 2 miles of sugar sand beaches, seven unique ecosystems and accommodations to suite a variety of travel styles. Beach bars, live music and great seafood can be found in the two resort cities that combined offer 51 km of enjoyable beaches.
Driving Distance: 309 KM.
 

Whether you’re in the mood for fun and adventure or lazy days on the beach, you can do it all in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. Stroll along the sugar-white sand or spot frolicking dolphins on a cruise. If you’re craving an adventure experience, cast your line into one of the country’s largest artificial fishing reefs during a deep-sea fishing trip. Buy the All-In-One attraction ticket package (optional extra charge) for this area and visit the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo, ride the Ferris Wheel at The Wharf and discover history when you explore the 200-year-old Fort Morgan. Driving Distance: 83 KM
 

It’s just a short drive to the historic port city of Mobile. Known as the birthplace of Mardi Gras in America, Mobile was founded in 1702 as the original capital of the Louisiana Territory. Mobile is a melting pot of people, flavors cultures and traditions. Stroll Bienville Square, named after the city’s founder, where you will find a wonderful city park square shrouded by trees with a light breeze. It is said Bienville’s housekeep first mixed an Africa fruit in a fish stew and the dish that was later called Gumbo was born. Another dish born in Mobile you should try is West Indies Salad made with crab meat and onions soaking in oil and vinegar. Attractions within walking distances are GulfQuest Maritime Museum, History Museum of Mobile & Fort Conde and the Conde Charlotte Museum. This area’s All-in-One attraction ticket package (optional extra charge) includes these  attractions and more for one price. Driving Distance: 83 KM.
 

Enjoy a full day exploring. A short drive from downtown Mobile are the Bragg-Mitchell Mansion and Oakleigh House, two antebellum homes; Bellingrath Gardens, one of the south’s best; the World War II USS Alabama Battleship, and Historic Blakely State Park, location of one of the last battles of the American Civil War These attractions are all included in your All-In-One Ticket package (optional extra charge). Minutes south of Mobile is Bayou La  Batre, the shrimping village mentioned in the book and movie, Forrest Gump, and scenic Dauphin Island where the Alabama Aquarium at Dauphin Island Sea Lab is located, also part of the ticket package.
 

Travel back to New Orleans to enjoy one more afternoon and night in one of the world’s most fascinating cities. Driving Distance:  230 KM.
 

Return your car at the airport before your departure flight.