Wiyum
Established
I was born in New Orleans, raised outside of Nashville, and I've lived in Chattanooga and Atlanta for a time as well. Here's what my advice would be:
Rent a car. Traveling by bus would be way too slow, too much of a hassle, and it wouldn't help you get around within the places you'll be visiting, most of which will be spread out and only traversable by car.
You'll be fine if you wear a smile, show enthusiasm, and refer to adults as "sir" and "ma'am." That's how they raise folks down there, and it is expected merely as a sign of mutual respect.
If you want to watch any movies to prepare you, I'd begin and end with David Gordon Green's first two films, "George Washington" and "All The Real Girls." They show the real South, verifying certain stereotypes but moving well past them, and certainly represent the South I grew up in.
Visit small and mid-sized towns. Crossville, Cookeville, and Johnson City, TN are all good middle-sized ones. I wish I could recommend my longtime home of Franklin, TN, just south of Nashville, but it has gentrified well beyond having much of its character anymore, sadly. Its historic downtown district has, in the past decade, changed from a postcard preservation of 50s era South to a modern commercial district with all the boutiques and chains modern comforts demand. As far as cities go, I'd say you begin in Savannah, and certainly hit Atlanta or North Carolina's Triangle, Chattanooga, Nashville, Memphis, and New Orleans. Maybe I'm biased, but that'd be the route I'd take.
Eat as much local food as you can. The barbecue will be amazing and varied along any route you construct. Should you visit Memphis, make sure to visit Mason, TN, nearby, and visit Gus' World Famous Fried Chicken. It truly is the best chicken in the world. I know a few NYC chefs take a nearly annual pilgrimage to Gus' to remind them what it is they're shooting for when they fry a bird.
But I'd agree with everyone else: save for the few cities you decide to hit, I'd avoid interstates and stick to small towns. You'll have a great time no matter what route you take.
Rent a car. Traveling by bus would be way too slow, too much of a hassle, and it wouldn't help you get around within the places you'll be visiting, most of which will be spread out and only traversable by car.
You'll be fine if you wear a smile, show enthusiasm, and refer to adults as "sir" and "ma'am." That's how they raise folks down there, and it is expected merely as a sign of mutual respect.
If you want to watch any movies to prepare you, I'd begin and end with David Gordon Green's first two films, "George Washington" and "All The Real Girls." They show the real South, verifying certain stereotypes but moving well past them, and certainly represent the South I grew up in.
Visit small and mid-sized towns. Crossville, Cookeville, and Johnson City, TN are all good middle-sized ones. I wish I could recommend my longtime home of Franklin, TN, just south of Nashville, but it has gentrified well beyond having much of its character anymore, sadly. Its historic downtown district has, in the past decade, changed from a postcard preservation of 50s era South to a modern commercial district with all the boutiques and chains modern comforts demand. As far as cities go, I'd say you begin in Savannah, and certainly hit Atlanta or North Carolina's Triangle, Chattanooga, Nashville, Memphis, and New Orleans. Maybe I'm biased, but that'd be the route I'd take.
Eat as much local food as you can. The barbecue will be amazing and varied along any route you construct. Should you visit Memphis, make sure to visit Mason, TN, nearby, and visit Gus' World Famous Fried Chicken. It truly is the best chicken in the world. I know a few NYC chefs take a nearly annual pilgrimage to Gus' to remind them what it is they're shooting for when they fry a bird.
But I'd agree with everyone else: save for the few cities you decide to hit, I'd avoid interstates and stick to small towns. You'll have a great time no matter what route you take.
