They say all roads lead to Rome, but when it comes to music, they take a detour through America's Deep South. The land of big bands, the blues, jazz, country, bluegrass, gospel choirs and more is a fascinating melting pot of cultures, history and musical milestones. All of this is combinable in one toe-tapping road trip, and we'd always recommend delving deeper into the Deep South. Read on for our list of the top six things to do in the Deep South...
- Tour the National Civil Rights Museum, Memphis
- Explore Natchez, Mississippi
- Fly Over Bayou Country
- Sample the Local Delicacies
- Hike in the Great Smoky Mountains
- Learn About Creole Culture
1
Tour the National Civil Rights Museum, Memphis
The National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, and the fight for said rights, are as relevant today as when Dr Martin Luther King was assassinated on this spot in 1968. Take a tour of a museum (once a motel) that looks at the movement through the prism of MLK's cultural contribution and its continuing impact, ending up on the very balcony where he was killed.
2
Explore Natchez, Mississippi
Built with slave-owners' ill gotten-gains, Natchez was the richest town in the USA until the American Civil War. No surprise then that the antebellum houses that make up the town are some of the most extravagant and beautiful in America. Eminently walkable, we recommend adding this historic town to your list of things to do in the Deep South.
3
Fly Over Bayou Country
For a different perspective on the Deep South, take a float plane trip from New Orleans, flying over the fabled French Quarter, the winding Mississippi River and Louisiana's sprawling bayou swamps. Swoop down to land in the waterways of the Barataria Preserve to spot alligators, before digging into some good ol' plantation jambalaya (meat and rice stew).
4
Sample the Local Delicacies
For a true taste of Southern culture, one of the best things to do in the Deep South is get stuck into their (rich and hearty) foodie traditions. To sample the best beignets (deep-fried pastry and icing sugar, enough said) in the 'Big Easy', head away from the tourist joints to Morning Call Coffee Stand. Rules do apply: be prepared to jostle, be ready to order when it's your turn, and don't expect to hang around afterwards – dilly-dallying is severely frowned upon.
5
Hike in the Great Smoky Mountains
To appreciate the Deep South beyond its cities, head to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, an outdoorsy-type's paradise with more 'sixers' (peaks above 6,000ft) than anywhere else in Tennessee and North Carolina (two fairly hilly states). Pull on your hiking boots and walk the four-mile circular Chimney Tops Trail, with its multiple stream crossings and rock scramble climax, culminating in epic views.
6
Learn About Creole Culture
Following in the footsteps of a local on a city tour is one of the best things to do in the Deep South. Get to know New Orleans with the help of a born and bred Creole resident and tour guide, who is bubbling with tales about seemingly every corner of the city. Walk off some of your inevitable foodie overindulgence with him, taking in everything from the New Orleans Museum of Art to the mausoleums of the city's early residents.
