No U.S. bucket list is complete without a road trip through the American Southeast. Known for its music, eats, history and culture, this region offers unique experiences you won’t find anywhere else in the world. Have we convinced you yet? Hit the open road in an RV rental to explore some of the most iconic cities in the country. Here are a few of our favorite road trip stops. 

Nashville

Music City U.S.A. is home to American staples like the Grand Ole Opry and the Country Music Hall of Fame, making it one of our top, must-see cities. 

True country music lovers can dance the night the night away on Honky Tonk Highway. These bars are known across the country for their live music, dancing and lack of a cover charge. Bands often pass a tip jar through the crowd as “payment” for the show, adding to the eclectic Nashville experience.

However, there is more to Nashville than country music. Explore memorabilia from all genres of music at Jack White’s Third Man Records store. Full of unique finds, you could spend hours perusing antiques, taking photos in the vintage photo booth or recording your own track on a souvenir phonograph disc.  

Once you’ve finished your music adventures, it’s time to eat some grub. The south is famous for its good eats and Nashville is no exception. If you’re looking for fried chicken, Prince’s Hot Chicken Shack is the spot to hit. For more than 70 years, this joint has been serving up chicken to the masses and has even garnered a James Beard Award.  
If you go: check out the Grand Ole RV Resort and Market - with 106 campsites and wide array of amenities, this is a great place to call home while you explore Music City. 
 

Make sure to snap a selfie in front of the Wall of Sound in Nashville. Photo by Dylan Mullins on Unsplash

Memphis 

Once you’ve experienced everything Music City has to offer, head over to Memphis. Within a day’s drive from Nashville in your RV rental, this city is a beer drinker’s paradise. Home to six local breweries, visitors can jump on a bike downtown or hop on the Memphis Brew Bus to take a tour of each. 

Memphis is also known as the birthplace of rock ‘n’ roll. While a visit to Graceland is a must for any music fan, there are plenty of lesser-known spots to hit. For example, no trip is complete without a visit to an old school juke joint. Self-proclaimed dive bar, Earnestine and Hazel’s is a popular spot for good food, cold beers and dancing to loud music played from a jukebox. 

If you go: check out Tom Sawyer’s RV Park – more than three dozen pull-though campsites sit along the Mississippi River, making for spectacular views and great fishing. 
 

No trip to Memphis would be complete without a visit to Graceland, home of Elvis Presley.

Chattanooga

This Tennessee city has made a name for itself in recent years as a top destination for young, creative travelers. Full of classic southern charm, the laid-back atmosphere allows you to explore the city at your own pace. 

Chattanooga is known for its budding Bluff View Art District. This neighborhood is just a short walk from downtown and features shops full of handmade crafts, sidewalk art installations, Rembrandt’s Coffee House and local restaurants.

Before you leave, you’ll want to make sure to stop by the country’s oldest distillery, Jack Daniel’s – this is Tennessee after all. Take a guided tour and taste some of the world’s finest Tennessee whiskey.

If you go: check out the Raccoon Mountain Caverns & Campground - home to Tennessee's highest rated cave, this site offers plenty of breathtaking mountain views and activities the whole family will enjoy. 

Whiskey lovers will thoroughly enjoy a tour of the Jack Daniel’s Distillery. 

New Orleans 

Known for its annual Mardi Gras celebration, New Orleans has long been a destination for travelers from across the globe. Yet, there is still so much more to this city than the French Quarter or Bourbon Street. Instead, take the road less traveled, quite literally, with a stroll down Frenchmen Street with its endless array of live music, bars and restaurants. 

New Orleans is also a foodie hot spot with iconic dishes like po’ boys, chargrilled oysters and beignets. The po’ boy is one of the city’s signature dishes and there is a whole festival devoted to it. If you find yourself in New Orleans in early November, be sure to check out the Oak Street Po Boy Festival. For delicious seafood, visit the Acme Oyster House in the French Quarter. You can’t miss its signature neon signs, an iconic beacon for those looking for evening eats. There’s no better place to try a beignet than at Café Du Monde. Founded in 1862, they’ve been serving up chicory coffee and French pastries to NOLA guests for more than 150 years. 

If you go: check out Pontchartrain Landing – situated on the waterfront, this resort and RV park is only minutes away from the French Quarter and features on onsite restaurant and marina. 
 

Try one of the oh-so-delectable beignets from Café de Monde in New Orleans – your taste buds will thank you. 

Baton Rouge

Once you’ve had a chance to explore the excitement of the Big Easy, head to Louisiana’s capital, Baton Rouge. Located just 80 miles from New Orleans, this beautiful city exhibits a diverse range of architectural eras, including the Art Deco-inspired state capitol building and a taste of the Italian Renaissance period seen throughout Louisiana State University’s campus. Be sure to tailgate a game during the university’s athletic seasons in your camper van rental in Baton Rouge. 

Baton Rouge also boasts a great local brewery, Tin Roof Brewing, and distillery, Cane Land Distilling Company. Tin Roof is a great spot to visit with friends and try some brews. They even host yoga on select days. If you plan to try the variety of spirits available at Louisiana’s only estate distillery, you’ll need to book a reservation in advance. 
 
If you go: check out the Baton Rouge KOA – the campground features paved roads, concrete pull-through sites, convenient access to nearby attractions … and even a miniature golf course. 

Tailgate like a pro at Louisiana State University’s football stadium in your Cruise America RV Rental. 

Adventure Is Just a Drive Away

At Cruise America, we specialize in helping our customers build experiences that will last them a lifetime.  With convenient RV rental locations across North America, your next adventure is just a drive away.