Great Weekend Road Trips in the South

Fall travel is memorable if it's a weekend road trip with a vacation appeal. As it gets colder many head south where cold is a relative thing! There are several wonderful areas in the South to visit and here are a few that are worth the trip.

Nashville, Tennessee is always fun with country music at the forefront but so much more than just country music. Attend a performance of the Grand Old Opry or head downtown to the hot spots on Second or Broadway - there are many! From Tootsies to the Cadillac Ranch there's live music and dancing on tap. Many small novelty shops line the route as well and don't miss some good food at the Sportsgrille on 4^th with enough screens to see every play of the game and the horse races too, friendly staff and good food. As part of the Hilton this isn't your typical sports bar!

There are also many places in and around Nashville for the history buff from Civil War sites to music history to many other historical things to see and do. A wonderful zoo lures people to see the animals and photograph the tigers and other animals. As a lively city with much to see and do there are plenty of hotels and places to eat in the area.

Another wonderful fall getaway can be found on the other end of the state in the eastern hills of Tennessee as the colors turn on the trees. Whether you explore places like Dollywood or the many small towns that dot the area it's a chance to soak up the rural, unhurried way of life. Take things as they come!

Southwest of Nashville a couple hours is Savannah, where you can take in the fall colors by canoe on the small rivers or by the road. Historic Shiloh is worth a stop for American history enthusiasts as this was a major battle in the Civil War, preserved in song by Savannah native Darryl Worley. Cross into Mississippi and travel the slow pace of the Natchez Trace trail on down to Tupelo, proudly home of Elvis Presley. This area is rural America as many don't see it.

Another great destination especially for horse lovers is Lexington Kentucky and the fall is a great time to go. Visit the Kentucky Horse Park, Old Friends where retired race horses such as champion Black Tie Affair live and if you attend at the right time rub shoulders with the elite at one of the sales at Keeneland where a fall yearling sale and breeding stock sale attract buyers from around the world. This is the place to be for beautiful horses that may be the next generation of Thoroughbred royalty. Take a guided tour of farms.

The Lexington area is also great for history buffs and those who want the convenience of city but not the madness of it. A short drive away to Nicholasville is where entertainer John Michael Montgomery has a restaurant that has some of the best steaks and friendliest staff to make the trip worth it. Reasonable prices and - what else - country music!

These are places that don't cost a great deal to go to. Hotels in the area are reasonable especially in the fall season. The countryside is beautiful and the people are wonderful. Then there's the food - and you'll see why southern cooking has a reputation! Come to the south for a memorable weekend road trip or a full vacation in the south.