South eastern us trip advice

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Apr 1, 2013 | 12:47 PM

#11

tryus

Road Captain

Joined: Sep 2010

Posts: 514

Likes: 17

From: SW Mississippi

If you were to go roughly west from Memphis to Eureka Springs (not crowded), ride around there and then make your way down to Ouachita & Hot Springs (not crowded, not much to do), you could then head over to Malvern, and from there follow hwy's 9&8 to Warren, and 278 to cross the MS river at Greenville. Hwy 82 will then take you all the way across the state to Columbus, where you can get on the Natchez Trace at the beginning of it's prettiest part. The trace is 50mph (not 45), and it's a great way to get to Nashville. OR, you could go down through the heart of central AR & LA and come out on I-20 at Monroe, and east to Vicksburg, MS. The Natl Military Park is really something not to miss. Over to Jackson to catch the Natchez Trace, then up to Nashville. Then head east over to the Smokies. Sounds like a great trip, hope y'all like the "boring", uncrowded, rural South!

Apr 1, 2013 | 01:18 PM

#12

tryus

Road Captain

Joined: Sep 2010

Posts: 514

Likes: 17

From: SW Mississippi

As far a seeing the Gulf, LA doesn't have any beaches to speak of, nor does MS, that are accessible with vehicles. You'll have to go west of mobile, AL to view the beautiful white sand beaches of the Northern Gulf of Mexico. But, from Hot/Eureka Springs, I think you would really enjoy a quick trip straight down through LA/MS/AL to get to Spanish Fort, AL, which is just east across the bay from Mobile. Mobile is home to the WWII battleship ALABAMA, now a floating museum and a great self-guided tour. From Spanish Fort or Bay Minette across the bay, head south to Gulf Shores, AL, and hit the coast road, it'll follow the coast all the way to Pensacola. There you can visit the Pensacola Naval Air Station, which houses the Nat'l Aviation Museum. It's fabulous.

Apr 1, 2013 | 06:16 PM

#13

Grandslam

Road Warrior

Joined: Aug 2011

Posts: 1,314

Likes: 376

From: Mississippi

As reccomended, the aviation museum at Pensacoa is a really nice museum. If you check their website, you can watch the Blue Angels practice there. I understand you have to get there EARLY.

Apr 2, 2013 | 04:40 AM

#14

mcw999

Cruiser

Joined: Apr 2012

Posts: 194

Likes: 14

From: Florida

If you are into motorcycle museums, the Barber Motorsports Museum is worth a visit. ( barbermuseum.org ) 600+ bikes on display, 1200 in the entire collection, most all are in running condition. It's next to the Barber Motorsports Park, a nice road racing course.

Apr 2, 2013 | 03:39 PM

#15

Fazman

Advanced

Joined: Aug 2012

Posts: 79

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From: Lone Star State

Okay, you guys have me interested in visiting Eureka Springs in early summer. Any recommendations on lodging?

Apr 2, 2013 | 05:36 PM

#16

tryus

Road Captain

Joined: Sep 2010

Posts: 514

Likes: 17

From: SW Mississippi

Riders Rest is the original biker-only resort in the U.S. I've never stayed there, so I can't give any details. We've stayed at the Best Western Inn of the Ozarks every time. There's a good restaurant on site. I think it's the comfort inn that has covered parking for bikes, but never stayed there. My bike likes to sleep outside.

Apr 2, 2013 | 08:57 PM

#17

nevada72

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Apr 2009

Posts: 44,849

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From: PNW

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fazman

Okay, you guys have me interested in visiting Eureka Springs in early summer. Any recommendations on lodging?

I stay at the Land O Nod. Really nice people run it, the rooms are clean, separate room entrance that you can usually park in front of, clean pool, and they did our laundry for free! Prices are reasonable too. Consider that I can stay for free at my Dad's 45 min away and I grew up in the area.

There are other places that are more historic or posh (Crescent Hotel) but for us, it's always the Land O Nod.