Southern Coast
10-Day Tour Featuring Historic Southern Towns and Beautiful Beaches
A holiday to USA’s South Coast is an exciting adventure filled with food, fun and sun. In this 10-day road trip you will see where America’s civil rights history took place in Montgomery and Birmingham, relax on the beach in Gulf Shores, party in Mobile and New Orleans. This road trip from Atlanta takes you to the Southern Coast to experience the sun, excitement and history of America.
DAY 1 & 2 Arrive in Atlanta and overnight. While in the south’s gateway city, visit America’s largest aquarium, the Georgia Aquarium and the World of Coca-Cola. From Atlanta travel to Montgomery, Alabama overnight (2.5 hours, 160 mi. / 257 km.).
DAY 3 & 4 Wake up in Montgomery and see both Civil War and Civil Rights history in this true Southern city. Events occurred at almost identical locations, although years apart. In 1861, gallant Southern politicians gathered at the State Capitol in Montgomery and formed the Confederate States of America. The telegram igniting the American Civil War was sent from Montgomery. Stand where Jefferson Davis was inaugurated President and tour the First White House of the Confederacy. Almost 100 years later, Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a Montgomery bus and the modern Civil Rights movement in America was born. Just one block from the State Capitol is Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church. Also downtown is the Hank Williams Museum, the Legacy Museum, and the Alley Entertainment District.
DAY 5 & 6 Travel to Gulf Shores (3 hours, 188 mi. / 302 km.) for a beach vacation along America’s best coastline. With white sand beaches and warm Gulf of Mexico waters there is no better place to relax than Alabama’s twin resort cities of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. All along Alabama’s coast fresh seafood and celebrations abound. Gulf Shores hosts the National Shrimp Festival in October and the Hangout Music Festival in May.
DAY 7 & 8 Travel to historic Mobile (1 hour, 50 mi. / 80 km.). Mobile is recognized as having the first-known American Mardi Gras which evolved from a celebration in 1703 to today’s parades and balls leading up to Fat Tuesday each year. During Mardi Gras season, the streets of downtown Mobile are filled with the sights and sounds of live marching bands, brilliantly colored floats and, of course, teeming crowds of parade goers. All year long the port city of Mobile features the taste of the coast with fresh, delicious seafood and a diverse array of bars, nightclubs, live music venues and southern home tours. Across the bay from Mobile is the romantic city of Fairhope. Venture just a few minutes south of Mobile to Bayou La Batre, the shrimping village mentioned in the book and movie, Forrest Gump, and scenic Dauphin Island.
DAY 9 & 10 Travel to New Orleans (2.5 hours, 150 mi. / 241 km.). In New Orleans, enjoy live jazz, museums and dining. This South Coast USA city operates non-stop. On your first day, take a walking tour of the French Quarter and enjoy café au lait and beignets. Grab a po-boy, gumbo or jambalaya and stroll down Bourbon Street for a nightcap. The next day explore a Cajun swamp and tour a plantation home.
10 DAY / 9 NIGHT ITINERARY
Atlanta: 1 Night
Montgomery: 3 Nights
Gulf Shores: 2 Nights
Mobile: 2 Nights
Fairhope: Visit
Bayou La Batre: Visit
Dauphin Island: Visit
New Orleans: 1 Night