Going South... need suggestions

I'm going on vacation with my sister and her daughters Feb 14-21st. The kids are 13 and 15.

We are going to head south, may go to GA, MS, LA or some other "southern" state. Any of you have any ideas of where to take them? The oldest wants to go to Atlanta GA, don't ask me why. She is a country girl with a city heart. She loves beaches and shopping. The youngest likes anything to do with history.

Oh and of course my sister loves gardening as well ;) So if there are any places you'd recommend her and I to see we would love any and all suggestions.

Charleston, SC, is supposed to be full of good Southern history ... Haven't been myself, but have been told this by some co-workers.

Stone Mountain. it will probably be too cool to climb, but you have to see it from the car at least. they would love it!!

Callaway Gardens in Columbus GA has an awesome greenhouse and butterfly house if your trip takes you that way

If you get by Nashville we have a wonderful indoor atrium in the Opryland hotel plus they might like to go to the Grand Old Opry. We also have a wonderful historical site, Andrew Jackson's Hermitage, that is a must see.

Charleston SC has my vote. In Febuary Atlanta is still "froz up". The Azaleas are just coming into bloom in Charleston and they are a beautiful sight to see! The gardens are famous there, and as for history...it tops the list. My family went to Charleston every Spring for the flowers, and February starts the Spring show. Go to GOOGLE and type in Charleston SC and you can see all the wonderful things it has to offer. Not the least are all the wonderful resturants that offer "Low Country cooking", which is my favorite.
Pati

one suggestion_STAY THERE TILL SPRING! ;) oh and hit the daylily farms! LOL
have fun and be safe

Jody... Hey, gal! Haven't noticed you posting much lately. Glad to see you!

You might want to consider a meandering trip on your way south. I'd suggest you start via the bay tunnel-bridge on the Delmarva pennisula. (But just down 95 to NC would be expedient.)

Skip Colonial Williamsburg as it's close enough to you to visit in a warmer time. BUT... go south into NC and take the kids to Kitty Hawk and the Outer Banks. Great beaches, although cold this time of year, but wonderful history, esp. around Nags Head. I love how it got it's name... from scavengers who walked the beaches with a lantern "bobbing" on a nag's head, fooling the ships to think they were away from shore. Naturally, the ships wrecked and the looters abounded!

Try to stop for a day in Charleston, or Savannah. I love them both, good history in both. I'd probably choose Charleston over Savannah, but not by very much.

Then I'd swing across Georgia to New Orleans... when is Madi Gras? Or, at least take them to see the mighty Mississippi somewhere along the line. You can gamble in Mississippi in some places.

Showing in St. Pete (FL) during your time is the very famous Cirque de' Soleil. http://www.circusnet.info/cirque/circarte/soleil.htm

Like tiG said, the gardens at Callaway in SW Georgia are lovely, and I adore the Butterfly House. Callaway rents 2 BR (or more) cottages with fireplaces. Stone Mountain, in suburban Atlanta, is awesome.

Take them back home via Gatlinburg TN (Shopping a zillion outlet stores, plus it's lovely.) If you get to that area, be sure to see Cades Cove for the beauty and history. Then, further north, take the Skyline Parkway in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley (if it's open in the winter) and hit some sites like Harper's Ferry and Manassas if you haven't been there already.

Well, I had a good time re-visiting those places just now in my mind as I was imagining a trip...

Whatever you do, relax and have FUN!

Hi ya Jody! How are ya doing girlie? Have you dried out yet?

I don't know if there's alot for the young ladies to see and do in Charleston. At least in Savannah they'd have wonderfully fun shopping on River Street. http://www.savannahgeorgia.com/And the beaches at Tybee Island with a neat lighthouse and fort are 15-20 minutes from there. Savannah would be about a 4 hour drive from Atlanta. And shopping in Atlanta? Better wait for a youngin like Ecobioangie to ask about that! Oh, and you remember Kris (PaintedLady) she used to give the carriage tours in Savannah--email her! I know they give awesome ghost tours there that are worth every cent! I can't say how warm it will be then.

Another fun place is St. Augustine, Fla. if you want to drive a little further. http://www.ci.st-augustine.fl.us/

Ask Kris about the Feb weather in Savannah, for shopping and beach--you got both and Savannah is gorgeous!

Thanks everyone! Some great suggestions!

tiG... I sure hope to make it to Stone MT, if not this trip then at a later date. I found Stone Mt park while surfing the net and it looks like a great place!!! Thanks!

Angel and Pati, thanks for the suggestion. I ran across a huge orchid nursery in SC while searching. It has 18 greenhouses! Not good for the kids but... my sister collects orchids, LOL. Maybe a "detour" in that direction at least, LOL.

Elena my mom and I have been trying to get to Nashville for years. Seems we always get sidetracked on our trips though, heh heh. Someday I WILL make it there ;)

Ha! Dori! I'd stay till spring if it was at least 70* but I would have to keep going further south to find that. My neice would love it but I don't think we have enough time.

darius, I have been sooo busy, not much time to post. But I check in and try to keep up. Congrats on selling the house by the way! YAY!
Thats just the kind of trip I would love, and exactly what my mom and I do every year. We head south from here and take a different route everytime. I felt like I was on vacation again reading your post :) I went to see
Cirque de' Soleil here in Baltimore. I think the kids might enjoy that.

Hey Vi! I'm doing alright. Yep, dried out and now everything is frozen, LOL. Anxious to get out in the yard and gardens if we ever thaw out. I have heard a lot about Savannah and all I've ever seen of it is driving through. The kids would love the ghost tours, as I and my sister would too I'm sure. Feb weather in Savannah HAS to be warmer for the kids, they are coming from central Maine. They will be happy if it's at least 40's instead of 0 to 40 below ;)

Thanks for all the great suggestions everyone. I'll let ya'll know what my sister and the kids decide and where we'll be going.

I wouldn't go to Atlanta to see the "old" south [in GA.] Go to SAVANNAH!!!!!!!

Jody, if you ever make it to Nashville with your mom, you know that you have a friend here to come see. I have been planning to go to Baltimore for 2 years now and haven't made it yet. Maybe I will get there someday. We will probably pass on the highway. LOL!

there is always Willacoochee Georgia...
I'd be happy to show you the old turpentine still, and railroad tie factory.

Charleston is fantastic, there are some beautiful plantations all around there that you can tour, the ship is fantastic, and the area is just fabulous all the way around. I adore the Carolina's. But like them better in the summer!

I lived in Savannah in WWII...remember that one? It has a firm place in my heart and we always go by there on our way from Miami to Asheville NC every year. If you go there read the book "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil" before you go. It gives you an idea of the character of Savannah, and also they do a great tour of the places in the book.
Pati
PS Tybee is a great beach.

Edited.

This message was edited May 19, 2005 9:28 AM