Nashville, then Memphis, then Vicksburg

The place with the cemetery in Franklin, TN he's referring to is Carnton Plantion. Really interesting.

Check out the Franklin (just south of Nashville) area for civil war sites especially the plantation with Confederate cemetery. Ft. Donelson is near Dover, Tennessee. Parkers Crossroads is also near Shiloh so you could stay at the CG at Parkers Crossroads and visit it along with the battle site of Parkers Crossroads (Nathan Bedford Forrest). There isn't much there (Crossroads)but interesting. If you go to Vicksburg, you must visit Natchez Mississippi to see the antebellum houses.

I also recommend visiting Andrew Jackson's Hermitage while in the Nashville area.

While visiting Memphis, we stayed at Harrahs in Tunica. You can park right downtown at the welcome center and take the trolleys all around the city. It's across the river from Mud Island.

In Vicksburg, if you stay at Amistar, the sites are somewhat unlevel so plan accordingly. Nice park and close to everything though. There's park across the street so don't miss that.

A "must see" is the NPS park in Vicksburg. It's stated as a 17 mile driving tour. We spent a good eight hours on that 17 mile trip. Fascinating stuff but really sad too.....well worth the trip. Geezer card gets you free admission. Be sure to stop by the welcome center BEFORE going on the tour. They have a CD you can check out to assist as you go on the tour....here's a link.... Clicky

Enjoy the trip, keep an eye on the weather as heavy rains tend to flood the campgrounds fronting the Mississippi....Dennis

There is a lot in Memphis are.
Mud Island. The Peabody hotel and Duck parade every day.
Good Memphis eating. Rib's, rib's rib's.
Tom Sawyer is not fancy. But as posted. Watching the river traffic is very relaxing.

Vicksburg. Stay at the Amaristar Casino RV PK. Great eating at the casino's. Plenty of Civil War places to visit.

Two Rivers in Nashville is the cheapest. Take the Trolley around. Save $$ parking at the Opry Land Hotel.

Look up the Natchez Trail. Runs from Nashville down to Vicksburg. Further if you want.
Only on CG on it and one gas station. But plenty of places off the route. (This would be out of your way, going to Memphis. Just a side trip idea)

Mud Island in Memphis is great in the downtown area.

Not much to see in Memphis unless maybe your into Elvis....This is a little out of the way but you might check about the Battle of Shiloh http://www.civilwar.org/battlefields/shiloh.html?tab=visit#lgmaphttp://www.civilwar.org/battlefields/shiloh.html?tab=visit#lgmap

While in Vicksburg you can check out http://www.civilwar.org/battlefields/vicksburg.htmlhttp://www.civilwar.org/battlefields/vicksburg.html

Congrats on your retirement!:C

IMHO Tom Sawyer CG is a must see. Right on the Mississippi. I mean you get to park right on it. Real nice concrete pads to park on too. Big rig w/toad friendly and accommodating sites.

The barges are a sight to see running day and night. I Must have taken a hundred pictures of them!

When I first hit the road full time, I stopped there for the night and ended up staying a week!

Just a note of caution follow the CG directions in, not your GPS. Your GPS will take you thru an area of town you ought not ever be in. Don't ask me how I know that!

Also a word of caution about Memphis also. I didn't have this forum to help me back then and ended up unfortunately in areas I shouldn't have driven into with the RV or any vehicle for that matter!

Try Parkers Crossroad. About half way from Nashville to Memphis. Intersection of I-40 and Hwy 22.
Battle sight and has a nice camp ground just off the Interstate.

In Ashville, be sure to visit the Biltmore Estate, In Memphis, be sure to visit Graceland. There are other things to see also, those are just my favorites.

Bob in Calif.