Road trip advice: Chicago to New Orleans ? Recommendations

[PeteMac]

Well the title kinda says it all:
A mate and myself are contemplating a trip to the U.S. with the express purpose of a road trip following the Mississippi.
It's all about seeing for ourselves the origins of the blues: the music we both love.
I don't think we're under any illusions that it's going to be like it was "back in the day", but we just want to see it all for ourselves.
Take in the clubs, the music, the places, the sights . . . you get the idea.

I guess things we need to know at this early stage are: what time of year : (Chicago - cold in winter; St.Louis - hot in summer ! Right?)

Would two to three weeks be adequate time to see it in detail?
By car - possible to hire an oldie-but-goodie ?

Well, I guess that's enough for now - we'll work out the details as it gets closer !
But any recommendations are more than welcome.
Thanks all.

Pete

[HoodieMcFoodie]

G'day Pete,

I found this website a little while back, 'cos I thought it'd be a fun night to follow Route 66 via Google Maps one night.

Maybe it might be of use to you...

Historic Route 66 planner

[PeteMac]

Thanks Hoodie,
That's a great start.

[gtrjones]

Weather-wise, I would look at the spring. Chicago can get cold and snowy in the winter, the whole delta area can get very hot and muggy in the summer, and late summer/ early fall is hurricane season. Late spring seems to be the best bet.

In terms of sights, I would do some searches for blues museums, folk art foundations, etc in the delta area. Memphis has a lot going on, there are probably a couple things in the Clarksdale area. New Orleans has a lot happening as well. I don't know much about Chicago, but you might be able to find some good information online again.

I've wanted for years to do a road-trip from New Orleans to Memphis, and would spend at least a week there. Heck, I could spend at least a week in Nawlins alone every year or two.

Hopefully you'll get some locals in the major cities to help you find the out-of-the-way places that can really help make a trip like that. Enjoy!

[boris bubbanov]

I like St. Francisville, LA and Natchez and Vicksburg, MS. These quiet places will give you a taste of the lower Mississippi Valley.

I wish I could be of more help, but the Natchez Trace always trumps Hwy 61 once you get North of Vicksburg. Lots of cropland and levees, mostly. And of course the Trace gets trumped by the Applachians.

Stands to reason; I can drive an hour and get my share, anytime.

[Groovey Records]

This will help ya

research The Blues Highway for each state

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Route_61

[Sidney Vicious]

As noted, Highway 61 is the way to go - the stretch from Memphis south will put you through the Mississippi delta where Robert Johnson made his deal with the devil.
I think the hot summer is the time to go - feel the heat that made the music - but another plan would be to end at New Orleans on the last weekend of April or the first weekend of May - Jazz Fest! Two to three weeks would be plenty for taking in the sights from Chicago down to NO. I would follow 61 where available - or the river road wherever you happen to be should also be interesting.

[ravindave_3600]

I've done that trip, Chicago, to Memphis, to Clarksdale, to NOLA. I did it in hot, muggy, August, and it was great. Two weeks will be plenty of time but you can make it last as long as you want. Enjoy!

[PeteMac]

Thanks fellas,
I knew I could count on ya !

This info is going in the "Trip File", for future reference.

Cheers.