20 days in Tennessee, Gulf Shores & Panama City Beach Itinerary

The largest city on the Mississippi River, Memphis bills itself as both the "Birthplace of Rock" and "Home of the Blues." With such a rich musical heritage, it shouldn't come as a surprise that Elvis Presley chose to live in Memphis during his later years.

Start off your visit on the 6th (Sun): steep yourself in history at Sun Studio. On the 7th (Mon), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: take in the spiritual surroundings of St. Mary's Catholic Church, deepen your understanding at Ducks Unlimited Waterfowling Heritage Center, then steep yourself in history at National Civil Rights Museum - Lorraine Motel, and finally try your luck at Horseshoe Tunica.

For ratings, traveler tips, where to stay, and other tourist information, read our Memphis driving holiday planner.

Glasgow, UK to Memphis is an approximately 14-hour flight. The time zone difference when traveling from Glasgow to Memphis is minus 6 hours. When traveling from Glasgow in October, plan for much warmer days in Memphis, with highs around 29°C, while nights are somewhat warmer with lows around 15°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 8th (Tue) to allow time to drive to Jackson.

Jackson is the county seat of Madison County, Tennessee. Your cultural itinerary includes sights like Shiloh National Military Park and Crown Winery. You'll explore the less-touristy side of things at Johnsonville State Historic Park and Corinth National Cemetery. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Jackson: Corinth Contraband Camp (in Corinth) and Tina Turner Museum @ Flagg Grove School (in Brownsville). And it doesn't end there: brush up on your knowledge of spirits at Samuel T Bryant Distillery, learn about winemaking at Century Farm Winery, and play a few rounds at Casey Jones Mini Golf.

To see ratings, reviews, other places to visit, and more tourist information, go to the Jackson trip planner.

Getting from Memphis to Jackson by car takes about 1.5 hours. Plan for little chillier nights when traveling from Memphis in October since evenings lows in Jackson dip to 11°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 11th (Fri) to allow time to drive to Franklin.

More than just a charming Southern city, Franklin continues to receive accolades for its downtown Main Street district that has brings up words like "romantic," "small town," and "best place to visit" from numerous media sources.

Kick off your visit on the 12th (Sat): identify plant and animal life at Montgomery Bell State Park and then take a stroll through Downtown Franklin. On the 13th (Sun), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: appreciate the extensive heritage of Sam Davis Home, then contemplate the long history of Rippa Villa, then take an in-depth tour of Lotz House Museum, and finally contemplate the long history of Winstead Hill Park.

Inspirock's itinerary builder makes planning a Franklin trip simple and quick.

You can drive from Jackson to Franklin in 2.5 hours. October in Franklin sees daily highs of 28°C and lows of 13°C at night. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 13th (Sun) so you can go by car to Gatlinburg.

Nestled in the lush, wooded forests of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Gatlinburg is Tennessee’s premier mountain resort destination.

Your cultural itinerary includes sights like Basilica of Saint Lawrence and Riverside Cemetery. Get some historical perspective at Walker Sisters' Cabin and Little Greenbrier School. Go for a jaunt from Gatlinburg to Asheville to see The North Carolina Arboretum about 1h 25 min away. There's still lots to do: identify plant and animal life at Roaring Fork, tour the pleasant surroundings at Deep Creek, and do a tasting at Tennessee Homemade Wines.

To see ratings, other places to visit, more things to do, and more tourist information, refer to the Gatlinburg trip planner.

Traveling by car from Franklin to Gatlinburg takes 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can fly; or do a combination of taxi, bus, subway, and car. The time zone difference moving from Central Standard Time (CST) to Eastern Standard Time (EST) is 1 hour. In October, daytime highs in Gatlinburg are 27°C, while nighttime lows are 12°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 16th (Wed) early enough to go by car to Chattanooga.

Once saddled with the reputation of being one of the country's dirtiest cities, Chattanooga now boasts a pedestrian-friendly downtown with a network of leafy waterfront trails and free electric shuttles.

Kick off your visit on the 17th (Thu): take in the architecture and atmosphere at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, then appreciate the extensive heritage of Bluff View Art District, then tour the pleasant surroundings at Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, and finally learn about winemaking at The Georgia Winery. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 18th (Fri): take in the history at Point Park - Lookout Mountain Battlefields, look for all kinds of wild species at Big Soddy Creek Gulf, and then stroll around Greenway Farm.

To find other places to visit, more things to do, reviews, and more tourist information, you can read our Chattanooga road trip planner.

Traveling by car from Gatlinburg to Chattanooga takes 3 hours. In October in Chattanooga, expect temperatures between 28°C during the day and 13°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 18th (Fri) early enough to fly to Gulf Shores.

Gulf Shores is a resort city in Baldwin County, Alabama, United States. We've included these beaches for you: Pensacola Beach and Navarre Beach. Get some cultural insight at Barrancas National Cemetery and Holmes Medical Museum. Go for a jaunt from Gulf Shores to Pensacola Beach to see Gulf Islands National Seashore about 1h 10 min away. There's more to do: play a few rounds at Peninsula Golf and Racquet Club and stroll through Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge.

For photos, where to stay, other places to visit, and more tourist information, refer to the Gulf Shores trip itinerary builder tool.

You can fly from Chattanooga to Gulf Shores in 5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of bus and taxi. Traveling from Chattanooga to Gulf Shores, you'll gain 1 hour due to the time zone difference. Traveling from Chattanooga in October, you can expect nighttime temperatures to be a bit warmer in Gulf Shores, with lows of 17°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 21st (Mon) so you can drive to Panama City Beach.

Boasting 43 km (27 mi) of white sandy beaches and plenty of sunshine, Panama City Beach is an ideal choice for a relaxing holiday.

Kick off your visit on the 22nd (Tue): discover the deep blue sea with a scuba or snorkeling tour and then enjoy the sand and surf at Mexico Beach. On the 23rd (Wed), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: learn about winemaking at Panama City Beach Winery, kick back and relax at Grayton Beach State Park, and then enjoy the sand and surf at Santa Rosa Beach.

To find traveler tips, photos, more things to do, and tourist information, read our Panama City Beach trip website.

You can drive from Gulf Shores to Panama City Beach in 3.5 hours. The time zone changes from Central Standard Time to Eastern Standard Time, which is usually a 1 hour difference. In October in Panama City Beach, expect temperatures between 33°C during the day and 17°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 24th (Thu) to allow time for the flight back home.