Well, since I'm from Minnesota, but have lived in Memphis for 8 years, I might be some help if you tell me what you are intersted in. The two areas are very different. The midwest (esp. MN if I do say so myself!) is very beautiful. Lots of tress and lakes. Of course, the weather can be a downer. You never know what you'll have. In the summer, it could be in the upper 80's one day and down in the 40's the next. The Twin Cities area (Minneapolis - St. Paul) has some great nightlife. It's a much larger city than say Memphis. With that said, Memphis has some GREAT music on Beale Street! The museums are just average in Memphis. The Civil Rights Museum was probably the best. If you like flowers, there is the Botanical Gardens in Memphis. Don't forget Graceland. I'm not an Elvis fan exactly, but it's definitely something most people should see once (not more than once) in their life. The Mississippi River goes through both Memphis and the Twin Cities. Lots cleaner in MN since that's where it starts. Back to MN, Duluth and the North Shore of Lake Superior is gorgeous. Duluth has really grown since I left and you could spend a nice couple days there. Lots of nature type things to do up there. Chicago is great, too, if you choose the midwest. St. Louise is nice (9 hour drive from Twin Cities, 4 hour drive from Memphis). Don't know too much about Little Rock, but Hot Springs Arkansas and Lake Ouchita sound nice. We're planning a trip there this spring (fishing, camping, hiking, etc.). New Orleans is a blast. Great gardens and Bourbon Street is always fun. It gets pretty darn hot in the summer. Gulf Shores, Alabama is a nice vacation spot. It's on the Gulf. I don't know much about Gulfport, MS, but I'd recommend Gulf Shores instead. Oh, in case you like to gamble, there is gambling throughout the south. Tunica, MS (20 miles south of Memphis) is a place we visit when company is in town. Lake Charles, LA and Gulfport, MS also have gambling. Never been to the casions, though. Lots of Civil War things all over the south. That's pretty interesting, but it starts to look the same after a while (I guess from the persepctive of a "yankee"). Nashville (3 hour drive east of Memphis) is a great city. Lots of music - mostly country. Gaylord Opryland Hotel is great! Even if you can't afford to stay there, check it out. Downtown Nashville has live music all over the place. I have never been to Galinburg, but I'd like to see the Smokey Mtns. sometime. Altanta is a several hour drive from Nashville. I've only been there once, so I can't say too much about it. Lots to do and I had a great time even though I was there on business.
So to summarize, I guess there is a little more to do in the South if you are just visiting for a short period of time. More cities close together. I think someone else said this, but be careful of Sundays. We're in the Bible Belt (on the edge, I think), so most things are closed or not open until noon or 1pm on Sundays. You won't have that problem in the midwest. If you have specific questions, feel free to ask me. I hope this helps a little! By the way, I've driven from CA to Memphis three times, so if you have any questions about that, let me know (I think you are coming from CA, right?)
Jen
