There are plenty of well-traveled traffic lanes connecting Nashville with Natchez, Miss. But the most rewarding route is the Natchez Trace Parkway, which touches national forests and a variety of Native American historic sites.
Bynum Mounds, near Tupelo, Miss., make up an ancient burial grounds dating back to 100 B.C. It is not a top-tier attraction for which you will pay admission or wait in line.
But on a clear morning when commuter noises flood the freeways, the only sounds you'll hear at Bynum Mounds are the birds and the very occasional motorist along the nearby parkway.
There are scores of stops like Bynum Mounds dotting the Natchez Trace Parkway map, perfect places for a low-cost picnic or a lazy afternoon history lesson or two.
It would be best to pack a lunch for the swing through Mississippi. Restaurant choices are few, but picnic opportunities are plentiful around every corner.
The Natchez Trace Parkway can be included in a Nashville or New Orleans itinerary. Watch your speed, because the 45 MPH limit is strictly enforced.
Byways such as Natchez Trace are not good choices for people trying to make up time on a trip. Access is limited, and there are no stoplights. But the roads are designed for sightseeing, not speed.
No matter which one of the 155 byways you choose, it is likely there are multiple resources on the Web from which you can work out a travel plan that fits your budget.
Continuing with Natchez Trace as an example, click "next" and read some links that are helpful for this stretch of byway. But realize the principles will work on any byway in any state.
