American castles and natural wonders: A Southeast road trip

After New Orleans, you'll probably want to make your next road-trip stop nice and relaxing. Recover at Hot Springs National Park, the most unique national park in the whole country. This area of geothermal goodness was mostly developed by the 1930s, and most of the 47 pools were converted into bathhouses. Many of the bathhouse buildings have been repurposed (one is a visitor center for the park and another is a totally cool brewery/ice cream parlor), but a few remain open so that you can have an old-school spa experience. A dip in the warm, mineral-rich water will set you back only about $30, and it's totally relaxing.

Head a little further north to Memphis, birthplace of rock music and hometown of the blues and soul. In between live blues concerts on Beale Street and BBQ feasts at one of the city's many smokehouses, take a moment to tour Graceland, the beloved former home of Elvis Presley. The tour lets you visit the notoriously kitschy Jungle Room, the pool room, the music room, and several other spots on the property, as well as the grave of The King himself. And, while you're here, you can see his collection of private planes and cars, the archives, and tons of outfits and artifacts from his life.

Deep below the fields and forests of Kentucky lies an underground wonder: the world's largest system of caves. 400 miles of caverns and tunnels make up Mammoth Cave National Park, which can be explored through one of the many tours offered by the NPS rangers. Lantern tours, spelunking expeditions, and low-key history tours allow everyone to experience the truly massive cave!

One of the most popular national parks, the Great Smoky Mountains are a must-see for any American. Whether you're taking a dip in the river at the Sinks, learning about the past and culture of the Smokies at a historic cabin, exploring the abandoned ghost-town resort of Elkmont, going for a scenic drive around Cades Cove, or taking a hike and enjoying the view from Clingmans Dome, the Smokies are a special place where you can really reconnect with nature.

Shenandoah National Park is another iconic Southern stop. If you only do one thing here, make it a mountain hike. The peaks here aren't too intense, but the views from the top are incredibly rewarding: Stony Man and Old Rag are two great climbs. You can camp out, tour the small historic towns around the valley, visit Luray Caverns, and check out the many wineries in the area as well!

You could spend weeks in Washington D.C. and still not scratch the surface of all of the cool things to do in our nation's capital. The National Mall is a great place to start, though: The massive green space is lined by distinctive government buildings (such as the domed Capitol Building), monuments (the Lincoln Memorial is at one end), and free Smithsonian Museums (the Natural History Museum is especially awesome).

You won't find a more detailed living-history village than Colonial Williamsburg. A visit here lets you step back in time to the American Revolution. You can walk the streets and soak in the history without paying for admission, but a ticket gets you access to the shops, reenactments, demonstrations, exhibits, and tons more. You'll want to spend at least a day here... feel free to rent costumes and really enjoy your chance to experience the past!

Savannah is easily one of the most beautiful cities in the country: The antebellum architecture, gnarled and Spanish moss-draped oaks, and rich history give it a charming vibe that's impossible to recreate anywhere else. The highlight of the city has to be Forsyth Park: The fountains, gardens, and history have made it so iconic that it's been featured in movies such as "Forest Gump" and "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil."

The Everglades are a unique ecosystem that can be found only in Florida: In fact, it's the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States! Rare, endangered species call this habitat home, and you can observe them from one of the many trails, or on a boat tour of the marshy wilderness.