Will be traveling from Houston to the hills of East Tennessee for Thanksgiving. While I’ve made the trip to New Orleans many time on I-10, it’s been many years since I’ve traipsed across Mississippi and Alabama. Any recommendations on good places to eat, things to check out along the way would be appreciated. Due to the distance I’m going to try to stay on the interstate as much as possible, but that doesn’t mean I won’t consider a side trip. If I had the luxury of time, I would take the 2 lane highways for the entire trip.
Living in Knoxville, Houston is makable in a 12 hour day. Why stop?
I second not stopping.
You must eat. Sims barbecue in Little Rock, Corky’s in Memphis. 
Tis true. If nothing else, you can always make the trip a culinary adventure. I’m not going through Little Rock or Memphis this trip - going up I-59 through Birmingham to Chattanooga and beyond. I know there has got to at least be some good BBQ along the way.
If you want the best barbecue in Memphis, don’t go to Corky’s. Go to the Bar-B-Q Shop at 1782 Madison Ave. That’s where I take out-of-towners when I want to impress them.
Will be cutting a diagonal across Mississippi and Alabama from New Orleans to Chattanooga - Memphis not in the picture for this trip.
If you feel you must stop, see the Tennessee State Aquarium in Chattanooga.
Ecologically-oriented, it leads you from the Cove Forest streams in Appalanchia, down through Tennessee rivers & lakes, to the Mississippi, to the Sea, & then to the world.
Fresh water exhibits are impressive, as is the big salt water environment.
Very fun.
And the exhibits are major eye-candy.
You might look into the Natchez Trace Parkway.
It’s scenic and pretty much follows your route.
As someone who has actually driven the Natchez Trace, I warn you… Do not take this road unless you have a very good attention span and good CDs. We drove it in late summer, no radio stations to speak of, no towns with fast food nearby, and it was green. A very pretty, long, green tunnel of trees. Absolutely gorgeous for about 30 minutes. Then I was snoring as DeHusband drove for 4 hours. (No fast food = no rest rooms in DeVena world. Not fun.) As soon as we got to Jackson, we got on the interstate.
Highly recommend the Vicksburg National Military Park. Lots of really cool monuments and a really good museum/gunboat.
Just DONT speed on it because the Park Rangers are very tough, and watch out for deer!