Orpheus - There is a lot to see and personally NOTHING to be afraid of. Any where you travel - you'll get these areas. Keep to yourself and you'll be fine.
Depends on what type of things you are into. Hiking? White water rafting? Touristy stuff, clubbing?
From the South - you can do - (pulling up my map here) - Starting from Florida -
Key west,
Miami,
Fort Lauderdale beaches,
Disney (skip if you are older than 10),
Historical battle fields in LO and Arkansas
New Orleans - eat soutern cajun food
Stop on the Mississippi river
Texas - I would suggest seeing a rodeo (it very interesting and stayiong at one of the nicer ranches).
Enter new mexico and rafting on colorodo river, takes the mules down to the canyon, camp a day, visit indian reservations,
Golf in AZ and maybe a great day at the spa (there are so many to choose from)
End of in southern california - do La Jolla - great sunset views - end up in CA
Fly back - you'll be exhausted!
(take me with you
)