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Tennessee

Pedro45Pedro45
in Not Sports Related
Hi. Has anyone been to this part of the US, and can give any recommendations please of places to go?  We plan to fly into Nashville, and may go to Memphis and Chattanooga too. I'm more interested in countryside and culture than the cities... Thanks!

Comments

  • GribboGribbo
    edited May 19
    I've never been, but can confirm there's loads of countryside there
  • DamoNorthStandDamoNorthStand
    Went about 15 years ago. Graceland was decent, as was Sun Studios. Stayed in a house up in the hills in Pigeon Forge in the Smoky Mountains which (by what you are saying) may appeal more to you.
  • Henry IrvingHenry Irving
    Yes, but a long time ago.  Memphis was good, Beale St was a bit touristy but worth a look and of course you should go to Graceland, even if you're not an Elvis fan.

    There is a US TV show that you can watch on Youtube called Tennessee Crossroads that covers out of the way places to eat and shop away from the big cities.
  • cafcnick1992cafcnick1992
    Great part of the world! I hope you like country music!
  • RalphMilnesgutRalphMilnesgut
    We did Nashville, Memphis and New Orleans a few years ago. Nashville is very, very Country. Memphis very, very Blues. New Orleans is just fantastic all round and you should consider a few days there.
  • lordromfordlordromford
    edited May 19
    Can’t add much other than to say I really liked Nashville. Music scene is fun and (although @RalphMilnesgut is correct) you don’t need to be into country music to enjoy it.
    Memphis was less interesting but it does have Graceland which is a fascinating place.
  • Pedro45Pedro45
    Thanks lads. I plan a night at the Grand Ole Opry, and if we go to Memphis then Graceland has to be done. Chattanooga is meant to be a really nice place but anything in-between you can recommend would be great!  I'm actually going on to DC afterwards to see Patti Smith on what may be her last ever tour.
  • DA9DA9
    edited May 19
    Pedro45 said:
    Thanks lads. I plan a night at the Grand Ole Opry, and if we go to Memphis then Graceland has to be done. Chattanooga is meant to be a really nice place but anything in-between you can recommend would be great!  I'm actually going on to DC afterwards to see Patti Smith on what may be her last ever tour.
    Not jealous...much, got into her music via Morrissey 
  • DA9DA9
    edited May 19
    .
  • se9addickse9addick
    I’m in Nashville for business on an annual basis, last summer we also did a holiday through parts of the southern US which included Memphis which I absolutely loved.

    Memphis is fairly small and you can see everting in ~48 hours, our itinerary was something like:

    Day one - arrive evening, Beale St for dinner & drinks

    Day two -

    AM - Graceland for opening, pre-booked the VIP tickets which cut out seemingly enormous queues so would recommend you do this
    Lunch - Central BBQ Downtown - the BBQ here was awesome (and we’d just come from Mississippi so we had a high benchmark!)
    PM - National civil rights museum - this was one of the most moving experiences that I’ve ever had at a museum. Highly recommended. 
    Dinner - go to Flight, one of the best restaurants I’ve ever been to in the US, walkable to Beal St if you want to go there afterwards.

    Day Three

    AM - get to Sun Studio for opening (9am I think) as I don’t believe you can pre-book tickets. 

    After that you’ve seen all the big stuff. 
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  • DamoNorthStandDamoNorthStand
    Whats the hotel with all the ducks in it? Or am I completely making that memory up in my head?
  • cafcfancafcfan
    edited May 19
    Yes a good place to visit.

    As well as what's already mentioned, there's Dollywood at Pigeon Forge, just north in Kentucky there's the Corvette Museum in Bowling Green (they also do factory tours) and the Jack Daniels Distillery in Lynchburg is worth a visit, if only for the REO Speedwagon.  And, yes there is a Choo Choo in Chattanooga!

    (Bizarrely Lynchburg is in a dry county so the distillery can't sell you its products!  Instead you can buy a "commemorative" bottle which is quite expensive but just so happens to be full of product which they are giving to you for free.)

    Edited to add. You say you like the country more than towns.  When we visited that state we started in DC and picked up the Blue Ridge Parkway and drove down to Tennessee.  But you'd have to check to see if that has re-opened following Hurricane Helene. Spectacular countryside. 
  • The Red RobinThe Red Robin
    DamoNorthStand said:
    Whats the hotel with all the ducks in it? Or am I completely making that memory up in my head?
    The Peabody in Memphis. Worth a beer and a watch as they march them all out into the little pool/fountain.

    Not much to add from what others have said. I loved  Nashville. Just lots of good bars and food. Johnny Cash museum worth a visit if it’s not been said already. 

    Memphis: Martin Luther King memorial, Sun Studio tour is brilliant. The guides really know their stuff. Obviously Graceland (although a tad overhyped tbh). 

    Smoky Mountains are stunning - Dollywood not fair if you like theme parks. Good fun and she has a museum there too. 

    New Orleans, Lynchburg and Biloxi worth some time too if you get a chance. 
  • cafcfancafcfan
    DamoNorthStand said:
    Whats the hotel with all the ducks in it? Or am I completely making that memory up in my head?
    Peabody Memphis.
  • NornIrishAddickNornIrishAddick
    Absolutely not an expert, and have not been, but I think that the State Tourism Authority website is good: https://www.tnvacation.com/.
    But it's a part of the USA that is of interest for historical reasons (including how things are going today in the State).
    The website has good maps of various historical trails to follow (the Civil War in Tennessee was particularly interesting).


  • Henry IrvingHenry Irving
    We stayed at the Peabody. Are the ducks still going?  
  • The Red RobinThe Red Robin
    Henry Irving said:
    We stayed at the Peabody. Are the ducks still going?  
    They were in 2016 when we went. 

  • Pedro45Pedro45
    Brilliant stuff...thank you all. We've been to the Smokey Mountains previously so won't go that far.  
  • The Red RobinThe Red Robin
    edited May 19
    Pedro45 said:
    Brilliant stuff...thank you all. We've been to the Smokey Mountains previously so won't go that far.  
    You can also hire bikes in Nashville and cycle around.

    Edit: worth doing a little mural hunt too, pretty cool.

    The Pharmacy burger bar in Nashville - very nice burgers and beer.


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