Post-Christmas escape to... Tennessee?

arianej · #1 12-05-2003, 04:06 PM

Erik's got a handful of vacation days left, and if he strategically plans them, we should have from Dec. 25th to Jan. 4th for a quick, much-needed break from his work. We will postpone leaving until after Christmas, of course (and maybe a day or so after that to avoid returning holiday traffic), but we have no problem being absent over New Year's.

This will likely be a road trip, and we've decided to head south rather than north because of the weather. We're considering spending a few days each in Nashville and Memphis, which is within decent driving range. Now, keeping in mind that we don't care for country music or Elvis, are we still going to find stuff to do at that time of year? (Erik is fine with the idea of just poking around, visiting a plantation house or two and eating all the good bbq he can find.)

Any suggestions or recommendations for things to see, places to eat, etc. would be much appreciated!

Ariane

CurtisEdmonds · #2 12-05-2003, 04:24 PM

Memphis is a lot of fun. And you can't not get good BBQ pork ribs in Memphis.

You want to go to the Rendezvous:

http://www.frommers.com/destinations...cfm?h_id=38549

And it's across from the Peabody, so go there, too.

Stop by Shiloh if you can, and if you like Civil War battlefields.

Nashville is not fun. But it wouldn't kill you to listen to some country music. (Really, it wouldn't.)

murasaki · #3 12-05-2003, 04:41 PM

I second the Rendezvous and the Peabody. Go to the Peabody when the ducks are either entering or leaving the fountain--it's quite cute (the ducks are trained to ride the elevator).

Beale Street (a few blocks from the Peabody) has all the night clubs--a lot of jazz, as I recall.

--naomi

poseidon · #4 12-05-2003, 04:44 PM

Oh man I love Nashville, but haven't been there in probably ten years. I love Music Row... but then again I enjoy country music.

And no, country music will not kill you -- except maybe having to listen to Shania Twain.

arianej · #5 12-05-2003, 05:43 PM

Thanks for all the ideas so far! I had my eye on the Rendezvous from Frommers' recommendations. Good bbq ribs would go a long way toward beating the winter blahs.

Erik likes jazz, so Beale St. is a possibility. As for country music not killing me...

I'm not very familiar with Civil War history, but I enjoy visiting historical sites in general, so we will scope out any battlefield sites within reasonable driving range and check them out, thanks! Looks like we might end up spending more time in Memphis, I got the impression there was more to do there.

Ariane

CurtisEdmonds · #6 12-05-2003, 06:12 PM

If it were me, I'd be checking out Chattanooga and not Nashville. Just a hint.

The Hermitage is supposed to be cool - Andy Jackson's house.

poseidon · #7 12-05-2003, 06:49 PM

The few times that I drove through Tennessee, I wanted to take time to visit Chatanooga. Never had the chance to get there.

Michelle and I may head out that way in a few years, and maybe I'll finally be able to check it out.

arianej · #8 12-05-2003, 09:42 PM

Okay, I'll bite. What's in Chattanooga?

[short pause to check Frommers]

Hmmm. The inclined railway and Ruby Falls sounds very cool.

frazzledspice · #9 12-06-2003, 09:47 AM

If you like to gamble, Tunica, MS is just a short drive south of Memphis.

People in my town go there all the time, and seem to really enjoy it.

I'm not much of a gambler...if I gamble I go to Atlantic City with my sister (who likes to gamble) on my semi-annual trips to New York, but I think that Tunica has several big-name casino hotels, top-notch entertainment, etc. kind of a Las Vegas of the south.

poseidon · #10 12-06-2003, 11:16 AM

Quote:

arianej said

Okay, I'll bite. What's in Chattanooga?

[short pause to check Frommers]

Hmmm. The inclined railway and Ruby Falls sounds very cool.

Pardon me boys... is that the Chattanooga Choo Choo?