Any advice for trip to Springfield IL and Memphis TN?

[traces7]

Thinking of taking my 11 year old DD on a road trip to Springfield IL for the Lincoln sites and Memphis TN for the zoo and the pandas, Civil Rights Museum and maybe Graceland. We'd go the middle of June.

Anyone have any advice on places to stay or anything else we should see or do?

We're driving from southern WI. We'll spend probably 2 days in Springfield and 2 days in Memphis.

I was wondering mostly about Memphis, where to stay. Everyone seems to say the downtown area is best. Where would be best place to stay for the places we want to go? Also, was Memphis affected by the flooding? How is it now?

Any advice for Springfield IL? Would we need 2 days there? We'd probably arrive mid-afternoon. So, I was thinking that day and the next would be good.

Thanks for any help!

 

[Greyhound22]

I'm from around 1 hour from Springfield and took our family on a trip to Memphis 1 month ago. Springfield is relatively safe and clean. It really is a small-town city feel. Don't miss the new Lincolm Museum in S-Field. The rest of the Lincoln sites are what you like (home, New Salem, etc.). Memphis is on the other end of the spectrum. We stayed in Germantown and was very glad we did. It is very nice and clean. Unlike the city - a bit scary with kids. We stayed at the Courtyard by Marriott in Germantown and would recommend it. It is a 15 minute drive back into the city (WORTH IT). We visited Beale Street and I would recommend doing it only in the day time with kids. I'm not sure about the flooding. I'm sure someone will let you know. Those are my thoughts. Have a good time.

 

[Dan Murphy]

We ultimately did not go to Memphis yet, (we will though), but here is a thread I started when anticipating a Memphis trip, lots of advise and ideas here......

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1875981

 

[traces7]

We ultimately did not go to Memphis yet, (we will though), but here is a thread I started when anticipating a Memphis trip, lots of advise and ideas here......

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1875981

These posts make Memphis sound kind of scary! Should I reconsider going there? Will we really be safe? Where is the best area to stay?

 

[traces7]

Anyone else have any advice?

 

[Disney27]

I actually live in Spfld. Just a warning but the LPGA is in town beginning the second week in June so hotel space may be scarce. They are here from around June 9th to I believe thru the following weekend.
Sites to not miss
1. Abraham Lincoln Presidentail library, allow 4 hrs
2. Lincoln's tomb, allow 2 hours
3. Lincoln's New Salem, this is about 30 minutes from Spfld, I would allow 45 hrs counting travel.
4. Lincoln's home ( This is the only home he ever owned.), allow 1-2 hrs
I think this would be enough to get you 2 days filled. There is also the Old State Capital and Dana Thomas House designed by Frank Lloyd Wright if you have time.We also have a mall that you get go to at night for something to do. We also have drive in movie,which might be kinda fun.
There are many hotels. I would try to stay at one of the better chain hotels such as Hilton,Comfort Suites,Drury Inn,. Stay away from the hotel Best Inns or Travelodge.

 

[DisneyLover83]

Anyone else have any advice?

I lived in Memphis for 12 years, well actually Germantown but close enough. Don't let people scare you away from visiting, Memphis hosts thousands of visitors every year. Here is a more recent thread on visitng Memphis. I hope this helps you!

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2420223

 

[happygirl]

I don't think Memphis is that bad. If you like to gamble Tunica is a hope jump and skip from there. They have a great childcare center.

You can ride the ducks

 

[traces7]

I actually live in Spfld. Just a warning but the LPGA is in town beginning the second week in June so hotel space may be scarce. They are here from around June 9th to I believe thru the following weekend.
Sites to not miss
1. Abraham Lincoln Presidentail library, allow 4 hrs
2. Lincoln's tomb, allow 2 hours
3. Lincoln's New Salem, this is about 30 minutes from Spfld, I would allow 45 hrs counting travel.
4. Lincoln's home ( This is the only home he ever owned.), allow 1-2 hrs
I think this would be enough to get you 2 days filled. There is also the Old State Capital and Dana Thomas House designed by Frank Lloyd Wright if you have time.We also have a mall that you get go to at night for something to do. We also have drive in movie,which might be kinda fun.
There are many hotels. I would try to stay at one of the better chain hotels such as Hilton,Comfort Suites,Drury Inn,. Stay away from the hotel Best Inns or Travelodge.

Thanks for the tip on the dates, we were thinking of going June 13-15, would the LPGA still be in town, sounds kind of like it.

 

[whogirl'smom]

We visited Memphis 5 years ago and stayed downtown at the Peabody; I know this is not an economical choice and it was our anniversary. The hotels right in that vicinity were all very nice and we walked to Beale St. in the daytime AND early at night with our 4 year old and felt perfectly safe. I don't think it's any worse than any other large-ish city. We enjoyed the zoo while there too. Try Gus's fried chicken, it was WONDERFUL. Plan to take it to go if you can--it is sooooo smoky inside from the kitchen.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaura...d_Famous_Fried_Chicken-Memphis_Tennessee.html

Ok, I'm even impressed--didn't know it was the #1 restaurant in Memphis on Tripadvisor, till I looked for a link for you!

 

[Disney27]

The last day for the LPGA is Sunday the 13th if there is not a weather delay. It gets over pretty early.So Sunday afternoon arrival should be okay. I meant to say New Salem is 4-5 hrs not 45hrs.
Have fun, We have a great little city.

 

[ms mouse]

I think people are being very honest. We visit Memphis quite often but it is a city where you need to be very careful especially if you are traveling with a child. We have stayed downtown at the Peabody many times and have enjoyed our stay but you need to be careful when traveling after dark.

 

[TheDisneyGirl02]

The Presidential Museum in Springfield is not to be missed! Last summer, I went to Springfield with my twin and parents and we spent 5 days in just Springfield alone! I really enjoyed Lincoln's home (you'll need to get tickets at the Visitor's Center, but they are free), we actually took that tour twice. Lincoln's Tomb is very neat also.

One of my favorite things we did was the Ghost Tour Walk in Springfield. The tour guide was so informative and the tour wasn't scary at all. We learned a lot of Lincoln that we hadn't know before taking the walk. Here is a link to the walk we took - it's the first one listed - Lincoln's Ghost Walk - Legends and Lore.

http://www.springfieldwalks.com/historic-ghost-tours.html

Springfield is a great city! We loved it and I'm hoping to get back there in the future. Enjoy!

 

[traces7]

Does anyone know about hotels in Springfield and Memphis?

I found a good rate at the Comfort Inn Downtown in Memphis, it's on Front St, would that be an ok area?

In Springfield, I was looking at Microtel or Baymont Inn, any thoughts on those?

Thanks for all the replies. I'm still in the planning process of the trip!

 

[1stluvispooh]

I use to live in Spfld. The hotel I would stay in is my friends home She's a hoot. Sorry had to say that. Don't miss New Salem! When I was a teen that was the only Lincoln site that I didn't get burned out on. You know how it is every time someone comes in town we had to do the Lincoln sites. In fact I am think about finally taking my kids there. Years ago there was a flag lowering ceremony at Lincoln's home 1 night a week during the summer. A reenactment group would do it (my brother was in it but I can't remember what day it was I think it was Thursday and it was YEARS ago)

 

[jackemail]

Does anyone know about hotels in Springfield and Memphis?

I found a good rate at the Comfort Inn Downtown in Memphis, it's on Front St, would that be an ok area?

In Springfield, I was looking at Microtel or Baymont Inn, any thoughts on those?

Thanks for all the replies. I'm still in the planning process of the trip!

Downtown on Front is fine, during the day. At night, like most urban areas, it's best not to wander around.

Memphis is not a scary, crime-ridden place....just use the same commmon sense you would use in any other very large city.

The Zoo is absolutely wonderful--don't miss the pandas, Teton Trek, and Northwest Passage. It will get hot during the day in June, so head over there early in the morning. The Civil Rights Museum is also worth the trip, and Graceland (though expensive--print an online coupon from the Graceland website if you go) is fascinating.

The larger hotels downtown are nice (though some areas downtown have annoying panhandlers)--and check out the Mississippi River , since you will only be a minute or two away! There are trolleys on Main Street you can ride to check out the downtown area.

This is, for the most part, a nice city with wonderful people.

 

[jackemail]

Forgot to say---if you decide to definitely come to Memphis and go to the zoo, PM me with your address. I have two 1/2 price admission coupons, good any time, and would be happy to mail them to you (I have a zoo membership and don't need them.)

 

[traces7]

Forgot to say---if you decide to definitely come to Memphis and go to the zoo, PM me with your address. I have two 1/2 price admission coupons, good any time, and would be happy to mail them to you (I have a zoo membership and don't need them.)

Oooh! Thanks so much! I'll PM you by the end of the month, I hope to finalize our plans and decide if we're really going to go. Money is the only thing stopping me, it's been a tough year and I'm not sure we should be spending the money to go. But we didn't have a vacation last year at all or the year before, so I'm hoping we can go. If we go, we'll definitely go to the zoo, that's one of the main reasons we're going, my DD loves panda bears!

So, I'll be in touch with you soon, thanks again!

 

[Disney27]

Baymont is off I- 55,south of town.

Microtel is a little trickier to get to but it is newer.

Both are near hubs of town with plenty of places to eat nearby.

Both have indoor pools.Personally I would go with th Drury Inn or Hampton Inn as they have great hot breakfasts.

 

[traces7]

Baymont is off I- 55,south of town.

Microtel is a little trickier to get to but it is newer.

Both are near hubs of town with plenty of places to eat nearby.

Both have indoor pools.Personally I would go with th Drury Inn or Hampton Inn as they have great hot breakfasts.

Thanks for the tip, I'll check those hotels out!