Can anyone tell me about Pigeon Forge, Nashville and Memphis?

[PhotobearSam]

We are stopping in these 3 places on the way to Florida with my Mom and she is so excited about seeing Graceland. It's going to be fun. DH (40) is not really into country music but I am sure he will be happy with the BBQ.


Is anyone here from there and want to give me a short list of must do's? We would be so grateful.

We are going to be in Pigeon Forge for 2 or 3 nights, Nashville for 3 nights, Memphis for 3 nights and then off to Tupelo MISS, and the to Fort Walton Beach in Florida before going to my Mom's house in Port Charlotte.


I appreciate any and all advice....

 

[KyraS]

I can tell you DO NOT stay near Graceland in Memphis. It is in a VERY bad part of town. You want to stay near Germantown if possible. Anywhere near the Wolfchase Galleria. Some places downtown are nice too but it can get iffy. I would stick to name brand hotels only downtown. I love Memphis and it has great things to see and do but it is also very crime ridden so do your research.

As for Mississippi are you going to Tunica or Robinsonville? The casinos are not in Tunica but Robinsonville. It's very nice and anywhere there should be fine. Don't stay in the town of Tunica though or you will be quite a ways from the casinos.

 

[MoonFaerie]

What kinds of things do you like to do? And when will you be here?

If I was here for 2 days, I'd probably spend a day in the mountains. When it's not packed Cades Cove is nice. Dollywood can be fun. It's better now that there are more adult rides. Some of the dinner shows are pretty decent. We saw Cirque de Chine over the summer, and we all really liked it. The outlet malls can be good, depending on what stores you're planning on going to. Some aren't really outlet stores outside maybe have a larger clearance section.

 

[tink20]

This summer I took my parents to Memphis (they are Elvis fans) we did:

Graceland (did on Sun)
Memphis Zoo (did on Mon)
Rock n Soul Museum (did on Sun)
Pink Palace Museum (did on Mon this is close to zoo)
Mud Island and Mississippi River Museum (did on Tues)
Went and saw the Peabody Ducks (did on Sun)
Rode the Trolley car (did on Tues)
Memphis Fire Museum (DH is a fireman) (did on Tues)
In Tupelo -went by Elvis' Birthplace

Seems like alot, but we had plenty of time.
My parents had a wonderful time.

 

[acejka]

Huge Elvis fan here. Love love LOVED Graceland, but I almost left without seeing Graceland because we went into downtown Memphis on Beale Street and it scared me so bad, we were going to leave and continue on to Arkansas since we were only 3.5 hours from our destination when we got to Memphis. We found a casino in Mississippi which wasn't too far of a drive and hung out there for a few hours then went back to the hotel in Memphis until morning.

Nashville was awesome! We just walked around for a while and did the country music hall of fame. We didn't have time to do studio b tour but would have loved to do it.

 

[mandy200587]

for bbq in Nashville check out Jack's on Lower Broadway then just walk up and down it. There's several little places you never who or what you will hear in Nashville.

 

[Pamlur]

For barbeque in Memphis, find a Neely's. The original one is "Interstate Barbeque" on S. Third Street (they also have one in Southhaven, MS, where I ate Saturday night). But the Neely's who are on television have a couple of other locations.

I agree with the DO NOT stay anywhere close to Graceland. Either head NE or go South into Olive Branch, MS.

 

[Irish9697]

I live in Memphis and, in fact, my dbf is in marketing for Elvis Presley Enterprises!

First off, don't stay near Wolfchase. It's so far away from anywhere you'll want to go and is just a shopping area. Downtown is perfectly safe. There's a Hampton and Westin that I'd recommend. Beale Street is fun and not unsafe--there are about 2 blocks of fun. I promise!

Definitely don't stay near Graceland, but downtown, midtown or East Memphis is great.

I don't know a ton about the casinos, so I can't help you there. It's less than an hour, though...

 

[DanMedix]

Oh man....i've lived in the Memphis area all my life. I even worked at Graceland back when I was in college. So, it always floors me when people WANT to come here to visit. Perhaps I'm just too jaded or burnt out. Mud Island is a mere shell of its former self. Downtown, you'd better be packing a gun. Midtown too (and bring your hippie and panhandler repellent). If you go to Graceland, don't linger in Whitehaven (as has been stated before).

Just with any other city in the world, keep your eyes and ears open. This area really isn't too bad, but it can get pretty nasty if you make yourself a target. I'd rather have you guys safe than hear about some mishap.

 

[Jynohn]

We're taking a similar trip in January on our way down to Disney. Stopping in Asheville NC, Pigeon Forge, Memphis, and Nashville on the way down. Hearing the replies you received about Memphis makes me a little nervous. We'll be there for just one night, visiting Graceland, and staying at the Hilton Memphis on Ridge Lake Blvd. Any thoughts on whether that's in a safe area for walking at night?

 

[RadioNate]

I used to live in Memphis. I think tink20 has a great list of sites. The only one I'd add is the National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel.

I'd also second Irish9697's suggestion of the Hampton downtown. I've stayed at both and had family stay there when we lived in Memphis.

I just got our Flat Stanley back from Memphis and his hosts took him to the Westin which looks lovely. It is located in my DH's former work parking lot, lol! So that location isn't bad.

 

[RadioNate]

duplicate post

 

[horseshowmom]

I used to live in Memphis. I think tink20 has a great list of sites. The only one I'd add is the National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel.

We love Corky's for BBQ, and the Rendevous is also very good if you go are downtown.

I agree with the others about Memphis. There are several acceptable hotels on Hwy. 78 in Olive Branch and in Southaven in the I-55/Goodman Road area (lots of shopping and restaurants in that area). They aren't far from Graceland (just across the state line from Whitehaven) but would be much safer places to stay.

 

[PhotobearSam]

Wow, a bit scary....

We are going to be in Pigeon for on Nov. 6 or about there for 2 or 3 nights, then on to Nashville for 2 or 3 nights, then Memphis for again 2 or 3 nights, then through Tupelo MS, then onto the Northern coast of Florida for 2 nights then off to my Mom's house in Port Charlotte, FL for 2 weeks, then 3 nights in Orlando before fly home...

We have a small dog with us.

We are going to take the advice of people here and stay in East Memphis...Germantown seems to have a lot of nice hotels that take the dog.

We like to take tours of each city we visit...We like a lot of the things people have listed here. We are NOT casino people as we have a bad luck streak...LOL We really enjoy shopping and outlets too.

What area of of Nashville is best? Any areas to avoid?

Thanks everyone.

 

[lovemygoofy]

Wow, a bit scary....

We are going to be in Pigeon for on Nov. 6 or about there for 2 or 3 nights, then on to Nashville for 2 or 3 nights, then Memphis for again 2 or 3 nights, then through Tupelo MS, then onto the Northern coast of Florida for 2 nights then off to my Mom's house in Port Charlotte, FL for 2 weeks, then 3 nights in Orlando before fly home...

We have a small dog with us.

We are going to take the advice of people here and stay in East Memphis...Germantown seems to have a lot of nice hotels that take the dog.

We like to take tours of each city we visit...We like a lot of the things people have listed here. We are NOT casino people as we have a bad luck streak...LOL We really enjoy shopping and outlets too.

What area of of Nashville is best? Any areas to avoid?

Thanks everyone.

One of the best tours in Nashville is called the Nash Trash tour. It is hilarious and you do see alot of stuff. It's ran by two women who gossip about the famous and tell things that you don't get on a regular look to the left and look to the right tour.

Nashville is very easy to navigate for the most part. You can't go wrong with hotels near Opry Mills mall or the Gaylord Opryland hotel. Also in downtown near 2nd Avenue and up Broadway are some nice hotels.

Beyond the NashTrash tour walking around on Broadway and 2nd ave especially in the evening is a must. This is where WildHorse Saloon, tourist shops, Tootsie's Lounge, and about 2 blocks from the Ryman Auditorium(original opry house)

If your husband is needing something "manly" the Nashville Preadators pro hockey team is in season and is also in the area of 2nd and broadway. There are concerts that are not country music at teh Ryman as well as the Grand Ole Opry. If you look on the website, it lists all upcoming performances. Usually the opry schedule isn't released until a week before.

The Opryland Hotel maybe decorated or almost decorated for Christmas and is simply beautiful. You can pay the money to park at the hotel and then spend hours walking around it or you can try to park at the Opry Mills Mall and walk over but it is alot of walking that way.

The General Jackson does a very nice evening cruise down the river with live entertainment and dinner is provided. You can purchase packages for tours and cruises and anything else you like.

Don't forget to get some great southern cooking at the Loveless Cafe. Best made from scratch biscuits around.

 

[PhotobearSam]

bump

 

[DisneyLover83]

For barbeque in Memphis, find a Neely's. The original one is "Interstate Barbeque" on S. Third Street (they also have one in Southhaven, MS, where I ate Saturday night). But the Neely's who are on television have a couple of other locations.

I agree with the DO NOT stay anywhere close to Graceland. Either head NE or go South into Olive Branch, MS.

My BIL is a Memphis Police Officer in the South Precinct (Graceland/Whitehaven area) and I grew up in the Memphis area, I would not recommend going anywhere near S. Third Street. You can get great BBQ in downtown Memphis at the Rendezvous. Don't let crime keep you away from Graceland, the Zoo or any other tourist destination because the police have worked very hard to keep those area safe despite the high crime rate in the city. Do not wander far off Beale St, stay within a two block radius and trust your gut (you'll know if you went to far). Have a great time, Memphis has alot of culture to offer.

 

[crazelion]

Hampton Inn on Beale Street is very nice hotel. But very expensive.

Pigeon Forge is awesome to see Dollywood and Splash Country USA.

 

[PhotobearSam]

My BIL is a Memphis Police Officer in the South Precinct (Graceland/Whitehaven area) and I grew up in the Memphis area, I would not recommend going anywhere near S. Third Street. You can get great BBQ in downtown Memphis at the Rendezvous. Don't let crime keep you away from Graceland, the Zoo or any other tourist destination because the police have worked very hard to keep those area safe despite the high crime rate in the city. Do not wander far off Beale St, stay within a two block radius and trust your gut (you'll know if you went to far). Have a great time, Memphis has alot of culture to offer.

Scary enough....What is on Beale Street to see? Is it worth going?

What about shopping in these areas? Any outlet malls?

 

[Janet Hill]

What about shopping in these areas? Any outlet malls?

I try to keep shopping in TN to a minimum. TN has no state income tax, so they collect their money through sales tax. The state sales tax rate is 7% and then the local jurisdictions collect some for themselves so the total rate is about ~ 9 to 9.75%.