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

[PhotobearSam]

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%.

Not horrible since here it's 13%. I just want to get clothes I can't get in Canada.

 

[horseshowmom]

Wow, a bit scary....

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.

Just wanted to add that if you're heading to Tupelo after leaving Memphis, the Southaven/Olive Branch area is very convenient (you just take Hwy. 78 straight to Tupelo).

I agree with you, Memphis has gotten a bit scary. I grew up going there all the time and loved it, but the last 20 years (10 especially) it has really gone downhill. I'm hoping that a new mayor will help change that because it's gotten to the point where I won't even go anymore (go to Tupelo instead). There are lots of great options for culture in Memphis (the symphony, the theater, etc.), but I just don't go into the city anymore if I can possibly help it.

There's a wonderful bed and breakfast in New Albany, MS (probably 20-25 minutes from Tupelo). We rented it for guests to stay in for our daughter's recent wedding (which was held in Tupelo). They have a private pool and hot tub (proabably won't do you any good, but you can never tell about our weather). There are several new hotels that have been built very recently in the Tupelo area too.

 

[tink20]

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.

We stayed at Holiday Inn Express in Olive Branch, we stayed 4 nights with two rooms, way cheaper than staying in Downtown Memphis, plus free cont. breakfast every morning,free parking,(they charge for parking at the hotels Downtown). Just wanted to add, went we on Beale St., I could have skipped that, not much there for a family with kids and grandparents. I would just make sure you were back to your hotel before it gets dark. We did ride through a couple of scary looking neighborhoods, but since it was summer, we had lots of time before it got dark. Have a great trip! OP

 

[WaltD4Me]

My brother and I went to Graceland five years ago. He is a HUGE Elvis fan. We stayed at The Heartbreak Hotel across the street from Graceland and really enjoyed it. We had no problems and didn't feel un-safe. We didn't walk around the neighborhood, but we did walk from our hotel to the giftshops in front of it.

I don't know if things have changed/gotten worse, but honestly when were there the immediate Graceland area was fine. I do remember the Heartbreak Hotel having a security enterance, we had to show give our names and show our room keys to get into the parking lot at night. I thought the hotel was fun though, BIG picture of Elvis above the bed! Big room and pretty nice too.
Again.....this was 5 years ago though.

On a side note...I use Trip Advisor to research places I have never been before. I have found great hotels this way and the reviews have always worked well for me. Also good for finding out about attractions and things to do and see.

 

[ozarkmom]

I don't really have any advice just a little story about a local family that was visiting Memphis last year. First off this family is a little well lets say goofy. They were driving through and decided to park their Tahoe with 3 sleeping kids get out and take pictures of Graceland this was at 2:00 a.m. The vehicle was stolen (with the kids) The children woke up and the older one talked the thief into letting them out at a convenience store.

 

[Pamlur]

Opry Mills Mall in Nashville is a fun place to shop; my daughter and I go there when we need a girls' getaway (and can actually get away). The stores there are outlets. We usually stay at Sheraton Music City, but I don't know what their dog policy is. I know they are extremely kid-friendly, but mostly a convention hotel.

The area of South Third and I-55 isn't really that horrible a location; it looks scarier than it is. We took friends there who were visiting from Canada, and they absolutely loved the barbeque.

I can totally believe the story about the car, too; I'm so glad the kids talked the car thieves into letting them out. The mayor that Memphis has had for 18 years hasn't done anything positive for the city.

ETA: There used to be a VF (Vanity Fair) outlet in Tupelo that had Lee and Wrangler jeans at really good prices.

 

[horseshowmom]

Opry Mills Mall in Nashville is a fun place to shop; my daughter and I go there when we need a girls' getaway (and can actually get away). The stores there are outlets. We usually stay at Sheraton Music City, but I don't know what their dog policy is. I know they are extremely kid-friendly, but mostly a convention hotel.

I can totally believe the story about the car, too; I'm so glad the kids talked the car thieves into letting them out. The mayor that Memphis has had for 18 years hasn't done anything positive for the city.

Totally agree (about the mayor and about Opry Mills)!

Opry Mills is huge, and we really liked it when we went to the Opryland Hotel Christmas thing last year.

 

[PhotobearSam]

I will check this all out....thanks.


I can't wait!

 

[DisneyLover83]

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

What about shopping in these areas? Any outlet malls?

There are no outlet malls in downtown or even within the city limits of Memphis. There is one in Tunica, MS right near the Casino's. There also used to be one in Lakeland, TN but last time I was there they only had about 6 stores left .

On Beale St there is mostly nightlife, bars, clubs, etc. There are some good places to eat and a few tourist shops.

 

[NJMomma]

We visited Nashville in June. We stayed near The Opryland Hotel. Even if you don't stay there, it's worth a trip, it's quite a sight. The Opryland Mall is OK, but I come the land of malls, and found it just OK. Opryland Hotel reminded me of a Vegas type resort, without the gambling! We are not so into country music either. We did the Gen'l Jackson river boat, which was pretty good. Did the afternoon trip, so we saw downtown from the boat. We went to the GM Corvette Factory in Bowling Green KY - that was really interesting. Bowling Green is about an hour north of Nashville. Also did Lost River Caves in Bowling Green to finish our day there. They were smallish caves, but we were looking for something in the area. We went to Belle Mead plantation and enjoyed that as well. I did do some outlet shopping, if only I could remember the name..it was off the major highway that runs between Knoxville and Nashville. You can see it from the highway. I got some good deals at the Nike outlet and the Bath and Body Works Outlet.

Have a great trip

 

[horseshowmom]

We visited Nashville in June. We stayed near The Opryland Hotel. Even if you don't stay there, it's worth a trip, it's quite a sight. The Opryland Mall is OK, but I come the land of malls, and found it just OK. Opryland Hotel reminded me of a Vegas type resort, without the gambling! We are not so into country music either. We did the Gen'l Jackson river boat, which was pretty good. Did the afternoon trip, so we saw downtown from the boat. We went to the GM Corvette Factory in Bowling Green KY - that was really interesting. Bowling Green is about an hour north of Nashville. Also did Lost River Caves in Bowling Green to finish our day there. They were smallish caves, but we were looking for something in the area. We went to Belle Mead plantation and enjoyed that as well. I did do some outlet shopping, if only I could remember the name..it was off the major highway that runs between Knoxville and Nashville. You can see it from the highway. I got some good deals at the Nike outlet and the Bath and Body Works Outlet.

Have a great trip

Also, there are several outlet malls in Pigeon Forge. Anybody have any recommendations on which are better?

 

[mandy200587]

We visited Nashville in June. We stayed near The Opryland Hotel. Even if you don't stay there, it's worth a trip, it's quite a sight. The Opryland Mall is OK, but I come the land of malls, and found it just OK. Opryland Hotel reminded me of a Vegas type resort, without the gambling! We are not so into country music either. We did the Gen'l Jackson river boat, which was pretty good. Did the afternoon trip, so we saw downtown from the boat. We went to the GM Corvette Factory in Bowling Green KY - that was really interesting. Bowling Green is about an hour north of Nashville. Also did Lost River Caves in Bowling Green to finish our day there. They were smallish caves, but we were looking for something in the area. We went to Belle Mead plantation and enjoyed that as well. I did do some outlet shopping, if only I could remember the name..it was off the major highway that runs between Knoxville and Nashville. You can see it from the highway. I got some good deals at the Nike outlet and the Bath and Body Works Outlet.

Have a great trip

That would be Lebanon Prime Outlets.

 

[PhotobearSam]

Anyone been to the Smokey Mountain Cat House in Pigeon Forge????

It sounds cool.