Nashville

[tarheelmjfan]

I just got back from Nashville last night and wanted to say that we loved Puckett's (went twice, preferred dinner to breakfast but both were good) and Biscuit Love (breakfast) in the Gulch. We went to Loveless Cafe too and thought it was good but not great. Pancake Pantry was also a thumbs up from us.

We didn't stay at the Omni (we were at the Hermitage) but did walk through at one point and it was lovely and a great location so I think you'll be happy there.

We used UBER a lot and never had any issues at all though it may be tougher around the holidays with so many people in town. One thing I would not recommend is the free MTA bus service they offer downtown. We had lousy experiences both times we tried using it (one driver gave us incorrect route info and sent us way out of our way and the other driver had no idea where she was going - passengers were actually telling her where she needed to turn and we ended up taking a few wrong turns and going around in tiny circles. LOL).

Thanks for the feedback. We have Puckett's on our list for breakfast &/or lunch. It sounds great! I'll look up Biscuit Love to see how far it is from our hotel. I'd love to try Loveless Cafe, because it seems like something you're supposed to do. It appears to be a lot of hassle to eat there though. Do you think it was worth it?

It's good to know about the buses. With the hills in Nashville & colder temps at the end of December, we'll probably be taking UBER or cabs quite a bit. We will have our car, but DH & I are both totally opposed to driving, after we reach our destination.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

I don't know if there any are hotels within walking distance over in that area, it's more of a neighborhood area style

Unfortunately the nearest hotels are one block the other side of the Capitol from the bicentennial park. It is walking distance. But the hill can be rough.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

I don't know if there any are hotels within walking distance over in that area, it's more of a neighborhood area style

I would not be disappointed with your plans. The Omni is still the best place to stay and you can't go wrong with celebrating the New Year at the Acme. The new location at the Bicentenial Mall is more spacious than the riverfront but there aren't any hotels at that location. The article says that shuttles will be provided between lower broad and new location but I don't know how easy that will be with the huge crowd. They will also televise it on a big screen to lower broad with fireworks at both locations. I would wait to see who the performers will be before changing plans.

I did see where Old Crow Medicine Show is performing at the Ryman that night. They were there last year for New Years Eve in a sold out show.

Unfortunately the nearest hotels are one block the other side of the Capitol from the bicentennial park. It is walking distance. But the hill can be rough.

Thanks all for the hotel input. We've decided to stay with Omni. If we decide to go to the NYE celebration in the park, we'll take a cab or UBER. I'm waiting on info to see what the options are for private parties in the park. Seating & nearby restrooms are necessary for us. We may need to go a different route. That would be disappointing, because we've really been looking forward to seeing the NYE celebration in person, but I'm sure we'll have fun, regardless of the venue.

 

[KBoopaloo]

Thanks for the feedback. We have Puckett's on our list for breakfast &/or lunch. It sounds great! I'll look up Biscuit Love to see how far it is from our hotel. I'd love to try Loveless Cafe, because it seems like something you're supposed to do. It appears to be a lot of hassle to eat there though. Do you think it was worth it?

It's good to know about the buses. With the hills in Nashville & colder temps at the end of December, we'll probably be taking UBER or cabs quite a bit. We will have our car, but DH & I are both totally opposed to driving, after we reach our destination.

We loved Puckett's and went on a weeknight when they had music with no cover. It was great. If we were there longer we would have tried lunch too and sampled all three meals there!

The Loveless was still good just not our favorite. The little shops they have set up there were cute too. We took an Uber there from downtown and it was pretty reasonable (maybe $18-$24?) We Uber'd a lot because of the hills and the heat. My mom has one lung so managing those hills was not easy for her. Your hotel choice will help a bit with the hills. The Hermitage was up hill from nearly everything so it made things a bit tricky. I also hate driving once I've arrived at my destination if there is another option and we spent about $90 total on Uber which included long rides back and forth to the Grand Ole Opry, the Loveless, Belle Meade Plantation, Pancake Pantry, the Gulch and then a bunch of much shorter trips. Totally worth it.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

Hi all, DS just mentioned he'd like to see as many states as possible on our trip. Riding in a car isn't easy for me, so we'll have to limit how far we can go. If we add 2 or 3 days to our trip, where do you suggest we go that is an easy drive from Memphis or Nashville?

 

[mandy200587]

Hi all, DS just mentioned he'd like to see as many states as possible on our trip. Riding in a car isn't easy for me, so we'll have to limit how far we can go. If we add 2 or 3 days to our trip, where do you suggest we go that is an easy drive from Memphis or Nashville?

You're not from Arkansas, Mississippi in Memphis and Kentucky, Alabama aren't far from Nashville

 

[tarheelmjfan]

We loved Puckett's and went on a weeknight when they had music with no cover. It was great. If we were there longer we would have tried lunch too and sampled all three meals there!

The Loveless was still good just not our favorite. The little shops they have set up there were cute too. We took an Uber there from downtown and it was pretty reasonable (maybe $18-$24?) We Uber'd a lot because of the hills and the heat. My mom has one lung so managing those hills was not easy for her. Your hotel choice will help a bit with the hills. The Hermitage was up hill from nearly everything so it made things a bit tricky. I also hate driving once I've arrived at my destination if there is another option and we spent about $90 total on Uber which included long rides back and forth to the Grand Ole Opry, the Loveless, Belle Meade Plantation, Pancake Pantry, the Gulch and then a bunch of much shorter trips. Totally worth it.

Thanks for the UBER info. I'm sure we'll be using it a lot. I definitely want to see the Christmas stuff at Gaylord Opryland Resort, if we have time. We'll also be needing transportation to attractions & restaurants that are too far for me to walk to. We may need transportation to Bicentennial Park also. I'm waiting for me info on the NYE event & crossing my fingers that it will work for us.

It sounds like Loveless Cafe isn't worth the hassle, with so many other options available. Would you agree?

 

[tarheelmjfan]

You're not from Arkansas, Mississippi in Memphis and Kentucky, Alabama aren't far from Nashville

Thanks. Any particular destinations in any of those states that we should consider?

 

[mandy200587]

Thanks. Any particular destinations in any of those states that we should consider?

Not off the top of my head, I haven't been to Kentucky except for concerts back when I was crazier. LOL

 

[tarheelmjfan]

Not off the top of my head, I haven't been to Kentucky except for concerts back when I was crazier. LOL

 

[Kirby]

There's Mammoth Cave right up 65 in Kentucky, it's about an hour and a half drive.

 

[Twilight Sparkle]

Another vote for Mammoth Cave.

St. Louis is about 4 hrs from Memphis. Is that too far? Oxford, MS is a nice town and is an easy drive from Memphis. Little Rock, AR is about 2.5 hrs (maybe a little less) from Memphis, but the drive there is not pretty. You'd be driving through the ugly, flat part of AR between Memphis and LR. If you just want to say you've been in AR, you could visit one of the state parks in the NW corner of AR. Reelfoot State Park is a beautiful place to visit north of Memphis and it's close enough to KY to just drive over the border to say you've been there, but Mammoth Cave would be a great KY side trip if you have the time. Tuscumbia, AL has the Helen Keller house and museum. It's about 2 hrs from my house, so probably 2.5 - 3 hrs from Memphis. Huntsville, AL is not too far from Nashville, and it has a lot to do. Tunica, MS might be another option for MS, though I'd rather go to Oxford. But, if you like casinos, Tunica is very close to downtown Memphis.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

There's Mammoth Cave right up 65 in Kentucky, it's about an hour and a half drive.

Thanks, I'll look it up.

Another vote for Mammoth Cave.

St. Louis is about 4 hrs from Memphis. Is that too far? Oxford, MS is a nice town and is an easy drive from Memphis. Little Rock, AR is about 2.5 hrs (maybe a little less) from Memphis, but the drive there is not pretty. You'd be driving through the ugly, flat part of AR between Memphis and LR. If you just want to say you've been in AR, you could visit one of the state parks in the NW corner of AR. Reelfoot State Park is a beautiful place to visit north of Memphis and it's close enough to KY to just drive over the border to say you've been there, but Mammoth Cave would be a great KY side trip if you have the time. Tuscumbia, AL has the Helen Keller house and museum. It's about 2 hrs from my house, so probably 2.5 - 3 hrs from Memphis. Huntsville, AL is not too far from Nashville, and it has a lot to do. Tunica, MS might be another option for MS, though I'd rather go to Oxford. But, if you like casinos, Tunica is very close to downtown Memphis.

Wow. So many options. Now, I have more research to do. Thanks so much.

 

[Twilight Sparkle]

Thanks, I'll look it up.



Wow. So many options. Now, I have more research to do. Thanks so much.

No problem! I know how all of us crazy disboarders love researching! Happy to provide you with more reasons to enjoy your favorite hobby.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

No problem! I know how all of us crazy disboarders love researching! Happy to provide you with more reasons to enjoy your favorite hobby.

You've got that right.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

DS said he'd love to see Mammoth Cave. I'm going to try to fit it in. Their website says they are open in the winter. There are a couple tours to choose from. What do you all think the weather will be like the first week of January? I know caves are generally cold year-round & the temp shouldn't change much, if any. How do you think the colder outside temp will affect the experience though?

We're now finding so many places we'd like to see that are a reasonable drive from Memphis or Nashville. It's too bad we don't have a full two weeks for all the fun sightseeing. I don't think our family would appreciate getting dumped at Christmas though.

 

[Twilight Sparkle]

We've been to Mammoth Cave in all seasons, and I like the colder ones best. The tours are limited then, but the weather is cool enough to enjoy both above and below ground. I hate the heat, so we tend not to hike above ground as often in the warmer months and the hikes are really gorgeous there. If the Niagara tour is available, that one is a must do. The geologic features are the most spectacular of all the tours. There are a lot of steps at one point (but it seems like they were optional) and a super narrow passageway, but other than that, it's not terribly difficult or time consuming. We have done several other tours, but I just pulled up the winter schedule and none of the others are listed. I don't remember a tour called Domes and Dripstones, so I'm wondering if it is new or if they changed the name. If you go back another time when there are more options, I would recommend some of the longer tours because you get to learn a LOT of history. The tour rangers do a great job, so be sure to stick close enough to hear their talks. They're great about answering questions, too. The restaurant at the lodge is really good if you have time for a meal. The biscuits and black cherry preserves are wonderful. The black cherry ice cream is really good, too. The park hotel is the perfect location, but it's nothing fancy and the wifi has been pretty awful in the past. The rooms are clean, though, and the staff is nice. Now you're making me want to head back to Mammoth! Hopefully we can squeeze in a trip soon. Enjoy your time there!!!!

Edited to Add: They do get snow there sometimes, so that could make a big difference in the above ground experience. Some of the trails would not be advisable in snow or ice. I don't know how quickly they clear the roads if they get a really big snow. It might be something to ask if you call for info. In general, though, to us winters in this region are fairly mild, but Floridians might call us crazy.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

We've been to Mammoth Cave in all seasons, and I like the colder ones best. The tours are limited then, but the weather is cool enough to enjoy both above and below ground. I hate the heat, so we tend not to hike above ground as often in the warmer months and the hikes are really gorgeous there. If the Niagara tour is available, that one is a must do. The geologic features are the most spectacular of all the tours. There are a lot of steps at one point (but it seems like they were optional) and a super narrow passageway, but other than that, it's not terribly difficult or time consuming. We have done several other tours, but I just pulled up the winter schedule and none of the others are listed. I don't remember a tour called Domes and Dripstones, so I'm wondering if it is new or if they changed the name. If you go back another time when there are more options, I would recommend some of the longer tours because you get to learn a LOT of history. The tour rangers do a great job, so be sure to stick close enough to hear their talks. They're great about answering questions, too. The restaurant at the lodge is really good if you have time for a meal. The biscuits and black cherry preserves are wonderful. The black cherry ice cream is really good, too. The park hotel is the perfect location, but it's nothing fancy and the wifi has been pretty awful in the past. The rooms are clean, though, and the staff is nice. Now you're making me want to head back to Mammoth! Hopefully we can squeeze in a trip soon. Enjoy your time there!!!!

Edited to Add: They do get snow there sometimes, so that could make a big difference in the above ground experience. Some of the trails would not be advisable in snow or ice. I don't know how quickly they clear the roads if they get a really big snow. It might be something to ask if you call for info. In general, though, to us winters in this region are fairly mild, but Floridians might call us crazy.

From the description, it appears I could do the Niagara tour. The Domes & Dripstones tour looks too physically challenging for me. I'm hoping we can do the easier one together, then DH & DS could continue on the more difficult path. I guess we'll just have to see, when we get there. We'll definitely plan to have a meal there & check out the hotel.

I just saw your edit. DS would love to see snow, if it's only a light covering. If there's a major snow anywhere, we'll be in trouble. We'll have to worry about that from the time we get to South Carolina, until we get back to mid-GA on our way home. We'll have our fingers crossed that the whole trip will work out. My greatest fear is getting snowed in at NC & not making it to Memphis & Nashville. If they're calling for a lot of snow, we'll be throwing gifts at everyone, telling them how much we love them, then hitting the road out of NC.

 

[Twilight Sparkle]

I hope you guys have beautiful weather for your whole trip and a couple inches of non travel impacting snow for your son. Had to laugh at the vision of you all tossing gifts to people and hitting the road. Hoping it doesn't come to that! If the Memphis area gets snow, it's usually in Feb. I think I've only ever seen a white Christmas twice the whole time we've been in West TN. The mountains can get snow a lot earlier, but hopefully you guys will luck out.

 

[mandy200587]

All I can say is what's a white christmas?? LOL...rainy christmas and new years we know better