OT - anybody from GA, TN, KY, NC or SC?

[karinbelle]

LOUISVILLE

We've had special pieces of pottery made at Louisville Stoneware when our son was little. Captured his little hand and footprints on mugs, ornaments, trivets, etc. It might be a nice place for a diversion. They would mail you the finished products in a few weeks.


From www.louisvillestoneware.com

At Louisville Stoneware, we believe each of our products is an exclusive piece of Functional Art made especially for you. Visit us in any of the following locations:

STUDIO ONE
731 Brent Street
Directly off Broadway, parallel to Barrett
Louisville KY 40204
502.582.1900
800.626.1800
Hours: Mon - Sat 10 am – 6 pm
Paint-Your-Own Art: Mon – Sat, 10 am – 5 pm
Tours: Mon – Fri, 10:30 am & 1:30 pm

Paint Your Own Pottery
Studio Hours: Monday — Saturday, 10 am — 5 pm
Last seating — 3:30 pm
Reservations required for groups of 6 or more — Call 502.582.1900, ext. 125

Click here for more information, studio fees, group rates

Factory Tours
Tour Hours: Monday — Friday, 10:30 am — 1:30 pm
Reservations required for tour groups of 12 or more Call 502.582.1900, ext. 125

 

[karinbelle]

Our city website is http://www.louisvilleky.gov/

If you are going to the Slugger Museum, the Louisville Science Center is just acros the street. Frazier Historical Arms Museum is also in the same area. My DS (7) enjoys both places.

Right now there's a link on the front page highlighting some of the places and things to do in our area. Welcome!

 

[pperfectmom]

Try to visit the Red River Gorge in Kentucky. It is known as the Grand Canyon of the East and is beautiful. You can find info by searching the Daniel Boone National Forest website. There is Natural Bridge State Park near there which is also lovely and has a lodge or cabins to rent. There are also a lot of independently owned cabin rentals in the area. This area has more natural rock arches than any place in the country! If you do go through that area, go to Miguel's Pizza to eat. It's where all the rock climbers hang out and he has great pizza and ice cream.

 

[TwistofLemon]

Here in NC, you've got another vote for Biltmore House, including the winery tour. They have a tasting room at the end, very nice!

I haven't seen any mention of Grandfather Mountain in the Boone area. www.grandfather.com

From Asheville, drive the Blueridge Parkway(just beautiful!) north ....GF Mountain is right off the Parkway. There's a Mile High Swinging bridge, hiking trails, picnic areas, wildlife habitats, and of course gift shops.

If you'd like to stay in the area, there are any number of places to sleep in Blowing Rock www.blowingrock.com cabins, B&Bs, motels, or the Chetola Resort www.chetola.com

Sounds like you're planning a great trip!
Have Fun!
Donna

 

[dfhesh]

Don't forget about historic Charleston, SC!!!! Beautiful city, with so much to do!!! Market street, horse drawn carriage tours, The Battery, and so much more! This should definitely be on your list of places to visit

 

[DizneyDogs]

Thanks for all the great tips, it is really helping us to know what the "must sees" are! So keep them coming.

As for shopping are there any Disney outlets in any of these areas?

Also we plan to do all the tours at Graceland, how long do you think that will take? should we plan to be there all day? We are up in the air whether or not to do the Country Music hall of fame in Nashville...is it worth seeing? and how long does it take to go through?

Also on any of the other recommendations if you could let me know how long it takes to see any of them would be really helpful as well.

 

[PLibster]

In SC don't forget to visit Myrtle Beach. Not only for the Grand Strand, but there is plenty of shopping and if you love to golf, we have the most golf courses in any one area! We also have The Dixie Stampede, Alabama Theater and the Carolina Opry. In April 2008, Hard Rock Theme Park will open in Myrtle Beach and is going to be a big hit!!! Have Fun!

 

[elf]

I vote for Biltmore and also I really wanted to mention Grandfather mountain which would be a fun excursion.

 

[kfeuer]

As for shopping are there any Disney outlets in any of these areas?

I don't know if it's still true, but there used to be a Disney outlet in Pigeon Forge.

You've gotten some great suggestions already. One thing I'd add is to try to avoid coming in/out of Atlanta during rush hour. Traffic can be brutal!

If you go to Stone Mtn Park, Evergreen is a nice place to stay for the night.

 

[Dreaming of Disney]

Don't forget Northern Kentucky! Newport on the levee is a great place for entertainment and sight seeing. It is right on the Ohio River and has a wonderful view of Cincinnati. You can also walk over the Purple People Bridge. The levee also has the Newport Aquarium which is worth the trip by itself. Don't forget to try some of the famous Cincinnati Chili. YUM!!

There are also the Gambling boats right across the river in Indiana if you are into that sort of thing.

 

[UGAFan0829]

I just wanted to offer my ideas on some good places to visit in Atlanta...
Stone Mountain ParK (as someone else mentioned)
The World of Coke
Georgia Aquarium (also mentioned by someone else)
Atlanta Zoo, which also included the Cyclorama
The Margaret Mitchell House
The Fox Theater
Centennial Olympic Park
Six Flags
White Water
The Varsity
The CNN Center

P.S...I also HIGHLY recommend a visit to the Biltmore House in Asheville, NC

 

[qtwns]

In GA: If you're taking this trip during baseball season, catch an Atlanta Braves game. Also if your drive takes you near Dahlonega this is a quaint little town with lots of gold mining history, cute shops and the Smith House Inn can't be beat for family style dining with fantastic fresh veggies! The outlet mall in Dawsonville is great.

Someone mentioned Cades Cove in the Smokies--absolutely beautiful. You will see a lot of deer and chances are good that you'll see a bear.

 

[Goofy&Sleepy]

I'd plan a stop in Chattanooga...do ROCK CITY on Lookout Mountain (NOT Ruby Falls) & go to the Riverfront area/Coolidge Park--neat shops/restaurants. Aquarium is nice but I'd skip it if going to the GA Aquarium.

 

[kydisneyfans]

Don't forget the Lexington, KY area-you would pass through between Lousiville and Red River Gorge, or from Louisville to Pigeon Forge.

Some Highlights:
KY Horse Park
Horse Farm tours-some of the most beautiful farms you will ever see.
Keeneland racing if in season
Shaker Village on US 68 between Lexington and Harrodsburg
Tour the Toyota plant in Georgetown
Visit the state Capitol in Frankfort.

Also to the south is Berea-the Arts and Crafts capitol of KY. Further south is Cumberland Falls, Lake Cumberland, and Cumberland Gap National Park.

As for staying in this region-the reviews on Trip Advisor are pretty much right on for the area.

We have distilleries and wineries throughout the region.

 

[c88fly]

Thanks for all the great tips, it is really helping us to know what the "must sees" are! So keep them coming.

Also we plan to do all the tours at Graceland, how long do you think that will take? should we plan to be there all day?

At Graceland, you don't have a "tour" guide, they give you headphones so you can go at your own pace. Now me, the first time I spent probably 4-5 hours there. We got the "platinum" tickets, which included his airplanes and museums across the street. The museums were really cute. This is where they show different items that EP held on to. He was a pack rat and never threw anything away (lucky for us) but they also have Lisa Marie's furniture set up like it was when she was a baby.

The planes are great, too.

I like to get in as much as possible, so I read everything and anything that was told. From what brought about him wearing the leather outfit in his '68 comeback show, to how they got the eagle jacket back from his "Aloha from Hawaii" concert where he threw it out into the audience.


Now, as far as staying in Memphis. Where EP'S house sits is not a very good area in Memphis. Of course there, you are fine, but unless you stay at his "Heartbreak Hotel", I would not recommend that area. About the safest place to stay is downtown.

Stay downtown, walk Beale Street (if you're lucky, you might see either BB King or Issac Hayes playing at their restaurants) at night and see the ducks at The Peabody the next morning. That would be a perfect day!

Lori

 

[asa'smom]

Chattanooga Tn.
Ruby Falls
Lookout Mountain
Racoon Caverns
Tennessee Aquarium(Love it, completly different experience than the Ga Aquarium)
River Boat
Tow Truck Museum
Imax Movie
Children Interactive Museum
Incline Railroad

Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge Tn
Wonderwork
Ripleys Putt Putt
Ripleys Belive it or Not Museum
Ripley's Aquarium
Guiness Book of World Record
Hillbilly Putt Putt (Ride a small incline to the top to play Putt putt on the side of the Mt.
All kinds of Dinner shows
Dollywood
Ripleys Haunted House
Sky Lift
Ober Attractions
Not to mention just riding the mountain road.
Newfoundland Gap
We vacationed in Chattanooga and Gatinburg many times and love both.

 

[gower525]

I'm in Nashville. Definitely see Gaylord Opryland Hotel. It is gorgeous. It is fun just to walk around. There is a Disney Outlet at Opry Mills (walking distance to the hotel). Demos' is a local favorite restaraunt. It has steaks and spaghetti. There is one downtown. I have lived in Nashville my whole life and never been to the Grand Ol' Opry, so I can't help you there.

 

[willoughbyclan]

As for shopping are there any Disney outlets in any of these areas?

I was most recently in Pigeon Forge August 06 and there was a Disney Outlet in the Tanger Outlets.

Also we plan to do all the tours at Graceland, how long do you think that will take? should we plan to be there all day?

I took approx 2-3 hrs for touring everything and didn't feel rushed. Plan to allow extra time so you won't feel rushed. I was so intrigued that I wanted to look at and read every single item.