Looking for a quick getaway weekend no more than 2 hours from Memphis...ideas? (Collierville: hotels, homes)

[ColliervilleMom]

My inlaws are coming for a visit in a couple of weeks, and are giving us the gift of a getaway weekend without the kids! Any ideas on a cool place to drive that's around 2 hours from Memphis or less? We love nice restaurants and shopping, some nice scenery, maybe some hiking, and a cool museum or historic place.

Thanks!

[Pearlbob]

Not sure where you can find all of that within 2 hours of here. Tupelo might be of interest, and of course the casino area has a nature museum and nature trail (it's actually very nice).

Nashville is around 3 hours away. That would be the closest area that (IMO) would have shopping, good restaurants, museums, and things to do.

[JoeCartpath]

Little Rock is about 2 1/2 hours. Anything within 2 hours is going to be rural or small towns with little of what you're looking for....

[ColliervilleMom]

OK, I'll go to 3 hours. Nashville is on the list, but we've been there several times, looking for something new. Thanks for the suggestions so far.

[Ginsaw]

Three hours on the interstate is 210 miles one way. If you can do an overnight, that would almost get you to either Hot Springs or St. Louis. HS is interesting and St. Louis has tons to do, enough to keep you busy for a couple of days. That's where I'd go (if you want a "to do" list there, let us know). There's also Oxford MS at about 90 miles...try the Downtown Grill on the Square for dinner (be sure to order the fried green tomatoes) and a tour of Faulkner's home and the university (time it right and you might be able to catch an Ole Miss baseball game).

If rural scenic is OK there's also Pickwick Lake and Reelfoot Lake, both about 100 miles. If you go to Pickwick you'll want to see the T.V.A. dam and the Shiloh Civil War national historic park. If Reelfoot, try Boyette's or Blue Bank for dinner.

Nashville's OK especially if you'd like to try the Grand Ole Opry, but I don't think I'd go there otherwise (I say that having lived there). It's also more an overnighter. Branson MO is only a little farther too.

If you're limited to really close to Memphis there're some nice spots that would fill about three hours...Village Creek State Park near Forrest City is a neat place and Holly Springs has some beautiful ante bellum homes. There's also a BBQ spot in Brownsville that I've been meaning to recommend here, because it's better than anything I've seen in recent decades in Memphis. And yes, there are the casinos...good food, even if you're not into what they really intend for you to be doing there...

[jjtempo]

I would check out the Shoals area of NW Alabama, lots of good restaurants and beautiful towns just about two hours from Collierville. Tupelo is only about 75 minutes (87 miles)from Collierville they have great shopping and dining and they also have a fantastic car museum. Sort of in between the Shoals and Tupelo is Tishomingo state park in Tishomingo Co. Ms this is a very nice rustic park that is like being in the mountains with out the drive . Hope this helps.

[Huckleberry3911948]

clarksdale near morgan freeman home good as it gets.

[Ginsaw]

I knew I was forgetting something - NASA - Marshall Space Flight Center Home Page.

It's in Huntsville, Alabama, only roughly as far as Nashville, and well worth the trip if you've never seen it.

[kingchef]

oxford, ms should be a place on anyone's list. nice architecture and wonderful restaurants. great food and wine from no less than five restaurants i can think of off hand. go to downtown---try the shrimp and stone ground georgia grits at the city cafe. wonderful. the chef there has sous chefs coming from everywhere in the u.s. to apprentice under him. one can have a really nice time in oxford.

another place i would suggest is paris landing and the land between the lakes area. swim, picnic, stay in cabins, in the inn, or camp out. play golf, go rock climbing at standing rock on the eastshore of the lake. explore the trails, drive the scenic route to see the bison, elk, wild turkey, etc. eat catfish at the several local restaurants, have the buffet at the inn, or go a few miles down the road and have the buffet at dena's. the inn at the park is pretty large---i think about 7 stories; however, it can sometimes be booked---check room availabilty before you go. there are several other motels/hotels. go boating from the marina or choose to fish just about anywhere. sailing is a fun pasttime. it is a big lake, and there is much to see and do. enjoy.

[2nomadic4me]

Little Rock! I currently live near there (Cabot).