suggestions on trip across Tenn (Memphis, Knoxville: hotel, home, live in)

[momof1]

Hi, My sisters and I are coming from South Carolina to Gatlinberg. Then we are going all across TN to Memphis. We would lilke to know some routes, places to see and stop at along the way. We are going to make a week road trip out of this and open to all suggestions and ideas. Thanks so much!

[alleycat]

Fall Creek Falls near Pikeville might be worth a detour. The Jack Daniel Distillery in Lynchburg is kind of interesting. If you visit Nashville, check out the lower Broad and Second Avenue area, maybe Hillsboro Village, the Opryland Hotel (just to visit) and Opry Mills Mall if you're into shopping. You could take the Natchez Trace Parkway part of the way when you'd heading from Nashville towards Memphis. If you're coming in June, there's a couple of big music festivals. The CMA Music Festival is in Nashville. Bonnaroo is like Woodstock in the south.

If you told us what your interests are, we could probably do a better job of suggesting things. There are places to enjoy nature, or crafts, or shopping, or lakes, or music, or just pretty drives, etc.

[daniellefort]

Well it may be a little out of the way but have you ever heard of Tail of the Dragon? 316 curves in 11 miles. It's quite a ride. I actually had a friend get car sick from all the twists and turns. It's pretty cool.

[momof1]

Hi and thanks for your reply! No, never heard of it, where is it?sounds interesting.

[momof1]

Hey thank you for the reply and suggestions. There is four of us sisters and we are in our mid 40's to 50. We love everything-shopping, music, outdoors,small towns, big towns, sightseeing, etc. and are always ready to step out of the box and venture to something new and spend time together. None of us have ever been to Tennesse and actually we all live in Iowa. Just will be flying to SC for a short trip and then driving back to Iowa and want to explore TN. So thank you again for the great ideas.

[daniellefort]

Originally Posted by momof1

Hi and thanks for your reply! No, never heard of it, where is it?sounds interesting.

It's off the Foothills parkway south of Seveirville. Just Google Tail of the Dragon and you'll get a map and see some pictures. It's pretty awesome to do at least one time. Also Cades Cove is a nice ride. You drive your own car through some historic sites from way back when. We saw lots of deer on the sides of the road.

[alleycat]

There's some crafts centers in Cookeville and East Tennessee. You might want to check those out.

You could follow the Interstates from Knoxville to Chattanooga to Nashville to Memphis, and plan on taking side trips to some of the other areas of interest. There's some really nice natural areas in East and Middle Tennessee, music in Nashville and Memphis, historical areas here and there. For example, the Hermitage, home of Andrew Jackson, in Nashville is a nice place to vist.

[momof1]

thanks everyone for your suggestions. They were great ones. Anyone else have anymore!!!!

[alleycat]

You might also browse the state website and look at the various events, activities, and attractions: Tennessee Vacation - The State's Official Travel Planning Website

[BST]

Bell Buckle, TN is a "don't miss" side trip nestled between Nashville and Chattanooga - it's good for at least 6 hours of browsing and great country cooking. There's one common parking lot for all of the shops, and it's painted up like a crazy patch quilt.
Bell Buckle, TN Chamber of Commerce