kdm

In June my daughter and I will be driving from the Bay Area to Nashville and we would love to if there are any sights on hwy 40 along the way. We are going to try and make it in 3 to 4 days the first part of June. Would appreciate any feedback. Thx as always...I will check out yelp.com for the coffee cafes

starrsville

Here's what I'd do - things I would like to see

Day 1 - long drive through CA - 599 miles - about 9 hours
night - near Lake Havasu City, AZ

Day 2 - see London Bridge
on to Sedona (231 miles) & Night 2
or Grand Canyon & Night 2
or Night 2 at Wig Wam Hotel in Holbrook AZ

Day 3 - Drive to Santa Fe NM - 4 hours from Holbrook
Night 3 in Santa Fe

Day 4 - drive to Oklahoma City - 537 miles - about 8 hours
Night 5 - Ok City
see http://www.oklahomacitynationalmemorial.org/

Day 5 - drive to Memphis - 466 miles - about 7 hours
See Graceland, watch the Peabody ducks and eat some BBQ and listen to some blues
http://www.elvis.com/graceland/
www.peabodymemphis.com


Day 6 - 212 miles - about 3 hours into Nashville

That's what I would do. I would not try to drive 2458 miles in just 3 or 4 days. I'd stop and smell the roses and make some memories

bethmac

If you need to keep to the 3/4 day schedule in order to arrive for a scheduled event, then you can't necessarily smell ALL the roses. But luckily for you, the 40 route takes you through some unique cities with a wide variety of scenery. I would definitely try to stop in Flagstaff, AZ. It will be a bit of cooler weather in the midst of a hot journey. You also go right through Albequerque, NM and Amarillo, TX. Not much to see in TX route except wide open spaces (which can be nice if you are a city dweller). You also go thru Ok City and Little Rock, which I think are both nice smaller southern cities. You could certainly stop in Memphis (my home) but I would advise last stop being Little Rock if you are trying keep to a reasonable amount of driving each day. By the time you reach Memphis, you are almost there. Maybe you'll want to do some searches for the names of the cities on 40 route for hotels, sights, etc or do another post with names of cities in title. Happy trails.

bethmac

Oops...one more thing, but it's important. If you do stop in Memphis, DO NOT, under any circumstances, stay in a motel near Graceland. Unfortunately, while Graceland is a great place to visit, the neighborhood has changed a lot and it is not a safe place to stay. Didn't want you to book something online thinking "that's near a tourist spot, so it's ok" because it is not.

kdm

Thank you both for your recommendations, they were greatly appreciated. starrsville I am going to follow your suggestions beginning at day 3 and since both you and bethmac mentioned Memphis I will not push through Memphis as I had planned but stay overnight and take in some sights. Based on the fact I can use my miles for the starwood rooms, I plan to stop in Las Vegas, who knows maybe I'll hit the jackpot. Next, we will stay overnight in Albuquerque N.M. (worried about this starwood hotel since it is only 3,000 points). In Oklahoma City I thought about staying at the Skirvin Hilton based on the reviews (maybe another time), and finally Memphis. Based on this schedule I am traveling 8 hours a day and since I am an early person will have time take in the sights. Thx again

starrsville

I'm glad the input was helpful in planning your trip. If you can at all, do slip a bit further north than ABQ and see a bit of Santa Fe. It's is just beautiful - and worth the time if you can fit it in.

Safe travels - and happy memory making

BeachGirl247

kdm, I live in OKC so if you want any info just ask!

kdm

starrsville I just made plans to go to Santa Fe as a separate trip next next April, primarily because I found a hotel that actual had a yoga mat in the room and knew at that moment it was the place for me. I figure I need at least 3 days there.

Thank you BeachGirl247 for the offer - My first question since I am staying overnight in OK CY - recommendations for dinner, causal, (fish / poultry), and a local place (as opposed to a chain). Next question which is probably very important - the best lattes and pastries in the area were I can for my morning momment. Finally, is there anything interesting we can do with my grandson (2 years old)?

I did take note there was an Italian carousel along the trip route but now I can't find the link, so if anyone knows where it is I would appreciate your guidance

Thank you so much.

BeachGirl247

Hi kdm, just saw your post. Been in Santa Fe.

Let me find some old posts of mine and I'll post back for you.

I haven't read above yet but if you can tell me where you are staying and if you want to stay in close vicinity or not for your latte and such.

Be back soon.
Sheila

kdm

Thx Sheila, we will be staying at the Sheraton in OK and the Embassy Suites in ABQ.

I hope to get to Santa Fe later this year

ilovetotravel29

that sounds like an awesome trip!

is the entire trip 4 days? or just one way?

if that is the case, I may be so inclined to try it myself!

DebTS

If you could stop in Sedona, Arizona (over the mountain from Flagstaff) I promise you will not regret it. Be sure to ask how to get to the "church in the mountain". It's amazing. On your I-40 route I would stop in Williams, Arizona for lunch. Go to visitor's center and see a bit of Route 66 History. Also, while in Memphis you could drive about 20-30 minutes south to Tunica, Mississippi and stay all night at one of the casinos there. Have a fun trip!

ElendilPickle

I would skip London Bridge in Lake Havasu City - it will be very hot and, well, it's just a bridge.

The Embassy Suites in Albuquerque is a nice hotel; you'll be fine there. Flying Star on Central has great coffee and pastries.

Lee Ann

kdm

Thx everyone for your suggestions. ilovetotravel29 (love your id) I am going one way and flying back. SW airlines has a direct flight from Nashville to Oakland. DebTS where in Williams is good to eat?? That would work for us and I would love to visit the visitor center and see the history of route 66 (I can remember the 60's show when I was little Lee Ann thank you for confirming Flying Star - Everyone is so great here that it makes planning exciting..Karen

BeachGirl247

Hi Karen,
I have some rec's for dinner but don't know if you want walking distance, which will limit your options for fish/chicken, - or -- if you don't mind driving or taking a cab.

Casual in OKC is jeans so nothing too dressed up but you'll see it all.

For fish in the downtown area:

Museum Cafe:
I eat there once a week. Has white tablecloths but don't let that sway you as its casual as well. Very low-key atmosphere, great service, local establishment and good food. About a 10-15 min walk from hotel to restaurant.

Museum Cafe Dinner Menu:

http://tinyurl.com/2efu6v

Cheever's Cafe:
short drive or cab ride
Small but quaint. Included the menu below as well:
http://tinyurl.com/358hlc

Soleil Restaurant in the Colcord Hotel just a couple of blocks from the Sheraton. Lots of fish and is good. Not dressy but not shorts either. Jeans and top would be just fine. They have a very cool bar downstairs but tends to fill up with 20 somethings.

www.soleil-xo.com

For really casual:

Crabtown in Bricktown - you are in walking distance of this place. Cajun style. Nothing fancy.

A nice place for a nightcap would be the Skirvin Hotel's bar which is just up a block. Its an old hotel that has been recently renovated and now owned by the Hilton group. Soaring ceilings, dark paneling, very cool.

Now for coffee and pastries. I know of two coffee shops but no "real" pastries. I'll get back to you on that.

Also, I'm not sure what night you will be in Oklahoma City so that could determine where you will dine as well. My two favorites are Museum Cafe and Soleil for nice casual dining.

I'll ask what's available in that area for latte and pastries. Its an area that is finally coming back to life!

myomy

A very unique working mine town off of
I-40 is Oatman, right outside Kingman,AZ. Just fun to see the mules still wandering the streets and old hotel that is still in service, but don't you stay there!

kdm

Sheila - Are you sure you don't know me those restaurants definitely have menus that would keep me coming back. I love to walk so that is not a problem...Thx so much. Myomy my grandson might enjoy the mules, we recently drove to Pecadero for him to see the baby goats at Harly Farms.