xmelissax

My fiance and I will be in Tennesse for a week in early Jan. We will be splitting the time between Nashville and Memphis with several of the days in Nashville being spent with extended family. I was looking for some suggestions on things to do and places to eat(not too fancy, some local favorites would be good) in both cities, as well as anything fun to see or do on the drive from Nashville to Memphis. I've done the Hermitage, and Loveless Cafe, things like that in Nashville. We are young, in our 20's and like to have fun, but don't drink so bars aren't of interest to us. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!

xrae

Casey Jones Village in Jackson is right off the Interstate between Nasvhille and Memphis.

If you want to take a back road and meander, there is US 70 somewhat parallel to I-40, and other smaller state and county highways that will get you there via a much more scenic route.

The Natchez Trace Parkway begins just west of Nasvhille. Loveless Cafe is there at the beginning ... drive down the Parkway just a few miles and see the Natchez Trace Parkway bridge. There is an overlook at the north end of the bridge on the Parkway, and then you can drive down into the valley and see it from below. It's very impressive.

dgarland

You could easily spend an afternoon or evening at the Opryland Hotel seeing the atrium and fountains, etc. There are several restaurants there, but you wouldn't have to eat if you didn't want to. You could drive to Franklin and spend a few hours on Main Street (in fact, if you take the Natchez drive mentioned in xmelissax's post, the exit she mentions will take you right to Franklin) Franklin is about a 30 minute drive from Nashville. It's a quaint town with some unique shopping. Eat lunch at Dumplins' on Main Street or at the Stoveworks in the Factory. In fact, if the weather is bad, The Factory would be a nice way to spend a few hours. It's quaint shops and restaurants in a series of old factories and warehouses. Very nice. If you like country music, spend one evening strolling up and down Broadway. You can go in the clubs and listen to the music. Most of them don't have a cover charge. The music is great, everywhere you go, even if you don't drink. If you like barbeque, eat at Jack's Barbeque on Broadway, it's inexpensive but delicious. I think you can still take a carriage ride downtown unless the weather turns really cold. It's still in the 60s this week. Have fun!

Gellers

Try Margot Cafe in Nashville for dinner, but make reservations first. It gets crowded. Yummy!

Bob_KY

There really isn't much between Nashville and Memphis, at least on the interstate ( I know, I lived halfway between them for most of my life), I would recommend just going on I-40 straight through, should take you about 3 1/2 hours at the most. I would second the recommendation for Franklin, if you drive there you can also get off at the Brentwood exit in Nashville then drive down US 31 (Franklin Rd) - this will take you past several very large antebellum mansions.

turista2

In Memphis, I recommend going to Beale Street at night (cheesy yes, but also highly entertaining). For food in Memphis, I recommend Gus's restaurant on the south side of downtown -- it looks like nothing at all but has the best fried chicken in the world (in fact, many years ago, GQ Mag rated it as one of the top restaurants in the world worth traveling to). All the Memphis tourists go to the Rendezvous restaurant downtown for bar-bq (specifically for dry ribs). The Rendezvous is across the street from the Peabody Hotel (also worth a look into their lobby -- especially at 11am or 5pm when the ducks "march"), but my fav bar-bq restaurant is the Bar-bq Shop on Madison Avenue in Midtown. And of course there is always Graceland (worth a trip even if Elvis is of no interest to you).