t2_spt

I am finishing a business conference in Louisville, KY on a Thursday afternoon before Easter weekend, and I leave the country on Sunday evening from San Francisco - this leaves me around 2-2.5 days to visit maybe one city, but I can't decide where to go.

I've been to San Francisco, Seattle, Chicago and LA, and I don't want to go any further east (because I still have to fly west), but I've randomly picked a few places that seemed interesting based on guides and the like - therefore picking between NOLA, San Diego, Denver, Austin/San Antonio, and Nashville just on suggestions alone.

First instinct is for NOLA but I'm not sure if 2 days (Fri and Sat) is enough to "do" NOLA? I don't want to end up going there just to find that there's still lots to see and do and that I will feel the need to come back again, hence I am considering the other cities as well.

I know these locations are famous for different things but my interests are strongest in history/culture, so museums work nicely for me. Not really so much into music (e.g. jazz or country), I'm not overly outdoorsy (e.g. hikes or zoos), and I don't really drink. But I do like food! (a lot!)

So yes, open to suggestions. Thanks in advance Fodor people!

doug_stallings

Based on your interests, I'd choose either Nashville or New Orleans for this trip. Nashville is a great weekend destination, and while much of the city revolves around music (not just country), it also has a great food scene, and if you base yourself downtown, you don't really need to get around. It's certainly strong on history and a quick trip from Louisville. You can easily get by with Uber.

New Orleans is also very strong with food and music (and drink), and it's historic.

Frankly, you won't be able to do justice any city in just two days, so I'd pick one that meets your interests and enjoy. If you don't see everything, you can go back sometime. The purpose of travel isn't to tick things off a list and never return. Some of my best trips have been return trips to see something I enjoyed a while back in a new light (or to explore a corner of a great city like London and Paris that I'd never visited before).

SusanM

Here is my trip report from NOLA in December in case you end up there:

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...e-big-easy.cfm

If you take only one bit of advice from it, it's to spend your nights on Frenchmen Street rather than on Bourbon Street.

t2_spt

Thanks for the trip report! Sounds like a whole lot to do, looks like even if I go for 2 days I'll have to come back at a a later point in time...

jent103

Nashville is certainly the easiest of the options you've started with, and it looks like there's a direct flight from BNA to SFO on United that Saturday evening, which would be nice. Two days is a decent amount of time in town, especially if you're content staying downtown. Things can be very music-centric, but that doesn't have to be honky-tonks or live shows; the backstage tour at the Ryman and the Country Music Hall of Fame are both excellent. There's also the Hermitage outside of town; assuming you're renting a car to drive down from Louisville anyway, that's an easy trip. And we're spoiled for choice in terms of food these days.

t2_spt

Thanks everyone for your recommendations! I decided to get my flight changed so I fly out of Houston instead, which meant that I could arrange it so I spend 2.5 days in New Orleans

Daniel_Williams

t2_sept

Since you're flying out of Houston, my choices would have been either New Orleans or San Antonio based on your interests in history/culture and food. Seems you've decided on New Orleans; some don't like the crescent city but I'm definitely a big fan!

Best wishes, Daniel