Taking a Road trip Memphis through to Smokey Mtns.
 

Hello,
I am taking a road trip. I am from California but will be flying into Memphis and driving all through Tennessee to the Smokey Mtns. I need help in deciding if I go on to Charleston and fly back to California or go to Atanta or Kentucky? Or somewhere else that would be wonderful to see. I have a 2 week schedule.
In Tennesse we are starting in Memphis then we can go down to Chattanooga then up to Nashville and then on to the mtns???. Also could use suggestions on all of tennessee as far as things that shouldnt be missed.
Thank you.
Gmace

Oh, Charleston definitely. You'd probably enjoy going to Asheville, NC, en route to Charleston. When are you doing this.

Gmace--Much depends on what your interests are, but in any case, I'd not go to Charleston. If you're interested in music or the Civil War, or both, there will be more than enough to keep you occupied for two weeks in and near Tennessee (for example Clarksdale and Tupelo MS if you're into music, Chickamauga Battlefield Park and Kennessaw Mountain, GA if you're into the Civil War. Mammoth Cave KY is worth a visit and much closer than Charleston.

In any event, I'd rearrange the TN itinerary--Memphis to Nashville, then to Chattanooga and east to the Smokeys.

As to what shouldn't be missed in TN, again it depends on what things you like to do.

Thank you,
We are doing this in April. Think we are going for the beauty and the history. So different than California.
Would love to stay at a Plantation. Good suggestions on Civil War spots and the cave in Kentucky sounds different. Love Art and Music. We are so open at this point.

What about another spot for the ocean scenery.
Was trying to change it up.
Are we trying to do too much in that time frame?

You should look at the Inn at Middleton outside of Charleston. The restaurant there is nice as well. April is beautiful in Charleston.

http://www.theinnatmiddletonplace.com/

My favorite barrier island off the SC coast is Hunting Island.

http://www.huntingisland.com/

Another vote particularly for April in Charleston!! It will be spectacular. Sue knows!!

Thank you all.
Love the island idea. Good places to stay I will need too

We are going to Memphis and Nashville at the beginning of the trip. Of course we are wanting to see the touristy things but we are not wanting to be completely submersed in it.
Suggestions for nice hotels. We want a bar and food in our hotels so we dont need to leave to eat and drink.
Relaxing at the end of day.

Two really nice hotels in downtown Memphis (which is the area you'll want to stay) are the Peabody, the grand old hotel that's been there for years, and the Madison. The Peabody has one of the most interesting people-watching bars in the world, and a couple of restaurants, one for fine dining and another more casual one. I'm not a huge fan of their food, but there are several restaurants in that area.

It's been a while since we stayed at the Madison, but it's very nice and has a bar/restaurant that sometimes has excellent food, other times not so great. Some of the rooms are on the small side (same with the Peabody), but they're nice.

Both hotels have rooftop bars, but I'm not sure whether they'll be open in April.

I'm not a fan of Chattanooga, but I am a fan of Charleston and Savannah! Hunting Island has a beautiful beach but there are no hotels on the island.
We stayed at the Peabody in Memphis, a lovely old hotel, small rooms but great bar with The Ducks! If you like dry rubbed BBQ you can walk to the Rendezvous: http://www.hogsfly.com/

I meant to comment on Charleston, too. I LOVE it! I like Savannah, but to me it's not nearly as pretty or fun as Charleston. In Charleston we've stayed at the Charleston Place several times on the concierge floor and have gotten so much wonderful free food we could barely stand to go to a restaurant. Definitely not a good place for dieters!

They also have a terrific spa...

If you choose to go for a day visit to Hunting Island (love that state park) you could stay nearby in Beaufort at the Cuthbert House Inn (a B&B, 200 year old antebellum house inn) where General Sherman also stayed on his memorable march through the south.

http://www.cuthberthouseinn.com/

Beaufort is a lovely, small southern town with a long history of its own.

You could do this overnight diversion on your way to Charleston.

While in the Great Smoky Mountains, there are two scenic drives you may want to consider. Cades Cove Loop is an 11-mile one way loop in Cades Cove Valley with lots of historic structures to check out and the place to see wildlife. Then there's the drive up to Klingman's Dome, the highest point on the park (and the State). You can take the short walk (maybe 1/2 mile) up the paved lookout, although it is quite steep for some.

There's also some short waterfall hikes you may want to check out if you have time. Laurel Falls and Abrams Falls are some favorites.

http://www.hikinginthesmokys.com/feature.htm

Grotto Falls is another good short hike. Klingman's, Grotto and Laurel are very short. Abrams is a bit longer. Abrams is in Cades Cove drive. Expect to see a lot of wildlife in Cades Cove. Grotto Falls is nice because you can actually go behind it. Abrams by far has the most water and is much more powerfall than the others. Laurel is a two stage pretty cascading fan waterfall.

Memphis
Dining--Peabody Sunday Brunch, Rendevouz, Gus's Fried Chicken. My favorite place is Blues City Cafe. Hueys, is good for burgers/etc. Do see the Peabody Ducks, even if you don't eat there. Of course, see Graceland/Elvis.

Nashville
Dining- I like The Loveless Cafe. Try Las Pasaletas(for quick snack-popsicles Yes they are that good). Nashville is famous for Hot Chicken. Don't miss The Hermitage/Andrew Jackson Home. Check out Country Music Hall of Fame. Perhaps take in Ryman and Grand Ole Opry.

I would vote for a stop a Asheville to see The Biltmore. We enjoyed The French Broad Chocolates for some coffee and something sweet.

I think you would enjoy Charleston as well.

If you do see Mammoth Cave, then consider stopping at Corvette Museum and Corvette Factory. A pretty neat little cafe is in the Corvette Museum. The two facilities are close to each other. Perhaps the best ham I've ever had was at the dining area in Mammoth Cave hotel.


I assume the drive to Klingman's Dome and over the mountains to Ashville would be open in April. I'm not sure on this.

Gmace, I agree with dwd that it makes more sense to cut across west TN to the capital, then off the Cumberland Plateau to the Scenic City. From there, Knoxville is a short 1.5-2 hr drive up I-75. Then I-40 will take you north of the Park towards Ashville. You must get off the interstate to cut through the Park towards Cherokee.

Wave and Spiro also give you good advise on GSMNP. Like Spiro, I thought of Biltmore for you, too.

As a Chattonooga native, I must make some case for the Scenic City. It is home to the Tennessee State Aquarium. This aquarium makes the Texas State Aquarium in Corpus Christi look tiny (everything is supposed to be bigger in Texas!). The TSA traces the flow of water from the GSNP to the Gulf of Mexico. It is really well done, imho.

If you are interested in history, Chattanooga was a river trading post (Ross Landing) and the site of an important Civil War battle. Visit Point Park on Lookout Mountain to learn how the battle upfolded. There is a great panorama affording a view of Missionary Ridge to the east, Signal Mountain to the west with the City and the Tennessee River between. Right below Point Park, the River makes the "Moccasin Bend" turn. Another important Civil War site, the Chickamauga Battlefield, is a short drive away in north Georgia.

The riverfront areas have been nicely developed with parks and paths. The Walnut Street Bridge, which I used to drive across the river years ago, was refitted and is reportedly the world's second longest pedestrian bridge now.

Let us know if you have more questions.