Kiwi girls going from Houston - Nashville
 

Hi everyone!

My friend and I are coming all the way from New Zealand to Nashville next June!
We fly in to Houston and have 6 days to get from there to Nashville.
We are after any suggestions of places to go between Houston and Nashville, as well as places to explore in Tennessee.

I was wondering if you guys had any ideas of where we should stop on the way?
We are HUGE country music fans and would love to see as much country music, scenic routes, iconic southern state places as possible.
My friend is also a huge quilting (sewing) fan so any must stop quilt shops would also be great!

I was thinking of going from Houston to Louisana, Alabama then to Nashville.
However I'm not too sure if those places have much to offer or if you guys would recommend another route?

Any suggestions for places to stay, eat, visit etc. from Houston to Nashville would be much appreciated.
Also if you have any suggestions for places to go while we are based in Nashville, TN. Happy to drive a few hours if theres awesome places to visit in Tennessee?

Thanks!

Driving is going to eat up a lot of your time.
Consider stopping in
New Orleans and
Memphis.

Louisiana not having much to offer?

Depends upon what you want offered. But there's no more iconic city in the deep South than New Orleans. You could spend your whole travel time in and around there and then drive/fly to Nashville.

Never heard of a must-stop quilt shop.

Branson, Missouri is a reasonable 600 miles (11 hours driving) from Houston... and that is a country music <I>spot</i>.


From there you would likely cut back down to <b>Memphis</b> and then head to Nashville on a direct path from there.

It is 21 hours of driving, and less than 1100 miles to go from <b>Houston to Branson, Missouri, to Memphis, TN, to Nashville.

The first day, drive to Branson.


2 nights in Branson,


Then drive 5 1/2 hours to Memphis.


2 nights in Memphis...


and then go to Nashville at your leisure.


(maybe find some small, <b>significant</b> country music community to visit for a day prior to starting the last 3 1/2 hours to Nashville )


But <b>Branson, Missouri</b> is definitely a town/destination that Kiwi girls into Country Music should at least consider...

From Nashville, maybe plan one night in Knoxville and cover the Smoky Mountains, Gatlinburg, and perhaps Pigeon Forge as well.

I don't know country music, but wouldn't Dollywood be a must see? And I thoght Branson was for a bit "older" crowd? Seems like a bit of a detour for old school country. I'd spend more of that time in New Orleans and Tennessee (Memphis, Smokies) before heading to Nashville.

... <I>older</i> than what?

The OP doesn't state an age.


From her name, maybe she's <I>twenty-one</i>...

But if she's coming half way around the world to immerse herself in <I>country music</i>...

Branson certainly merits inclusion.

OK, being reasonable. The OP has only six days to get from Houston to Nashville.

Spend as much time as you can "in" places, rather than time driving. No matter how you go, you will end up with nearly two days total driving and get plenty of scenic driving, so definitely do not go out of your way to do a long 11 hour drive to Branson.

New Orleans and Memphis are perfect for your interests. Spend 3 nights in New Orleans, gives you 2 days there. Memphis is kind of love it or hate place, but does have many interesting things and great bar-b-que, and of course, music, so at least 1 day, 2 nights.

I will try to think of another good stop.

Branson is off the path and it's old country music, not modern Nashville. And if greengirl96 is actually 21 (which would make it difficult for her to hire a car), then she'll be bored to tears in the tacky haunt for oldies that Branson is.

I would go to New Orleans and then drive to Muscke Shoals, Alabama. The music history there is RICH and varied...I can write more later as it’s 3 AM and i am trying to sleep! I live in Nashville so can help you there as well. Will touch base soon!

Muscle Shoals is a good idea. Or Memphis.

New Orleans because it is such an iconic city.

Thank you everyone for your replies!! Sorry for the delay in getting back - posted on too many websites.
Yes 21 and I'm going with my mum! So happy to do current and older country music.

Our plan is to fly into houston, stay one night: Any recommendations on what to do there for the one day and night?
Drive to New Orleans, stay for 2 nights. Suggestions where to stay, eat, visit etc?
Drive directly to Nashville and will stay somewhere for one night - any ideas of good towns to stay between New Orleans and Nashville?

Thank you!!

Austin is known for having a great live music scene. There's also a charming little town called Gruene that has Texas oldest dance hall and has live country music. It's called Gruene Hall. Be sure to eat at the Grist Mill if you go. It's right on the river, picturesque.

http://gruenehall.com/

The Gristmill River Restaurant & Bar in Gruene Historic District

Houston has a huge quilt festival every year. Looks like it's not when you're in town, but the link has some good info. on downtown hotels and restaurants.

http://quilts.com/assets/htown-dining-entertainment.pdf

Astros games are always fun; the ballpark is cool with a train running around the top. If you like museums, the MFAH and Menil Collection are wonderful. Also a vibrant theater scene - Jones Hall, The Alley, Wortham. If you just want to relax, go to Kemah and enjoy dining outside by the water.

I would opt out of Houston and spend that short while in GALVESTON instead.

Glen Campbell really put Galveston on the music map and the place is worth seeing if you are visiting from around the world.

Kemah that I mentioned above also has a Rock the Dock outdoor concert series in the summer. It's a fun area; they usually have fireworks too. It's also fairly close to the NASA space center if that interests you.

There's a huge, HUGE quilt shop 2 hours from Nashville (60,000 sq ft or 5574 sq meters). If your mom wants to buy some fabric, have her choose the pattern she wants to make before she leaves home because it's hard to choose with so much there. But don't forget to write down how much yardage she needs. :)
Hancock's of Paducah
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Paducah, Kentucky, USA 42001