Hi All,

My inlaws are visiting us in Houston from the UK on Aug of 2009. MIL is very big on Elvis so we wanted to fly up to TN to see Memphis, Nashville, etc. We also wanted to visit the Smoky Mountains and Mammoth cave in Kansas. We've never been there. Anyone have any ideas of a route/itinerary, places to be sure not to miss and also which airport would be cheaper to fly into?

We're thinking of around 7 to 8 days flying in on the 20th or 21st and leaving on the 27th.

What's not to miss?

Thanks!

BTW, we're willing to make it an open jaw trip where we fly in to one place and leave another. Nashville would be nice if it can be part of the itinerary but Memphis (Graceland), Mammoth Cave in Kentucky, and Great Smoky Mountains is a must. Any suggestions would be much appreciated!

Depending on costs of tickets, I'd probably try to fly into Knoxville and out of Memphis, or vice versa. Knoxville is a small airport, though, and that may be cost-prohibitive. Memphis is a Northwest hub and Nashville is a Southwest hub.

I think what's "not to miss" depends greatly on what you'd like to do. If you fly into Knoxville on the 20th, you could spend three nights in the Smokies, drive to Nashville and stay there for a couple of nights (Mammoth Cave is a doable day trip from Nashville), then head to Memphis and stay there the nights of the 25th and 26th. But really, it depends on how much time you want to give the mountains vs. the cities, etc.

Some might tell you that Tennessee in August is very hot and humid, but I'd imagine that if you live in Houston, Tennessee will be lovely.

Hi Maria - my family briefly visited both Nashville & Memphis as part of a long road trip in June. In Memphis we went on a riverboat cruise on the Mississippi which was fun. Of course we went to Graceland. I had been there many years ago and wasn't sure I wanted to see it again but was very glad I did. The tours were better than I remembered and the whole family loved it. We went to Beale St to have a meal & hear some music. I believe we ate at the Blues City Cafe where we had terrific ribs and enjoyed a great band called the Dempseys.
In Nashville I recommend you eat at Monell's. You are served a ton of delicious food ,family style. All typical "southern" food. Certainly if you enjoy country music a trip to the Grand Ole Opry is a must.
Hope this helps.

Well the route through Tennessee is pretty simple: I-40 connects Memphis, Nashville, and Knoxville (Smoky Mountains area) and you can continue northeast on I-81 to the Tri-Cities.

I wish there was a great alternative non-Interstate route across Tennessee connecting those cities, but there isn't. It's just not a very scenic drive. But you can zip between cities.

You may need reservations for Mammoth Cave tours. http://www.nps.gov/maca/

Hello...

I'd like to comment on what a couple of others have said.

"It's just not a very scenic drive."

It's true that the drive from Nashville to Memphis is rather dreary, but going east from Nashville is gorgeous--great views of hills and mountains.

Another poster suggested Monell's for a typical Southern meal in Nashville. Please think twice before going there. Nashville has many better options than the grease-laden canned vegetables at Monell's.

HereInFranklin - I had breakfast in Monell's and enjoyed it. I might be going back to Nashville. Is it true that their vegetables are bad? I wanted to eat dinner there.

JerseySusan,

I can only speak for myself..but their veggies aren't my cup of tea. If you're looking for what we call a "meat and three" try the Copper Kettle ... http://www.copperkettlenashville.com/index.html

Much better than Monell's IMO.

Sounds like you have a nice trip planned.
Couple of things - in the Smokies, be sure to go to Cades Cove, which is a portion of the park west of the main entrance. Good chance you will see bears. This website has good info:
http://www.knoxnews.com/news/gosmokies/

Gatlinburg is very touristy, some like it, some hate it. I prefer spending most of the time in the park.

The drive on I-40 gets fairly pretty at the TN river, about 130 miles east of Memphis. It gets really pretty about 20 miles east of Nashville all the way to Knoxville.

Mammoth Cave is not your typical cave with really pretty stalactites, but it is huge (hence the name). There are some more typical caves in the Smokies area. You MUST make reservations in advance for Mammoth Cave.

I don't know how much time you will have, but if you or your in-laws have any interest in US Civil War history, be sure to drive the 15 miles or so south of Nashville to Franklin, TN, the home of many antebellum mansions, a large Confederate Cemetary, and various battle sites.