Tennessee countryside advice
 

In March, my girlfriend and I plan to fly to Memphis, TN. We're then flying to New Orleans for a taste of the Mardis Gras festivities, before travelling up to Nashville. <BR><BR>However, we've only got 10 days and we'd also like to spend the final weekend of our trip at camping in a national park environment. <BR><BR>As far as I can work out, the South Cumberland Revreation Area is about the most convenient for Nashville, but can you reccomend anywhere else in Tennessee for hiking/trekking/screnery etc?

Martin -- I am planning something similar for next year.<BR><BR>It would be my suggestion to start in NOLA and finish up in TN. If you were to drive from NOLA to Nashville you would have to drive 400 miles or so through MS. If you do not want to drive up the Natchez Trace through MS (a National Park itself with camping opportunities along the way), then go from Nashville to Great Smoky Mountains National Park.<BR><BR>I plan to go from GSMNP to Nashville, Memphis, Natchez, and NOLA and fly home from NOLA.

I think South Cumberland is the best choice for an area close to Nashville. Go to Monteagle and eat dinner at Pearl's.

I'd have to concur. Traveling from Memphis to New Orleans back north to Nashville will be wasting too much of your short time on the road. My suggestion would be to start in New Orleans and finish in Tennessee, or vice versa.

I agree with above posters that it is crazy to start in Memphis and then go to NOLA only to go back to TN. However...if you want to do that I totally agree with the Natchez Trace....&quot;the narrowist&quot; national park. Also in TN. the Big South Fork is administered by the National Park Service...but it is about halfway between Nashville and the Smokies which are another option.<BR><BR>I think you should research some TN State Parks including Fall Creek Falls...it's one of the nations best.<BR><BR>For National Park sites, log onto www.nps.gov

Thanks for the replies, guys. And if anyone else has any suggetions, keep them coming. <BR><BR>Unfortunately, for reasons to complicated to go into, this has to be a round-trip beginning and ending in Memphis. <BR><BR>So, I gues the nub of the matter is whether a couple of days (starting in Nshville) is enough to appreeciate Great Smoky Mountains National Park or whether we should....<BR><BR>a) take our time getting up there from New Orleans by seeing the Natchez Trace <BR><BR>or<BR><BR>b) go for a three-day excursion round the South Cumberland from Nashville instead. Any ideas?

I've driven much of the Nachez Trace. The most memorable thing I remember about it is the coyote sitting on the side of the road watching the traffic go by. It's a 2 lane, limited access road through the countryside. THe scenery is nice, but not spectacular.<BR><BR>I just checked the New Orleans Mardi Gras web site. Fat Tuesday (the end of Mardi Gras) is on March 4th. Don't know how that fits with your plans.<BR><BR>If you go to New Orleans, I wouldn't suggest trying to hit the Smokey Mountains. That's a lot of traveling for a short amount of time.

Yes, we knew we'd be there for Fat Tuesday. And it became a case of New Orlens or the Smokies. Now, with the Smokies ruled out and the Natchez Trace sounding a little dull, what does everyone think of the South Cumberland Recreation Area.

You realize that the Smoky Mtns are a good 3 to 4 hour drive from Nashville? And heaven forbid if you try to get from the Interstate in Sevierville to The Park in less than an hour and a half. Don't know if these are you plans or not, but you talk like you're doing Nashville and the Smokies together

No, I realise that. Currently looking at substituting the Smokies with the south Cumberland. Is that a good idea?

I think you'll enjoy the South Cumberland Recreation Area around Monteagle, TN. Very beautiful country and definitely a place to cool out after Mardi Gras. Here's a web site for the state park:<BR>http://www.state.tn.us/environment/parks/socumb/<BR>Weather in March can be tricky- if you don't want to chance camping, check out the Adams Edgeworth Inn, a B&amp;B in Monteagle. Here's addy:<BR>http://www.assemblyinn.com/index.htm

Brilliant. Very helpful. Dine at Pearl's, stay at Mt Edgeworth. One more question: how far away is Fals Creek falls from there (God i'm looking forward to this trip).

Before planning a journey into the wilderness of Tennessee, might I first suggest a viewing of the movie Deliverence.

Fall Creek Falls State Park is northeast of Monteagle in Bledsoe Co., about 60 miles (guesstimate). Pikeville is the county seat. Check out this web page for more information on the area:<BR>http://www.outdoorchattanooga.com/re...packing101.asp

I will second my recommendation of Fall Creek Falls. If you don nothing else, do this..There are several falls in close proximity to each other and some great day hiking. I'v never camped there, but it looks OK. <BR><BR>Be forewarned though...it will take forever to get there and forever and a day to get back...but that's one reason why I like it so much...it's remote

Thanks for all your replies - very helpful. Anybody got any good recommendations for Memphis/Nashville/New Orleans? Bars, restaurants etc.

top it offf.

Martin:<BR><BR>I would very highly recommend Fall Creek Falls too. I used to live near the entrance several years ago and my husband and I would go there every day after work and take our supper and never got tired of it - it's that pretty. I think probably right now the golf course and possibly the horse stables are open. If you ever get the chance to come back in summer time, it has olympic size pool, recreation center, bicycle rentals, etc. Still, you will not be disappointed this time of year. The inn has a great restaurant, and you will most likely see quite a bit of deer roaming about. There are several &quot;falls&quot; to look at and the big one &quot;Fall Creek Falls&quot; is the longest this side of the Rockies. There is also a nature center. The campgrounds are great or you can camp in the wild on the hiking trails. So much to describe. It is in a remote area, and Pikeville is just a small town, but I guarantee you will enjoy the drive.<BR><BR>Have fun!<BR>

Just now noticed you said you were coming in March, but everything I told you will still apply for then.... the pool and other summer activities do not open until Memorial Day.<BR>

For restaurants in Memphis, you definitely have to try The Rendevous or Corky's for some great Southern Pit BBQ or ribs and to Elvis Presley's Memphis on Beale street. You have to try the fried dill pickles, steer clear of the fried peanut butter and banana sandwich though (yuck!)and try the meatloaf. If you are looking for upscale romantic dining, I would recommend Paulette's in Overton square or any of the restaurants at The Peabody. If you are into gambling in Robinsonville, MS (a short 30 min ride from downtown) there are 10 casinos.