Tennessee trip in July-help
 

Hello,

Family of 4-2 adults and 2 children ages 9 and 11. We will be flying in on July 3rd to Nashville for a convention. Won't have time to see anything on the 3rd and 4th. So I am trying to plan for that week to make the most of it. I was thinking spending 1 more night in Nashville to see the sights and then drive to Great Smoky for 2 nights. Then drive to Memphis and take the flight home from there. Do you think this works.

Or I guess we could stay in Nashville and take a day trip to Memphis to see Graceland and then go to the Mtns, but I was trying to end up near a convenient airport.

Any suggestions? We are trying to see all the highlights in a week and I know it may be too much but we travel a lo. I know the kids would be fine as long as there are fun things to do along the way.

Thanks much.

You do realize that Tennessee is a WIDE state. Memphis to Smokies is a long day's drive. So I'd suggest go to Nashville, take a day trip to Memphis if you really want to (that will take maybe 8-9 hours of driving, round trip, plus time there). Then drive to Smokies, then fly out of Knoxville maybe? Unless driving back to Nashville is cheaper or makes more sense. The Smokies will be packed at that time of the year so make reservations soon.

(And unless you're just locked into Memphis, here's another suggestion--From Nashville go to Chattanooga--lots of stuff for kids to do there along the Riverwalk, plus Civil War stuff if you're interested. Under 3 hour drive. Then it's about 3 hour drive up to Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge/Sevierville area--spend your time in the Smokies, leave from Knoxville. As an East Tennessee girl, now transplanted to Texas, I'm partial to the East over the Memphis area. Prettier and more stuff for kids to do around Chattanooga than around Graceland. Aquarium, Kids Museum, nice walks. Just an idea. They'll enjoy Dollywood in the Smokies if they like theme park rides and such. Or just hike--you could spend months in the Park and not exhsust it all. It will be crowded, though. Chattanooga may get filled up around this holiday, too, so make reservations soon if going there. So maybe spend the 3rd and 4th in Nashville, 5th and 6th at least in Chattanooga, rest of time in Smokies.)

Thanks. I will look into this. So Chattanooga over trying to see Graceland. Kids are not into Elvis but I was trying to give them the whole experience. What about catching a concert at the Grand Ole Opry-do you think they will enjoy.

I too vote "east"... Gatlinburg should be a target, based on kids... I dunno about "Dollywood", but maybe someone here will give you an opinion on that too.


Graceland... (a little too over-the-top) I went to the gates (and no, Marc Cohn wasn't following me, or Elvis's ghost at the time)... and balked at the price, and decided to spend the money on souvenirs outside instead.

I have never regretted it.

Tennessee is very nice all in all, but Memphis, while filled with tradition and history, doesn't hold a candle to eastern and central TN.

IF you DO go to Memphis, see the ducks at the Peabody Hotel.

Sounds like a plan. We've seen the Peabody in Orlando-the hotel is right across from the convention center.
So roughly-
3 nights in Nashville (really only 1.5 days to sightsee)
2 nights in Chatanooga
2 nights in GSMNP
Sound reasonable? Fly into Nashville and fly out of Knoxville. Have to check flights still but I think it should be OK.

Knoxville is one of the countries most expensive airports to fly in and out of. If cost is a factor consider ending your trip in Chatnooga and going down to ATL to fly out.

Thank you. I was able to actually find reward availability on-line!!!! Any hotel recs with kids. From a quick glance, Hampton Inn in Pigeon Forde looked like it got great reviews. Any other recs for GSMNP or Chatanooga?

Just know that Pigeon Forge itself is like one big strip mall. We much prefer renting cabins in other towns near the Smokies (like Townsend) but then, I think most places want you to rent cabins by the week. We've stayed in Pigeon Forge, it's fine as a jumping off point for getting into the mountains, it's just not attractive in and of itself (although they have a lot of music/variety shows, and some good outlet malls).

Thank you. We actually had to shorten out trip even more so we finally decided to Fly into Knoxville, stay at Music Road Inn which offers a real nice suite and has a pool/slide for the kids. Spend 2 nights there and do some activities in the Mountains-maybe rafting, horseback riding. Then we have to go to Nashville for 3 nights-fly back from here. So it will give us a nice overview and hopefully we'll return back! Thanks.