Trip Report - chicago, IN and Tenn
 

Stayed at Ambassador East in Chicago via Priceline. I had a small, noisy room with no view due to Priceline, but otherwise I would recommend it here. Good location, decent enough. Highlights - architecture tour through architecture foundation with the highlights being the Robie house and the student union at the IIT. Walkinig along Astor Street - do not miss this. Lonely Planet Guidebook has good description of what you are seeing. Did other main touristy things, nothing noteworthy. Best meal was Hopleaf on North Clark street - known for their mussels and a very delicious Cashew butter, fig jam and cheese sandwich.

A few tips - even though I ride public transit every day where I live, I didn't pay attention to the Express lights on the Chicago trains - do pay attention!

Beware of Dollar rental - they tried to charge me 400% more than I had reserved for online and then tried to charge me for a tank of gas even though I had filled it. I've emailed them to complain and have not heard a peep.

In Indianapolis went to zoo (nice enough) then walked Lockerbie neighborhood - very nice! Then ate dinner Cafe Medaterranio - very good middle eastern buffer.

Headed to Columbus and stayed at Columbus Inn. Highly recommend it. Loved architecture of Columbus - took bus tour. Good tour but the tour guide had not people skills. Lesson learned in Columbus - everything is closed on Sundays downtown, including bars. The sprawl on the north and west sides have killed the downtown. Drive to Bloomington to see IU - if you go, make sure to take a map with you!

Headed to Jeffersonville and stayed at Market Street Inn. While there is nothing to see or do in Jeffersonville, I loved loved loved the Inn. Highly recommend it - fantastic breakfast, comfy rooms, very friendly owners and just 4 minutes to Loiusville.

Spent a day in Louisville and enjoyed it. their waterfront park is fantastic. I think they've done a good job of not letting the interstate cut the park off from the waterfront. I enjoyed walking around Old Louisville (picked up a walking guide from the Old Loiusville visitors center). Back in Jeffersonville, took a dinner cruise on Star Cruieses - not worth the money. Food mediocre, DJ played pieces of songs then kept cutting out. I would probably take a boat tour from Louisville instead.

Day trip to New Harmony - took guided tour from Visitors Center. Peaceful and highly recommend it. Stayed at Best Western Gateway in Evansville (well along the highway). It served its purpose.

Headed to Nashville. Stayed at Renaisance - I would recommend it. Took Gray line bus tour, which I would not recommend. It mostly took to sights that you can easily see on your own without needing a bus or tour guide. I didn't love Nashville because it felt like the only people there were tourists or 9-5 workers. It didn't feel lived in. Did enjoy the Hermitage and do reommmend it.

Last stop was Memphis, which I really enjoyed because people actually live there! Graceland is as touristy as it gets, but is an absolute don't-miss. Make sure you see the airplane also. Sun Studio and the Civil Rights Musuem were amazing also. The Civil Rights Museum is free on Mondays after 3. Although crowded, it was worth it. Had great meals on Beale Street and at Bluefin. Trolley is very easy to get around on and worth just sightseeing on. Mud Island was great - musuem was not the most interesting, but the island itself was. Also took a river boat cruise with fantastic narration. Highly recommend it.

I think that is it.

Sounds like a great trip.

That's an interesting observation about Nashville - were you always downtown? If so, that makes sense - although they're building lots of condos down there and trying to make it livable, at the moment it's still either a tourist hangout or office area for the most part, except for the concert and sports venues. Most other places in town I'd have to disagree with you, though - we do definitely live here! :) There's always something going on. It just may not be going on downtown.

Does sound like you had a good trip - glad you enjoyed it!

Bars and liquor stores in Indiana are closed on Sundays--and,for what it's worth, so are all automobile dealers (which makes it a good time to walk the outdoor lot without anyone hassling you...)

Did ya have to go and mention Hopleaf, hlsam?! It's one of our favs and already way more crowded than when we first started going! :S- :D

Don't worry - I don't imagine too many tourists will wander that far north for a meal!