What to do in Nashville... (Memphis, Franklin: rental car, rental, hotel)

[Jdawg8181]

Howdy y'all... NYer here, coming to Nashville for 4 days next month.

Can someone recommend some must-do's, good eats and a good spot to catch a country band @ night?

Also may or may not take a drive to Memphis as well. We wil have a rental car. Memphis worth seeing as well in that short period of time? Hotel base would be Nashville so if we did Memphis it would be for the day & not stay overnight... but we could have dinner there and then head back to Nashville after.

Pointers & tips please

Thanks in advance!

[JJAF]

For the short time you are here, I don't think I would spend the 6-7 hours driving back and forth to Memphis. Not because Memphis isn't worth it, but there is enough to do in and around the Nashville area that you could fill your days/nights within an hour circle of your hotel.


I enjoyed the Jack Daniels Distillery free tour in Lynchburg if you are thinking of something for an hour ish drive. I enjoyed the Johnny Cash and George Jones museums. I did tour a few Civil War homes that were turned into field hospitals and had lots of amazing stories. They are scattered within the area. There is a lot to do and can also check the event schedule for the TPAC and Bridgestone Arena as there maybe something going on one of the nights you are here that interest you.

[BirdieBelle]

Originally Posted by JJAF

For the short time you are here, I don't think I would spend the 6-7 hours driving back and forth to Memphis. Not because Memphis isn't worth it, but there is enough to do in and around the Nashville area that you could fill your days/nights within an hour circle of your hotel.

I agree completely. I grew up in Memphis and would recommend a visit to anyone, but not in this case for the reasons JJAF mentioned.

In addition to his great suggestions, I would say a drive to Franklin would be worth it. Kimbrough's Pickin Parlor has good live music, and Franklin has a town square that has good retail and restaurant choices.

Kimbros Pickin Parlor

Downtown Franklin TN - America

In Nashville, it's always fun to just go up and down Broadway on a weekend night and squeeze into some of the honky tonks there. You'll hear lots of live music; whether or not it's the "best" is debatable. Check the schedule of the Bluebird Cafe to see who's playing while you're here, for truly talented performances. For a unique entertainment option, you could check out a burlesque show at Skulls Rainbow Room in Printers Alley downtown, a reboot of a historic old haunt from Nashville's original days.

Skull's Rainbow Room - Skull's Rainbow Room

I read somewhere the other day that almost 500 restaurants have opened up in Nashville since 2010. I would just get on Yelp and TripAdvisor, sort and scan the reviews and choose something that matches your personal tastes. If you wanted to have a truly Nashville thing, I guess that's hot chicken. The original most authentic version can be found at Prince's and Bolton's. The more sanitized, tourist-friendly version is found at places like Hattie B's, Pepperfire, etc.

[S4F]

Plenty to do here without going on a boring, day killing drive to Memphis. If it's over a weekend you should get tickets for the Opry. A trip to the Parthenon is always good to load up on some culture. Be sure to check the Chamber of Commerce site and see if there are any festivals going on- probably not if it's March. Lots of stuff to do here over 4 days.

[GWoodle]

For 4 days catch an Opry show, see who may be playing the Ryman. Get backstage tour of Opry & tour the new Ryman. Go to Visitors & Convention bureau to get discount tickets to area attractions. You have the Country Hall of Fame, Johnny Cash, George Jones to choose from. Try a mansion from Old Hickory or Belle Meade. Try Civil War history at Ft Negley, Franklin battlefield, Stones River. Visit the Parthenon, go in side for Athena, see NC&STL #576 steam engine before it gets moved out of Centennial Park. Go shopping Green Hills, Opry Mills, Cool Springs. If it is a warm day maybe try the Nashville Zoo but a lot of it is under construction. With any children try the Adventure Science Center & do a sky planetarium show.

Memphis is 200+ miles away. You do need to eat, sleep, relax.

[oobanks]

Originally Posted by Jdawg8181

Howdy y'all... NYer here, coming to Nashville for 4 days next month.

Can someone recommend some must-do's, good eats and a good spot to catch a country band @ night?

Also may or may not take a drive to Memphis as well. We wil have a rental car. Memphis worth seeing as well in that short period of time? Hotel base would be Nashville so if we did Memphis it would be for the day & not stay overnight... but we could have dinner there and then head back to Nashville after.

Pointers & tips please

Thanks in advance!

Nashville and Memphis are big Cities in there own right and are a good distance from each other. I'm from the Atlanta area but have been to both quite often. Plenty to do in both but like other posters have stated, not a good ideal to do these in one trip. This should really be done on separate trips..

[Pintail07]

For the best southern food in Nashville for breakfast or lunch is Monell's in Germantown.