Thinking about going to Tennessee this summer

[wildojinx]

Was thinking about visiting Tennessee this summer, what are some good places to visit? Of course, Graceland is a must (I have no interest in the music of Elvis, but it would still be interesting to visit), anything else notable?

[realist]

I live in TN. What part are you visiting?

[Kevin Hamilton]

If you're going to be in Memphis anyway, might as well visit Sun Studio and Beale.

[BlackoutCreature]

I went to Memphis a couple years back. Also went to Graceland despite having no interest in Elvis, just to get as glimpse of the insanity. That place does get really crowded, so I'd recommend buying your ticket in advance and getting there early.

Mud Island and Beale Street are also musts. Make sure you take the tram to Mud Island.

For food I can't recommend Gus's Fried Chicken enough. I went to the Front Street location and it is absolutely the greatest fried chicken you will ever have in your life.

Also check out Dyer's and A.Schwab's on Beale Street. Dyer's is one of the oldest burger places in the US and they deep-fry everything. A. Schwab's is an old-school general store/ice cream/soda shop. They like to sell themselves on their homemade ice cream, which is really good, but I was more impressed on their homemade soda in a lot of unique flavors.

Plus since you're on these boards I'm gonna assume you're a wrestling fan on some level, so you may want to check out Jerry Lawler's Bar and Grille on Beale. I never got around to checking it out though so I can't really speak on it.

And buy Moonpies while you're there. Maybe it was only special for me because I'm a New Yorker and it's difficult to find Moonpies in NY, but I stocked up while I was there.

[Dr. T is an alien]

Our most frequent place to vacation is Gattlinburg. I like getting a cabin in the mountains, though sometimes I have to be sure to leave town before it gets dark as some of those mountain roads are scary to drive on in the daylight and I am not interested in driving on them in the dark.

[Milkman Norm]

Check out the Knoxville World's Fair!

[cabbageboy]

Tennessee is a terrific place to visit. As noted if you want the western part of the state that would be Memphis and of course Graceland and Beale Street. If you want to go to the middle of the state there's Nashville and just a ton of stuff there to do. Go downtown to the various bars, the Ryman, Music Row, the Grand Ole Opry, etc. Then of course if you want the eastern mountain area there's Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge for basically anything on earth you'd like to do.

The thing that does crack me up in various Nashville souvenir stores is how they try to claim Elvis, even though Elvis was totally rejected when he played there early in his career.

[Cyno]

If you like amusement parks, Dollywood in Pigeon Forge is a really good one with some fun roller coasters. Though it's on the opposite side of the state from Memphis.

[brown bricks]

I love Tennessee.

I second Dollywood. The whole Smokey Mountain area is awesome (Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, etc.)

I live near and love Chattanooga.

Nashville is great if you have any passing interest in country music. The Hall of Fame Museum, George Jones Museum, Johnny Cash Museum, and Tootsie's Lounge are great visits.

[Deleted]

I used to live in Oak Ridge, which is near Knoxville. I personally hated it. Too many "good ol' boys" and too many casual racial slurs getting thrown around for my liking.

[brown bricks]

Jan 22, 2020 14:48:26 GMT -5 @therealoblivion said:

I used to live in Oak Ridge, which is near Knoxville. I personally hated it. Too many "good ol' boys" and too many casual racial slurs getting thrown around for my liking.

I feel this way about the entire state of Alabama. I grew up there and it's a cesspool. The racism is still VERY casual there. Outside of the "incest" junk, every negative stereotype about Alabama is 100% true.

[nate5054]

Jan 22, 2020 13:36:10 GMT -5 Milkman Norm said:

Check out the Knoxville World's Fair!

Tennessein is Tennebelievin

[Porky's Butthole]

If I could live anywhere other than Ohio, it'd be Tennessee. Gaitlinburg is nice. So is Pigeon Forge. Gotta check out Dollywood and ride the aerola coaster.

Nashville has some amazing BBQ and incredible music

[Ultimo Gallos]

If you goto Memphis and hit Beale street check out Jerry Lawler's Bar and Grill. It is packed with memorbila Lawler owns. And lots of the time Randy Hales is there tending bar. Plus the food is decent.

My lady and I went 2 years ago and had a blast. As someone else mentioned check out Sun Records. Just be sure to find a good place to park. Some of the areas near Sun Records can be a bit sketchy.

Hope you have a great trip sir.

[Deleted]

I went to Memphis last summer. It was a rough experience for me, but I chalk that to lack of prep and the misfortune of having our driver drink, leaving us stuck in the city overnight. My learning to drive and preparations should make things better this time, since the Indy Eleven season opener will be... against Memphis 901 FC in Memphis in March on what would've been my mother's birthday.

[Dr. T is an alien]

Jan 22, 2020 14:51:19 GMT -5 brown bricks said:

Jan 22, 2020 14:48:26 GMT -5 @therealoblivion said:

I used to live in Oak Ridge, which is near Knoxville. I personally hated it. Too many "good ol' boys" and too many casual racial slurs getting thrown around for my liking.

I feel this way about the entire state of Alabama. I grew up there and it's a cesspool. The racism is still VERY casual there. Outside of the "incest" junk, every negative stereotype about Alabama is 100% true.

That is definitely a thing to take into consideration. Racism and all sorts of bigotry are all issues to take into consideration when going anywhere in the area.