One of the simplest ways for me to introduce you to the state of Tennessee is to dive straight into it and say it’s a complete lot of enjoyable. So, carry your dancing sneakers and prepare for the blues.
Discover the blues bars of Memphis down Beale Avenue and uncover the house of Elvis Presley in Graceland.
Get misplaced among the many countless honky-tonk bars of Broadway, Nashville, as musicians chase their dream of changing into a rustic music star. Uncover the quite a few climbing trails across the Nice Smoky Mountains.
And you should definitely arrive in Tennessee each hungry and thirsty, because the state presents a few of the greatest BBQ pits round and whisky distilleries that may be discovered within the Deep South.
So, what are you ready for? Make sure you add the state of Tennessee to your Deep South street journey.
Right here is my street journey journey information to the state of Tennessee:
Embrace Tennessee as a part of your street journey across the Deep South
This street journey information round Tennessee is an element of a bigger street journey across the Deep South of america that I undertook along with Scott Tisson from Intrepid Escape.
The street journey that we did took us to the states of Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee to cowl the entire Deep South space.
I might advocate one week for the Tennessee part of the street journey, which would be the focus of this weblog put up.
Making the whole street journey together with the opposite states will take you round a month to finish.
So you might simply do that one-week suggestion, mix two states and do two weeks, or go to all 4 states within the Deep South in a month.
In case you have extra time, you may lengthen your journey to 6 weeks to offer your self more room and time in every state, however a great week in every state will probably be sufficient to cowl the whole lot talked about on this article.
I’ll additionally add some extra suggestions on the finish you probably have some extra time.
You would arrive in Tennessee and use Nashville Worldwide Airport with direct flights from the UK as your start line in addition to your ending level; the selection is completely yours.
Strolling in Memphis, the house of blues music
Memphis is a blast, particularly in case you’re into blues music. Your first cease needs to be Beale Avenue.
On daily basis of the week, Beale Avenue presents a variety of bars with dwell blues music.
Begin on the BB King Blues Membership, the place BB King himself used to carry out and which has a incredible home band.
Now, get pleasure from a collection of dwell blues acts that come out and in of city; you by no means know who you may see on Beale Avenue, but it surely attracts one of the best!
Keep at Hotel Indigo Memphis Downtown, an IHG Hotel, for its fashionable Memphis-themed rooms displaying an array of music memorabilia. There’s additionally a jukebox within the foyer to play some tunes and get the occasion began.
Don’t overlook to take a look at the swimming pool formed like a guitar; it’s an incredible lodge to base your self whereas exploring Memphis.
Finish your evening on the Blues Metropolis Cafe. Not solely have they got dwell music and a bar, however you too can dine on fashionable Memphis staples like a chili bowl, gumbo, or a slice of pecan pie earlier than hitting the dance flooring.
Bear in mind to pronounce it appropriately: “Pee-Con,” not “Pee-Can.” I acquired humorous seems to be as if I had ordered a can of pee.
Beale Street is lined with varied bars providing a bunch of leisure, so rock up, discover, get misplaced, and let the blues music take management of your evening. You by no means know what is going to occur.
Head over to the Old Dominick Distillery for a tour and tasting session. This location is wealthy in distillery historical past and presents a great tour of the distillery together with a tasting session of all of the liquors they’ve on supply.
Throughout the street, you’ll discover Gus’s Fried Hen, arguably one of the best within the Deep South, so be certain to not miss this cease in Memphis.
A visit to Memphis wouldn’t be full with out stopping off at Sun Studio for a tour. The studio constructing itself is small, however historical past breathes via the partitions, and you’ll simply spend just a few hours soaking all of it up.
They are saying that is the place Rock and Roll was born, as a few of the first tracks have been recorded right here by the likes of Johnny Money and Elvis Presley.
If Solar Studio has an extended ready time, try Edge Motor Museum just a few blocks up the street. It presents a collection of traditional classic and muscle vehicles so that you can have a look at and revel in when you wait.
If BBQ is what you’re after, then head to Charlie Vergos’ Rendezvous for a few of the greatest brisket and rack of ribs on the town.
I really like the collection of BBQ sauce they’ve right here, with the BBQ ginger sauce being my favourite. Even the coleslaw is value an honorable point out.
You’ll be able to scent the smoke room of Rendezvous from just a few blocks away, drawing you into this particular institution in Memphis.
Truthfully, I went on 4 completely different events because the brisket simply saved bringing me again.
I really like the old-school smokehouse really feel of this institution; it has numerous BBQ historical past and has been a well-liked BBQ joint in Memphis.
Even the President has ordered Rendezvous to Air Power One — now that’s spectacular. If solely they delivered to London!
Head out on the water and take a scenic journey alongside the Delta onboard Memphis River Boats.
It is a nice solution to expertise a paddleboat for just a few hours alongside the border of Tennessee and Arkansas, which the Delta splits equally between the 2. A pleasant solution to see the skyline of Memphis from the water as effectively.
Stax Museum of American Soul Music is a hidden gem of Memphis.
As soon as left derelict and deserted, this former Stax Data recording studio has been renovated and restored right into a museum, sharing the historical past of soul music in Memphis and the journey of the document label.
Effectively value a go to in my view as you’ll be tapping your toes to all of the unbelievable soul tunes that have been created and recorded amongst these very partitions.
Uncover Graceland, the house of Elvis Presley in Tennessee
You’ll be able to’t go to Memphis and skip Graceland, the house of Elvis Presley.
Be a part of a guided home tour and discover the residence Elvis referred to as house, from the jungle room the place he entertained company to his TV room with 4 completely different TVs, making certain he wouldn’t have to alter the channel.
Wait until you see Elvis’s kitchen outfitted with state-of-the-art home equipment for making his favourite grilled sandwiches simply the best way he preferred them.
To suppose, on the time, this home was groundbreaking, as he was the King and needed his racquetball courtroom.
Graceland additionally includes a assortment of Elvis Presley’s jet planes, vehicles he used to drive and acquire, a collection of his performing costumes from dwell reveals, and gadgets from the numerous films he made.
There’s additionally a restaurant referred to as Glady’s Diner, serving his favourite peanut butter and banana grilled sandwich.
It’s a incredible glimpse into the lifetime of Elvis Presley with quite a few shows, providing perception into his life on the time and the way he used to dwell.
Should you’re an Elvis fan, a go to to Graceland is a should.
I might first discover Tupelo, the birthplace of Elvis, in case you plan on touring Elvis places and desire a look into his humble beginnings. Graceland is extra a logo of his nice achievements and success.
Each places are value a go to and are inside shut distance.
Nashville, Tennessee: Make your solution to the honky-tonk metropolis, the house of nation music
In terms of music in Tennessee, Memphis has the blues, whereas Nashville has nation music.
Begin your exploration of the town by heading down the honky-tonk freeway of Broadway Avenue.
You’ll be able to uncover varied sorts of bars right here, all providing dwell performances, so put in your dancing sneakers, dive into each and see the place the evening takes you.
I like to start out with The Second Fiddle on Broadway and the Tin Roof and find yourself at Child Rock’s very personal bar, which has flooring with completely different performers to select from.
A wild card go to could be the Johnny Cash Museum in Nashville. Since Johnny Money’s home, which had been deliberate to be was a museum, burned down in a fireplace, this museum is the following neatest thing to honour the nation legend.
I liked strolling round and taking in all the knowledge and historical past from the shows. It was effectively value a go to and is effectively put collectively for any Johnny Money fan to get pleasure from.
Throughout the street, you’ll discover a Goo Goo Cluster store promoting these native candy treats made in Nashville which might be value attempting.
For lunch, head to the Nashville Farmers’ Market, which has nice spots to seize a chew to eat, together with native farmers promoting recent produce akin to peaches and corn. It’s nice to go to such a neighborhood farmers’ market with an exquisite CO-OP really feel.
Should you’re in search of a spot to park your rental automotive, keep at The Gallatin, a motel fashion lodge, which has clear and trendy rooms. Make sure you try this location.
Pins Mechanical Company has a complete host of yard video games, pinball machines and bowling alleys so that you can get pleasure from with your folks in case you’re in search of some difficult enjoyable in Nashville.
Should you’re in search of a enjoyable spot to eat, head to Prince’s Scorching Hen in Meeting Meals Corridor. Goes face to face with Hattie B’s Scorching Hen for one of the best sizzling rooster in Nashville.
For me, Prince’s Scorching Hen wins, however I’ll allow you to be the choose of that for your self.
My favorite museum in Tennessee needs to be the National Museum of African American Music. Shows are effectively put along with many interactive cubicles so that you can totally interact with the music and historical past of the museum.
The gospel sales space and the rap recording studio have been tremendous enjoyable, and I realized so much about African American Music. I might extremely advocate a go to.
One other great place to take a look at in Nashville is the Country Music Hall of Fame, effectively put along with a collection of shows strolling you thru the historical past of nation music and its artists.
Additionally linked to the museum is a tour of the Historic RCA Studio B Tour, the place Dolly Parton famously recorded two hit songs in sooner or later, and Elvis needed to purchase the piano, however the studio refused his request due to all of the superb hits it was capable of create.
You may also go to the print manufacturing facility the place most of the fashionable dwell present posters have been created. Excellent for any nation music fan.
Should you’re in search of a spot to get pleasure from a slice of BBQ, you should definitely go to Martin’s BBQ Joint. The firepits create a tremendous flavour to the brisket and ribs right here.
Additionally they have a dwell music stage and a tremendous cocktail menu so that you can get pleasure from in case you’re in search of a spot to get the occasion began.
Go outdoor in Tennessee and head to the Nice Smoky Mountains and Pigeon Forge
A street journey to Tennessee wouldn’t be full with out exploring a few of the strolling trails discovered across the Nationwide Park of the Great Smoky Mountains.
Put in your climbing boots as you’ll uncover a wide array of various trails based mostly in your period and talent.
I might advocate the hike in the direction of Rainbow Falls, which is a pleasant hike to do from Pigeon Forge that may be simply accomplished inside half a day, rewarding you with a waterfall on the finish of the path.
Cease off on the Outdoor Gravity Park for some Zorbing enjoyable. These giant inflated balls, first created in New Zealand, may be loved in Pigeon Forge.
Bounce contained in the ball and head down one of many many Zorbing tracks on supply – an incredible, enjoyable journey to attempt after you’ve completed climbing the paths.
Take the cable gondolas as much as discover Anakeesta, an journey backyard within the sky.
Discover all of the completely different floral arrangements, in addition to the viewing factors, to get a great view of the encircling nationwide park.
Uncover the Treetop Skywalk as you stroll between the bushes excessive up within the sky. On the lookout for a spot to eat? Take a look at the Smokehouse BBQ for an incredible collection of selections.
Should you’re in search of a spot to remain in Pigeon Forge, take into account the lodge at Five Oaks, which presents comfy lodge-style rooms.
Sevierville is the hometown of Dolly Parton and is positioned near Dollywood Park. Take pleasure in dinner at Appalachian; in case you’re fortunate, you may be capable to e book a seat on the chef’s desk.
Let the cooks create a menu for you, crafting from regionally sourced substances and impressed by traditional Tennessee dishes. It actually is a tremendous eating expertise.
After dinner, you should definitely cross by the city corridor to see the Dolly Parton statue earlier than ending your evening at The Pines.
This newly refurbished bowling alley, The Pines, was the primary venue the place Dolly Parton carried out dwell and has lately been given a brand new lease of life with a renovation to show this location into the hippest place to hang around on the town.
Order your self a cocktail with some native Tennessee whisky and revel in just a few video games of bowling alongside one of many many lanes you may rent out for the night. A good way to finish your time in Tennessee.
Earlier than Leaving Pigeon Forge, head in the direction of to Skyland Ranch, take the cable automotive as much as the highest and expertise a spread of enjoyable cowboy fashion actions in addition to a incredible lunch spot to seize a chew to eat.
They even have the Wild Stallion Mounter Coaster for the journey seeker in search of a thrill!
Thanks for studying my weblog put up about my street journey round Tennessee
Thanks for visiting my weblog and studying about my street journey across the state of Tennessee.
I hope you discovered all the knowledge tremendous helpful in the direction of your journey planning, and I want you a tremendous journey to the state of Tennessee.
This journey was a part of a much bigger street journey across the Deep South of america of America.
Make sure you go to the opposite weblog posts protecting Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi.
Additionally, you should definitely try my street journey information to Alabama to proceed the journey onwards after Tennessee.
Wishing you an exquisite journey to Tennessee and the Deep South of america.
In case you have any additional questions, please be happy to contact me, and I will probably be very happy to assist.
This text was executed in collaboration with TTM and the State of Tennessee to advertise street journeys within the Deep South.
Take a look at my YouTube video of my Deep South Highway Journey round Tennessee
I’ve created a video playlist of all my YouTube movies taken from my latest Deep South Highway Journey.
From Tennessee, you may get pleasure from my movies visiting Nashville, Pigeon Forge, Memphis and Graceland in addition to different movies from the opposite states from the journey.