Just back Memphis, Nashville, Smoky Mountains

[P.Sherman]

Hi All,

So I'm not writing a full on trip report but I thought others may find some of our trip feedback useful so I'm writing a brief summary instead, but happy to answer questions if anyone wants any more info.

We flew LHR-JFK-BNA. All fine no probs or horrendous queues at immigration we were back though to the gates within an hour. Some confusion as 2 different gates showing on the board but we had plenty of time to work it out ( 3hrs 25mins) and actually our 2nd flight was a bit delayed so even more time.

Our trip breakdown:
1nt Nashville (airport hotel)
3 nts memphis ( apartment)
5nts Pigeon Forge ( hotel)
5nts Nashville ( apartment)

Car - we booked a standard SUV with alamo, we got a ford edge titanium - was great with loads of toys and lots of boot space!

Drive from Nashville to Memphis via Tupelo was easy, we stopped on the way at Loretta Lynn's ranch which was brilliant would defo recommend.
Tupelo was great spent about 2-3 hours there before the final drive onto Memphis.

Memphis
We visited Graceland, The civil rights museum, Sun Studios, Peabody hotel and Beale street. Graceland was amazing spent the whole day there, civil rights museum very interesting would highly recommend. Didn't like Beale street at all just didn't feel safe.

Pigeon Forge
Lovely place. Visited Dollywood, Tanger Outlets, The island, Gatlinburg, Cades Cove.
Loved everything here, stayed in a great hotel ( The lodge at five oaks), Smoky Mountains were just stunning - and I'm not an outdoorsy girl at all. Dollywood fireworks and shows were fantastic. Gatlinburg was lovely, lots of little shops and restaurants. The whole place is quite touristy but we enjoyed it and would definitely go back.

Nashville
We visited everywhere! Bus tour, Country music hall of fame, Ryman, We went to the Grand ole Opry and did the backstage tour after the show, Johnny Cash museum, Motorworks, Opry mills outlets, Bluebird Cafe, numerous bars! Had a fantastic time, our apartment was literally 2 mins from broadway which was great, The opry was amazing and the tour really made it - Nashville fans Charles Esten was on! Nashville was a really lovely place, would absolutely go back.

Flight home was a bit different but all ended ok, having checked in for our flight home BNA-JFK-LHR the first flight was canceled because of bad weather in New York, we ended up flying home via Minneapolis which was fine and only ended up 2 hours later than originally planned, couldn't fault virgin/delta.

All in all it was an amazing trip, people were just so nice everywhere we went! wouldn't visit Memphis again now I've done it but did enjoy the things we saw there. Everywhere else was great and wouldn't hesitate to go back. would highly recommend Tennessee.

That's all for now y'all.

Hope it helps anyone else looking at going, and big thanks to the dibbers who helped me out with the planning!

[smithlane]

This is really helpful thank you. Hopefully doing the Smoky Mountains next year and Nashville with Memphis in a couple of years.

[Bella1]

We did a similar trip a few years ago and absolutely love the area. Glad you had a great time too!

[Mary A]

Sounds like a great holiday! Pleased I've been to Memphis to visit Graceland and civil rights museum but also wouldn't go back.
Love Nashville, the music, the food, the bars- especially the Bushwackers!

[P.Sherman]

Originally Posted by Mary A

Sounds like a great holiday! Pleased I've been to Memphis to visit Graceland and civil rights museum but also wouldn't go back.
Love Nashville, the music, the food, the bars- especially the Bushwackers!

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Yeah I can see Nashville being a place a visit again and again

[tracy99]

Can I ask what bus tour you did in Nashville please.
We are just debating on one for Oct.
We loved our visit to the smokey mountains,we would love to return
Tracy x

[Guest]

Could I be cheeky please and ask for details of the apartment in Nashville please? Would you recommend, location wise etc?

[florida addict]

Sounds amazing. How much would you need to budget for admission to all the places you went to ? I want to see them all

[Gunna]

Smoky mountains is really amazing, loved it there.

[StorybookCircus]

Your trip sounds amazing, my MIL is obsessed with all things Country and has been to Nashville but we’re planning to go to Dollywood at some time in the distant future. It’s good to know that there’s enough in Pigeon Forge to keep you busy for 5 days.
For anyone going to Nashville- I can’t vouch for this myself but MIL went on a bright pink tour bus led by two amazing Dolly-style ladies, it’s called the Nash Trash tour and it’s one of her holiday highlights despite having travelled to at least 15 different states! Probably not everybody’s cup of tea but it’s definitely more unusual/unique than the ubiquitous HoHo bus!