Posted on 05/23/2018 6:14:24 PM PDT by Michael.SF.
Vacationing this coming week in Tennessee and have never been there. Looking for some ideas from fellow Freeper travelers, including insights, new places, off the beaten path places, places locals go to and places to avoid. (see below)
Thanks for your input. It helps to have a native that can give you the lay of the land. Probably won’t come until next year around June. We like the Rhododendron bloom if we can catch it.
https://www.vrbo.com/674429
https://www.vrbo.com/4360170ha
https://www.vrbo.com/425201
https://www.vrbo.com/803211
https://www.vrbo.com/844912
https://www.vrbo.com/296010
https://www.vrbo.com/567206
https://www.vrbo.com/890253
Cades Cove is great, especially if you are into wildlife photography...Black Bear, Deer, Coyote, Turkeys.
If you decide to go to Marcy Jo’s, they’re hours are: Wednesday through Saturday is 7:00 am to 2:00 pm. Sunday is 8:00 pm to 2:00 pm. Enjoy if you go. This is just an FYI.
Two good ones that were suggested to me late:
https://www.vrbo.com/174985
https://www.vrbo.com/1250002
Last comment, if you go first week of June you may enjoy Highlands Motoring Week if you’re into vintage sports cars, events all week. That might argue for a place in Highlands proper, generally more expensive for vacation rental there especially if walkable to downtown but may be worth it to you depending upon your wants and preferences. The town itself is almost 4200 ft so mountain views are less dramatic in town unless you’re on a cliff looking down. More lake, creek or waterfall view there. I’ve included two, neither right in town but close.
Thank you!!
Crockett’s 1875 Breakfast Camp in Gatlinburg
http://crockettsbreakfastcamp.com
How’s the Tennessee trip going with this Alberto weather? Pretty soggy I’m sure, I know it is here. There have been landslides in the southern NC mountains, it may clear out before you get that far east but be aware of that. Hope it hasn’t spoiled your trip, Tennessee is a beautiful state rain or shine, but shine would be far more welcome while traveling and vacationing.
We have had good luck weatheeeise, but today we are are headed to Asheville with umbrellas and Ponchos!
Thanks for asking and for the heads up.
“and fly out of Chattanooga.”
You’ll be sorry...
If you see “Watch For Falling Rocks” signs that’s a landslide zone, pay close attention, big cracks in the pavement, debris on the uphill side, etcetera. Once you get into the French Broad River valley that will be less of a concern but transiting from TN it will be. Too bad the view’s likely going to be obscured by low clouds and fog, it’s stunning country along the TN/NC border in the Smokies.
It’s easy in and easy out, Chattanooga has a nice little airport. Landing’s more interesting than taking off, in a smaller plane at least. I’ve only flown into it in a corporate King Air prop though. Don’t know what sort of jet service they offer.
So, how was Asheville? Did the weather cooperate? Cleared up here mid-afternoon.
Just got back a short time ago and everything worked out fine.
We had a lot of ran in the mountains but had very little most of the day. Traffic was horrible trying to get into the Biltmore Estate (road closures due to flooding). We gave up and went downtown for shopping and lunch. We tried the Biltmore again and were in with no issues. Spent about three hours there. We had rain most of the way back to Gburg, but not heavy.
The Biltmore was pretty amazing. Hard to fathom how much money it took to live that way.
Tomorrow: Cade’s Cove
Thanks to all for your comments they all are appreciated and I took much of the advice. Comments:
MEMPHIS:
MUSIC — Sun Records and Stax Museum were enjoyable. Sun was a must see for me. Spent about an Hour and half there with the tour being 45 minutes. Stax was pretty cool. Graceland was another must and the museums there were far bigger than expected. (three hours). Beale Street – Compare to Bourbon St. North. Once was enough. Overrated, music we saw was OK.
FOOD – Best ribs were at “The Bar-B-Q-Shop” on Madison in the Cooper Young district. Best Appetizers “The Beauty Shop” (on Cooper in same area). We only had appetizers and I highly recommend the place. Side Note: We sat at the bar and a couple sat next to us while waiting to be seated. He looked familiar and placed him after about a minute: Van Jones. He and I got into a friendly chat and I thanked him for his favorable words regarding Trump and Prison reform. (No I was not going to get into a heavy chat with him, he was with his wife (I assume she was) and it would not have been appropriate.
Hotel – Talbot Heirs (a B&B actually) Highly recommended. It is across the street from the Peabody (yes we saw the Ducks!).
Memphis – Over all it was enjoyable and I see no need to go back
Not enough time!! After visiting Shiloh (did the tour, it was moving for me) we made it Nashville by late afternoon. We did see the Parthenon, it was no big deal. And yes, the Athena statue was pretty ugly
MUSEUMS – Johnny Cash (small, interesting, well done), Country Music Hall of Fame – Focused on the “Rednecks and Armadillos” display as Texas/Lubbock sound is a favorite. Comment: Too much focus on Willie Nelson (yes he deserves attention, but he was more than 60% of the display).
HOTEL – Hermitage – Over-priced. Restaurant – Capitol Grill – Disappointing
Over all Comment – Need to go back and spend three days there
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