Nashville/Memphis or North Carolina?

DH and I have never been to either...I have been to Charlotte once when a plane got rerouted from Detroit so I dont think that actually counts. We are definitley going to New Orleans for half of our week but we want to go to another place for the other half.

1) Nashville/Memphis -> Country Music and Elvis

2) North Carolina -> Race City USA (1/2 hour out of Charlotte)...I am huge into NASCAR (and I admit it)! I would love to see where it all started and all the big corporations are and yada yada


Has anyone been to either or both and could help us out making a choice?

Re: Nashville/Memphis or North Carolina?

I was in Memphis a few years ago -- it was OK. Beale Street tries really hard to get that Bourbon Street atmosphere but falls very short. There's a couple of cool bars. Corky's famous ribs was worth the ride. But the best ribs anywhere were at the place across the street from Lucilles (I think that's the name of it) - it looks like a crazy coffee shop but it's really good food.

Graceland is VERY cool (Big Elvis fan here!) -- it's the mansion, airplanes, a car museum, and a couple of other things. It takes a good part of the day to see all of it.

There's also Mud Island which has a Mississippi River/ Riverboat Museaum, a replica of the river, etc.

Graceland is decent ride from downtown Memphis and I wouldn't recommend staying near graceland. I stayed at the hotel across from the Autozone with a Friday's in the lobby -- it was very nice but request a room that does not face the autozone!!

The Peabody is the fancy schmancy hotel with the famous ducks and fabulous Sunday Brunch.

I have never been to Nashville or Charlotte.

Message edited 7/18/2006 12:38:28 AM.

Re: Nashville/Memphis or North Carolina?

It sounds like a waste of time going from Bourbon Street to a Bourbon Street imposter. BUT, as odd as this sounds...I was born the day Elvis and his pb&b sandwich died so I think it will be kind of spiritual to be there that week. But it will probably be a mob scene! Ty for your input, I realllly appreciate it and if I go I will try not to get a view of the autozone lol.

Re: Nashville/Memphis or North Carolina?

FM MrsMcK -- she just got back from Memphis (I think).

Re: Nashville/Memphis or North Carolina?

ooo tyvm

Re: Nashville/Memphis or North Carolina?

I have been to both cities, and they are very different, IMO.

I actually didn't get that Beale Street was trying to be anything but Beale Street. If you are a music lover, I would choose Memphis. We went to Graceland, Sun Studios (where Elvis made his first record) and ended up going to a concert for an older Blues singer, and B.B. King played a set. I found it fascinating to be in the city where the blues and rock and roll really started. I agree with the not staying around Graceland. there are nicer areas of the city.

I also went to the Civil Rights museum in Memphis, which is in the hotel where MLK was shot. I learned a lot and found it really interesting.

charlotte is a nice city, but I wasn't really there long enough to recommend many things to do.

ETA: The crowd at Graceland is very interesting. We saw guys dressed up as Elvis and there were people cryng at his grave that I don't think were born before he died. It is surreal....

Message edited 7/21/2006 6:17:57 AM.

Re: Nashville/Memphis or North Carolina?

Memphis is okay for a few short days. I love Nashville - but I am biased as I lived there for 6 years growing up. It would be nice for a few short days

Re: Nashville/Memphis or North Carolina?

DH and I went to Nashville in June. We went for the CMA Fest, so I am sure it is different when that is not going on, but it is a great city. I highly recommend it.................