We love celebrating our birthdays (if there was any doubt to anyone who has followed our birthday adventures over the years). Each year, I go all out with a birthday theme. And I have to admit, I had a lot of fun planning this year’s Tennessee road trip adventure with the theme of “going country” — driving from Memphis to Nashville and Dolly Parton’s theme park Dollywood.
Channeling my inner cowboy. Having way too much fun inside the shop at the Country Music Hall of Fame on my previous adventure.
Shocker to no one — we’re not exactly your typical country western guys. But last year, I spent 24 hours in Nashville and I couldn’t believe how much I enjoyed it. Nashville has a thriving music scene, museums and great food. I got such a kick when I saw mac and cheese listed on menus as a vegetable. If there was any doubt that Tennessee would be the next birthday destination?
Mac and cheese from Hattie B’s, a Nashville institution.
Check out our road trip itinerary that will take you all across the state from the blues of Memphis to Nashville. Then through the countryside from Nashville to Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., the heart of Appalachia. Yee haw!
DAY 1: Memphis to Nashville
Peabody Hotel ducks in Memphis.
We recommend flying in the night prior and staying at the historic Peabody Hotel, right in the heart of Memphis. Today covers a lot of ground, and can be scaled back for those not quite as ambitious.
- 7:30 AM, Wake up early to allow time to explore the historic Peabody Hotel and grab some tasty breakfast burritos and coffee from the very comfy Tamp and Tap, located a quick walk from the hotel. Even more fun? Bring it back to the hotel room for an inexpensive breakfast in bed.
Coffee shop Tamp & Tap, located near the Peabody Hotel in Memphis.
- 8:45 AM, Depart hotel and drive to the National Civil Rights Museum (open daily at 9 AM; we recommend spending at least 2 hours).
- This is one of the most important museums in the South — if not the country. The museum is located inside the historic Lorraine Motel, where MLK Jr. was assassinated. Exhibits continue across the road where escaped convict James Earl Ray shot Dr. King.
- 11:00 – 11:15 AM, Peabody Ducks at Peabody Hotel (11 AM; 5 PM every day).
- The Peabody’s most famous inhabitants are the ducks who march down from the roof promptly at 11 am each day, swim in the fountains, then return to their perch at 5 PM.
- We ended up skipping the ducks since we were completely engrossed by the museum.
- 11:15 – 12:30 PM, Walk Beale Street. And see just how times you’ll sing/shout, “Cause I’m Walking in Memphis”? Kevin was ready to stop me after the 1st time singing the chorus!
- Check off the bucket list spots like the bronze Elvis statue and Lansky Brothers, a clothing shop that provided most of the clothes worn by Elvis, including the outfit worn on his first TV appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show.
- If you’re hungry, look no further than the slow-cooked barbecue ribs from Blues City Cafe and the Oreo milkshakes at A. Schwab Dry Goods.
Look it’s the Gourmet Globetrotters! Enjoying our big lunch at Blues City Cafe.
Just a hunk, a hunk of burning love. And clearly dressed as twins as our friend Daniel pointed out after texting him this photo.
- 12:45 PM, depart for Graceland (and join the 1 PM self-guided walking tour).
- We’re living proof that you don’t need to be a big Elvis fan to enjoy a day at Graceland.
- We recommend the “Elvis Experience Tour” ($61 per person) that includes an orientation film and an iPad audio tour through the house.
- And here is a fun fact: Graceland is the second most visited home in America. Only the White House receives more visitors each year. The tour is one trippy time machine — showing how the King lived (and how he changed music history).
Inside Elvis’ state-of-the-art media room. I love the wall of TV sets.
- 4- 7:30 PM, Drive from Memphis to Nashville (3.5 hour drive).
- Road trip bonus stop: Grab some freshly-baked biscuits to go from the Loveless Cafe. We don’t even like biscuits but devoured these.
Enjoying our road trip adventure from Memphis to Nashville with this quick detour to the Loveless Cafe.
Loveless Cafe’s famous biscuits.
- 7:30 PM, Check into the Fairlane Hotel (1 night), located in the heart of downtown Nashville’s action.
- 8-9:30 PM, Join a Nashville Evening Ghost Tour.
- Stretch your legs after all that driving (oh and biscuits) and hear some spooky tales mixed with recommendations on Nashville’s nightlife.
Meeting our guide on ghost walking tour through Nashville.
You’ll pass through Printers Alley, one of Nashville’s most haunted spots and today filled with bars.
- 9:30 PM, Grab some dinner and listen to the live music at Puckett’s. Kevin enjoyed the “piggy mac and cheese,” topped with pulled pork. This was his favorite meal on the trip. Be sure to save room for the skillet pecan cobbler topped with vanilla ice cream. Oh boy!
Enjoying a late night dinner and live music at Puckett’s.
The pecan cobbler from Puckett’s.
Day 2: Driving Nashville to Dollywood
Live music at Tootsies Orchid Lounge in Nashville on lower Broadway, known as the ‘Honky Tonk Highway’
Most of today will be spent walking downtown Nashville, and exploring the gigantic Country Music Hall of Fame. Even though we’re not big country music fans, we enjoyed its interactive exhibits and tracing how the music industry has evolved.
- 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM, Explore the Country Music Hall of Fame.
- This monumental museum reflects the near-biblical importance of country music to Nashville’s soul. It’s a must-see whether you’re a country music fan or not.
- I recommend also signing up for the 10 AM tour of Studio B, where dozens of country and pop stars have made recordings… And even Dolly Parton accidentally drove her car through the wall.
Calling all Reba fans – one of her elaborate wardrobes on display at the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Side trip to see Studio B. This is an optional add-on with the Country Music Hall of Fame, but worth the extra cost.
- 12-1:30 PM, Lunch at Hattie B’s.
- I’m not sure I could ever eat any other fried hot chicken again after eating at Hattie B’s. Sure, it’s probably the most famous in town — attracting the most out-of-towners — but there is a good reason for that.
- Be prepared to wait in a line (especially if you’re visiting on a weekend). I ended up waiting in line for over 1 hour (in the blazing sun), while Kevin relaxed and read a book. He’s lucky it’s his birthday, just saying….
Kevin digs into our long-awaited lunch at Hattie B’s.
- 2-5 PM, Free time to explore Nashville.
- We drove 5 minutes to Just Love Coffee on Music Row. They regularly have live music at this cute cafe. You won’t want to miss their fresh brownies.
- Next, check out Vanderbilt University and Hillsboro Village, a walkable section where locals and visitors come for some great shopping and cute cafes like FIDO coffee shop.
- 5 PM, Time to hit the road and drive 3 hours to Knoxville.
- 8 PM, Arrive in Knoxville and check into the Hilton, right in the heart of downtown.
- Knoxville is a pretty sleepy town, but makes a great base for the big activity the next day (Dollywood!).
- For a fancy movie experience, order a glass of wine and food at the Regal Riviera, a few blocks from the Hilton.
- We ended up stumbling across Peter Kern Library, a very cool speakeasy with comfy couches and unique drinks.
- Knoxville is a pretty sleepy town, but makes a great base for the big activity the next day (Dollywood!).
Inside the Peter Kern Library, a cool speakeasy in downtown Knoxville, Tenn.
- 11 PM, Tired yet? Collapse.
Day 3: All Day at Dollywood, Then Back to Nashville
- 9 AM, Drive to Dollywood. Located in the foothills of Tennessee’s Great Smoky Mountains, Dollywood is 150 acres of kitsch from the queen of country, Dolly Parton. You’ll find classic amusement park rides, cheesy gift shops and big-time roller coasters.
- Insider tip: Arrive at the park before it opens (at 10 AM). It’s only a 45 minute drive from Knoxville. However, the traffic gets really backed up at the park around opening.
- 2nd Insider tip: Get the Time Save Pass, which can be purchased inside the park. It’s $40 for the basic pass, but you can literally walk right up to the ride without much of a wait.
Don’t leave Dollywood without buying a loaf of the cinnamon bread.
Dollywood also has lots of stage shows with country singing, naturally.
- 5 PM, After a full day at Dollywood, it’s time to head back to Nashville. It’s a 3 hour drive, but I was ready to sit and rest the legs.
- As you’re leaving, you might want to grab some cookies and ice cream at Adina’s Sweet Shop, conveniently located along the road back to Nashville. Just watch out for their moonshine cupcakes. Yes, they’re alcoholic.
- 7:30-8:30 PM, Before you get back into downtown Nashville, make a quick stop at the Opryland Resort.
- This hotel holds a special place for me. For YEARS, Kevin has been subjected to stories of our family vacation here — where we got upgraded to the presidential suite.
- Let’s just say, we earned it — the hotel accidentally gave us rooms with guests already inside. Twice in a row. It might have been traumatizing for everyone involved, but hey, that presidential suite was SO worth it!
Gardens inside the Opryland Resort.
- 8:30-9 PM, You’re just minutes away from the famed country music stage of the Grand Ole Opry.
- We just stopped by to look at it, but they also have regular shows and offer behind-the-scenes tours.
- 9:30 PM, Check into your comfy B&B lodging at the Germantown Inn.
- This place is fantastic, and out of the craziness of downtown Nashville. They even offered us complimentary wine at check-in.
Our comfy room at the Germantown Inn.
- 10 PM – midnight, We clearly love to keep long days. If you’re not too tired, take an Uber and head to Printer’s Alley for some live blues and dinner at Skull’s Rainbow Room.
Inside Skull’s Rainbow Room, enjoying some great live music in Nashville.
- 12:30 AM, Wrap up your night and fall fast asleep.
Day 4: Nashville Adventures – Enjoying the Last Day
- 10 AM – 12:30 PM, Join a guided bicycle tour with Green Fleet Bikes.
- The start of the tour is just a few blocks away from the Germantown Inn. Follow your guide on the streets of Nashville to learn its history and role in the country music scene. Or if you’re like us, you’re feeling guilty about all that mac n’ cheese you’ve been eating and need some exercise!
- 12:30 – 1:00 PM, After the biking, grab some snacks at the gorgeous Nashville Farmer’s Market, just a short walk from the Green Fleet Bikes office. Or pick up some award-winning sweets, across from the Germantown Inn at The Cupcake Collection.
Kevin digs into the cupcakes at The Cupcake Collection. We earned it.
- 1:00 – 1:30 PM, Take a quick shower and check out of the hotel (be sure to request a late checkout).
- 1:30 PM, Depart with your rental car to Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage.
- 2:00-4:30 PM, Join a walking tour of the Hermitage.
- Tours are led by guides (in period costume of course) of Andrew Jackson’s stately Southern plantation. The estate will give you a glimpse into the former U.S. President’s life in Tennessee.
The dining room inside the Andrew Jackson Hermitage.
- 5-6 PM, It’s our last chance to chow down some Southern food before heading home. We recommend The Stillery for its mac n’ cheese topped with fried hot chicken (and forget counting calories at this point!). Then walk to Broadway to take in the live music at one of the thumping honky tonks along the strip.
Mac n cheese with the hot chicken on the side from The Stillery.
One of the lively honky tonks on Broadway.
- 6:30 PM, Head to the airport. Sadly your time in Nashville has come to an end. But talk about seeing a lot in a just a few days. You’ll sleep well on the plane.
Bye bye Tennessee
Planning a trip to Tennessee? Be sure to check out my recommendations on the best things I crammed into 24 hours in Nashville. And if you have more time, peruse our top picks for 1 day in Memphis. For those looking for a birthday celebration or special occasion destination, check out our recommendations on the best birthday travel spots.
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