Tag Archives: Tennessee

My Brand Of Nashville Fun

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I told you yesterday that I took my mother to Nashville for the weekend to visit her twin brother and his wife. We drove down Friday morning and came home Sunday afternoon. All told, we had about two days to see the sights.

Almost everyone I know goes to Nashville for the bars and the partying. This is not my scene. In fact, I have a friend who never misses an opportunity to remind me that I’m a nerd. It’s not much of an insult since I wave that nerd flag proudly. So it should come as no surprise to anyone that I spent more time in museums than in bars.

My first piece of advice is that if you’re like me and aren’t a fan of crowds and parties, don’t go on a weekend. I was there a few years ago and had an amazing experience mid to late week. This weekend was really busy.

On Saturday my mother went sightseeing with her family while I headed out for my own brand of nerd fun. I was wandering down Broadway just after 8 a.m. There were only a handful of cars on the street and even fewer pedestrians.

 

Downtown Nashville (7)

It was amazing. 

I passed the morning at the Country Music Hall of Fame and touring RCA Studio B. The Hall of Fame is a fun place to visit on a rainy day. Depending on your interest in country music, you can literally spend as much or as little time here as you like. I’ve been before so I didn’t feel compelled to dwell here too long but there are some interesting artifacts, pictures and stories to keep you occupied.

Right now there is a fascinating exhibition about Emmylou Harris that I thoroughly enjoyed. Her presence is felt all over this town and it was helpful to get an overview of her life and career before venturing through the city. One place you’ll learn a lot about her is the Ryman Auditorium which she is credited with saving from ruin. I’ll tell you that story another day.

I’ll leave you with a few Hall of Fame pictures.

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Interested? You can learn more at the Country Music Hall of Fame website.

 

 

Home From Adventure

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I took my mother on an adventure this weekend! We visited her twin brother and his wife in Nashville. While it was just a long weekend away, we packed a lot into our weekend and had a nice time. I have a lot to say and will share more later!

Sleep In A Wigwam

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Have you ever slept in a wigwam?

I have.

Years ago I went on a road trip through Tennessee with my then boyfriend. We spent half the week in Memphis where we stayed in an antebellum mansion turned b&b and then the other half of the week in Nashville where we stayed in an ultra modern hotel.

But first, we stopped at the National Corvette Museum at Bowling Green, Kentucky and then spent the night at the Wigwam Village motel in nearby Cave City.

This place is exactly as the name suggests- a motel that consists of a collection of wigwams.

Built in 1937, during the rise of the automobile, this motel represents a golden era of travel in America and true roadside kitsch.

At one time, there were seven of these wigwam villages all over the country. Today there remain only three – in Kentucky, Arizona and California.

The wigwam we stayed in, pictured above, felt a bit like a time capsule. Not many changes had been made over the decades. I loved the tile work and the unusual shape of the room. I felt like an adventurer here.

However, I feel it necessary to stop and say something.

This is a roadside motel with a fun hook that makes it an attraction. It wasn’t an especially nice place to stay.

I am so glad to say that I’ve stayed here but am not sure I would go back. Maybe if it was just for the night …..or maybe for some interior pictures which I evidently forgot to take the first time!

However, by no stretch of the imagination do I want you to read this as a no-strings-attached endorsement. If you like kitsch and if you’re in love with the idea of staying in a place so iconic, it may be a good fit for you.

If you’re looking for a nice hotel with a lot of modern amenities or a shower head that doesn’t resemble an outdoor spigot in a cramped, slanted shower, you may just drive by for pictures.

Speaking of pictures, isn’t this sign fabulous? I’m such a sucker for unique signage!

Intrigued? You can read the full history of the Wigwam Villages by clicking this link. You’ll also find rates and reservation info for the Kentucky wigwams where I stayed.

Let me know if you go! I would love to hear about your experience!

A Walk Down Beale Street

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P9289328.jpgLet’s go to Memphis today, shall we? Writing about Sun Studios and the assassination of Dr. King earlier this year got me to thinking about my whirlwind trip through Memphis and Nashville several years ago. I loved Memphis and hope you will too so I’ll tell you a few things about that town in the coming days.

Known as the Home of the Blues as well as the Birthplace of Rock and Roll, it’s only logical that there is music coming from every nook and cranny of the city. Every restaurant, bar, hotel, store, museum and alleyway you pass you’ll hear some kind of music. Sometimes it’s a guy with a guitar, just hanging out and picking a tune. Sometimes it’s band on a stage and sometimes it’s just a radio blaring Jerry Lee.

If you like this style of music, it is Heaven.

Beale Street is a few city blocks of restaurants, clubs, stores and theaters where you’ll hear all kinds of music – rock and roll, blues, gospel, jazz – you name it. There’s a happening night life but plenty to do if you’re looking for family friendly fun. Among other things, there’s a great candy shop, the Memphis Music Hall of Fame and the Rock and Soul Museum which I’ll write about another day.

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A Schwab Trading Company is the oldest store on Beale Street and packed full of dry goods and souvenirs. Founded in 1876, it has a soda fountain, a Beale Street Museum  and lots of fun merchandise to browse or buy. Some might call it a tourist trap but, for what it’s worth, I enjoyed it.

The day we arrived, we learned that BB King was in town and playing a show at his club. We snagged the last two standing room only tickets and enjoyed a simply amazing night of music with BB and his band.

BB passed away in 2015 but you can still see other live performers and enjoy lunch and dinner at his club. It’s barbeque and traditional southern food. In fact, we had an excellent lunch here during our stay.

Bottom line, if you’re going to Memphis, you must stop by Beale Street to sample the barbeque and the local tunes. I loved just walking down the street here and soaking up my surroundings. We’ll talk Graceland and a few other fun things in the coming days. After all, you can’t go to Memphis without visiting the King!