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Chicago, Nashville, or Memphis? (Or any other ideas?)
Hi!
I am trying to plan a girls weekend to celebrate my sister's 30th birthday. I am thinking either in April or May. We live in the St. Louis area, and would like somewhere with a 6 hour or less drive, or cheap airfare. A couple of the girls are on a budget, so we are trying not to go too crazy. I was thinking Chicago, Nashville, or Memphis would be good. My sister is not a drinker, so our weekend would need to involve other things besides just going out (she doesn't mind to go out, but likes doing other things as well). Does anyone have any ideas? I know we could find plenty to do in Chicago, but I am not familiar with Nashville. I went to Memphis a couple of years ago, but it was for the Beale Street Music Festival, so most of my time was spent there and I didn't get to see much of Memphis itself. If anyone has any other ideas, I would love to hear them as well!
Thanks!
Re: Chicago, Nashville, or Memphis? (Or any other ideas?)
I'd choose Nashville of those three. There is a ton to do there- Grand Ole Opry, Ryman, Country Music Hall of Fame, riverboat tour, Parthenon, and lots and lots of music.
Haven't done this but it seems like fun and gets good reviews:
http://www.nashtrash.com/index.html
I don't know that there's much else in Memphis besides Beale St and Graceland. Last time we were in Nashville we met some people from Memphis who said it was a dump and don't bother unless you want to see Graceland.
And Chicago just earned the dubious honor as the #1 city for bed bugs
http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/health/2013/01/18/chicago-top-city-for-bed-bugs/
https://www.goodreads.com/MrsGinTN
If you've been to Chicago, then I probably won't be able to help you there. It's a very big city, with a lot to do, and you can research online what is happening in the city during those times.
My now-husband and I went to Nashville on a business trip of mine a few years ago. I'm not a big country music fan, but I will say that the bars on the main drag had live music all the time, and we really enjoyed it. You don't have to drink to have fun.
What does your sister like to do? Is she a sports fan, ie the St Louis Cardinals? My husband and I planned our honeymoon in CA around the Detroit Tigers road trip to play the Oakland A's in CA.........staying at the team hotel is a blast, and you can find that info out on your team's website, look for the media guide and where they stay on the road. I just looked, and the Cardinals are playing the Brewers in Milwaukee the first weekend in May. You see the players around the lobby before and after the games, and it's fun. OK, enough stalker talk, LOL.
Kansas City is fun, the area around the Power & Light (?) district has been totally redone, and I was surprised when I went how nice it was.
There's also a lot to be said for having a "stay-trip", finding a great hotel or B&B near your home, maybe has a spa, and you can arrange for a limo, go partying, and save the drive time.
Have fun!
I can't speak for Chicago or Memphis. But I was recently in Nashville for business. I only had one free night and I went down to the main drag. I didn't get a chance to check out the Grand Ol' Opry or anything like that, but I did some walking aroung and hopped into some boutqiues, at the end I grabbed dinner in a bar and listened to Amazing live music, then grabbed a drink at anther.
I was staying at the Gaylord for a convention and that place is a town in itself, it was huge with a lot to do and am ah-mazing spa that I got to veg out at. I know its a bit outside of town (about 15 mins) but if you wanted to do a spa day one day it might be worth staying ther.e THough I am sure there are just as nice/quaint hotels downtown.
I think you could def spend a full weekend in Nashville, one day hitting up the shops etc on the main drag and another doing the Grand ol' Opry and the Ryman and places like that. Plus, there is always a show going on and so much live music.
I met two women there from Florida and I kind of was thier side kick (I always travel alone for work ,so it gets rather lonely) and one of the woman didn't drink and she had fun at the bar listening to music with us anyway. Plus the other woman and I were just having 1 beer while we listened.
the main thing I was impressed with is that the city is really Clean! I live in the nroth so boston isn't hte cleanest city and certainly new york is dirty dirty so it was nice. I felt comfortable and safe also, being alone ,that is improtant for me.
Out of the three I would choose Nashville or Chicago. I currently live in Nashville and there are a TON of things to do here. I know a lot of people who come here for weekend getaways.
I grew up in a town outside of Memphis, so I guess that's why I don't really see it as a "getaway." People go there usually just for Beale Street and Graceland (I lived there for 14 years and never went to Graceland). It's really not something I would drive that far for.
I have never been to Chicago, but I have been wanting to go there. I know a lot of people who have been and they really enjoyed it.