Fun things in the mid-south

March 29, 2005 7:38 AM

I'm taking a road trip to the south this weekend. What are some can't miss places -- for eating, shopping, experiencing, or simply tons of fun -- in and around Nashville, Memphis, or Little Rock?

Any restaurants, museums, record stores, world's biggest shoe, or other such must-see attraction is welcomed. My friends and I are fairly poor, so the less expensive the better. Most of our time will be spent in Memphis, and while this recent thread is helpful, it dealt mostly with live music. Also, if by chance anyone knows any hot spots around Cairo, Illinois or Terre Haute, Indiana, those are certainly welcomed as well. Thank you in advance!

posted by brad! to Travel & Transportation (12 answers total)

When my grandparents used to go to Arkansas, they'd always stop at Hot Springs. I'm not sure how far away from Little Rock that is.
posted by thanotopsis at 7:57 AM on March 29, 2005

My favorite cheap way to while away an afternoon (not a night because it gets too crowded for my taste) in Nashville is Layla's Hillbilly and Country Bluegrass Inn on Lower Broad. 1.00 Pabst Blue Ribbons, if you're into that kind of thing, and even if you're just drinking water the live music and the people-watching are free and awesome. Same can be said for Robert's, a similar place right next door, though the PBR's there are 2.00. The Hatch Show Print Studio is up the street a bit. They make (and have been making forever) wood-block print posters for all kinds of musicians from The White Stripes to Merle Haggard as well as for all kinds of other events. Hand-printed postcards are 50 cents and full-size posters go for as little as 3 dollars. They're gorgeous, I have about ten. The studio is really cool, too, with the ancient printing presses and hand-carved woodblock type and pictures stacked up to the 20 foot ceilings. And for that authentic stereotypical redneck experience, The Charlie Daniel's store and "Museum", right around the corner on 2nd, is fascinatingly disturbing. I would never actually support him by buying anything there, but the horrifying juxtaposition of confederate flag merchandise and shelves full of black mammy cookie jars and saltshakers is...well, horrifying. Even the taxidermied raccoon playing a guitar while wearing boots and a cowboy hat looks embarassed.
posted by cilantro at 8:04 AM on March 29, 2005

The Clinton Library in Little Rock is worth the trip. Ditto thanotopsis on Hot Springs.
Mud Island and Bealle Street in Memphis are fun.
posted by tayknight at 8:06 AM on March 29, 2005

Memphis:
Raiford's Nightclub (right off Beale St.) - sells 40 oz. beers and has a light-up dance floor. Good for late night entertainment.

National Ornamental Metal Museum - outdoor sculpture and indoor museum. Blacksmith shop. Beautiful setting overlooking the river.


Holly Springs, MS: Graceland Too - about 45 minutes SE of Memphis. One man's Elvis collection. Definitely the most unique experience in the Mid-South.
posted by Frank Grimes at 8:09 AM on March 29, 2005 [1 favorite]

Asheville is ~200 miles east of Nashville, but if there's anyway you can make it over here I would highly recommend it. There's beautiful (and cheap) hiking in the blue ridge mountains and great drives to take on the parkway, there are too many great restaurants to name (although I guess I could rattle off a few if you're interested) and there's a very lively art and music scene (The Shins will be coming to the Orange Peel at the end of April, oooh). Some have even called Asheville the Paris of the South, although I'm not sure I'd go that far.
posted by Crushinator at 8:17 AM on March 29, 2005

*ahem* The Orange Peel
posted by Crushinator at 8:18 AM on March 29, 2005

In Memphis, it's hard to pass up Graceland, though it is, admittedly, rather cheesy and expensive.

In Little Rock (where I've lived for the last year and a half or so), you might enjoy: (touristy) the Clinton Presidential Library, the Arkansas Arts Center and the Museum of Discovery; (outdoorsy) Pinnacle Mountain State Park; (beer-y) Bosco's and the Flying Saucer; (hipster-y) Vino's Brew Pub, Damgoode Pies (best pizza in town) and Anthro-Pop (only LR record store worth mentioning). Also, Lilly's Dim Sum is a very good neo-Asian kinda restaurant.

Hot Springs is a little more than an hour's drive from LR. If you decide to go there, I'd encourage you to visit the national park, and see if the Hot Springs Documentary Film Institute has anything going on.

(If you're extremely bored in LR, or you just want free wifi access, stop by the downtown public library and say hello. Free wifi is also available at the River Market and the Sufficient Grounds coffeehouse.)
posted by box at 8:37 AM on March 29, 2005

I always thought that the replica of the parthenon in Nashville is cool.
posted by trbrts at 9:07 AM on March 29, 2005

In Nashville the Frist Museum is pretty cool - then you can walk down broadway and get some great BBQ (look for the flying pig). I also suggest the parthenon as well as the bicentennial walk next to the federal building downtown. As mentioned above - Layla's is great.
posted by guruguy9 at 9:59 AM on March 29, 2005

Nashville's Loveless Cafe: best biscuits and gravy I've ever had.
posted by scody at 10:32 AM on March 29, 2005

LOVELESS! HATCH SHOW PRINTS! Excellent suggestions.

Memphis - go to the Bar-B-Q shop on Madison. The National Civil Rights Museum is excellent. Beale Street is a laugh. I think Graceland is kinda lame, but it's interesting. Pick up a Memphis Flyer to see what's happening. Go see the ducks at the Peabody then go up on the roof for a great view of the river.
posted by abbyladybug at 2:11 PM on March 29, 2005

As for Memphis...Go to Huey's and get some of the best burgers you've ever had. They're cheap & tasty. I recommend the downtown or the midtown location.
posted by Four-Eyed Girl at 12:43 AM on March 30, 2005