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Memphis
I-40 enters Memphis via the Desoto Memorial Bridge crossing the Mississippi River. I-40 loops to the north through the northern neighborhoods and, except for the usual rush-hour traffic, is easy to follow and uneventful.
Visitor Information Center - From I-40 take exit 1 which puts you on Promenade Street. Turn left at Jefferson Avenue, cross the tracks and left again into Riverside. The Tennessee State Welcome Center is at 119 N. Riverside Drive.
Trained counselors are on duty seven days a week: during the summer season (April through October) hours are 9a to 7p; the rest of the year (November through March) hours are 9a to 6p. The lobby is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
For more information phone 1-901-543-5333 or view their web site:
MemphisCVB.
Beale Street - Within the three blocks, from 2nd Street to 4th Street, you'll find over 30 nightclubs, restaurants and stores plus a very special feel. Beale Street is one of America's most famous musical streets. Here, any time of the day or night, you can hear traditional Blues, R&B, Rock & Roll, or even Jazz.
For more information you can phone 1-901-526-0110.
From I-40 take exit 1 which puts you on Promenade Street. Continue along this street (it becomes Riverside Drive) to Beale Street and turn
left.
Children's Museum of Memphis - "Children play to learn; Adults learn to play again." While perhaps not their motto, it is about the first thing you see on their web site and it does describe what we observed at the Children's Museum of Memphis. Heavy in hands-on educating exhibits, it is an absolute pleasure watching the kids here. And they cover a very wide range of subjects, many of which you would guess a child younger than age ten
couldn't begin to understand; but they certainly seem to get the messages. Their exhibits are constantly changing and they have a very large of guest presenters. You really have to peruse their web site to get the impact.
Hours, Tuesday through Saturday, are 9a to 5p; Sundays noon to 5p. They're closed Martin Luther King Day,
Easter Sunday, Memorial Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Days and New Year's Day. Admission: $7; children ages 1 through 12 and senior citizens, $6. They accept Discover, MasterCard and Visa. Parking is FREE!
For more information phone 1-901-320-3170 or visit their web site:
CMOM.
If eastbound on I-40 take exit 1-E and merge with the eastbound traffic on I-240. Follow I-240 to exit 23-A.
(skip the next paragraph)
If westbound on I-40 take exit 12-C and merge with I-240 westbound. Follow I-240 to exit 23-A.
From I-240 exit 23-A follow Airways Blvd northbound to Central Avenue. (At South Parkway - about 11 blocks after you cross US-78 - Airway becomes East Parkway S and, also, TN-277). Central Avenue is 8 blocks (counting the streets on your left) from the tracks at Southern Avenue. Turn right on Central to Hollywood. The Museum is located on the corner of Central and Hollywood on the grounds of the Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium (at the Mid-South Fairgrounds).
Chucalissa Museum - Operated by the Department of Anthropology of the University of Memphis, this unique museum is a tribute to, and study of, several ancient Native Americans. Thought to have occupied this site in several waves from 1000 to 1500AD, archeological digs have unearthed artifacts indicated an interesting path of development of their social and economic orders and their communication with other people in the region.
What is though to be a village characteristic of what was occupied
by these Native Americans has been reconstructed. The structures have been 'furnished' as much as possible with artifacts thought to have been used be these people. There is a family dwelling, a medicine man's dwelling and a temple mound all viewable.
Open Tuesday through Saturday from 9a to 5p; Sundays from 1 to 5p. (Last admission deadline is at 4:30p. Closed major holidays. Admission: $5; kids 4
through 11, $3.
For more information phone 1-901-785-3160 or visit their web site:
Chucalissa.
From I-40 eastbound in Arkansas take exit 279-B and follow I-55 into Tennessee and to exit 7. Exit and follow US-61 southbound to Mitchell
Road (about 1.7 miles). Turn left and follow Mitchell Road to Plant Road
(about 3.6 miles). Turn left and drive to Chucalissa Parkway and turn left again. The first road on your right is Indian Village Drive and the entrance to the Village.
It is about 7 miles from I-55 exit 7.
From the Memphis area, take 240 to the I-55 interchange at exit 25-A and follow I-55 NORTHBOUND to its exit 7. Exit and follow US-61 southbound to Mitchell
Road (about 1.7 miles). Turn left and follow Mitchell Road to Plant Road
(about 3.6 miles). Turn left and drive to Chucalissa Parkway and turn left again. The first road on your right is Indian Village Drive and the entrance to the Village.
It is about 7 miles from I-55 exit 7.
Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum - Here you will find encapsulated an excellent history or rock 'n' roll and 'soul' music. Memphis, if not the birthplace of this genre is at the very least where it all came together to be heard by the general public.
Located just a half block south of the Beale Street entertainment district (see above), it is housed on the third floor of the Gibson Guitar factory.
The museum is open 10a to 6p daily (Tours last about 60 minutes; last tour at 5p.) Admission: $8.50; kids 5
through 17, $5.
For more information phone 1-901-543-0800 or visit their web site:
MemphisRocknSoul.
From I-40 take exit 1 which puts you on Promenade Street. Continue along this street (it becomes Riverside Drive) to Beale Street and turn left. Drive up Beale Street to 3rd Street and turn right. Parking is available (usually) next to the factory. (145 Lt George W Lee Avenue).
Graceland - This is a humpin' complex! It includes the Elvis Presley mansion sited on his 14 acre estate, a couple museums, his special airplane (open for touring at a price), a movie theater (shows a 20 minute Elvis bio), souvenir shops and eateries. If you are an Elvis fan you don't need us to tell you about him and Graceland. If you're not, then you
can 'get educated' by viewing their very well developed web site which
includes the Elvis bio and cites the various tours (each at a price), how you can take them and when. That web site is
ELVIS. You can also get some information by phoning 1-800-238-2000 (toll free).
From I-40 eastbound in Arkansas take exit 279-B and follow I-55 into Tennessee and to exit 5-B. Exit and follow US-51 (this is Elvis Presley Blvd) southbound to Graceland at 3734 Elvis Presley Blvd.
From the Memphis area, take I240 to the I-55 interchange at exit 25-A and follow I-55
SOUTHBOUND to exit 5-B the first exit). Exit and follow US-51 (this is Elvis Presley Blvd) southbound to Graceland at 3734 Elvis Presley Blvd.
Main Street Trolley - Restored old-timey trolleys carry the sight-seeing tourists as well as transport folks among several entertainment sites, e.g., the Pyramid, Pinch District, Memphis Cook Convention Center, Beale Street, the Orpheum Theatre and the National Civil Rights Museum.
Run (in the summers) Monday through Thursday from 6a to midnight;
Friday run until 1a; Saturday run 9:30a to 1a; Sunday 10a to 6p.
Fare: $0.60; $0.30 for seniors and the disabled.
NOTICE: exact change required. All-day passes are available for $2.50.
Memphis Botanic Garden - Almost 100 acres of exquisitely landscaped display gardens (including the renowned Japanese Garden of tranquility), woodlands, sparkling lakes and great views. There is nothing like a beautiful, quiet garden - especially after a long drive.
They have put a lot of effort - and information - into their web site. When you visit it at
MemphisBotanicGarden, be sure to click on 'Click Here to Browse A Year in the Garden' just below the title 'The Gardens' under the top photo.
For more information, phone 1-901-685-1566.
From I-40 take exit 12-B and follow the Sam Cooper Blvd freeway to exit 9. Turn left at the end of the off-ramp and drive southbound on Perkins Road to Southern Avenue (just after you cross the tracks). Turn right and go to the second street on your left (Cherry Road). Turn left (this is Audubon Park) and the Botanic Gardens parking area is just ahead (750 Cherry Road).
Memphis Pink Palace - Here, in what was to be a very wealthy man's estate, are his intended home - the Pink Palace Mansion - , the Pink Palace Museum, the Sharpe Planetarium, and the Union Planters IMAX® Theater.
Pink Palace Mansion - This ornate mansion with its ornate pink Georgian marble facade, was to be the residence of Clarence Saunders, multi-millionaire founder of the Piggly Wiggly supermarket and chain. Financial problems forced him into bankruptcy and with that fled his dream home. Now owned by the City of Memphis, it houses the offices of the Pink Palace family of museums.
Pink Palace Museum - Here you can explore the cultural and natural history of Memphis and the Mid-South through exhibits, dioramas and audio-visuals.
Open Monday through Thursday from 9a to 6p (except during the school year - Labor Day to Memorial Day - when they close at 4p). Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas and New Year's Days.
Sharpe Planetarium - See, and learn about, the night sky. During the program, you'll be shown many of the constellations currently viewable, find out how they were defined, and hear stories about the mythological figures for which these constellations were named.
The Union Planters IMAX® Theater - The only IMAX Theater in the Mid-South, it has a screen 4 stories high which, with the 6-channel IMAX DIGITAL surround sound system, will transport you into the ultimate film experience.
For more information, phone 1-901-320-6320 or visit their web site:
PinkPalace.
If eastbound on I-40 take exit 1E. Exit and keep to the right until you get to Poplar Street. Turn left onto Poplar and follow Poplar all the way to Lafayette. To help you recognize the intersection, you will drive by a large park (Overton Park), cross US-64 (East Parkway) at which point Poplar becomes US-72. A few blocks later you will cross several sets of railroad tracks and, about 4 block later you're at Lafayette Street. Turn right (south) on Lafayette and go 3 blocks to Central Avenue. Turn right and right again into the gates of the Pink Palace.
If westbound on I-40 take exit 12-B and follow the Sam Cooper Blvd freeway to its end on Broad Avenue. Turn left onto Malcomb Street (the very first street after the end of the freeway). Turn left onto any one of the next 5 streets and go back 1 block to Holmen Street and turn right on Holmes. Follow Holms to its end at Central Avenue and turn right on Central. Then drive to the gates of the Pink Palace at 3050 Central Avenue.
Memphis Zoo - A well stocked and maintained facility. Their star feature at the moment is their Chinese Pandas exhibit.
Open March through October from 9a to 6p; November through February from 9a to 5p. Note: Last admission is 1 hour before closing. The museum is closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve & Christmas Day. Admission: $10; kids 2 through 11, $6. There is also a $3 per vehicle parking fee.
For more information, phone 1-901-276-WILD or visit their web site:
MemphisZoo.
From I-40 eastbound, take exit 1 (first exit after you cross the bridge into Memphis) and turn right onto Front Street. Go 1 block to Poplar and turn left. Follow Poplar to the 2000 block and at the Kenilworth light turn left into Overton Park. Follow the signs to the Zoo entrance.
From I-40 westbound, take exit 12-B (left lane) and follow the Sam Cooper Blvd freeway to exit 7 (Highland Street). Turn left onto Highland and follow it to Poplar Avenue. Turn right on Poplar and at the Kenilworth light turn right into Overton Park. Follow the signs to the Zoo entrance.
Mud Island River Park and the
Mississippi River Museum - You can see Mud Island when you cross the Mississippi River bridge eastbound on I-40. Access to Mud Island Park, however, is via a Swiss-built,
under slung monorail
(see
photos).
A unique feature in the Park is the scale model of the lower Mississippi River (yes, real water). You can view how it twists and turns, read about significant events along the way and then ride in a
pedal boat in the created-to-scale Gulf of Mexico.
The Mississippi River Museum has many exhibits relating to the Mississippi River, its history and major events. Also in the museum is a reproduction of part of a 1870 vintage Mississippi River steamboat, part of a Civil War vintage Union gunboat, a tugboat and, in an adjacent pavilion, the World War II B-17, Mississippi Belle.
For hours of operation and admission fees (general admission to the park is FREE) please see the current information posted at
Schedule.
For more information, phone 1-901-576-7230 or view their web site:
MudIslandPark.
From I-40 eastbound, take exit 1 (first exit after you cross the bridge into Memphis) and turn left onto Fulton Street. Drive up Fulton to Auction Street, turn left, cross the bridge to Mud Island and continue to the end of Auction at Island Drive. Turn left on Island Drive and follow it to its end.
From I-40 westbound, take exit 1 and turn right on Main Street (or, if you missed it, Front Street will do). Go to Auction Street, turn left, cross the bridge to Mud Island and continue to the end of Auction at Island Drive. Turn left on Island Drive and follow it to its end.
Note. To ride the monorail you have to go to the offices at 125 N. Front Street. If eastbound on I-40, take exit 1 and turn right on Front Street. If
westbound, take exit 1 and turn left on Front Street.
Peabody Ducks (Peabody Hotel) - The world famous Peabody Hotel in Memphis has an attraction no other hotel shares. Everyday, at 11a, the Peabody Ducks march from their "Duck Palace" on the roof of the hotel to the Italian Travertine marble fountain in the Peabody Lobby. A red carpet is unrolled as the ducks,
strutting to a John Philip Sousa march, pass through crowds of admiring spectators. The fanfare is repeated at 5p, when the ducks retire to their palace. (Viewing of the spectacle is FREE!)
Of course, there is far more to the Peabody Memphis, a 14-story, Italian Renaissance Revival architecture, luxury hotel. The hotel, located just four blocks from Beale Street, recently completed a multi-million dollar renovation that included all guest rooms and public spaces. You get
classical splendor, modern comfort and old-fashioned personal service.
From I-40 take exit 1 which puts you on Promenade Street. Continue along this street (it becomes Riverside Drive) to Union Avenue and turn left. The Peabody Memphis is at 149 Union (about a half block after 2nd Street).
»
Reserve
your room at the Peabody «
The Pyramid - The 32 story, stainless steel Pyramid, third largest pyramid in the world, is 21,000 seat sports arena and entertainment facility. Conceived and built to symbolically relate Memphis Tennessee to its sister city in Egypt, it has become a major tourist attraction.
Tours of the Pyramid are available Monday through Friday on non-event days. The tour is a 30 to 40 minute guided walking tour through the Gallery of Stars (featuring super-size photos of the biggest stars in sports and entertainment), the Riverside Club, the backstage areas, the dressing rooms, the locker rooms, the arena and a typical luxury suite.
For specifics, phone 1-901-521-9675, extension 340.
From I-40 eastbound, take exit 1 (first exit after you cross the bridge into Memphis) and turn left onto Fulton Street. Drive up Fulton to Auction Street, turn left, cross the bridge to Mud Island and continue to the Pyramid at One Auction Avenue.
From I-40 westbound, take exit 1 and turn right on Main Street (or, if you missed it, Front Street will do). Go to Auction Street, turn left and drive to the Pyramid at One Auction Avenue.
(The Pyramid is also a trolley stop.)
Jackson
Casey Jones Village - You've heard of Casey Jones, the railroad engineer made famous by ballad originally written by Wallace Sauders, an engine wiper in Canton, Mississippi. Casey Jones
is buried here. This village, museum, store, etc., have 'sprung' up as a memorial to Casey - and to make a little green. The Casey Jones home in Casey Jones Village is the actual house in which Casey and his family were living at time of train wreck in 1900. It was moved to Casey Jones Village in 1980 from its original location on West Chester Street.
The kids can climb aboard 'Engine 382', ring the bell and pretend your 'driving the train'. The house, fully restored to the way it was at his death, is also open to tourists. They even have a video about Casey, the man and the legend. The real attraction, perhaps, is the working model railroad they've constructed inside a restored railroad car.
Open 9a to 8p daily in the summers; shorter hours in the 'off season'. Closed Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Admission $4; $3 for kids 6 to 12.
For more information phone 1-731-668-1222 or visit their web site:
CaseyJones.
From I-40 take exit 80-A. Point your car south (toward Jackson) and turn right into the first road south of the I-40 interchange. Just "look for the red caboose in the sky".
At exit 116 you will notice a sign announcing the Natchez Trace State Park and Forest. This is NOT the access to the
Natchez Trace Parkway. You will access the Parkway via exit 192 if you are eastbound – and
exit 199 if you are westbound.
Paris
At exit 126 is US-641 which leads to Paris TN and US-76 (which, in turn, leads to
Land of the Lakes Recreation Area and “The Trace”, its scenic drive-through. A little further east via US-76 is
Fort Campbell and Clarksville.
(continued
in column 2) |
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(continued
from column 1)
Nashville
At exit 192 is the westbound approach to the Natchez Trace
Parkway; at exit 199 is the eastbound approach. And now, as you can see from the increase in traffic, you are entering greater Nashville. At
exit 206 you encounter I-440, the southern loop around the central city. The authorities have posted signs recommending 440 for folks continuing through Nashville to points east (specifically, Knoxville). We strongly recommend it, also. The traffic is heavy but much worse if you would follow I-40’s jig and jogs through the central
city. Visitors' Center -
Do not take I-440 around downtown but stay on I-40. If eastbound on I-40, take exit 209-B and turn left on US-70 (Broadway); if westbound, take exit 209-A and turn right on US-70 (Broadway. Drive down Broadway to the area of Fifth Avenue. The Nashville Area Convention & Visitor's Bureau is in the glass tower of the Nashville Arena.
The Nashville CVB also has offices at 211 Commerce Street. Drive 3 more blocks down Broadway to 2nd Avenue, turn left and drive 1 more block to Commerce Street. They are just around the corner (to your left). If you're hungry there are a lot of restaurants in the immediate area - plus parking seems to be a little more available.
For more information phone 1-800-657-6910 (toll free). Web site:
NashvilleCVB.
Belle Meade Plantation - About all that is left of this once glorious 5,400 acre plantation is the ca 1850 Greek Revival mansion, a carriage house (replete with carriages of that period) and stables, a smokehouse, creamery and the late, 18th Century, Dunham Station log cabin. Oh, yes, and the
cemetery. In the mansion you are greeted by its famous curved stairway - just like in the old movies - and costumed guides who have a good repertoire of stories about the plantation days and the folks of that period.
Tours conducted Monday through Saturday from 9a to 5p; Sundays 11a to 5p. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Days. Admission $10; kids 6 through 12, $4. They honor combo tickets available at the Visitors' Center.
For more information phone 1-800-270-3991 (toll free) or visit their web site:
BelleMeade.
If eastbound and driving toward Nashville on I-40, take exit 204 and follow TN-155 (Whitebridge Road) southbound US-70-S (Harding Pike) and turn left. Follow Harding to Leake Avenue, turn left and there is the Plantation.
If you are in Nashville or on I-40 westbound approaching Nashville, get on I-440 and take the US-70-S (West End Ave) exit. That will be exit 1 if traveling clockwise on I-440; exit 1-A of traveling counter-clockwise. The names of this highway change a couple times but it remains US-70-S. Follow it to Leake Avenue, turn left and there is the Plantation. The is a little over 6 miles from Nashville; the drive can take 20 minutes. Cheekwood Botanical Garden and Museum of Art - This 55-acre estate was and is the private home of the Cheekwood family. Opened to the public in 1960, both the extensive gardens and the grand, Georgia-style mansion, are open to the public. This is very near the Belle Meade Plantation (see above) so, if you are in the area, it would be a shame to miss it. If you like to stroll through beautiful gardens - or tour old mansions -
go!
Open Tuesday through Saturday from 9:30a to 4:30p; Sunday 11a to 4:30p. Closed Monday's (except federal holidays). Cheekwood is also closed the second Saturday in June, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Days. Admission $10; kids 6 through 17, $5. Family special, $20 per family. They honor combo tickets available at the Visitors' Center.
For more information phone 1-615-356-8000 or visit their web site:
Cheekwood.
If eastbound and driving toward Nashville on I-40, take exit 204 and follow TN-155 (Whitebridge Road) southbound US-70-S (Harding Pike) and turn left. Follow Harding to Belle Meade Blvd and turn left. Follow Belle Meade to its end (about 2.5 miles) and turn right onto Page Road. Drive to the first road on your left (Forrest Park Drive) turn left and Cheekwood is at the top of the hill to your right.
If you are in Nashville or on I-40 westbound approaching Nashville, get on I-440 and take the US-70-S (West End Ave) exit. That will be exit 1 if traveling clockwise on I-440; exit 1-A of traveling counter-clockwise. The names of this highway change a couple times but it remains US-70-S. Follow it to Belle Meade Blvd and turn left. Follow Belle Meade to its end (about 2.5 miles) and turn right onto Page Road. Drive to the first road on your left (Forrest Park Drive) turn left and Cheekwood is at the top of the hill to your right. Country Music Hall of Fame - When we were 'doing our homework' in
preparation for this excursion, we found that the web site for the Country Music Hall of Fame had been discontinued. Some 'Google' searches brought us to the conclusion that the Hall of Fame had been merged with Country Music Television (an Viacom network). The Hall of Fame is now housed in a new $37 million facility
spanning an entire city block in the heart of downtown Nashville's entertainment district.
Tour the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, visit historic RCA Studio B, Nashville's oldest surviving recording studio. Then take a narrated driving tour of Music Row.
The Hall of Fame is open daily from 10a to 6p. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Days. Tours of Studio B depart from the Hall of Fame (approximately) hourly between 10a and 2:30p. Admission $15.95; 'Youth', $7.95. They honor combo tickets available at the Visitors' Center.
For more information phone 1-800-852-6437 or visit their page on the CMT web site:
HallOfFame.
(lately this web site has not responded)
From I-40 eastbound, take exit 209-B. Drive straight across Broadway and turn left on Demonbreun. Follow Demonbreun to Fifth Avenue South.
From I-40 westbound take exit 209-B. Drive straight across Division Street and turn right on Demonbreun. Follow Demonbreun to Fifth Avenue South.
There is a parking garage on 5th about 2-1/2 blocks (turn left on 5th) from
Demonbreun. The Hermitage - Nashville's only remaining grand hotel from the old days of fast fun and loose money, the Hermitage has been restored to its original grandeur.
(It first opened its doors to guests in September of 1910.) This place has hosted the world's
elite; there are enough famous names in the old registers to choke a biographer.
Describing the original hotel, "Only the finest materials were used: Italian sienna marble in the entrance; wall panels of Russian walnut; a cut, stained glass ceiling in the vaulted lobby; Persian rugs; and massive, overstuffed furniture. Downstairs, adjoining the Oak Bar, was the Grille Room (now The Capitol Grille), which was originally planned as a rathskellar. The room was built by craftsmen imported from Germany and emerged as a private club for men only. As Nashville's first million-dollar hotel, it was the preferred gathering place for the city's socialites. It was the national platform for both pro-and anti-suffrage forces, and a national radio program originated from its famous dining room."
(courtesy of
the Hermitage)
The aesthetics have been retained and restored to their original brightness in the recent refurbishing and remodeling which required an investment of over $15 million.
A recent article published at
docnews.com described the reopening of the Hermitage. If you'd like to spend a night or two in luxury,
>
click here
< to make your reservation (or just check out the rates and amenities).
Another reason to stay at the Hermitage; it is just a short walk away from downtown Nashville's entertainment district,
From I-40 eastbound, take exit 209-A and turn left on Church Street.
(skip next line)
From I-40 westbound, take exit 209 and turn right on Church Street.
Drive up Church Street to 6th Avenue, turn right and the Hermitage is on your right. If you can't park at the Hermitage, there is a parking garage in the middle of the next block (6th Ave). Music Valley Wax Museum - Featuring over fifty exhibits of life-sized wax figures of famous country & western music stars. Also available for viewing is their famous 'Sidewalk of the Stars' with over 250 handprints and signatures of country & western music stars. Located across from the Opryland Hotel in the Opryland Complex.
For information, phone 1-615-883-3612. We couldn't find a web site that belongs to the museum though there are many other web sites mentioning them.
From I-40 eastbound, take exit 215-B and follow the Briley Parkway to exit 12-B. Exit and follow McGavock Pike (TN-155) westbound to the museums.
From I-40 westbound, take exit 215 and bear right to follow the Briley Parkway to exit 12-B. Exit and follow McGavock Pike (TN-155) westbound to the museums.
Music Valley Car Museum - Housing a collection of cars, some antiques, some having been owned by famous persons (including Grand Ole Opry stars), the museum is next door to the Wax Museum and across the street from the Opryland Hotel. See all three!
For information, phone 1-615-615-885-7400. We couldn't find a web site that belongs to the museum though there are many other web sites mentioning them.
From I-40 eastbound, take exit 215-B and follow the Briley Parkway to exit 12-B. Exit and follow McGavock Pike (TN-155) westbound to the museums.
From I-40 westbound, take exit 215 and bear right to follow the Briley Parkway to exit 12-B. Exit and follow McGavock Pike (TN-155) westbound to the museums. Opryland Hotel - Yes, this is a 'working hotel'. You don’t have to be a Country Music fan to be awed by the Hotel’s extensive inside gardens. It is very well worth a two-hour stop and tour.
Located in the Opryland complex on the east bank of the Cumberland River, the property features three enclosed gardens displaying some 10,000 tropical plants, a well-planned array of shops and restaurants.
Surrounding the central hub is 4½ acres of landscaped canal with small bays (a large waterfall plummets into one of them) and passenger-carrying flatboats. Don’t miss the Flat-bottom Boat excursion nicely narrated by their seasoned tour guides. Its only $5 and well worth it!
The Christmas season brings a plethora of lights and other Christmas decorations. This is quite a place to see - and stay!
They do charge $10 to park in their huge parking lot – but, there is an adjacent shopping mall with free parking and it is an easy stroll to the rear of the hotel. When is the last time you got $10 to take an easy stroll?.
From I-40 eastbound, take exit 215-B and follow the Briley Parkway (TN-155) to exit 12B
(McGavock Pike West) and follow the signs.
From I-40 westbound, take exit 215 and bear right to follow the Briley Parkway (TN-155) to exit 12-B. Exit and follow the signs. »
Reserve
your room at Opryland « Crossville
I-40 becomes a little more hilly as you continue eastward through Lebanon, then Cookeville and Crossville. At
exit 317 in the Crossville area is US-127 that leads south to Pikeville, the entry to
Fall Creek Falls State Park. If you don’t mind smaller, 2-lane country byways you could take
exit 287 in Cookeville and follow TN-111 south, through Sparta and Spencer, to
Highway 284 which takes you through Fall Creek Falls State Park, intersecting with
TN-30. Turn right on 30 and follow it to Pikeville. There you meet up with
US-127. Turn left and it takes you back to I-40, exit 317.
Knoxville
At exit 368, I-75 merges with I-40 and from here on in you have traffic – lots of it! There are some who recommend taking I-640 around Knoxville; we don’t. The traffic is usually very heavy either way but we much prefer staying right on I-40 right through the
city. Visitors' Center
- If eastbound on I-40, take exit 387 and follow the exit ramp to US-11 southbound. About 200 yards down US-11 is Summit Hill Drive. Turn left and the Visitors Bureau (Knoxville Tourism & Sports Corporation) is at 601 Summit Hill Drive.
If westbound on I-40 take exit 388 and follow the off-ramp - which become an on-ramp - to the James White Parkway (TN-158). Take the very first exit and follow that off-ramp to its end at Summit Hill Drive. Turn right on Summit Hill and follow it to the Visitors Bureau (Knoxville Tourism & Sports Corporation) at 601 Summit Hill Drive.
For more information, phone 1-800-727-8045 (toll free). Web site:
KnoxvilleCVB.
East Tennessee Discovery Center -
This hands-on children's museum comes complete with a planetarium. A 'Kidspace' area is designed specifically for the preschoolers. A wide variety of hands-on exhibits attracts the primary school ages. They even have a little zoo featuring live insects plus a tarantula.
Open 9a to 5p daily. Closed Thanksgiving, the day of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day and also New Year's Day. The planetarium has an erratic schedule. They say you have to make an
appointment but we got in with another group because there were seats available. Admission: $3; students (with I.D.), $2; kids ages 3 and 4, $1.
For more information phone 1-865-594-1494.
From I-40, take exit 390. If you were eastbound, turn right; if westbound, turn left. Follow Cherry Street (southbound), turn left on Woodbine (4th street on your left from the exit) and drive to Bearman Street. Turn right and the museum complex is on your left in Chilhowee Park (516 North Beaman Street) just beyond the Knoxville Zoo. Knoxville Zoo - Featuring 'Grasslands Africa' where they
have assembled many of the animals of Africa (e.g., elephants, giraffe, zebra, kudu, gazelles, waterbuck and several earth-bound birds) to a emulated African grasslands habitat. Other emulated environments include Chimp Ridge, Gorilla Valley, Penguin Rock and Pridelands (lions and other felines).
Zoo Hours:
Through September 4, 2003 - 9:30a to 6p daily.
September 5 through October 19, 2003 - Mondays through Fridays, 9:30a to 4:30p; Saturdays and Sundays, 9:30a to 6p.
October 20, 2003 through April 2, 2004 - 10a to 4:30p.
Important note: Ticket sales end one hour before closing!)
Admission: $9.95; kids 3 through 12, $5.95. There is also a $3 per vehicle parking fee.
For more information phone 1-865-637-5331 or visit their web site:
KnoxvilleZoo.
From I-40 eastbound take exit 392 to US-11W south and follow the signs.
From I-40 westbound take exit 392A, merge onto Rutledge Pike (TN-1/US-11W) and follow the signs. Actual address: 3500 Knoxville Zoo Drive. Frank H McClung Museum - Primarily a geological (with emphasis on the East Tennessee area), anthropological and archeological (specializing in Egyptian and Native American) museum. On the campus of the University of Tennessee, the museum has received much national and world-wide recognition for its excellence.
Open Monday through Saturday from 9a to 5p; Sundays 1 to 5p. Closed New Year's Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Admission to the McClung Museum is always FREE!
The museum is the first building - just beyond the University of Tennessee's Knoxville Campus Information Center on Circle Park Drive - in the heart of the Knoxville campus of the University of Tennessee.
From I-40 eastbound, take exit 386 and follow US-129 (Alcoa Highway) south (toward the Airport) to the Neyland Drive exit. Turn left onto Neyland Drive and continue straight through the next two traffic lights. At the third traffic light turn left onto Lake Loudon Blvd and drive to end. Turn right onto Volunteer Blvd and the Campus Information Center will be on your right.
From I-40 westbound, take exit 388A (left hand exit) and get onto the James White Parkway (TN-158). When the James White Parkway reaches the Tennessee River the freeway ends and you will be on Neyland Drive. Continue to the second traffic light (next to arena) and turn right onto Lake Loudon Blvd. Drive to end of Lake Loudon Blvd and turn right onto Volunteer Blvd. The Campus Information Center will be on your right. Women's Basketball Hall of Fame - A tribute to all women who play and have played basketball. A 'timeline' exhibit traces the last century of the game; a video adds to the historical information. One, rather grandiose, attraction is a 30 foot diameter, 10 ton basketball at one end of the building. And, of course, there is a 'Hall of Honor' in which each of the inductees is profiles and their special
achievements highlighted.
Open Monday through Saturday from 10a to 7p; Sundays 1 to 6p. Closed on Christmas Day, Thanksgiving Day and Easter. Other holidays may have abbreviated hours. Admission: $7.95; Seniors (62 and older), $5.95; Children ages 6 through 15, $5.95; Children ages 5 and under are free.
For more information phone 1-865-633-9000 or visit their web site:
WBHOF.
(Caution - it is a little noisy!)
From I-40, take exit 388-A and follow the James White Parkway to the Summit Hill Drive exit. Turn left onto Summit Hill Drive. At the
traffic light, turn right onto Hall of Fame Drive. Drive to the fourth
traffic light and turn left onto Hill Avenue. The Hall of Fame will be to your left. Parking is available next to the building. Tennessee Riverboat Cruises - Just can't leave Knoxville without mentioning the Tennessee River cruises. Yes, you can cruise the Tennessee River on a genuine sternwheeler! Lunch cruises, Sunday brunch cruises,
deluxe dinner cruises and even late night cruises under the Tennessee stars are all offered.
For more information, schedules and fares, phone 1-800-509-2628 (toll
free) or visit their web site:
Riverboat.
From I-40 take exit 388-A (if westbound, this is a left hand exit) and get onto the James White Parkway (TN-158). When the James White Parkway reaches the Tennessee River the freeway ends and you will be on Neyland Drive. 1st traffic light you come to will be a Walnut Street/Volunteer Landing. Turn LEFT at this light and enter Calhoun's on the River Restaurant. Drive carefully through Calhoun's parking lot to the end where you will see the Star of Knoxville.
contributed by
Bob Masters
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