Memphis and Nashville Turn Key Schedule from June 17 -June 20, 2022
If you are contemplating a trip to Memphis and Nashville, Tennessee and you are able to take advantage of long periods of walking and standing, then now is the time to see the events that await you in Memphis and Nashville. During the weekend of June 17–20, 2022, I was able to take advantage of all that these cities have to offer. The enclosed write-up will provide you with a “Turn Key” vacation schedule and a summary of the activities to consider. This article will also focus on dining options alternative to the traditional BBQ options. This trip did include two visits that will summarize the BBQ experience, but the remaining dining options will focus on the Asian options available in the area.
One of the first items that this post will deliver is an immediate “public service announcement” about the airports. On June 17, 2022, at 5 AM in the Baltimore/Washington Airport, I experienced the largest crowd of people that I have ever seen. The crowds started at the Long Term Parking Lot and continued into the terminal where there was a lengthy line. Southwest personnel did not help the situation by organizing people destined for their self-check-in counter vs those heading to TSA. The line was also long for TSA-Pre Check. (Editors note, on Sunday, June 19th, a friend also departed from BWI and did not experience the lines that were prevalent on June 17th). If you are traveling in 2022 on a commercial flight, I would recommend you be IN THE TERMINAL two hours prior to your departure. Please note, I do not recommend that you show up two hours at the airport parking, I mean IN THE TERMINAL TWO HOURS prior to your departure. Do not be late!
When you think of Nashville, you may have this image of a bar scene and music everywhere. Nashville will not disappoint you with those activities, but it is important to note, that Nashville is more than just music and a bar scene. There are a number of other activities to participate in that do not focus on the bar and music scene.
For those that are in a hurry, here is the schedule that you can mirror for your Memphis/Nashville experience.
Friday, June 17, 2022
- Depart from the airport of your choice
- Get rental car
- Drive to Memphis and go to Graceland
- Check into The Westin Memphis Beale Street
- Dine at Charlie Vergos’ Rendezvous (52 S. Second Street, Memphis, TN 38103)
Saturday, June 18, 2022
- Go to the Sun Studio Tour
- Visit The Pyramid and Bass Pro Shop
- Lunch at Gus’s Fried Chicken (310 S Front St, Memphis, TN 38103)
- Drive back to Nashville
- Check into the Fairfield Inn & Suites Nashville at Opryland
- Dine at Two Ten Jack in Nashville
Sunday, June 19, 2022
- Go to the following events: Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, Historic RCA Studio B, Hatch Show Print
- Have lunch at Thai Satay
- Visit the Andrew Jackson Hermitage
- Steam Boys Dinner
- Walk around Gaylord Hotel
Monday, June 20, 2022
- Goo Goo cluster
- Ryman Auditorium
- East Side Ban Mi
- Lane Motor Museum
- Fly Home
Friday, June 17, 2022
5 AM: Arrive at BWI airport
Departing from BWI at 5 AM is usually enough time to get from the parking lot, through TSA, and have time to use the restroom prior to departure. On Friday, June 17, 2022, this was woefully inadequate. For 2022, travel season, I would recommend you arrive IN THE TERMINAL TWO HOURS prior to your departure. This may mean you need to be in the parking lot THREE hours prior to departure. You have worked hard for your trip, get there in advance and save the stress of rebooking a flight! The BWI long-term parking is another disorganized situation, but here is how you can “Beat The system!” The shuttle bus that enters the long-term parking, will immediately make a right turn and will sequentially go through the stops until the bus is full. Therefore, if you are at stop 14, and there is a crowd, that crowd is also prevalent at Stops 1–13. In this situation, walk to Stop 1 or 2 in order to get on the bus when it first arrives in the parking lot.
Upon arriving at the Nashville airport, BNA, you will retrieve your bags and it is recommended that you secure a rental car. The pickup for the rental car is in the airport terminal but is quite a walk from the baggage claim. If you are traveling with persons with mobility issues, have them wait in the terminal, and pick them up.
For your first day, you will travel from Nashville to Memphis. The ride across the state is primarily on Interstate 40. Now I have been on some bad highways in my day, but Interstate 40 is now at the top of my list of “Bad Highways” and will remain etched in my memory for a long time to come. This is a two-lane road that has more tractor trailers and volume than the road is designed for. The road is littered with potholes. I would not drive this road at night or in the rain unless you have done this before. If you are driving on this road, pay attention AT ALL TIMES! Trucks will be using the passing lane frequently. There are some rest stops along the way, I benefitted from the one that had the solar display in Haywood County.
Arriving in Memphis, you will head straight to Graceland, the home of Elvis Presley. While I did not directly benefit from the euphoria surrounding Elvis, his contribution to the world of music is something that all genres benefit from. I highly recommend the trip to Graceland. The ticket I recommend is the Elvis Entourage self-guided tour which will present you with an iPad to use during the tour. The tour includes the Mansion and the airplane exhibit, although the iPad is just used for the Mansion tour. The airplanes are self-explanatory. Upon entering the Mansion, you activate the iPad for the room you are in. John Stamos, the narrator will talk you through some features of each room and a little history. The iPad benefit allows you to go at your speed and take the time to enjoy the rooms. You can also pause the iPad and go back if need be.
Graceland is a huge complex that includes the “wardrobe” exhibit on one side of the street and the Mansion across the street. When you arrive, you will park on the “Wardrobe” side of the exhibit. Please note, that as of June 17, 2022, the parking fee is $10. You will enter the complex and collect your “Tour Pass” for your day. If you were smart enough and purchased the VIP Tour, you will be treated to a warm-up movie. Upon completion of the movie, you will be escorted into a line to pick up your iPad and then onto a shuttle bus to the Mansion.
When your Mansion tour completes, the shuttle bus will bring you back across the street and you will have time to wander through the thousands of Elvis artifacts. My favorite part of the artifacts is the wardrobes he collected. The museum has done an amazing job to display them in a well-lighted room that accents the detail.
My second favorite part of the artifacts was the car collection! Elvis had an amazing collection of cars including Cadillac, Rolls Royce, Ferrari, and a number of Harley Davidson motorcycles. The car collection is amazing!
Similar to the “other theme” park company, The Graceland team has managed to create each exhibit that will terminate in a gift shop. There are plenty of options to purchase to commemorate your visit to Graceland. I am glad I saw this museum and would recommend that others take the time to see it while they are mobile. This is a lot of walking and would not be as much fun on limited mobility.
If you are following this “Turn Key” schedule, you will depart Graceland and check into your hotel at The Westin in Memphis. This is a well-run hotel and the location is close to the “Beale” street action for those that want a full nightlife. The lobby area featured a band on Friday night and a lively bar scene was in motion. The hotel has a restaurant, but I did not dine at the facility.
After checking into your hotel,, you can walk over to Charles Vergos Rendezvous restaurant. Now, don’t let the alley fool you, this place is authentic as it gets for BBQ. The environment is a truly native feel of Memphis where you can tell the BBQ will be delicious and will not disappoint. You should arrive hungry or at least with some helpers to devour the ribs and sides that are served. The service was top notch and I am thankful to the team at Charles Vergos Rendezvous restaurant. My experience at the establishment was excellent and I would recommend it.
You have wrapped up day 1. It is time for bed, and get ready for more music activities on Day 2.
Saturday, June 18, 2022
Since you are at The Westin, you got a good night's sleep and can walk downstairs to grab your Starbucks and get ready for a full day in Memphis and drive back to Nashville.
The day starts by arriving between 0915 and 0930 for the Sun Studio Tour. There is parking on the side of the building for free, but is it limited. There is a local parking lot where you can pay, but from what I saw, the neighborhood has some street parking that is available on a weekend. Your results may vary if you are there on a weekday.
The Sun Studio Tour is delivered on a first come, first served basis. When I arrived on Saturday, June 18th at 0930AM, I was the 6th person in line. The line quickly grew in anticipation of the 10 AM opening time. When the clock struck 10 AM, the Sun Studio blinds were raised and the door was open. You enter their “Cafe”, where they serve some light beverages to pay for your tour. Arriving early means you can get the 10 AM tour and avoid waiting for the next tour.
The tour guide at Sun Studio creates an amazing experience where you can visualize what was occurring in the studio during the time that Elvis and many other musical stars recorded at Sun Studios. The tour is rich in history and is definitely worth the time. My favorite part included the review of the studio where Elvis and others recorded so many hits. You will also get a chance to hold the same microphone that Elvis used, at least I did on June 18, 2022.
For the past two days, you have been engrossed in the music scene, now it is time to take a break and head over to The Bass Pro Shops Pyramid. A structure of this size would make one think that Bass Pro Shops are headquartered in Memphis, but alas they are not. The team at Bass Pro Shops took over this structure several years ago and created this amazing emporium. Even if you don’t like the outdoors, you want to go inside this amazing complex to see all of the products they have under one roof.
One of the highlights of the visit is the elevator that takes you to the observation deck. This is worth the $8 (June 18, 2022 pricing) to have a view of the Memphis area. If you want the full experience you can stay at the hotel in the Pyramid and receive the express pass. Whether you are a guest or just a visitor, you can choose to eat at the restaurant on the observation deck or just visit. I recommend this experience.
Prior to leaving Memphis, it is time for one more BBQ experience, and for that you will head over to Gus’s Famous Fried Chicken.
The Gus’s Famous Fried Chicken, experience is another dining option that does not disappoint. The dining room has a great BBQ feel and you know that this place will live up to its name. The staff serves a hearty meal and it is great to wash it down with a cool iced tea.
Now that you have some nourishment, you can take in the Civil Rights Museum and the tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King. Shot dead at the Lorraine Motel, the area has been transformed into a tribute to his work and the work of all other individuals that have fought for the rights of many different classes of people. This exhibit even has a dedication to sanitation workers and the rights that they fought for related to their working conditions. From the outside of the facility, it does not look that big, but the exhibits wind around the inside to give you a complete review of every Civil Rights lecture you missed in school. In addition to the main museum, they have transformed the area across the street where the shot came from that took the life of Dr. King. Your ticket includes entrance to this exhibit as well.
Now that you have wrapped up your Memphis tour, it is back on the road on the lovely Interstate 40. The road back to Nashville does not improve. It bears worth repeating, that you should be aware of high volume, tractor trailers, potholes, and a generally difficult road if it were to start raining! Fortunately, you are heading to Nashville for your final destination.
Nashville has a number of hotels, with the obvious attraction of the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center. If you don’t have traveling companions that need constant entertainment, also known as children, there are a plethora of hotels just across the intersection from the Gaylord that will give you a roof over your head, free breakfast, and a price break to match! Starting on June 18, 2022, I checked into the Fairfield Inn & Suites Nashville at Opryland. The Fairfield Inn & Suites Nashville at Opryland, offered a great product, free parking and a lovely free breakfast!
Having arrived in Nashville, it is time to take a break from the BBQ and visit the Two Ten Jack Nashville restaurant.
The https://twotenjack.com restaurant combines its delicious menu with an offering of Mocktails. This makes for a great meal after a long day of driving on Interstate 40. If you still have room for more food, https://twotenjack.com is located in an area that has an ice cream shop right on the corner. I highly enjoyed https://twotenjack.com and recommend it!
Sunday, June 19, 2022
Now it is time for your first full day in Nashville, and you can kick it off with a tour of the Country Music Hall of Fame and RCA Studio B Tour! This “Stadium Like” experience will satisfy any country music aficionado from any age demographic. It is a true “Walk through” time of past and present. If you have a craving to learn and see all things country, this is the place for you.
The Country Music Hall of Fame and RCA Studio B Tour culminates with a tour of the famous RCA Studio B. This facility is normally serviced via a shuttle bus from the Country Music Hall of Fame, but on June 18, 2022, I opted to drive myself to the tour. The RCA Tour is another trip down memory lane of the recording artists that set foot in the famous building to record their hits! The tour guides at the studio are connoisseurs of the history of the facility and present it in an entertaining format. The combination of the Country Music Hall of Fame and RCA Studio B tour will give you all of the histories you need. Upon wrapping up the RCA Studio B tour, if you chose to drive yourself, take a moment and walk around the neighborhood and see all of the other studios that the area produces. Think for a moment that you are walking on the sidewalk where several famous people have walked in an almost non-descript neighborhood.
Prior to continuing with the day, it is time for some food. If you have had your fill of BBQ, then my suggestion is to visit, Thai Satay. Just a stone’s throw from the University, the Team at Thai Satay delivers a great taste of Thai in Nashville. The staff is welcoming and the food is delicious. There is a small parking lot at the location, but do not leave your car there and walk around the area. The parking is STRICTLY for the shops at that address.
Back to the streets of Nashville from your Thai Satay experience, you can head back to the Country Music Museum and take in the Hatch Printing experience. This tour teaches you about the manufacturing of old-school printing and the posters that the Hatch team has created for music and other events. The presenters are energetic and clearly love the craft that is graphic arts. One of the coolest items about the tour is the hands-on poster you create. Using real dye and a hand press, you roll out your own colorful poster. This is a great take-home artifact to capture the Hatch Printing experience!
After the Hatch experience, you can take a drive out to the Andrew Jackson Hermitage. The Hermitage gives you everything you need to know about Andrew Jackson. This includes a review of the wars he fought in and talks about his involvement with the National Bank, a topic that hits close to home for me. The museum is complemented by several auxiliary buildings including the home of Andrew Jackson, which has been updated to support lights but remains true to the original design. The grounds have additional buildings that were used for various activities at the Hermitage. One of the things that surprised me was the location that he selected for the Hermitage. It is almost in the middle of nowhere with no sign of a running stream for water. The Hermitage appears to support some “private events” and looks like it would be a nice reception area, although if you have mobility issues, contact the museum in advance to arrange a ride in a “Whip” to get from the parking lot to the Hermitage. I enjoyed the visit to The Hermitage and learning about Andrew Jackson. I would recommend this trip to others.
Back on the road again, and it is time for some more food! The Steam Boys will fix that issue! Dumplings galore combined with a Thai Tea drink will help you feel cool and fulfilled at the same time! This is more of a fast food locale, so prepare to read the menu at the register and enjoy some great dumplings in the Nashville area!
Now that you have completed your day in Nashville, it is time to visit the Gaylord Resort Nashville! If you took the advice above and selected a hotel across the street you can walk from your hotel to the Gaylord. If you did not do that, then you are going to be stuck with a parking fee. It is unfathomable to me the engineering activities that are required to run this property. The atrium is a replica of a rain forest and that is complemented by this incredibly large indoor water park. Please note, I did not partake in the water park, mostly due to the fact that I can’t imagine how they clean the waterpark from “bio-hazards” that occur during the course of the day! The Gaylord is worth a trip to walk through. The atrium has an upper and lower path where you can weave through trees and tunnels that can make you feel like you are either in Hawaii or the rainforest. I enjoyed my walk through the Gaylord and also enjoyed visiting it without having to pay for parking.
Monday, June 20, 2022
One of my favorite activities includes hands-on experiences where I can learn something new. That activity was met with a visit to the Goo Goo chocolate tour. This hands-on experience engages you in a “baking” mode where you get hands-on instruction on how to make your own chocolate delight. The instructions take you through the taste of chocolate and intersperse the business side of Goo Goo chocolate. You walk away with a delicious treat, souvenier aprons, and an experience that makes you want to go home and start baking more. This is a great activity for families, couples, or anybody interested in chocolate.
The learning continues in Nashville as you head off on a tour of the Ryman Theatre. The Ryman maintains a rich history in Nashville and is still a working theatre with show performances. The tour is brief but is something to see while you are there.
The final event of your Nashville trip is the Grand Ole Opry. Even if you are not a country fan you should take a moment to appreciate all of the talents that has performed and been inducted into the Grand Ole Opry. The Grand Ole Opry offers an excellent backstage tour and a chance to walk on stage and have your photo taken. Any time you have spent watching an award show from the Grand Ole Opry will make this a must-do on your Nashville tour.
Now that you have completed the Grand Ole Opry, it is time to start the migration to the airport. In order to save money, stop off at East Side Banh Mi for lunch. Once again, some great sandwiches and tea are available here. The establishment is well organized and the quality is perfect! If you still have some time to consume prior to your flight, stop off at the Lane Motor Museum.
The Lane Motor Museum is a car collector's dream! A large warehouse is full of vehicles that were once mainstream or merely prototype located at the museum. The museum does not have a number of interactive activities, therefore if you bring kids, you may see them “Take off” through the expansive warehouse to “stretch their legs”. If you had once seen a car as a prototype and wondered where it ended up, the Lane Motor Museum is for you!
After you wrap up the Lane Motor Museum, you should head out to the airport to drop off the car and board your flight back home. You have just crossed Memphis and Nashville off of your travel list!
Nashville and Memphis have a lot of activities. If you need a get-a-way for a few days, consider this as a destination to visit.