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Post by wrongwayfeldman on May 18, 2015 18:33:16 GMT
I have a friend who rarely travels, and she'd like to take a road trip to Memphis with her DH this summer. From their home in Missouri, they are about 6 hours away. They have about a week, and they would like to not rush, driving three or four hours one day, stopping at a hotel, then driving on. He would like to see a new Bass Pro Shop in Memphis for a couple days. She would love to see a lake, maybe stay in a hotel or cabin with a lake view for part of the week. She would also like to visit a variety of fun restaurants, good home cooked food, nothing high end. She is also interested in architecture and old buildings, as well as a relaxed week with little attention to schedules or time constraints.
i'm more of a planner and this type of trip would bore me to tears, so I'm hoping someone here can help me. She could pass through eastern or southern Missouri, and into Kentucky, then Tennessee, but they are up for about any route. They are in their early 50's, and are also interested in Harley's, hunting/fishing, log cabins, and buildings/communities with a rich history, character, or unusual story.
Any suggestions?
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scrapaddie
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,090 
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Post by scrapaddie on May 18, 2015 19:47:02 GMT
Somebody can go to a bass pro shop for a couple of days? I would never have guessed.
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Post by kckckc on May 18, 2015 20:32:51 GMT
Lambert's in Sikeston MO is a kind of fun place to eat - definitely not fancy - it's the "home of the throwed rolls". Elephant Rocks State Park and Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park are both really cool places, but they may not be anything your friends are interested in and they may be too far out of the way - it depends on where in Missouri they are coming from. I am really not too familiar with Southeast Missouri so I don't have any recommendations for lakeside cabins/hotels. I hope someone else can help.
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gsquaredmom
Pearl Clutcher
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Jun 26, 2014 17:43:22 GMT
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Post by gsquaredmom on May 18, 2015 20:54:52 GMT
National quilt museum in Paducah, KY. Superman in Metropolis, IL. Frasier and Slugger Museums in Louisville. Farther north than they may want, though.
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~Susan~
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You need to check your boobs, mine tried to kill me!!!
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Jul 6, 2014 17:25:32 GMT
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Post by ~Susan~ on May 18, 2015 21:04:58 GMT
Somebody can go to a bass pro shop for a couple of days? I would never have guessed. The one in Memphis you can. It has a bowling alley, hotel, a restaurant or two, observation center, a waterfowl habitat, a live alligator and all kinds of other stuff. It is brand new. It just opened a few weeks ago. My favorite place to go and to recommend is the Memphis Zoo. Millions upon millions of dollars have been spent there over the last decade and I just love going there. Lots to see and you can easily do it in a day. There is also Beale Street, Sun Studio, the Civil Rights museum (it has just been redone), Graceland (of course  ), Stax museum, AutoZone park to see a baseball game, and that is just off the top of my head. Check out Tripadvisor for something I might have missed. If you have any questions, just ask. I have lived in the Midsouth all my life  |
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Post by Penellopy on May 18, 2015 21:13:33 GMT
Lambert's in Sikeston MO is a kind of fun place to eat - definitely not fancy - it's the "home of the throwed rolls". Elephant Rocks State Park and Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park are both really cool places, but they may not be anything your friends are interested in and they may be too far out of the way - it depends on where in Missouri they are coming from. I am really not too familiar with Southeast Missouri so I don't have any recommendations for what lakeside cabins/hotels. I hope someone else can help. Thanks for reminding me about Lambert's. We are headed to St. Louis next week from Houston and we might just go that way to stop there. Hubby isn't to interested in going through Oklahoma this time with all the tornadoes they have been getting. (I wish we only had a 6 hour drive. We are looking at 13 hours and we drive it straight through.) |
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ginacivey
Pearl Clutcher
refupea #2 in southeast missouri
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Post by ginacivey on May 18, 2015 21:17:58 GMT
Lambert's in Sikeston MO is a kind of fun place to eat - definitely not fancy - it's the "home of the throwed rolls". Elephant Rocks State Park and Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park are both really cool places, but they may not be anything your friends are interested in and they may be too far out of the way - it depends on where in Missouri they are coming from. I am really not too familiar with Southeast Missouri so I don't have any recommendations for what lakeside cabins/hotels. I hope someone else can help. Elephant rocks and Johnson shutins are my neck of the woods. |
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ginacivey
Pearl Clutcher
refupea #2 in southeast missouri
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Post by ginacivey on May 18, 2015 21:18:50 GMT
Pennelopy. There is a Lambert's in Springfield as well... If you come from Oklahoma into the southeast portion of Missouri
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ginacivey
Pearl Clutcher
refupea #2 in southeast missouri
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Post by ginacivey on May 18, 2015 23:06:01 GMT
can you tell us where she is starting from?
that might help with things along the way...if we know the actual route
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LeaP
Pearl Clutcher
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Post by LeaP on May 18, 2015 23:18:57 GMT
Lambert's in Sikeston MO is a kind of fun place to eat - definitely not fancy - it's the "home of the throwed rolls". Elephant Rocks State Park and Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park are both really cool places, but they may not be anything your friends are interested in and they may be too far out of the way - it depends on where in Missouri they are coming from. I am really not too familiar with Southeast Missouri so I don't have any recommendations for what lakeside cabins/hotels. I hope someone else can help. These are really great suggestions. Lambert's is really, really fun even if you do OD on the rolls that are sometime thrown at you. If you go to Johnson's Shut-Ins be sure to wear water shoes. The rocks are sharp. Visit Graceland in Memphis. It is a fun tour. What part of Missouri are they coming from? ETA: Disclamer, I'm not from Missouri, just married into the state  |
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Post by ilovesmores on May 19, 2015 1:17:23 GMT
I agree, the Memphis Zoo is wonderful! We just went for spring break. I could watch the pandas all day. Also, if making a trip to Beale street, go over a block or so to the Peabody and see the ducks coming or going. Definately something you don't see everyday.
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Post by ktdoesntscrap on May 19, 2015 1:18:26 GMT
They could go to table rock lake.. Branson Missouri etc. The first Bass Pro is in Springfield MO... so they could compare it to the newest one!  |
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Post by ktdoesntscrap on May 19, 2015 1:21:13 GMT
Why would they go to Kentucky to get to Memphis... they would be more likely to go through Arkansas.
Eurkea Springs AK would be a nice stop.. not sure where they are starting.
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Post by alissa103 on May 19, 2015 4:20:50 GMT
Susan has great suggestions for things to do in Memphis. I also second someone else's suggestion to see the Peabody ducks for kicks. If they're in town when the Redbirds are playing, they should go to a game. Great stadium! Fun. As for food I suggest the following BBQ places. Memphis is famous for it. If they don't eat BBQ while they are there, they've failed as tourists BBQ is also inexpensive and seems like it'll fit their needs well. Tom's Corkys in Germantown (not any other locations) Germantown Commissary (get caramel cake too! Please!) Bar-B-Cue Shop Interstate I DO NOT recommend Rendevous downtown. Food is overhyped, tourist trap. Trust me. If you've never had Memphis BBQ you'd think it was good. But you can do 325% better elsewhere. Other food: Deli Mexicanna/Las Tortugas for unique, fresh, not "cheesy" Mexican Alcenia's for true southern soul food. OMG the turnip greens are amazing. Fried chicken too! Soul Fish Cafe, southern cooking, homestyle The Little Tea Shop, southern, awesome lunch spot Dessert Muddy's Bake Shop - cupcakes, cookie bars, pie, cake... Be sure they check the hours on all places I listed bc some are only open at lunch or close early certain days, etc. also some BBQ places run out of ribs on busy days so if they have their hearts set on a certain meat, call. Or go at lunch. My favorite thing about living in Memphis was the FOOD. I miss it. Memphians know how to cook and how to eat! |
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Post by wrongwayfeldman on May 19, 2015 4:49:04 GMT
All these food suggestions are making me want to tag along! They will be starting from Columbia, Mo. Can't wait to hear more suggestions. Any ideas for some kind of "architecture tour" or any cabin-on-alake type places to stay?
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Post by angiet on May 19, 2015 12:46:25 GMT
If they are coming from Columbia, the only lakes/cabins I can think of would be at Lake of the Ozarks or Kentucky Lake. If they wanted a long/scenic view they could take 63 out of Columbia to Lake of the Ozarks and then down through Rolla, the Ozarks and on to Jonesboro, AR and then into Memphis. That may not be the type of trip they want.
I don't know where they could do an architecture tour. Maybe if they came to St. Louis. There is a Frank Lloyd Wright house here and some cool architecture in downtown. I don't know of an actual tour. My kids did one in elementary school, but nothing that the public could do.
I live in St. Louis, but am from SEMO (Cape Girardeau and the boothill). I love Elephant Rocks and Johnson Shut-ins. There is also a lot to do in Memphis as others have mentioned.
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Post by ktdoesntscrap on May 19, 2015 12:49:18 GMT
All these food suggestions are making me want to tag along! They will be starting from Columbia, Mo. Can't wait to hear more suggestions. Any ideas for some kind of "architecture tour" or any cabin-on-alake type places to stay? Coming from Columbia they could find a pretty cabin to stay in near Eureka Springs AK or the table rock lake/Branson Mo area. They could also check out Heifer International in Perryville AK, it is a beautiful location and they have accommodation... it would be a different kind of stay.. but I have been there a few times for an education conference, its relaxing and educational. |
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Post by angiet on May 19, 2015 12:52:33 GMT
Ste. Genevieve might be interesting for old houses. It is the oldest settlement west of the Mississippi and has several old homes that can be toured. It is a nice, small town that is easy to wander around in and has a couple of restaurants that might be interesting, one being The Old Brick. My husband is from Ste. Gen and for some reason I have never eaten there!
There are some B & Bs there as well, as far as I know.
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Post by alissa103 on May 19, 2015 13:08:11 GMT
Memphis is pretty urban. No cabin on the lake suggestions. There are some lakes around the city, but most do not offer rentals as people live there in the suburbs, year-round. I think they should come to Memphis for a few days, stay at the Hampton Inn downtown to do the pro shop, museums, tours, etc., and then move on to the Smokey Mountains or one of the other pea suggestions. I have stayed at the Hampton many times and it's in a great location, and affordable. And clean, friendly.
Backbeat Tours has a bunch of tours they could look into. I haven't done one for years, but these are generally regarded as good. The historical walking tour sounds good for what they're asking for. Memphis is not known for amazing architecture, but the historical tour will fit their requests.
Otherwise, they need to do the Sun Records tour. Awesome. Graceland if they've never done it. And the Civil Rights museum. Those three are MUST DOs. The zoo is amazing if they like zoos. Really fun. Staxx is good too but I'd do the others I listed before it. And then if they have time, head over there as well.
Memphis is a super fun city to visit. I actually didn't love living there, but it's probably my favorite long weekend trip to suggest!!!
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ginacivey
Pearl Clutcher
refupea #2 in southeast missouri
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Post by ginacivey on May 19, 2015 14:03:46 GMT
some of these suggestions are not making sense...logistically.
eureka springs is on the west side of Arkansas...no where near any route from Columbia to Memphis
if they are traveling direct they will drive a route that leads them directly southeast
there are no lakes or cabins to stay on that route - you'd have to go out of the way to lake of the Ozarks or to Kentucky lake or way out of the way to the Branson area
if they were my friends I'd send them down thru ste gen - stay the night there - and head on down 55 to Memphis
and it's more than six hours from Columbia to Memphis -
gonna see if I can link a map with the route I'd suggest
gina
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Post by sillyrabbit on May 19, 2015 14:56:54 GMT
Reelfoot Lake is about 2 hours north of Memphis. Not sure if that will fit into the route or not. I don't know much about the area, but it is a place I have on my "want to go to" list.
Memphis is so much fun. Beale Street, Graceland, the food...I just love that place. The other suggestions listed are all fabulous. |
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ginacivey
Pearl Clutcher
refupea #2 in southeast missouri
Posts: 4,685
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Post by ginacivey on May 19, 2015 14:58:43 GMT
so i looked at the map - the most direct route IS just under 6 hours...and it's all interestate - boring
the next most direct is all small highways - a bit over 6 hours - still going thru some really boring places
do they want a route with more possible things to do?
gina
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Post by wrongwayfeldman on May 19, 2015 19:12:29 GMT
Gina, yes, definitely more stops, relaxed schedule, less boring highway. Thanks so much, everyone!
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Post by ktdoesntscrap on May 20, 2015 1:17:36 GMT
some of these suggestions are not making sense...logistically. eureka springs is on the west side of Arkansas...no where near any route from Columbia to Memphis if they are traveling direct they will drive a route that leads them directly southeast there are no lakes or cabins to stay on that route - you'd have to go out of the way to lake of the Ozarks or to Kentucky lake or way out of the way to the Branson area if they were my friends I'd send them down thru ste gen - stay the night there - and head on down 55 to Memphis and it's more than six hours from Columbia to Memphis - gonna see if I can link a map with the route I'd suggest gina Columbia is in central Missouri... due north of Branson... So you could easily drive from Columbia to Branson and by pass St. Louis and avoid the interstate. It would be a pretty drive and you would get your scenic lake visit. If you want historical Eureka Springs is your town... its got both the scenic and the historic.. yes its not "on your way to memphis" but its about an hour from Branson and totally worth the time to get there. |
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), Stax museum, AutoZone park to see a baseball game, and that is just off the top of my head. 
