Tennessee, Kentucky
Discussion
Hullo 
The search function didnt reveal anything, so any unbiased infomation/experience regarding these states would be great.
As a 3 week roadtrip/break/holiday, we have already considered enjoying a scenic drive from Vancouver BC to San Francisco CA. After research, we have looked to other areas and like the idea of heading to Tennesse to explore the music scene, history, and culture. Memphis and Nashville look interesting. Kentucky also looks lovely, Red River Gorge and the Mamoth Cave national park ect.
So should we consider this as a 2/3 week holiday or just do the West Coast? I can't decide
The search function didnt reveal anything, so any unbiased infomation/experience regarding these states would be great.
As a 3 week roadtrip/break/holiday, we have already considered enjoying a scenic drive from Vancouver BC to San Francisco CA. After research, we have looked to other areas and like the idea of heading to Tennesse to explore the music scene, history, and culture. Memphis and Nashville look interesting. Kentucky also looks lovely, Red River Gorge and the Mamoth Cave national park ect.
So should we consider this as a 2/3 week holiday or just do the West Coast? I can't decide
Memphsis: Go to Graceland it will change your life.
Pigeon Forge: Dollywood and everything Dolly!
Nashville: Home of country music. Great place. Sits half way between Graceland and Dollywood, appox 3 hours drive either way.
If you dont like Elvis and Dolly, and you don't like country music then don't go. If (as I do) you like all 3 you will love it!
Cheers. BB.
Pigeon Forge: Dollywood and everything Dolly!
Nashville: Home of country music. Great place. Sits half way between Graceland and Dollywood, appox 3 hours drive either way.
If you dont like Elvis and Dolly, and you don't like country music then don't go. If (as I do) you like all 3 you will love it!
Cheers. BB.
are these personal experiences? What state do you reside in? Hello - and yes, pretty much personal experience.
I live in the marginally more civilised State of Florida (Flaw-duh, is the correct pronunciation).
My work takes me north very frequently and my destination is often Ohio or Indiana, as a result I have bisected the Bluegrass State by automobile, many, many times. Additionally, I have strong family ties in Cincinnati OH, who's southern suburb of Covington is the most populous spot in all of KY.
I must admit to being a little facecious. Kentucky is in the main, quite pretty. The western Blue Ridge range in the east of the state is particularly picturesque and as stated, Mammoth Cave NP is spectacular if geology and paleontology get you off.
Louisville has an interesting antebellum vibe, but is downright dangerous if you stray to the wrong side of the tracks. Frankfort, being a college town is full of hot totty, where an English accent will get you laid without the formalities of a preceding steak dinner.
Oh, and if you are a serious God-botherer and like ten-pin bowling, you'll feel completely at home there.
I live in the marginally more civilised State of Florida (Flaw-duh, is the correct pronunciation).
My work takes me north very frequently and my destination is often Ohio or Indiana, as a result I have bisected the Bluegrass State by automobile, many, many times. Additionally, I have strong family ties in Cincinnati OH, who's southern suburb of Covington is the most populous spot in all of KY.
I must admit to being a little facecious. Kentucky is in the main, quite pretty. The western Blue Ridge range in the east of the state is particularly picturesque and as stated, Mammoth Cave NP is spectacular if geology and paleontology get you off.
Louisville has an interesting antebellum vibe, but is downright dangerous if you stray to the wrong side of the tracks. Frankfort, being a college town is full of hot totty, where an English accent will get you laid without the formalities of a preceding steak dinner.
Oh, and if you are a serious God-botherer and like ten-pin bowling, you'll feel completely at home there.
Well to be honest, I found Florida tacky (admittedly not gone far from Orlando and Daytona).
I'm after a less touristy experience. Since you seem to have experience with the USA (directed to Matt Harper) out of interest what do you make of British Columbia, Washington, Oregon and California?
I'm after a less touristy experience. Since you seem to have experience with the USA (directed to Matt Harper) out of interest what do you make of British Columbia, Washington, Oregon and California?
Yes Kentucky is full of god/squad and rednecks but I quite like that. I was there for the second time in October and can recommend visiting the Lost River Caves where you go on a boat on an underground lake. Also Mammoth Caves where there are various tours of different duration depending how far into the cave system you want to explore.
The roller coasters at Dollywood are excellent. You can also visit the bourbon distilleries of Makers Mark, Woodford Reserve and Jim Bean. I did the Wild Turkey tour which was free and complimentary bourbon too.
The roller coasters at Dollywood are excellent. You can also visit the bourbon distilleries of Makers Mark, Woodford Reserve and Jim Bean. I did the Wild Turkey tour which was free and complimentary bourbon too.
The Lukas said:
Well to be honest, I found Florida tacky (admittedly not gone far from Orlando and Daytona).
I'm after a less touristy experience. Since you seem to have experience with the USA (directed to Matt Harper) out of interest what do you make of British Columbia, Washington, Oregon and California?
True - what visitors consider to be Orlando (Lake Buena Vista, Kissimmee, Davenport and I-Drive), is unpleasant, unless you are entertaining children - or just like tat. However, those places are near Orlando, to be accurate.I'm after a less touristy experience. Since you seem to have experience with the USA (directed to Matt Harper) out of interest what do you make of British Columbia, Washington, Oregon and California?
I live here - within 5 miles of Orlando International Airport...
I find it to be old FL - very peaceful, civilised and welcoming. You can find tat all over the USA - some a lot more overt, that's all.
I confess to not being an Elvis fan, but even if I was, Graceland would have been a huge disappointment. I found it to be the epitome of naff. But that wasn't a sleight on the person who suggested it - just my opinion.
I'm not hugely familiar with the Pacific Northwest. I like Seattle, Tacoma and Vancouver. My two trips to Portland OR convinced me that the place was bad news, but I may have just visited at the wrong time. My wife has a friend in Nelson BC, an absolutely beautiful place and great for those with an outdoorsy disposition, skiing, hiking, mountain-biking, kayaking etc. Being less athletic, I've enjoyed the vistas, but got bored quickly.
I love northern California - Sonoma and Mendocino in particular, LA, not so much - but it's a huge, diverse state. In the south San Diego is a much more pleasing visit in my opinion.
Going back to Kentucky, the suggestion of the Corvette assembly plant and Museum at Bowling Green is a good one and a long day well spent. Also, the resort area of Land Between The Lakes, on the KY/TN state-line in the west, around the Cumberland and Tennessee rivers is agreeable and lots of fun, if you like playing on/in the water.
If I was visiting and wanted a slice of real America that is less conventional, I'd head for Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota (during the summer) - lots of contrast - architypal US cityscape (Chicago, Minneapolis) great and small lakes, hills and plains, rural life seemingly unaffected by modernity, great, great beer - Northern European influence still evident - and of course Harley Davidson, at Juneau Ave, in Milwaukee - another great place to spend time, if you have gasoline in your veins.....
I went to Bristol, Tennessee and Somerset, Kentucky as part of the 2009 Hot Rod Power Tour. Read about my trip here ( http://www.nickgrant.co.uk/content/?cat=6 ) Some really nice scenery in that part of the world. The people aren't well off but are really friendly. The drag strip and NASCAR track at Bristol are superb.
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