Search Results for: Tennessee

13 Things to Do at Bass Pro Shops in Memphis, Tennessee

Byjennrecord September 7, 2020January 31, 2022

We spent time exploring Memphis, Tennessee and loved so many places throughout the city- you can read more about our favorite spots in this City Guide.

On an exceedingly hot summer day, we were driving to Mud Island River Park when we passed a giant, 32 story steel pyramid. We were intrigued by the structure and decided to explore. It turns out the pyramid, which was once a sports arena, had been turned into a 535,00 square foot Bass Pro Shops complex, which includes several shops, a hotel, several dining options, and tons of family fun! Opened in 2015, there is plenty to buy- and plenty to see and learn.

10 Places We Love in Tennessee

Byjennrecord April 7, 2020May 10, 2022

Upfront disclosure: There is so much that we have not seen across the 400 miles of Tennessee. However, last summer, we had a lot of fun exploring the Volunteer State. Driving from New England, we made stops in Pigeon Forge, Nashville, and Memphis. Here are 10 places we loved:

family travel | Nashville | Presidential Sites | presidents | Tennessee

Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage in Nashville, Tennessee

Byjennrecord June 19, 2019February 17, 2022

Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage was the exclusive property of Andrew and his wife Rachel. He lived there from 1804 until his death in 1845. It was bought by a nonprofit organization in 1889 and opened later that year as a museum in his honor. Almost every artifact in the mansion is authentic. The property averages about 600-700 visitors each day, but when we were there, a docent said it had been one of the busiest days of the summer, with over 1,000 visitors by mid afternoon.

family travel | museums | Pigeon Forge | Tennessee

The Titanic Museum in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

Byjennrecord June 5, 2019March 21, 2022

Most people know of the Titanic disaster from the popular 1998 film by James Cameron starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet. But how much do you really know about the ship that was the length of 4 city blocks took 15,000 people two years to build, and less than three hours to sink in the early morning hours of April 14, 1912, with only 712 of the 2208 passengers and crew members surviving?

On a recent visit to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, we spent the morning exploring the Titanic Museum, located right on Route 441 in the heart of all the action (and less than a half hour from an entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Read about our adventures in the park here). The other Titanic Museum in America is located in Branson, Missouri.

family travel | music | Nashville | Tennessee

The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee

Byjennrecord September 26, 2018February 17, 2022

My family received most of their country music education when we visited the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum on a recent trip to Nashville. However, no education would be complete without a trip to the Grand Ole Opry. The backstage tour gave us an insider’s perspective to what it’s like for one of the 64 living, active cast members who perform at the Opry. Since its inception, the Opry has invited (invitation is a must) 215 musicians to become members, 74 of whom are women.

family travel | Presidential Sites | presidents | Tennessee

Andrew Johnson National Historic Site, Tennessee

Byjennrecord September 19, 2018February 17, 2022

Andrew Johnson, the 17th American President hails from Tennessee and there are several spots in the Greeneville, Tennessee area, approximately 90 minutes from Pigeon Forge, Tennessee to learn about his life. Johnson started as the alderman of Greeneville, then became mayor, state representative, Tennessee senator, governor, vice president (to Abraham Lincoln) and ultimately, the 17th president. Several sites related to Johnson’s life are overseen by the National Parks Service, which provides many ways to explore the area, including a self guided cell phone tour. While we only had limited time in the area (we were traveling from Shenandoah National Park to the Great Smoky Mountain National Park), we were able to learn all about Johnson’s life and infamous impeachment.