MC Trip Info Wanted: Memphis, Mississippi, Nashville, etc.

[RLS_imp]

Hi folks.

I am in charge of planning my riding crew's 2018 moto-vacation. I had a thought that I would like to combine my love of riding, food, and music into a week-long tour of American music.

My plan, as it stands now is to go from Chicago to Memphis, TN to Clarksdale, MS (maybe to Cleveland, MS) to Tupelo, MS to Muscle Shoals, AL to Nashville, TN to Owensboro, KY and then back home. All of those stopping points are significant locations in the history of blues, country, and bluegrass, although I confess to enjoying music more than knowing about its roots. That's where you may be able to help me.

I'm looking for points of interest, places to eat, and lodging ideas along that root. I think we will be staying (among other places) in Memphis, Greenwood, MS, Muscle Shoals, and Nashville. Probably stopping at French Lick, IN after Owensboro. OH...and routes! If you have good roads to suggest in any of these areas, please speak up.

Thanks in advance and I look forward to reading your responses.

Matt

A lot of great music and food in Memphis. Beal St and downtown get a lot of tourist business, but I would recommend the Mid-Town area; Cooper-Young and Overton Square areas. Lafayette's Music room is great. The Levitt Shell has free concerts that are awesome. I would recommend going to Clarksdale, MS, not so much Greenwood.

[emptysea]

Thanks RLS. Good info. Clarksdale is the stop for music. Greenwood just seems to have better lodging and is on our path northeast.
Plus, it's just a short trip from Greenwood up Money Rd. to the (since collapsed and reconstructed) Tallahatchie Bridge. Don't worry, I'm not jumping.

[Cormanus]

[Obleo]

I live just outside of Memphis, try Central Barbecue,the Rendevous downtown, Rum Boogie, and BB Kings on Beal St. try Huey's for a good burger. You can pm me I can elaborate more on some hidden gems.

[the Ferret]

Sea ... Di traveled to Memphis quite a bit on business so I asked her and she says she has eaten at two BBQ places in Memphis. One was " Charlie Vargos Rendezvous" across the street from a famous hotel called The Peabody's where ducks live on the roof and walk down everyday and parade thru the lobby. She siad it was a real treat ( the BBQ place not the ducks). She said Beale Street is fun for walking around.

[emptysea]

Awesome!! I love this forum because of responses like these. Keep em coming! Ferret. I think Egan stayed at the Peabody in his story—staying with the ducks costs more than a few bills.

[Mscb1100_imp]

Awesome!! I love this forum because of responses like these. Keep em coming! Ferret. I think Egan stayed at the Peabody in his story—staying with the ducks costs more than a few bills.

Hi,
I lived in Memphis for 15 years and now live just outside Jackson Ms traveled for work between those cities and Tupelo
I ll pull some of my old maps and check routes, lodging and eating places,
You might want to consider taking Hwy 61 ( the Blues highway) in MS thru the delta to Clarkesdale to Cleveland all the way to Natchez, then The Natchez Trace all the to Tupelo. It s one of the best motorcycle roads in the state.

[emptysea]

Thanks! 61 and NTP are both on my route. I don’t think we’re going to spend the night in either Cleveland or Clarksdale, but I’m willing to be convinced to do so. Picked Greenwood as an overnight spot simply because it’s on the way toward Nashville. Would be very interested in lodging options in Mississippi, but only if they are no further south and west than Clarksdale.