Request - Cheap places/things to do in St. Louis, Memphis & Nashville

Going with the family (one 9-year-old and one grandmother, so 4 total)to St. Louis during April Spring Break (4/6-15). Hoping to make St. Louis to Memphis to Nashville and back triangle in 8 days. We already have the airline tickets, but being a FatWalleter I'm interested in any special tips for saving some bucks or any hidden attractions one might miss. We'll probably do the standard Arch, Graceland, Lorraine Motel & Grand Ol Opry. The Shiloh Civil War battlefield is something we'll do also and my Mom wants to see the Loretta Lynn Museum (it's on the way from Memphis to Nashville). But we're hoping to squeeze in some more things.

As for savings, I'll probably hit restaurant.com for the areas and see if anything is of interest (and passes muster with TripAdvisor, Yelp, etc.), plus I'll sign up for some hotel cards. I'll probably use a Travelocity-type site for the car rental and the lodging, unless you think booking directly is better. We do have AAA, so in a pinch that will work in a lot of circumstances. But is there any other angles I should be investigating.

I noticed the NRA convention is in St. Louis for the back-end of our trip so I might need to book the 4/14 stay early. But, in general, should I book hotels early or wait until closer. Same with car rentals for that matter. As you can probably tell, it's been awhile since I've been on a big trip so a tad rusty on these things.

Thanks for an advice.

One of the great things about StL is many of the attractions are free. Our main park is Forest Park where the Zoo, Art Museum are located and the Science center is across the street. All free to get in. The Science center has a lot of hands on experiences to explain how things work. There is also an OmniMax theatre in there.

Also check out Grant's Farm in St. Louis - it's owned by Anheiser Busch, and is free to enter after a nominal parking fee (was $5). Each visitor (over 21) used to get 2 free beers in the courtyard.

Would make for a great day for the 8 year old year old! As well as the others. I've been there multiple times and would go back again in minute (long commute from NY now).

Never been to Memphis, but Nashville has a zoo that I remember being pretty good. Also check out the Gaylord Hotel, near the Grand Ol' Opry. If you don't have a Bass Pro Shop nearby, there is one in Nashville with lots of stuffed animals and live fish. We also like walking along the main street in the old downtown of Nashville. Tons of music coming out of the bars and browsing the shops. There used to be a ton of western-wear/boot shops that were always interesting.

Can't remember too much more, lived in So. Illinois about 10 years ago, and St. Louis and Nashville were our access to culture

I live within two hours of St. Louis and visited many times over the years. Last year, I finally took a riverboat ride. What a disappointment. The shores of the river around St. Louis are littered with abandoned businesses/factories so the shoreline (except for downtown St. Louis) was truly unattractive.

The cruises aren't expensive or long so you don't have much to lose if you choose to take one. At the time, I remembered only one operator for such cruises but maybe there are others. They did have the ability at the dock to sell you timed tickets for the ride to the top of the arch. Sometimes the lines for tickets at the arch itself are long so this was a nice convienence.

If the arch is crowded you may spend more time there than expected. You'll buy a timed ticket which gives you a time to line up. Even after lining up, you'll have a wait for the elevator pods to the top then you'll spend time at the top along with a wait for the ride down. While waiting at the base, watch the movie about the building of the arch - I always find that amazing.

The only complaint about the arch is that the windows at the top appear aren't as clear as they were intially. The top can get crowded so sometimes you have to wait to get to a window. Be prepared - the arch sways in the wind but I find that kinda cool (but have seen others freak out). Hope you have a clear day and can see the amazing views from the top.

no one has commented on the most important part of the journey

food

in st. louis you must go to pappys bbq. I went to st.louis weekly for work, and spent much time in memphis, and live in nashville. The best BBQ in the world in my opinion. ( i wept the first time i ate it).

Corkys has good bbq if you want to try some memphis style.

plan on spending an evening in downtown nashville on 2nd and broadway. Even if you aren't the bar hopping type, it is really a part of history you have to see.
if your mom wants to see loretta lynn, then she will love the opry.

dig around a little, and find the 50 percent off codes. (makes it about 25 bucks a ticket.) the venue is smaller than most movie theaters, and there is really not bad seat. buy them early (like tomorrow) in the cheapest section available.

one week in the spring and one in the fall all of grants farm is open. google and see if it fits your plans.

have fun.

wads

Thanks, it sounds like Forest Park is a must do.

I've been in the Arch before and it was clear day, but not windy. If anything it was the egg pods that one goes up in that kind of bothered me a bit. Wife can be a little on the claustrophobic side so I'm hoping the little window in the egg will suffice. Didn't have time for the movies then, will have to see them this trip.

It seems like the Opry lists their shows about six weeks out, so I'm waiting to see who will be there (and the Ryland) that week. I'll Google the discount codes as it looks like tix can run up to $55.

Thanks on the BBQ tips. I was telling my nine-year-old he can actually try real, authentic Missouri and Memphis-style bbq on this trip. So I'll show him the Pappy's and Corky's menu. Thanks.

One thing food related that we noticed is Ted Drewes. I seem to remember that place's custard being on PBS's "The Ice Cream Show." Is it as good as it sounds? Also, speaking of those PBS shows, I think the sandwich one featured a "St. Paul" as a St. Louis specialty. Is that something worth trying (my Mom does like egg foo young)?

Thanks again for all the tips and advice. You guys have been great.

My favorites in St. Louis include the zoo and the Budweiser tours. Both were fantastic and well worth our time. Also, be sure to stop at Ted Drewes for some great ice cream!

When visiting Memphis, you may want to stay in the Tunica resorts and casino area (Mississippi). Good and very very inexpensive rooms and restaurants (casinos' buffet style), just an easy 25 minutes drive from downtown Memphis.

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wfay said:   caramelito said:   When visiting Memphis, you may want to stay in the Tunica resorts and casino area (Mississippi). Good and very very inexpensive rooms and restaurants (casinos' buffet style), just an easy 25 minutes drive from downtown Memphis.
This is only true if your family does not mind the thick heavy smell of smoke on your clothing and hair. Even if you simply walk through the casino, you will stink of smoke for an hour afterwards...

Sure, but this is only true if you want to gamble. In my last trip to Memphis I stayed at a Harrahs property for a 1/2 of the price of a similar hotel in Memphis (I think I pay less than $40 for a nice suite). Food was good and cheap, and didnt gamble at all. They usually have promotions for new visitors (like free buffets).

The Peabody Hotel in Memphis has ducks that do an entrance and exit march at 11a and 5p (confirm times - I'm going off memory). Seemed like lots of families with kids found it entertaining. You don't need to be staying at the hotel to pop in for the show.

Also, I'm a fan of Rendevous (bbq place) in downtown Memphis. It's not cheap, but it has great dry ribs.

anonguy said:   
Thanks for the Tunica tip. It's funny, Tunica's website says it's an easy 20 minute drive to Memphis, while Google Maps says 53!

The casinos are about 15 miles north of Tunica (the area is called Tunica Resorts). More likely an easy 25-30 minutes drive. Look the website for coupons and promotions (i.e. 2x1 buffets).

Been there, done that.

Bally's = Motel 6. Cheap, but not terrible. You will survive it

Harrah's is nicer (similar to a Fairfield Inn, w.o. the breakfast). They have 3 hotels there, I stayed at the Veranda and I liked it.
Also, Horseshoe is pretty good (maybe the best buffet in Tunica)