I need help planning a road trip to Memphis from the Philadelphia area.....what cities should we stop in?

Question

My family reunion is going to be in Memphis and we are chartering a bus but would like to stop along the way and see some interesting sites. We have children and adults in the group.

Answer 1

You will likely be using I-76 west, I-81 south and I-40 west for most of the 1000+mile trip.

You will be passing through many small cities and several real large ones.

* Harrisburg, PA.:

Before reaching Harrisburg turn north off I76 and visit Hershey.

Here you can visit Hershey Chocolate World and Hershey Park.

(The kids will love it here)

A popular theme park with more than 60 rides – 10 roller coasters, six water rides, and 20 kiddie rides – plus shopping, dining, and live  entertainment. The Park admission includes admission to ZooAmerica

For the adults who may like American history there is the National Civil War Museum here in Harrisburg.

This is the only national museum dedicated to the Civil War.

Equally balanced exhibits portray both sides of the war, with art and artifacts, memorabilia, photographs, dramatic reconstructions of battle scenes, a field hospital and a wartime campsite.

Historic papers, uniforms and clothing, weapons, paintings, medical equipment, and other artifacts are displayed in life size dioramas

Just five miles north of Harrisburg (at Dauphin) is a 25ft replica of the Statue of Liberty - one of those odd sights!

* Chambersburg, PA.:

Take the kids to the "Fright Night" Haunted House, at the Old County Market building in the Southgate Shopping Center in downtown Chambersburg.  

* Hagerstown, MD.:

If anyone in your group likes model trains, stop here and visit the Train Room and Museum at 360 South Burhans Boulevard

Hagerstown.

Large Lionel collection on display, pre- and post-war items; operating layout and Lionel products and toys.

A great display of collectible trains and related train memorbila.

South of this city on Highway 65 you could visit Antietam National Battlefield.

(23,000 soldiers were killed, wounded or missing after twelve hours of savage combat on September 17, 1862)

http://www.nps.gov/anti/

~~ Back on I-81 south~~

* Martinsburg, WV.:

(The south is choc-full of historic homes and museums), here we have the Belle Boyd House, located at 126 East Race Street, Martinsburg.

This was teh childhood home of Belle Boyd, Confederate spy.

On different occasions during the Civil War she crossed military lines to pass information to General T.J. (Stonewall) Jackson.

After the war Belle Boyd became an actress, often playing femme fatale roles.

http://www.bchs.org/civilwar.html

* Roanoke, VA:

Visit Booker T Washington's Memorial. His birthplace (like Lincolns) was a farm; so here again the kids will enjoy this.

http://www.nps.gov/bowa/index.htm

~~ I-40 west ~~

* Knoxville, TN.:

The World's Fair Park at 525 Henley Street.

Once the site of the 1982 World's Fair, this magnificent 52-acre park includes a large variety of attractions, shops, galleries, restaurants, and the Knoxville Convention Center.

http://www.worldsfairpark.com/

Ramsey House Plantation (2614 Thorngrove Pike) is lovely to see, a Georgian style house built of local limestone and marble

* Nashville, TN.:

Fifth Avenue South, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is the destination for diehard country devotees and casual fans of the genre. It's the world’s largest music museum.

See the Nashville Parthenon, it also includes the impressive Athena statue as well as an art gallery.

You can tour around the outside of the Parthenon without charge.  

Great photographic opportunities!  

The modest admission charge gives access to the inside of the Parthenon, which includes the art galleries as well as the main interior room, which holds reproductions of the Athena statue and the Elgin Marbles.

The full-scale, 41-foot, gilded Athena statue, is an awesome sight to behold!

Afterwards, walk around the historic and scenic Centennial Park.  

This is the most active city park in Nashville and is the scene of many fairs and festivals.

The Grand Ole Opry  Museum. This museum features exhibits on some of Tennessee's most beloved stars, from Patsy Cline to George Jones. And it's free.

You actually need lots of time to see Nashville.

You absolutely must see the (Gaylord) Opryland Resort, take the boatride (inside the hotel) to see the 9 acres of indoor gardens!

http://www.gaylordhotels.com/gaylord-opr...

And Memphis, if you haven't already been and time allows visit Gracelands! I've been twice and love it. And downtown Memphis is always alive.

I've mostly given you attractions to visit in the bigger cities along your route.

But never forget the scenic roads and state parks you will be passing. Stop for picnic lunches and  short hikes to stretch your legs.

Particularly House Mountain in Knoxville for beautiful views of the scenic Smoky Mountains.

Thanks for taking me on your trip!

Safe journey.

Answer 2

Washington, DC - stop & see the sights

Since you'll probably be driving down the west side of Virginia you could stop at the Natural Bridge of Virginia.

Knoxville, TN

Nashville, TN - visit downtown Nashville