r/Tennessee • u/yuuanfen • 8d ago
Memphis vs Chattanooga overnight trip?
Mid-20s couple, we'll be visiting Nashville for the first time in late November (mostly for business) and would like to take the opportunity to see a little more of the state, though time is limited- hoping to take a midweek overnight trip to one of these cities.
We love long drives through the backroads (the more scenic and twisty, the better!), wildlife, museum-hopping, and trying new foods/cultural experiences that we cant get in our part of the country (California). So the journey is just as important as the destination.
Memphis - Would likely meander partly down natchez trace parkway there and tn-100 back, or vice versa. The main attraction for us is the pyramid lol, it has been a dream for me to see it. Aside from that not sure what we would do there...
Chattanooga - Would take one of the routes that have been excellently recommended on this subreddit. Don't have a goal attraction here but have heard this is a nicer place to visit, as opposed to Memphis?
Thanks to those who have posted in the past with recommendations, which have been very helpful in trip planning!
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u/Minimum-Surround-958 8d ago
chattanooga by a landslide is much more interesting. there’s the aquarium, an amazing art museum, and great food. its all walkable too. don’t sleep on knoxville either! their market square is quaint and they also have an amazing art museum. also an art mural alley complete with a giant dolly
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u/Ok-Reputation-7998 8d ago
Definitely Chattanooga because of the drive. As a CA transplant who also loves fun roads and has driven TN-100 from Memphis to Nashville, I can confidently say you would hate it. The drive is straight and flat, and goes through some depressing little towns. Not the kind with cute little town squares, more the type that make you double-check your doors are locked.
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u/OneAcceptable6825 8d ago
It’s literally 180 miles of one straight road. Two hours of nothing, and then another 30 minutes of traffic on the Nashville end. 😅
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u/Ok-Repair9465 8d ago edited 7d ago
Lifelong Chattanoogan here 👋 if you come on a pretty/clear day, Point Park is a beautiful place to go on Lookout Mountain. I recommend taking the Incline Railway up the mountain, then walking the short walk to point park from the top - you’ll get the best view available of Chattanooga. The incline is neat too, and the area at the bottom of the mountain that it’s in is super cute/walkable. Cute shops, coffee, dining, etc. Driving up the mountain can also be fun. You might be tempted to visit Ruby Falls or Rock City up there too, but I think Point Park is a far better experience/view. However, I’m still fond of Rock City and recommend it… Ruby Falls is a skip for me, personally.
Also, the pedestrian only Walnut Street bridge in downtown Chattanooga just opened back up from renovation. If you go to the aquarium (highly recommend) and/or the Hunter art museum, stop by Whiskey Thief (the rooftop bar at the Edwin Hotel) for views/vibes, then walk the bridge to Coolidge Park and Renaissance Park, and find a cool place to eat along the very walkable/bike-friendly North Shore area. There is a brand new Embassy Suites right down the street from the aquarium/in the heart of downtown - it’s the hotel the Spanish soccer team rented out for a month during the World Cup - highly recommend. It also has a wonderful new Mediterranean roof top bar/patio + market that just opened this week - Olos - 10/10.
Other downtown restaurants I recommend are Second American, Whitebird, Hello Monty, Yummy Thai, Sugar’s Ribs, City Cafe Diner, Tony’s Pasta, Mayan Kitchen, Keystone, Kenny’s, Outpost, Public House, Uncle Larry’s, Sing it or Wing it, i could go on..
Also, not downtown, but a beautiful drive/mountaintop destination/sidequest- Riverdance - atop Aetna Mountain in Guild, Tennessee…great food, beautiful views. Approx. 30 minutes outside of Chattanooga.
As for Memphis… it has a lot more bars/nightlife, Chattanooga is not at all the place to go for dancing/clubbing. It has some really great history to offer too, the National Civil Rights Museum (built at/in where MLK was assassinated!) is a must see, Beale Street, Graceland, plus BBQ. The interstate drives right by/next to the pyramid, for me, that view was enough, but I believe there is also a boutique hotel inside + an observation deck. I haven’t been inside myself, but I’d look into it if I were visiting Memphis any time soon.
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u/CherryblockRedWine 7d ago
Point Park is now $10 for each person 16 and up
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u/Ok-Repair9465 7d ago
Ooo good to know thank you!
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u/CherryblockRedWine 7d ago
We did a few days in Chattanooga in May and that was the one thing that surprised me!
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u/Copecwby20 5d ago
If you're a military/veteran and haven't done so already, bring your mil/vet ID when you visit and they will give you a card for lifetime free admission to all national parks for you and up to a certain amount of guests. Can't remember the total number off the top of my head.
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u/zandreasen 8d ago
Chattanooga but instead of taking i24 all the way go i40 to 68 to 27. Even if you go 24 though monteagle and nickajack are beautiful
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u/CherryblockRedWine 7d ago
Excellent points. That drive makes me want to move to South Pittsburgh or somewhere similar. So beautiful
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u/crackinmypants 8d ago
As someone who drives between Memphis and Nashville regularly, go to Chattanooga. The drive to Memphis is soooo boring.
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u/bookshop 7d ago
this is the real and only reason to avoid Memphis. I have driven from Jackson to Nashville all my life, and that stretch of interstate is some kind of liminal grey zone that turns every drive into an endless slog that mentally lasts at least six hours, one way, every time.
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u/memphisvz 5d ago
Try going down 72, it’s a few minutes difference on driving time but is a little more scenic.
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u/dicklebug 6d ago edited 6d ago
And not long for Cali drivers at about 6 hour 10 minute round trip drive, Nashville-Memphis, it’s 3.5 to 4 hours [r/t](r/t) to Chattanooga. Chattanooga is improving its restaurant situation but there are good places in Nashville and east of Nashville near Sewannee. I moved away almost 4 years ago (51 years in Chattanooga) but my biggest scrapbook is My Speeding Tickets. I’ve driven 2 race cars and owned one myself, my cruising speed is usually about 90 mph. So, drives may take a little longer.
Have a great time!
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u/igwaltney3 8d ago edited 8d ago
Chattanooga is 2.5 hrs from Nashville and Memphis is ~3.5 so that may play into your decision.
Given your stated love of drives the drive to Chattanooga is probably more up your alley as its into the mountains, but personally Memphis has better food and a really cool music scene.
I've lived in both. If you go to Chattanooga go to the aquarium, the river walk, and maybe one of the battlefields. The Choo-Choo is a cool hotel now, and the art museum is quite fun too.
For Memphis, the Pyramid (fair warning its a big bass pro shop these days, still a fun place to visit though), the zoo, mud island, the Pink Palace, and Graceland are all very fun options.
Happy to discuss other options as well based on your other likes and dislikes
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u/HoarderLife 8d ago
All good suggestions, just throwing in tours of Sun Studio and Stax in Memphis if you’re into music. Both tours are first rate.
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u/farmer_gray 8d ago
Yes, and the Civil Rights Museum and the Lorraine Hotel.
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u/RlyRlyBigMan 8d ago
I visited last summer and couldn't believe how poorly educated I was on the topic. I don't think I'd ever even heard of the Memphis Sanitation Strike which was the whole point of MLK being there. Great museum.
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u/RlyRlyBigMan 8d ago
Toss in the national civil rights museum for a bit of history. You go through the hotel that MLK got shot in front of. Pretty humbling stuff.
Edit: whups someone else already said that below. My B.
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u/nashrome 8d ago
In Chattanooga we always stay at the Spring Hill Suites Cameron Harbor. They have rooms that face the river with balconies. Easy walk to downtown. Check out City Cafe Diner and try one of the desserts, they are fantastic. Tony's Pasta has a rooftop seating that overlooks the river. There are several art galleries and an art museum in that area.
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u/Royal_Commission_243 8d ago
If you're into history (Music, Civil Rights, MS River, etc) and food, then Memphis is your place. Chattanooga is beautiful and has a great little nightlife scene these days, you can't lose with either. I'm partial to Memphis for the aforementioned list...
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u/kerutland 8d ago
For Chattanooga, you could drive down Highway 41 and pass very near Sewanee, which has the beautiful University of the South. The drive over the mountain is nice, but can be treacherous in bad weather. I like Chattanooga more, myself.
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u/Old_Artichoke9756 8d ago
I live in Chattanooga. It definitely has more twisty roads and beauty on the drive from Nashville. Memphis has better for a is just a way bigger city, so culturally there’s a lot going on. Chattanooga is a small tourist city, so you can walk easily in downtown and see a lot of what there is to see without having to navigate a bigger place. There is enough food scene to do a couple days here but it’s nothing special as far as the south goes. The aquarium is great, there are easy hikes near downtown, there’s a pedestrian bridge that goes over the river that just reopened after a remodel. It connects the aquarium and museum riverwalk area to another park and shopping area. If you’re interested in civil war history there’s quite a bit here, and I personally love Rock City even though it’s definitely a tourist trap. Riverdance and Top of the Rock are two popular restaurants on the trip between Nashville and Chattanooga.
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u/Marteko3111 8d ago
Since everyone is pushing Chattanooga, here is the Memphis case. If you want a drive, come in through Shelby Forest, the park road is all curves and the deer come out at dusk. Then Stax and the Civil Rights Museum fill a day and the food covers the rest.
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u/ktownddy 8d ago
Go to Memphis. See the Pyramid, go to Graceland, Civil Rights Museum (walk next door and eat at Central BBQ), go see the duck walk at The Peabody Hotel (actually would be a good place to stay) and hit Beale Street early evening.
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u/DesignerFlat7108 8d ago
A lot of waterfalls to be seen between Nashville and Chattanooga. Memphis isn't really worth the drive when Chattanooga is an alternative.
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u/shmooboorpoo 8d ago
If you choose Chattanooga, stop by the Lost Sea Adventure on your way. It's deeply cool and very educational
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u/kadawkins 8d ago
Chattanooga is a gem! It’s the first recognized national park city in the United States! Things to do in Chattanooga!
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u/LoveNature1635 8d ago
I have lived in both Memphis and Chattanooga. Memphis has a lot of Old South History, lots of historic buildings, good restaurants, the Peabody Hotel. Chattanooga offers many opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, boating, fishing, Ocoee River rafting is close, and the city itself has lots of music, a great ‘market’ on the weekend, lots of weekend festivals (especially in Fall). You can learn about the Civil war by driving through Chickamauga Battlefield or walking in Point Park on Lookout MTN. Last but not least, the Tennessee Aquarium is a must see! I suppose you can see my recommendation would be for Chattanooga!
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u/Secure-Island42 8d ago
Knoxville also. Its a test city for restaurants. Lots of hiking in Cumberland plateau state parks as well as the smokies
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u/Remington_Party 7d ago
I have family who go to the Pyramid every time they come in town. It’s a big, shiny dedication to the great outdoors. The hotel in there has really cool finishings and taxidermy that you can’t access unless you stay there. It is something to behold when you factor in the room balcony looks out over the Bass Pro Shop, complete with an alligator pond and bowling. So you can sit in the provided rocking chairs and watch people ride the elevator to the top, test out fishing boats and Barca loungers, and browse camouflage clothing.
While the drive from Nashville on 40 is not the most picturesque, you can definitely take some lovely backroads full of charming farmhouses and little towns that are a block long.
In addition to the skyline dominating Pyramid, Memphis has The Civil Rights Museum, Graceland (which is neck and neck with the Pyramid as an example of quirky Americana), Shelby Farms (the largest developed urban park in the US), Overton Park (which houses the Zoo, Metal Museum, golf course, and amphitheater), the only museum dedicated to fine metalwork in the US, The Peabody Hotel, and loads of great food.
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u/Deacon51 8d ago
Chattanooga 100% It's a much more enjoyable city.
Memphis only if Graceland and the Civil Rights Museum are on your bucket list.
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u/GrandmaCereal 8d ago
The Trace doesnt go through Memphis?
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u/percyandjasper 8d ago
Not even close. It's about 2 hours east of Memphis. I grew up in Memphis and was always in love with the mountains when we drove through Chattanooga to get to Atlanta. Now I live in Knoxville. If you love mountains (or even hills), Chattanooga, for sure.
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u/bam_rare1972 8d ago
But what about the Hermitage in Nashville?
If you like history it’s pretty cool
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u/TheGossinator 7d ago
Chattanooga. The close surrounding areas are beautiful and on the way you can stop by Lookout Mountain and/or Ruby falls.
Lots of outdoor stuff to do, and while you’re in the city, most everything is walkable and they have free public transit.
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u/Swimming-Race-9263 6d ago
If you’re going to drive Nashville to Chattanooga and want the most scenic, quintessential east TN drive, take i40 east to TN highway 111 S, in Cookville, exit 288. That will take you to US 27 S, which will take you straight to downtown. The drive down from Kagle Mnt, through sequatchie valley, and then up over and back down flat top Mnt as you intersect with US 27 is unbelievably dramatic, great scenic pull off on the way up flat top.
If you want some of the best bbq we got, take TN 153 to Hixson pike from US 27 (prior to downtown if traveling south on 27) and eat at Off the Grill by Chef Q (smoked potato salad is amazing)
The Boathouse, Sidetracks, Clyde’s, stir, and taco mamacita are all restaurants worth checking out. Southside social typically host a crowd around your age with good food and bowling.
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u/Standard-Weakness-60 5d ago
Might I suggest riding the Blue ridge Parkway? Or even Pigeon Forge/ Gatlinburg? It's a little further over but not by a lot and now that is good driving scenery.
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u/Humble_Mission1775 4d ago
I think the drive from Nashville to Chattanooga is prettiest if you like mountains, plus it’s shorter. I find Nashville to Memphis is more farmland, regardless of the route you choose. I’m a regular road tripper living in Chattanooga.
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u/Tasty-Professor6456 4d ago
You can take the Trace from Loveless Cafe to highway 64 East, lynchburg is just down the road 15 minutes off 64, them hit Mount Eagle on your way to Chattanooga. Drive time 6 hours stops will add Time, but you will go thru Kelso (Prichard’s) also. Beautiful trip
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u/GuiltyPride1766 4d ago
Chattanooga without question is more scenic and infinitely safer! Plus there are some neat breweries and restaurants in Chattanooga. The aquarium is well done.
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u/murph1484 2d ago
I am from where you would get off the trace in Mississippi. If you take the trace to Memphis it will ad a significant amount of time to your drive and the road from the trace to Memphis is extremely boring. You will pass through my hometown but it’s nothing to see. I live in Chattanooga and that is where you will see the most beauty of the state and feel the safest just wandering around the city.
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u/From-628-U-Get-241 8d ago
Chattanooga, no question. Memphis is a dangerous crap hole, although barbecue is very good.
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u/scottf3242 8d ago
Graceland and Bass Pro in the pyramid. That’s it for Memphis.
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u/VanDenBroeck 8d ago
Ridiculous. I lived there for two years and those are two things I didn’t do. I did do the following;
Civil rights Museum
Cotton Museum
Stax Museum
Sun Studios
Rock and Soul Museum
Beale Street including BB Kings
The Zoo
Overton Park
Many BBQ joints
And more.
Plus the drive along the Natchez Trace is well worth it.
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u/schmunkey 8d ago
Do not do Memphis. Chattanooga is far better. I also think Knoxville is a good option. Just don’t do Memphis. I lived there for 20 years and see no reason to ever return.
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u/Away-Beginning-755 7d ago
We did not enjoy Memphis. It is tired and run down. Rendezvous is touristy overrated bbq. The police officers on Beale Street were rude, which was a new low for me.
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u/Civil-Inflation-1317 6d ago
I live in Nashville. My sister lived in Memphis for a bit. I’ve vacationed in Chattanooga. I LOVED Chattanooga! It’s a great town, close to Nashville. It’s beautiful there! Tons of hiking! The river Aquarium is amazing! Awesome restaurants, cocktail bars! History! Memphis 🤷♂️ eh. Not my favorite.
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u/CriticalCatalyst601 6d ago
If you want to get carjacked or shot, by all means go to Memphis. Chattanooga is the better option. Cool downtown and a lot of nature activities to do.
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u/festusez 4d ago
Chattanooga between those two, Clarksville is closer and also can be fun depending on what you’re looking for. You can go to Shade Tree Farm and Orchard in Adams, Tn nearby. Definitely rural and back roads and you can get cool stuff.
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u/ole_gizzard_neck 8d ago
Both should be visited but for very different reasons. I am from Memphis and live in Chattanooga. They are both good for what they are. Memphis has a nightlife and feels more Southern plus their restaurant and eating scene is muc stronger. Chattanooga outdoors are superb and only matched by their variety. So much to do, whatever is your flavor except winter sports. Memphis' zoo is phenomenal and one of the better in the country. Chattanooga's aquarium is unique and fun and not exactly world class but laid out well and largely freshwater based.
The drive to Chattanooga is 100x prettier and more scenic than the drive to Memphis. It's not remotely close imo.
Go to where you're most interested and save the other for later.