‘Planes, trains, tow trucks, caves, pizza’ … that’s what a AAA travel guide written by a 10-year-old boy might look like. So it’s no surprise my son enjoyed Chattanooga.

Though I normally travel with his older sister as well, this time it was just him and me for an impromptu getaway.  Chattanooga, Tennessee is an easy drive for many in the South, Midwest and Mid-Atlantic states, but we got a crazy-cheap fare with a discount airline and flew in from Central Florida. The small but modern airport was easy to navigate and we quickly found the shuttle to our hotel, the Chattanooga Choo Choo, known locally as ‘The Choo.’... Read More

He had me at “Hello.”

Johnny Cash, that is. I’ve only been in love with his mournful bass-baritone voice for a short time (since 2005, when the biopic “Walk the Line” first turned me on to the hell-raising maverick who originally wanted to be a gospel singer). Nevertheless, if CDs wore down like well-appreciated vinyl, my frequently replayed Cash discs would be ready for the junk pile.

Still, it’s understandable that I didn’t even think about the legendary... Read More

In Memphis, barbecue borders on being a religion—a religion with legions of followers. Its disciples are many, and they worship at the multitude of barbecue joints that are the source of the tender, moist pulled pork and smoky ribs that are the city’s hallmark cuisine. Secret sauce recipes are sacred and closely guarded, not to be shared.

In the South—and Memphis is a Southern city, through and through—the word barbecue (or barbeque, bar-b-q or, in its simplest form, just BBQ) is a noun, not a verb. When someone in Memphis says, “Let’s get some... Read More

Some people can hop on a plane without so much as a guidebook in their carryon bag and actually look forward to exploring a strange place without an itinerary or even knowing much about where they’re going.

I’m not like that. I’m a planner. I research and read and prepare detailed itineraries for my trips; it doesn’t matter if I’m traveling for work or pleasure. Although I don’t go so far as to schedule bathroom breaks, I have been known to map out my meals as well as how much time I think it will take to get from Point A to Point B.

But, as... Read More

I love all kinds of food (I don’t discriminate!), but breakfast fare is by far my favorite. When I travel, I usually try to check out at least a few local eateries with standout morning menus. So, on a recent business trip to Nashville, I chowed down at the Pancake Pantry, said to dole out the yummiest pancakes in town. (Some devotees go so far as to claim the flapjacks doled out at the Pantry are among the world’s best.)

The local A.M. institution is in Hillsboro Village, a colorful neighborhood abutting Vanderbilt University. When I... Read More

Everybody I know who is familiar with Memphis says that you’ve got to try the barbecue. You’ll love the barbecue! And I’m sure that’s true—if you like barbecue. But as far as I’m concerned: Meh. I can take it or leave it. Usually I leave it. To me, barbecue means gnawing on bones for a shred of meat, which in my opinion turns a meal into an unappetizing chore. I prefer my food without the messy anatomy lesson, thank you very much.... Read More

When I listen to music, I play tracks from hardcore rappers, classical pianists and everyone in between. But, when someone asks me what genres I’m into, I invariably answer: “Pretty much anything—except country.”

While I do adore Johnny Cash’s haunting voice, such stars as Dolly Parton, Carrie Underwood and Garth Brooks leave me cold, and some country songs actually make me cringe. Needless to say, I wasn’t overly thrilled about checking out the Grand Ole Opry during a recent Nashville trip, but I figured I could live... Read More

     'Grand Ole Music' is the theme of today's featured AAA Drive Trip - just one of over 100 available. Click here for a printable itinerary of this 1,071-mile trip, which is broken into four segments as it goes from Nashville to Memphis to Little Rock to St. Louis. You might well get 50 different answers if you asked the question, "Which state is most closely identified with music?"  This five-state jaunt can be traveled on one grand journey or broken into shorter trips that suit your musical tastes.... Read More

     Nashville is something of a paradox—it’s both musical and historical, kitschy and refined. I guess what you find is what expectations you bring to the city. We’ll see what that says about me.  I love this city and I try to visit at least once a year.  I usually stay downtown in a hotel just off Broadway.  Let me walk you through my typical first afternoon and evening in Nashville.

When I get to Nashville the first thing I do is take the short walk to Broadway and head for the Ernest Tubb Record Shop. The shop has been open for 61 years.... Read More

 Question: Jodi Strom asks: We'll be taking a road trip in April.  We plan to visit Memphis, Nashville and Louisville, but due to time constraints, we only have one day in Memphis.  What would be a good itinerary for a one day visit?
 
Answer: Blogger Michael Navarre, a Memphis enthusiast, says: Graceland is a must, down in southwest Memphis, for a tour of Elvis’ trapped-in-the-sixties home.  After that, head downtown for lunch at the Rendezvous restaurant for some good Memphis-style barbeque or Huey’s (a local hamburger place that makes... Read More