Driving from Connecticut to Texas...where to stop?

[JasonE4]

A friend and I are moving to Austin (he's going to grad school at UT and I recently graduated with a BS in Computer Science). We're packing up our cars as much as possible and heading out from western Connecticut on May 21st.

My friend has to be in Austin by the morning of the 25th, so we want to stay over somewhere on the 21st, 22nd, and 23rd. I really like country music and I think that I want to stay in Nashville on the 22nd and go to the Grand Ole Opry to see Pam Tillis, Craig Morgan, and Emerson Drive. I found a Best Western about a mile from the Opry for $59 per night.

However, I have no idea where else to go and where else to stay. I'd appreciate any recommendations regarding other places or Nashville. Thanks :beer:

 

[Spoooon]

What about Dallas/Fort Worth? Though, you'll have plenty of time for that after you get here.

 

[JasonE4]

Originally posted by: Spoooon
What about Dallas/Fort Worth? Though, you'll have plenty of time for that after you get here.

Yeah, I was going to try to go to places that I probably will never/rarely be able to go again. I'll consider it if there isn't really much else on the way from Nashville to Austin. I've never been there though. How is Dallas? What is there to do there? Bars/clubs?

 

[GuitarDaddy]

Originally posted by: JasonE4

Originally posted by: Spoooon
What about Dallas/Fort Worth? Though, you'll have plenty of time for that after you get here.

Yeah, I was going to try to go to places that I probably will never/rarely be able to go again. I'll consider it if there isn't really much else on the way from Nashville to Austin. I've never been there though. How is Dallas? What is there to do there? Bars/clubs?

Not much between Nashville and DFW, the only major cities are Memphis and Little Rock.
Memphis if you want to see Graceland, or the Jazz/Blues schene.

DFW has alot more than you can see in a couple of days, but it's only 200 miles or so from Austin so if you will be in Austin awhile you can make weekend trips to DFW. Some of the points of interest in DFW are:

Six Flags over Texas(amusement park) Arlington
Dallas West End (Historic district, bars and clubs)
Dallas Deep Elum (Alternative music bars and clubs)
Fort Worth Stockyards (Historic district, country bars and clubs)
Texas Motor speedway
The Ballpark in Arlington (Texas Rangers)
Bass Pro Shops/ Cabellas and too many shopping malls to name
300+ golf courses
Too much other cool stuff to list

 

[Gibsons]

Originally posted by: JasonE4

Originally posted by: Spoooon
What about Dallas/Fort Worth? Though, you'll have plenty of time for that after you get here.

Yeah, I was going to try to go to places that I probably will never/rarely be able to go again. I'll consider it if there isn't really much else on the way from Nashville to Austin. I've never been there though. How is Dallas? What is there to do there? Bars/clubs?

If you don't mind taking the long way and like outdoorsy stuff, go through Arkansas and head up to the Ozarks. You can hike or maybe canoe if the rivers are high enough, maybe see some elk. The area around Jasper is really nice.

 

[txrandom]

Houston has some cool stuff. If you are coming through southeast Texas, go through Beaumont and find a restaraunt called Sartin's. They have really good BBQ (deep fried) blue crab.

 

[2Xtreme21]

How are you going? If you want to adjust your routes to hit some tourist destinations, you can go down I-95 and hit Philly, DC, Williamsburg, etc. Or you could go something like I-90 where you have Buffalo / Niagara Falls, Cleveland (Cedar Point). Otherwise I'm assuming you're gonna be cutting straight through PA, VA, TN, AK... not much in the way of big cities besides Nashville and Memphis (until you get to TX), but it'll definitely be a scenic drive.

 

[Spoooon]

When you do get to Austin, eat at the Salt Lick in Driftwood, TX. It's just a little bit south of Austin.

Like 2xtreme21 said, you might check out Virginia and DC. There's this crazy seafood buffet in Williamsburg, VA. Can't remember what it's called though.

 

[tranceport]

After reading the thread title.... I'm going to say gas stations and restaurants. Hotel's when you get tired.

/thread

 

[HomeBrewerDude]

you could spend a day driving down the Natchez Trace Parkway. It will take you from Memphis to Natchez (90 miles N of New Orleans).

Also Vickburg's Civil War memorial is pretty damn cool.

 

[GagHalfrunt]

I did the reverse trip many years ago, a friend and I went Houston to Connecticut. We did New Orleans, then the Jack Daniels tour and a stop in Nashville, on to West Virginia for a quick rafting trip and then home.

 

[SpanishFry]

wow...I have three friends moving to Austin and another who did 3 months ago.

I think Nashville is a good choice. Great music scene...not as good as Austin's though.

FYI: Austin City Limits announced the lineup for Sept. It's going to rock.

ACL

 

[JasonE4]

Originally posted by: SpanishFry
wow...I have three friends moving to Austin and another who did 3 months ago.

I think Nashville is a good choice. Great music scene...not as good as Austin's though.

FYI: Austin City Limits announced the lineup for Sept. It's going to rock.

ACL

Yeah, I actually was looking at the lineup for ACL today. I'm definitely going. It looks like it is going to be awesome.

@Everyone else - Thanks for the suggestions. I'll definitely look into some of those places. As for our route, we probably aren't going to want to go way out of the way, as we have to make the trip in under 4 days, but little detours are okay.

Oh yeah, Spoooon, I actually went to the Salt Lick when I was in Austin over spring break. The food was awesome and so was the atmosphere.

 

[Treyshadow]

When you get to austin, make sure you go to hamilton pool. At least do it before June 15th. It is much more fun 2 days after it rains.

Its a park that they only let 75 cars worth of folks in. I promise its worth the trip.

Its in austin, where everything is just a little bit better (except the pay that is why there is Houston, San Antonio and Dallas).

 

[Canai]

Where should you stop? Before you get to Texas

 

[JasonE4]

Originally posted by: Treyshadow
When you get to austin, make sure you go to hamilton pool. At least do it before June 15th. It is much more fun 2 days after it rains.

Its a park that they only let 75 cars worth of folks in. I promise its worth the trip.

Its in austin, where everything is just a little bit better (except the pay that is why there is Houston, San Antonio and Dallas).

That looks awesome. I'll definitely check that out when I'm down there. I won't really have anything to do for as long as it takes me to get a job, so I'll have a fair amount of free time.

 

[JasonE4]

Originally posted by: Canai
Where should you stop? Before you get to Texas

 

[WildHorse]

Exactly. Just stop and rethink:
"Why on earth would anyone want to go to Texas God's-country-not-really, especially with weather heating up now?

 

[imported_weadjust]

Originally posted by: HomeBrewerDude
you could spend a day driving down the Natchez Trace Parkway. It will take you from Memphis to Natchez (90 miles N of New Orleans).

Also Vickburg's Civil War memorial is pretty damn cool.

The Natchez Trace Parkway goes from Nashville, TN to Natchez, MS. Don't take the Trace unless like to drive slow (50 mph limit), enjoy looking at pine tress, and the occasional squirell.