Good Morning Folks

We are leaving Edmonton, Alberta on June 28 for Nashville and Memphis. I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions as to good, reasonabley priced motels/hotels where our bikes would be safe and we would not be too far away from The Opry and Graceland.

This trip is about 7000km (4500m miles) in 14 days so we are not going to have a lot of time to lollygag.We ride Ultras, 2up with our wives. You folks that are riding two up ...what kind of distances are you riding daily. I have about 600 km (360 miles ) planned. I don't want her to get tired of riding long distances and then not wanting to go. Or do I.......JK !!!!

Thanks
Paul

 

There is a town about 20 miles south of Memphis called Tunica, Ms. It is about 20-25 minutes from Graceland. There are a bunch of casinos down there with decent food/entertainment. Unless you stay out east in Memphis I would not suggest staying downtown unless you stay at the Peabody or Hampton Inn downtown. Secure parking downtown can a problem and vehicle breakins are rampant.

 

I drove a pickup truck from Tennessee to Edmonton in either 89 or 90 (whichever year the Oilers won the Stanley Cup) and it was three hard days. Didn’t get a chance to see the Oilers play but I did get a real nice Oilers sweatshirt at the world’s largest mall (at the time).

You really should try to stay at the Opryland Hotel while in Nashville. It's a little pricier than a motel but a memorable place. If not, the rule of thumb would be to stay in the outer suburbs in either Nashville or Memphis.

Leeinmemphis has given some excellent advice about Memphis.

 

Do not stay in Memphis (downtown), it sux. Stay out east or don't even stay at all. I live half way between both, 100 miles to Memphis and 100 miles to Nashville. You could stay in Jackson at the Holiday Inn right on the interstate and zip down to Memphis (bought one hour) one morning and do Graceland and Beal street and return to Jackson that night.

Nashville, whole nuther story. Great town, stay dang near anywhere. If you want to be within walking distance of all the happenings on Broadway, stay downtown and any of the numerous hotels. Most have secure parking for the bikes.

Enjoy.

 

Here's what you want: http://www.druryhotels.com/

The Drury chain is well-known throughout this part of the country. They're clean, American-owned, and offer some nice extras like free internet, free breakfast and free drinks during happy hour. Some have pools. Prices aren't much more than the cheapy places.

Oh...and on the 2-up touring. My wife and I did a similar length trip in 2006 out west, the last week of june and first week of july. We averaged 300-400 miles per day because we wanted to see stuff, not just ride. We even took 2 full days "off" the second week out, staying 2 nights at a couple of places since we didn't get held up by storms anywhere in week #1. Keep in mind that you're going to be riding in 90 degree (or more) temperatures and high humidity in the mid-south.

 

hi ,go and see besthotel.com
there you have a lot of choice

 

Like others have said, the Opry Hotel is very nice, but sort of pricey, we usually stay North of town at Hendersonville at the Ameri-suites. Very nice hotel and reasonable priced. Also like others have said, I wouldn't stay in Memphis, we got lost in downtown Memphis a few years ago and asked a Policeman how to get out of town, he told us there were places in downtown that they didn't even go. If you are coming down thru Illinios and traveling I-24 to Nashville, give me a PM and I will give you my phone number. I live about a mile off I-24 near exit 16 in Kentucky. Alway good to have a few numbers in different areas in case you have trouble.

 

Don't know much about motels there, cause I stayed in an RV the weekend I was in memphis, but the suggestion I'd make is get there for memphis in may.
A weekend of concerts on several stages along the mississippi river at a park on the end of Beale street.
Beale street is barricaded off so people can walk up it and party in the street, and the bands play in the bars till 5:30 am in some bars.
Lot's of party people and a good time for all.

Word to the wise: Memphis has cameras mounted all over and they can see up and down the streets and all along the main corridors, so watch what you do where you do it. It's 'safer', but if they want to curb the fun they can make things difficult if you don't know how to play the game.

 

Thanks to everyone that replied. I have not been to this part of your great country for over twenty years. Memphis sounds like a much different place than I remember from many years ago. Such is life.

Thanks again
Paul