Tennessee

Nashville's Music Row puts you walking distance from the Country Music Hall of Fame and Ryman Auditorium. But the real action happens on Broadway – stay at the Omni Nashville or Union Station Hotel if you want to stumble back from Tootsie's Orchid Lounge. The Gulch offers sleeker hotels like the Thompson Nashville, plus easy access to Centennial Park. In Memphis, downtown near Beale Street keeps you close to the blues clubs, though it gets loud. The Cooper-Young neighborhood gives you local restaurants and a 10-minute drive to Graceland. For Smoky Mountains access, Gatlinburg puts you right at the park entrance but comes with tourist crowds and dinner theaters. Pigeon Forge means Dollywood and chain restaurants. Look, if you want mountain peace, stay in Townsend – locals call it the quiet side of the Smokies.