Chattanooga
Located about two hours south of Nashville is Chattanooga. Nicknamed the “Scenic City,” this place is not short of picturesque scenery. Peaceful mountains and rivers surround Chattanooga. With fall break just around the corner, it is an ideal spot for a short escape from the hustle and bustle of school.
What to do:
- Visit the Tennessee Aquarium
Open since the early 1990s, the Tennessee Aquarium is always a crowd-pleaser. Along with tons of exotic marine life, there is a huge butterfly room, reptiles and even penguins.
- Shop on Frazier Avenue
Need a little retail therapy to help you decompress from all that school work? Frazier Avenue has you covered. To be such a small stretch of space, Frazier does not disappoint when it comes to shopping. There are a variety of boutiques to browse. Blue Skies is the place to go if you’re looking for charming and unique gifts. Plum Nelly offers jewelry, house collections and more. River City Apparel has a wide range of trendy clothing for the contemporary customer.
- Get your heart pumping at High Point Climbing Gym
Looking to engage in something a little more active? High Point Climbing Gym is ideal for adrenaline junkies. With 30,000 feet of climbing space, you can climb till your heart’s content. There is even an outdoor climbing wall that stretches up the building.
Where to eat:
If you’re in the mood for good burger, Urban Stack is worth a visit. Although it has only been open a few years on West 13th Street, it is a staple in Chattanooga. If you’re not a fan of a classic hamburger, don’t worry — Urban Stack has a wide selection of food, ranging from vegetarian burgers to turkey burgers and more.
- Mom’s Italian Villa
Craving pizza? Head to Mom’s Italian Villa, located on Market Street. This tiny, hole-in-the-wall parlor will not disappoint you. It serves some of the best pizza in Chattanooga, hands-down. Each creation is the perfect proportion of crust and toppings. Plus, the atmosphere is so cozy and friendly.
Nestled in the Bluff View Art District, Rembrandt’s Coffee House serves up coffees, teas and light eats. The atmosphere is whimsical and warm. It’s the ideal place to catch up with friends, or even just have a little quiet time to yourself.
Memphis
This eclectic city has such a rich background of music, barbecue and sports. Whether you plan to spend the day exploring the rock-n-roll side of Memphis by touring the legendary Sun Studio, or taking a stroll downtown, it is easy to fall in love with this city. Memphis is just a three-hour drive from Nashville.
What to do:
- Explore Midtown and Downtown
Midtown is known for its chill atmosphere. The streets are adorned with shops and restaurants. On the other hand, downtown Memphis has a modern, up-beat vibe.
- Catch a Grizzlies Game
Although the regular season doesn’t start until later this month, it is still possible to catch a preseason Grizzlies game. There are two chances to catch a game during fall break — on Friday, Oct. 16 and Sunday, Oct. 18.
- Tour Sun Studio
Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley and other music legends recorded albums here back in the day. Now you have the opportunity to tour the birthplace of rock-n-roll. Tours are available daily.
Where to eat:
No trip to Memphis would be complete without eating barbecue. Corky’s Ribs and BBQ on Poplar Avenue is a place worth checking out. The menu includes ribs, pork, chicken and more, all barbecued to perfection.
If you love Mexican food, go check out Cafe Ole in midtown. This charming eatery offers a unique spin on Mexican cuisine. Cafe Ole serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, so you’re able to get your Mexican food fix any time of the day.
Knoxville
Known as “K-Town” or “Big Orange” by locals, Knoxville is a bustling Tennessee city nestled cozily in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains in the eastern part of the state. If you’re looking for a fun mix of mountain scenery, trendy downtown atmospheres and historic Southern charm, the 2.5-hour-long drive between Knoxville and Nashville is well-worth the effort.
What to do:
- Visit the SunSphere
Knoxville is home to a unique skyline structure that sets this city apart from others of its kind — the Sunsphere. This giant, gold-colored ball is visible from nearly any area in the downtown area and is a free lookout view (accessible by elevator) of the entire city. Icon Restaurant and Lounge offers delicious late-night grub for anyone interested in dining from inside the fifth floor of the golden glass globe.
- Check Out the Knoxville Museum of Art
Just across the bridge from the Sunsphere is the Knoxville Museum of Art. New artist exhibits are constantly being exhibited and rotated in and out to keep the collection fresh. For those traveling on a budget this year, the Museum of Art admission is always free. And while you’re there, be sure to check out the Chocolate Factory right beside the museum to satisfy the creative cravings of your taste buds.
- Take a Stroll through Market Square
The heartbeat of Knoxville pulsates from Market Square. Aside from the bubbling fountains and refreshingly green landscape, the ice cream shops and old, city theatres in this area make for a romantic stroll any day or night of the week. The colorfully-lit stage in the center of the square ensures that there’s never a shortage of public shows and events, keeping the heart of Knoxville alive and thrilling.
What to Eat:
A personal favorite for many natives, the Tomato Head is a chic, quasi-hippie eatery located in Market Square. With a spacious interior, friendly service, plenty of vegan and vegetarian options and the opportunity for patio seating, the Tomato Head never ceases to impress.
Robust, rustic and delicious — Stock and Barrel seeks to serve its customers the best fries and burgers on this side of the Smokies. Also located in Market Square, Stock and Barrel was voted best burger joint in Knoxville by Metro Pulse in 2014 and have since taken great pride in maintaining that title.
Moving away from the downtown and Market Square area, Mimi’s Café is a French-inspired restaurant located in the Turkey Creek region of Knoxville. Complete with comfort food like bread bowl soups and roast beef Panini’s, there’s no that will warm the body or heart after a long half-semester of grueling schoolwork quite like Mimi’s Café.
Story by Lyndi Locke and Brianna Langley