Planners with the central and western realms of the Volunteer State on their radar will discover a trove of temptations when it comes to getting groups away from the boardroom or exhibition hall. The area is rich with group offerings, from sites steeped in Civil War history to pro sports possibilities and natural wonders that provide an ideal escape.
Following is a regional breakdown of the very best group outings in the area.
Nashville
With its status as the “Music City,” Tennessee’s capital not only offers countless doings, but the chance to enhance nearly any group event or excursion with some lively tunes.
“Our clubs, venues, museums and attractions become unique to you when you drop in the music of your choice, which is at your beck and call,” says Butch Spyridon, president and CEO of the Nashville Convention and Visitors Corp. “We can make the Parthenon shake, Studio B rattle, and Andrew Jackson Hall roll.”
Awesome options include taking your group to the Country Music Hall of Fame (CMHOF), where attendees can explore a mind-boggling collection of everything from early electric guitars to incredible archives of famed photos and recordings. Tours of the historic Studio B can also be arranged at the CMHOF and are a big hit with groups. For a truly unforgettable experience, planners can even arrange in advance to have their bunch cut a recording.
The famed Ryman Auditorium is another musical marvel well worth a stop, with self-guided tours, special backstage tours and a robust slate of top-name performers.
For a “moving” experience, opportunities abound. The General Jackson Showboat is a massive paddlewheel riverboat built around an impressive Victorian Theater serving up live tunes and entertainment. For a truly unique experience, consider boarding the company’s other riverboat, the River City Queen, for a tailgate cruise to see the NFL’s Tennessee Titans in action.
An excellent one-stop source for a tour perfect for your particular group is the Gray Line of Tennessee, with jaunts to hot spots like the Grand Ole Opry and the Parthenon. For a less-structured experience, the Music City Trolley Hop stops at seven attractions—including Antique Archeology, featured on American Pickers—with the freedom to jump off and back on at any time.
Memphis
The state’s largest city is loaded with intriguing offerings for groups to consider when time allows.
“Memphis has some of the most unique, one-of-a-kind attractions with a deep, vibrant culture that can’t be found anywhere else in the world,” says Regena Bearden, vice president of marketing and public relations for the Memphis CVB. “Groups can meet and mingle in some of the South’s most historic locations, such as Elvis Presley’s Graceland, the legendary Sun Studio or the Stax Museum of American Soul Music.”
Graceland is an especially colorful outing, and excursions go well beyond a mere home tour that some might expect, particularly the venue’s Platinum and VIP outings—which include the opportunity to tour Elvis’ personal automotive collection and pair of private airplanes.
Elsewhere, art, inspiration and the sporting world provide additional group possibilities.
The Memphis Brooks Museum, for example, displays works from greats ranging from Winslow Homer to Renoir. Tours of the facility are available. At the National Civil Rights Museum, housed at the Loraine Motel where Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in 1968, groups can learn more about King and his impact on the civil rights movment. PageBreak
Jackson
“Being located halfway between Memphis’ Beale Street and Nashville’s Music Row on Interstate 40, Jackson offers groups a great value,” says Lori Nunnery, executive director of the city’s CVB. “You have the amenities of a larger city, with over 2,500 rooms accompanied by the rhythm and music you could only find in Tennessee. Southern hospitality is at the core of what our communities provide to our guests.”
Planners will also appreciate a diverse gamut of outings and experiences for groups, ranging from colorful historical venues to unique outdoor offerings.
Alfresco fun includes Cypress Grove Nature Park, a haven of flora and fauna hallmarked by an elevated boardwalk meandering through a cypress forest. Animal magnetism also lures groups to Tennessee Safari Park, where a drive-through tour offers a look at about 400 creatures—including kangaroos, warthogs and giraffes.
For some casual fun with an old-fashioned flavor, bring your group by Brooks Shaw’s Old Country Store Restaurant, a true step back in time to a simpler era. The throwback shop is part of Casey Jones Village, which also hosts the historic Casey Jones Home and Railroad Museum and is home to daily live bluegrass music. Another worthwhile and whimsical Jackson jaunt is Rusty’s TV and Movie Car Museum, showcasing more than two dozen vehicles straight out of movies and television—including Starsky and Hutch’s iconic Torino and the Mystery Machine van featured in Scooby Doo.
For smaller groups seeking to explore the area, Discover Tennessee Trails & Byways has mapped out two extensive driving trails bursting with points of interest. Cotton Junction takes groups by the “teapots and sweet spots” of Northwest Tennessee, while Walking Tall promises to deliver the “rockabillly, rails and legendary tales” of Southwest Tennessee.
Hardin County
Bucolic Hardin County has much of its group fun revolving around the offerings at Pickwick Landing State Park, with 1,400 acres of forested countryside, nearly three miles of trails to trek and plenty of playing fields and picnicking spots. Groups seeking to conduct business will even find a full-service, 119-room hotel with more than 6,000 square feet of event space.
At Shiloh National Military Park, groups can pay homage to the more than 23,000 soldiers who lost their lives during the Civil War’s Battle of Shiloh. An interpretive center offers films and displays, and tour options include automated auto tours and ranger-led interpretive programs.
For something a bit offbeat, consider the Sherriff Buford Pusser Home & Museum in Adamsville, a tribute to the legendary lawman—featured in the Walking Tall films—known for taking on a menacing ring of criminals almost singlehandedly. Groups can take a guided tour, adjoined by a short video, and peruse a cozy gift shop for possible keepsakes.
