Weekend trip ideas needed.

Tennessee is a wonderful state, although I lean towards the great outdoors- I would recommend the Smoky Mountains. (Unfortunately it's on the opposite side of the state from Memphis, but driving from Chicago to the Smokies is a 10 hour drive.)

 

Come to the UK. It will be too cold for BBQ, our blues lack authenticity (but we moan a lot) and (maybe) you have never been here. With any luck, I'll be somewhere warm, or I'd buy you a warm beer to thaw you out.

Or ... Vegas is fun! Otherwise get near the sea and get some warmth, which is maybe Southern Cal or Florida? Assuming you have to stay in the USA.

 

This would really depend on the kind of couple you are, but I had fun over a spring break at Mammoth Cave National Park. There are some gentle guided tours that are fun or you can go on 'wild cave' tour, which is as close to 'real' caving as you can get on a guided tour. It's a bit south of Louisville, KY, so I think it meets your driving time requirements.

 

And you add this to you agenda http://www.kybourbontrail.com/

 

Don't miss the "Wigsphere" in Knoxville.

 

How lovely, celebrating your anniversary. Pretty sure Stanley would like anywhere with pizzle. Acores is nice, but unless Stanley heroicaly tows you in a life boat......

 

You can't beat a Louisville bourbon tour!

I know you wanted south but Minneapolis is a short hop away, and there are the skyways that can get you around downtown without having to brave the elements.

 

Throw a bottle of massage oil in your bag - just because you can. Must you take Stanley out of the bag? Should we be thinking of dog friendly breaks, or purely two legger breaks?

 

Negative, Ghost Rider. The drive from The Loop in Chicago to downtown Knoxville, TN is 10 hours. And I have a lead foot- and I'm taking the Skyway and paying the $13 toll. My personal best is 9:30, and that's with only stopping for gas once. Depending on where you're going in the Smokies, add another hour at a minimum - and that's assuming that you're going in through the southern entrace by Townsend. Going in via Pigeon Forge is another hour on top of THAT based purely on the run of traffic lights between I-40 through Sevierville and Pigeon Forge up to Galtinburg (Gatlinburg being my pulled-from-my-own-ass destination). If you're making the drive, though, the first Waffle House is Exit #13 in Louisville.

It's actually open again, after being closed for 25 years. There's a restaurant up there now, which is a step up from the Hardee's that was there during the World's Fair. While you're there, you can overlook the Waters of the World fountains and think of a young me stealing carp out of there in the late 80's to throw into a swimming pool.

Borla - If you're willing to drive to Memphis in March, when there's the very real possibility of ice storms, you might want to try something a little warmer. You can probably get to Vegas for under $300/each. Or even to LA and then drive to Palm Springs. Both should be warmer than Memphis. Or you could drive down to San Diego.

 

I'm gonna vote for New Orleans. The lady and I will be there for three days next week. It's my favorite city in the country. We got a super cheap hotel a block from the French Quarter. http://www.neworleansboutiquehotels.com/royalstcharles/

 

Dollywood makes you long for home.

 

One thing to keep in mind about Memphis is that like most mid size southern cities, it is completely dead on sundays. So if it is a long weekend you are talking about and you have some flexibility, driving down on thursday and leaving sunday is likely better than doing friday-monday.
Last time I was there I ended up having dinner in one of the chain fast food places because I simply could not find any of the local sit down restaurants open past 7pm on sunday.