Family Vacation

[cyburai]

The family unit is meeting up in Orlando, FL on June 30th, and driving back to Lawrence. We are shooting to get back around July 7th.

Our Route on Google Maps

So far we've only planned to do the Disneyworld thing, Kennedy Space Center, and the Atlanta Aquarium. Doing the Paula Dean Resturant in Savannah, GA Possibly a Cubs/Cards game in St. Louis (if I can find some tickets) on the 6th.

Also; we haven't decided to go through Memphis or Nashville. Not really interested in the whole Elvis thing, but I can has me some ribs! Sherrybob is a big bluegrass and the sort fan, so I would make the trip to Nashville pretty easy.

Here's what you all can help me out with;

• Beer and BBQ recommendations. Either pubs, restaurants, or just things to pick up. I plan on doing a fair amount of smuggling. I have $200 budgeted for unusual Beer purchases not available to me in Kansas or Missouri.
• Things to do; Honestly we are all about the experience and the opportunity to expose the kiddo to new things. Not the same touristy garbage (I am having a real problem doing Disney World, just an FYI. But it's for the best step son ever, so I'm coping.)

Think you can handle it? DO YOU?

(drops the gauntlet, and leaves in !)



Also; if you guys have some thoughts on Beer I can get in that region that we can't get here, I'll pick it up.

[Greenblood]

Terrapin is available all over Nashville, in the bars. I had a lot of trouble finding it in the stores, but they all said they usually carry it.

[Matt]

I recall the BBQ at BB King's joint on Beale St. in Memphis being pretty good. The live music was excellent also. But I like me some blues. YMMV. But the best BBQ we ate was at a little greasy spoon hole-in-the-wall joint further down the street near the end -- can't for the life of me remember the name, but it was possibly the best I've ever had. Top Five for sure.

Take this with a grain of salt though... I haven't been there in like 10 years, so it's probably changed a bit since then, if those places are even still there.

The Beale Street area of Memphis is worth checking out regardless (or at least it was). Back then it was also potentially a little dangerous after dark, because of the depressingly large homeless population that came out to beg tourists for change. I swear this one guy was F'n crazy, and had me planning what to do if/when he followed us back to our car. When you're with a couple of friends in your 20's, that makes for an interesting story. When you're there with wife and kid, it's probably not so exciting. All that said, it's probably been completely gentrified and dull as hell now, full of tourist crap (even more than it was).

Most of all, the one MUST-DO thing in Memphis is to visit Sun Studio. (www.sunstudio.com) And if you do, please bring me back a t-shirt. Seriously. It's just not the same ordering them online.

Oh, and while I certainly went to Graceland (wouldn't pay to take the tour, it was F'n ridiculous! We just saw it from the street,) the funniest thing ever was the look on the tour guide lady's face when my friend asked "Screw all this other stuff... how much to see the toilet?" I thought her head was literally going to explode. At first I thought she was going to set an entire mob of Elvis freaks on us, but then I realized she wasn't angry, she was just turning red trying not to laugh out loud for fear of the same. She told us that was the funniest thing she'd ever heard, then suggested politely we probably shouldn't ask anyone else that question on our way out.

Matt

[bike2brew]

There's a brewpub in Memphis that I really liked called Boscos. Haven't been there for a 3 or 4 years, but they regularly win awards at GABF. They also have a brewpub in Nashville. http://boscosbeer.com/

There's also a Flying Saucer (one of those places with a whole bunch of beers on tap) in Memphis near Beale St. http://www.beerknurd.com/

[cyburai]

I guess there is a Flying Saucer opening down in Power and Light.

http://www.beerknurd.com/kc.htm

[Greenblood]

I guess there is a Flying Saucer opening down in Power and Light.

http://www.beerknurd.com/kc.htm

The beer angels are almost as tasty as the beer. They don't know anything about beer mind you, but they are fun to look at.

[Eimajz]

Second Bosco's in Nashville
http://www.boscosbeer.com/

Taco Mac in Atlanta-kid friendly bar,food, and beer joint.
http://www.taco-mac.com/georgia.htm

Green's or Pops beer store in Atlanta
http://www.greensbeverages.com/beer-ga1.shtml
http://www.popswineandspirits.com/home.html


Don't know much about the FLA beer scene.. but, I hear you can get DFH and several other big beers there.

[Matt]

OH, btw, I remembered the name of that BBQ joint I enjoyed so much in Memphis. It was called the Blues City Cafe. Check it out.
http://www.bluescitycafe.com/

[wlockwood]

If you do disney you need to be waiting at the gates when they let people in...beat the crowds. There is a great book The unoffical guide to DW.

the spiderman ride at universal is state of the art...My girls and I rode it like 4 times.
Get there early you get way more done then use speed pass then leave the park early if you want.
Get there early.