I'm thinking of taking a drive down to Lynchburg on Thursday, Oct 22nd. Hang out on Friday and Saturday. Leave for Chi-town on Sunday.

Is it too late to get hotel/bed & brkfst reservations? Any recommedations where to stay? Any recommendations on 'must see's' and 'must-do's' while there?

Thanks a bunch for your help and guidance.

There are very few rooms in Lynchburg and those have been booked since last year.

Your best bets would probably be in Tullahoma, Manchester, or Winchester. The Executive Inn in Tullahoma is the only place in my personal experiece that I'd recommend against.

As for what to do, around 20,000 people will be in town on Saturday so do the distillery tour on Friday. David Roper is my favorite guide but all of them know their stuff and are entertaining in their own ways.

The Dickel distillery is also near there but I apparently don't speak the Tennessee language very well and couldn't follow the directions a local gave me to that site last year.

If you can hook up with a team with an extra pass, the view from BBQ Hill at sundown on Friday night is spectacular. Skip the chow line and plunk yourself down in a chair overlooking the valley and drink in the view insead. The pass gets you a meal, several free drinks, and a seat on the bus to the top of the hill. For some reason I can't quite put my finger on, the bus ride back to town at the end of the evening is always a lot more boisterous than the one going up.

Also, keep in mind the site is in a dry county and the local constabulary are pretty diligant about keeping people from wandering around with an open beer. The last I knew, it was a $250 citation. Pour your adult beverage into a plastic cup and you'll be fine.

There may be other attractions in the area but I don't know what they are. Others with knowledge of the area may chime in. I'm pretty much focused on the contest when I'm down there.

Hope this helps. Enjoy your trip.

Ken

Really nothing to do or see in Lynchburg or the surrounding area except the Jack Daniels distillery. Beautiful area but not much around. I am heading down from Nashville on Saturday. I live about 15 mins south of downtown Nashville and JD's is about 70 miles. Huntsville, Al is about a 45 min drive from JD's due south. They have the NASA space museum in Huntsville. Lynchburg just a sleepy little country town that makes all the Jack Daniels in the world! Go figure. As stated Tullahoma, Manchester, Fayetteville, or Winchester would be your best bets for lodging that weekend. I believe the total population of Lynchburg is about 400-500 people and just about all work at JD's.
Good Luck and enjoy!

Made hotel reserv in Manchester. Heading down there on Thursday (8/9 hour drive). Gonna look up things to do in Nashville.

So what's with 'dry county' regs. Are they allowed to have drinks during comp?

Any recommendations on bbq spots to try? Coming from Chicago area.

Cannot buy alcohol anywhere. You can buy "collector" bottles of Jack Daniels at the distillery only, but they are just that collectors bottles.
I am only assuming you can drink at the comp, you just cannot buy alcohol anywhere in the county.
Nashville about 1 hr 15-20 mins north of Manchester. Just stay on I-65 and it will take you right through downtown Nashville. Get off on the Broadway exit, take right and you will be smack downtown in about 2 mins. All the bars and honky tonks are on Broadway. Park and just walk the town. Jack's bbq is on Broadway.
Martins BBQ Joint is in Nolensville (where I live)about 9 miles off I-65. Martins has some outstanding bbq. Worth the side trip. Martins is closed on Sun and Monday. You can also get to downtown Nashville from Martins, about a 15-20 min ride.

Good Luck and Enjoy!

Wife and I head down to TN tomorrow morn. We're excited about the trip and can't wait. Prob gonna stop in Nashville on the way down. Visiting the distillery on Friday and hanging out. Then it's back for the BBQ on Saturday. Leaving for home on Sunday.