Elvis has left the building, but there's still lots to do in Memphis!
Written: Jun 21 '01 (Updated Feb 04 '04)
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Pros: Friendly city, southern hospitality, absolute best barbecue in the world!
Cons: It's a long way from Atlanta, New York, or L.A. Is that really so bad?
The Bottom Line: Memphis is filled with warm, friendly people who will graciously welcome you for a visit and offer you the finest barbecue you ever tasted!
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| diverpam's Full Review: Memphis |
Memphis will welcome you with open arms. This friendly city offers plenty of southern hospitality and there are a variety of activities to keep you occupied during your visit.
The best times to visit are during the spring and fall. Springtime is absolutely wonderful, the azaelas are in full bloom throughout the city and everything is green and fresh by early May. The fall brings crisp air, football season, and the Mid-South fair. You'll find big name attractions entertaining at the fair, a midway packed with people, and horticulture and craft exhibits of the finest caliber.
The summers can be very hot and humid -- sticky and sweltering weather at its finest. The winters, though generally mild, can be unpredictable. An occasional ice or snow storm can wreak havoc with drivers unaccustomed to navigating treacherous roads.
Southern Hospitality, Central Location
You will always find the people willing to give directions or recommend a restaurant. This mid-size metropolitan area is home to about a million people and hosts the busiest cargo airport in the world. Memphis International Airport was recently recognized as the best "on time" airport in the U.S.
Memphis is a major hub for Northwest Airlines and is also the home of Autozone and FedEx. Memphis is situated on the borders of Arkansas and Mississippi, and Missouri is not far away. People come to Memphis from surrounding areas to shop, dine, or attend a ballgame.
Following is an alphabetical listing of some of my favorite things to see and do in Memphis. I've lived in and around the area almost all my life.
AutoZone Park
Home of the Memphis Redbirds, this first class baseball stadium is new, clean, comfortable and very spacious.
The Redbirds are the AAA farm team for the St. Louis Cardinals and have kept the crowds packing the stadium. Even on a Wednesday afternoon "businessman's special" game, the stadium is rocking.
Third Street and Union Avenue
Memphis, TN 38103
901-721-6000
A Schwab
This amazing "variety" store has everything from love potions to incredibly tacky Memphis souvenirs. It is one of the original Beale Street stores and has the creaky floors and ancient smell to prove it. I love to browse through here because I never know what I might find. It's almost like going through my grandmother's attic!
Beale Street
Beale Street, home of the Blues, features B.B. King's restaurant and nightclub, Elvis Presley's restaurant, Alfred's (great home style cooking), Hard Rock Cafe (with lots of blues memorabilia), A. Schwab, and a variety of other businesses. To cut down on underage drinking on Beale Street, no one under 21 is allowed on Beale Street after 10 pm. (This is a recent change.) See Beale Street review.
Brooks Museum
With more than 7,000 pieces of permanent art, this museum also has many traveling exhibits. A great place to spend a rainy afternoon!
1934 Poplar Ave.
Overton Park
Memphis, TN 38104
901-544-6200
Corky's Barbecue
Corky's is well-known for its barbecue. Both the ribs and pork shoulder are excellent. Their rolls are delicious and they'll bring you extra butter in those annoying little foil packets. Their dry seasoning is great (I always ask for extra).
You can order "wet" or "dry" ribs. Order a platter for two and you can get a combination. Their baked beans are very good, but their cole slaw has a bit too much celery seed for my taste.
Their fudge pie with vanilla ice cream is delicious... if you can save the room for it!
Expect to find a crowd if you go right at a normal mealtime. They have expanded their waiting area, but you usually see people standing outside waiting. I can't drive by without getting a mad craving for barbecue -- it smells wonderful.
5259 Poplar Avenue
Civil Rights Museum
Located in the Lorraine Motel, where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated. This museum features a civil rights timeline dating as far back as the early days of slavery.
450 Mulberry St.
Memphis, TN 38103
901-521-9699
Children's Museum
This is one place they want you to touch the exhibits. Fun for "kids" of all ages.
2525 Central Ave.
Memphis, TN 38104
901-458-2678
Dixon Gallery
This museum of fine arts has gardens covering 17 acres.
4339 Park Avenue
Memphis, TN 38117
901-761-2409
Downtown
Here you'll find the beautiful old Orpheum Theatre, near a live Beale Street area. AutoZone Park brings in the baseball fans, The Peabody remains a classic favorite, along with the Rendezvous. The new Peabody Place area has new business, restaurants and movie theatres.
EP's
Elvis Presley's, of course! Where else can you buy fried peanut butter and 'nanner sandwiches? (Yes, they really were Elvis' favorite treat.) This restaurant is owned by Elvis Presley Enterprises. Update: Unfortunately, the restaurant is now closed. I guess there were too many people on the Atkin's diet and not enough eating peanut butter and 'nanner sandwiches!
FedEx
Memphis is the home of FedEx World Headquarters. The largest private employer in town not only has a massive hub, capable of sorting millions of packages a day, but has thousands of employees throughout Memphis. You can't throw a rock in Memphis without hitting a FedEx employee!
Graceland
Thousands of people travel to Memphis each year to visit Graceland, home of Elvis Presley. Guests can tour the home (not all rooms are open to the public) including the trophy room, as well as visit the car museum and two airplanes across the street from the mansion. This is a very popular tourist attraction.
3764 Elvis Presley Blvd.
Memphis, TN 38116
901-332-3322
Grizzlies
The Grizzlies NBA team has recently found a new home in Memphis. Currently, they play in the Pyramid arena, but there is a huge new $250 million basketball complex currently under construction.
Heartbreak Hotel
Okay,you knew there had to be one, and it's right across the street from Graceland. Outrageously decorated in Elvis memorabilia, it's a one of a kind experience.
3677 Elvis Presley Boulevard
Memphis, TN 38116
901-332-1000
Imax Theatre
Located in the Pink Palace Museum. There have been a variety of great Imax presentations shown here.
3050 Central Avenue
Memphis, TN 38111
901-763-4629
Interstate Barbecue
Recently recognized by USA Today as one of the best places to eat barbecue in the U.S., Interstate has long been a local favorite. Run by the Neely family, and located just off the Interstate highway, this restaurant features friendly, efficient service and incredibly good barbeque sandwiches! It's located on S. Third Street, just north of Interstate 240.
Jackpots
Just south of Memphis in Tunica, you might hit a big jackpot in one of the many casinos. Memphis has no gambling in the city and no lottery. However you can travel south to Tunica and visit a casino, or head west across the river to West Memphis and the dog races. You never know where you might for a jackpot waiting for you to claim it!
King, King, Did someone say King?
Memphis is famous for lots of Kings... Martin Luther King, Jr., Elvis, the King of Rock and Roll, B.B. King, and even Jerry "The King" Lawler.
Libertyland Theme Park
Libertyland is open throughout the summer and features a variety of rides and shows. For more details, please refer to my Libertyland review.
940 Early Maxwell Blvd.
Memphis, TN 38104
901-274-1776
Memphis in May
Each year Memphis honors a different country and sponsors a variety of activities honoring that country. The major attractions of Memphis in May are the World Championship Barbecue Contest and the Sunset Symphony. May is a great time to visit Memphis.
Mississippi River and Mud Island
Mud Island has a monorail to the island.(Tom Cruise was seen in a chase scene on this monorail in "The Firm" a few years ago.)
Ride to the island and find a replica of the Mississippi River flowing throughout the island. It's fascinating to see the details and walk along and "in the river" ... you'll also find the Memphis Belle on Mud Island.
The amphitheater features concerts throughout the spring and summer.
You'll also want to check out the River Museum and the River Terrace restaurant.
The "Mighty Mississippi" is the focal point of much activity in Memphis.
125 North Front Street
Memphis, TN 38103
901-576-7241
Nightlife
You'll find plenty of dining and dancing on Beale Street late into the night, especially if there is a ball game or concert. Most of the evening activity can be found in the downtown area, especially if there has been a concert at the Pyramid or Mud Island or a game at AutoZone Park.
Orpheum Theatre
This beautifully restored theatre features broadway plays and classic movies throughout the year. It's in the Beale Street area, just a few blocks away from nightclubs and restaurants.
Pyramid
The Pyramid features sporting events and concerts. Yes, it really is a huge pyramid. You don't realize how tall it is until you stand beside it.
Paulette's
Paulette's is one of my favorite restaurants. Located in Overton Square, Paulette's is a nice place with a French flair for a "fancy lunch" or romantic dinner. Their desserts are huge and incredibly wonderful.
Pink Palace
Once the home of Clarence Saunders, the founder of Piggly Wiggly stores, the Pink Palace museum includes a planetarium and Imax theatre.
3050 Central Avenue
Memphis, TN 38111
901-320-6320
Peabody Hotel
This famous hotel has been completely restored and features a large fountain in the spacious lobby. Every day at 11am, the Peabody Ducks proudly parade in and take their place in the fountain, where they happily spend the day. Have a drink in the lobby bar, browse in the gift shops, or dine at Chez Phillipe or Dux.
This beautiful old hotel revels in its graceful southern heritage.
"Q" -- as in Bar-B-Q
Okay, I'll admit it, the only "Q" we know in Memphis is Bar-B-Q. Please, please, please do not come to Memphis and order barbecue beef. You'll probably get laughed out of town.
We have barbecue pork -- shoulder, butt, ribs, chopped, sliced, wet, dry and just about anything in between. You won't find anything like it anywhere else in the world!
Order the baked beans and cole slaw and save room for dessert if you dare!
Riverside Drive
Be sure to drive along Riverside for a great view of the Memphis bridge and the skyline of Memphis. Cybill Shepherd lives up there on the bluffs overlooking the river and the bridges.
There is the "old bridge" -- a lot older than me -- and the "new bridge" -- it's at least 25 years old, but it's still the "new bridge" to everyone around here. The "new bridge" is north of the "old bridge" and right next to the Pyramid. The "new bridge" is shaped like an "M" and very nicely lit at night.
Rendezvous
Charlie Vergos' Rendezvous is my favorite place for "dry" ribs. These wonderfully delicious and tender ribs and rubbed with dry seasoning instead of barbecue sauce. The Rendezvous is located in the basement of a building across the street from the Peabody Hotel and has plenty of atmosphere.
It's loud and hectic, with crusty waiters who've been there forever. They'll hustle your food and beverage, but don't expect chit-chat or a big smile. That's just part of the Rendezvous experience. You'll be served on a paper plate covered with aluminum foil. The beans and slaw are served in little paper containers and you'll have plastic utensils. They will bring more bread if you ask nicely.
I always order an appetizer of cheese and sausages. If the place is packed when you get there, grab a spot in the bar. Nothing better than their fresh popcorn and a cold draft beer as you wait for your table. The walls are covered with memorabilia of every imaginable kind. You won't get bored while you wait.
St. Jude Children's Research Center
This wonderful hospital was founded by the late Danny Thomas to research and cure deadly childhood cancers. No patient has ever been turned away from St. Jude because of their inability to pay.
There is both a Ronald McDonald House and a Target House located in Memphis, to help the families of those children being treated. The FedEx St. Jude Golf Classic - held each summer - is a major fundraiser for this hospital. The people of Memphis are very proud to have this wonderful hospital and there are many people who volunteer in fundraisers for St. Jude througout the year.
Tunica, Ms.
Okay, it's not Memphis, but it's less than 30 minutes away. No trip to Memphis is complete without a visit to the casinos of Tunica. Just head south on Third Street and you'll soon find yourself in Tunica. You'll also find nice restaurants, an outlet mall, two golf courses, and big-name entertainment. Tunica's not just for gambling!
University of Memphis
The University of Memphis Tigers usually has a good basketball team and tremendous fan support. The Tigers play in the Pyramid arena. The University of Memphis campus is located on Central Avenue.
Victorian Village
You'll find some beautiful houses here from the mid-1800's. Three of these houses are open to the public.
680 Adams west to Front Street
Memphis, TN 38105
901-526-1469
Wolfchase Galleria
A great place to shop. Located off I-40 West, the Wolfchase Galleria has many shops that are one-of-a-kind in Memphis. You'll also find traditional anchor stores, such as Goldsmith's, Dillards, Sears and JC Penney. This big, beautiful two-level mall has a great carousel and and multi-screen theatre. There are tons of other shopping centers and restaurants in the immediate area.
X
Unfortunately, Memphis does have its share of X-rated attractions. There are several "gentlemen's clubs" located in the airport area. If you're driving in the airport area at night you should watch out for pedestrian traffic. Better yet, avoid this part of town at night.
Yia Yia's Eurocafe
Just east of the Memphis city limits is the upscale community of Germantown. Located in Saddle Creek Mall in Germantown is a very unique restaurant called "Yia Yia's" -- it means grandmother in Greek. They have a variety of European dishes and sinful desserts so good you'll refuse to share them with your dining companion. Hearty salads, along with a variety of chicken, beef and pasta. Very original and creative seasoning and excellent service. It has a full bar with a huge wine selection.
Zoo
No trip to Memphis is complete without a visit to the Memphis Zoo, the city's most popular attraction. You'll see Egyptian touches throughout the zoo, including a very impressive entryway.
2000 Galloway Avenue
Overton Park
Memphis, TN 38112
901-276-WILD
Welcome to Memphis
I hope you'll decide to visit and try some of the activities I mentioned. You won't have the hustle and bustle of New York City, but you will have friendly people who will warmly welcome you to their part of the country.
Recommended:
Yes
Best Suited For: Couples
Best Time to Travel Here: Anytime
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diverpam
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Member: Pam
Location: Collierville, TN
Reviews written: 263
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~~~~So many oceans...so little time!~~~~
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