Memphis

[cj]

DH has always wanted to go to Memphis to see Sun Studios and other music stuff. We bought airline tickets last night since Southwest was having a sale. Guess we'll go to Graceland as well, since we'll be there.

Any suggestions about places to stay, places to eat, places to avoid? We'd like to stay downtown where the action is, to avoid having to drive a lot. Thanks!

 

[Hillbilly]

Germantown area (east side of city) and Southhaven MS (just across State line) are nice areas I've visited in the past. Sorry, I've not stayed in the downtown area.

 

[jwkde]

I've spent a fair amount of time in Memphis for business.

Obviously Beale street on a Friday or Saturday evening is a real experience.

The Peabody hotel is a Memphis classic - even if you do not stay there ($$$$) you should visit.

Graceland is interesting but in a rough part of town especially after dark. Some folks like to take the trip to Tupelo (Elvis's birth place)

About an hour south is Tunica MS if you are into casinos.

Quite a few nice hotels out on Popular Ave (72) between MEmphis and Germantown.

Enjoy

 

[Sarah in SC]

Oh, I want so very much to go back! We spent just a couple of days there years ago and loved it. Yes, you have to go to Graceland. And to the Peabody to see the ducks and hang out in the bar, plus spend some time on Beale Street. The street performers were magical when we were there, just kids, but what talent!

 

[Ed_The_Gypsy]

It was all underwater a little while ago. What is the current situation?

 

[slingshot]

I moved to AZ from Memphis 20 years ago so my info is NOT the most current. But if I were to take a friend with me who had never been there...
Graceland
Beale Street
Mud Island
The Peabody
Botanical Garden
The Orpheum
Rum Boogie Cafe
The Rendevous BBQ and there are LOTS of other BBQ places
Drive out to Pickwick Landing (outside of Memphis) there are some interesting Civil War sites along the way
Mississippi River
Drive out to Collierville and see all the horse farms

 

[JDARNELL]

I would agree about Graceland. There is a housing area on the side of the parking lot that is pretty rough. People jump the fence and break into cars that are parked on the edge in the shade. Park in the middle and make sure no valuables are showing. When I was there there were 4 cars parked next to me that had the windows smashed. Thank goodness they did not hit mine. This was about 2pm. Workers said it happens a lot.

Tomcat98

 

[skyvue]

I would stay at the Hampton Inn Beale Street. It's a block off Beale and fairly new. There will be live blues at about 5-6 different places on Beale any night of the week you go. Lots of fun but don't venture out of that area on foot very far. The neighborhood turns bad pretty quickly.

The touristy/popular place to eat is Rendezvous Ribs but I would avoid it. It is highly overrated and the service is terrible. Most of the waiters in that place look like they are 80 years old! Corky's is a better choice for Ribs if you talk to the locals.

There is a steakhouse fairly close to Beale that I love called The Butcher Shop. One interesting option they offer is to cook your own steak over an open pit/grill.

http://www.thebutchershop.com/memphis/index_new.htm

 

[Midpack]

I've been visiting Memphis several times a year since 1995. You've already gotten very good answers but I'll reinforce

• The Peabody (if you don't stay there, it's not the $$$ BTW, at least go see the ducks and have an evening drink in the lobby bar - after dinner)
• The Rendevouz (get directions, the front door is in an alley and it can be hard to find, but well worth it)
• Graceland (I am not an Elvis fan, but I really enjoyed the tour)
• Beale Street (the later the better it seems)

And add

• The Butcher Shop is great, but the best steak in town is Folks Folly, hands down
• Restaurant downtown named Flight, excellent and a format I've never seen (to this extent) anywhere else, but go hungry.
• Corky's, Interstate and Neely's are great ribs, BBQ too, but the Rendevouz atmosphere and history make it a must do. I could not disagree with the above poster any more about Rendevouz though they feature "dry ribs" (not everyone likes dry), but you can slather on sauce if you want.
• Germantown is the main nice area, Collierville is not worth the drive IMO but it's grown a lot in the past 20 years.

Fun place, enjoy yourself!

 

[Automatika]

The Gibson guitar factory is pretty cool, about a block from Beale Street. It's where they make the electric hollowbodies. I second the Hampton Inn also. Skip Cordova Square, it's gone...

 

[steelyman]

The Rendevous BBQ and there are LOTS of other BBQ places

This made me smile. I have never been to Memphis (need to fix that!), but Rendezvous BBQ sauce is my absolute favorite. It was recommended to me by a local butcher who sold two versions in his shop/deli. The shop eventually closed and I had withdrawal for years until I figured out how to turn the spigot back on

 

[cj]

Wow, great info! I knew I could count on you guys. Yes, the Gibson guitar factory was definitely on our list of things to do. Thanks bunches!!

 

[steelyman]

There is a steakhouse fairly close to Beale that I love called The Butcher Shop. One interesting option they offer is to cook your own steak over an open pit/grill.

Good information and tips for potential Memphis visitors (like others in this thread). This one, though, is something that always made me wonder. When I go to a restaurant, I kinda want them to cook my food. I figure that's what I'm paying for!

 

[Midpack]

Good information and tips for potential Memphis visitors (like others in this thread). This one, though, is something that always made me wonder. When I go to a restaurant, I kinda want them to cook my food. I figure that's what I'm paying for!

The will cook your steak, but some people enjoy DIY for some reason (not me either)...

 

[skyvue]

Good information and tips for potential Memphis visitors (like others in this thread). This one, though, is something that always made me wonder. When I go to a restaurant, I kinda want them to cook my food. I figure that's what I'm paying for!

Most people do have them cook it but they also allow you to pick out your specific steak, seasoning, etc...and have a beer while cooking it yourself. I went with co-workers and it was a fun option as something unique and different.

By the way, so ironic that I was just watching The First 48 on A&E. The episode is about a Memphis football player who was murdered. They met and interviewed an informant at The Butcher Shop! Strange....

 

[skyvue]

If your into craft and specialty beers there is a nice place just off Beale called The Flying Saucer that is pretty cool.

 

[gindie]

The one time we were there we visited the National Civil Rights Museum. It is located at the old Lorraine Motel, the site of the Martin Luther King assassination.

It was a very interesting self-guided tour of the events of the entire civil rights movement.

 

[cj]

I just wanted to follow up - we got back from our 3-day trip to Memphis yesterday. DH loved it, of course, and I had way more fun than I thought I would. We took the advice about staying at the Hampton. It was a very nice place, and the location was perfect! We were able to wander Beale Street in the evenings. What a zoo! Loved the street performers. And yes, there were cops everywhere. We did all of the tours DH really wanted to do. He loved Sun Studios, not surprising. And so many people had told me Graceland was way overrated that I had really low expectations, and I was therefore pleasantly surprised! It was fun. We ate BBQ in a bunch of places. We went to the Peabody & saw the ducks twice (once coming, once going) and it was cute.

So yes, it was worth going! Thanks everyone for the input, it helped!

 

[Janet H]

Thanks for the trip report! Memphis is a wonderful place packed with history and it's great that you got chance to explore.

Marc Cohn - Walking In Memphis Official Video - YouTube

 

[JPatrick]

For a great burger and blues, check out Huey's. Several locations, but I'm familiar with the one roughly across from the Peabody.
For entertainment you get to shoot (with straw) toothpicks into the ceiling.
Some great brews as well.

 

[cj]

Oh, and we loved the trolley! Went for a ride around the loop. It's such great history.

 

[Sarah in SC]

So glad the trip was a good one and the ducks and the street performers were still awesome. Oh, and the barbecue....man, we have got to get back there!