|
Discover Places to Go and Things to Do
|
|
Memphis, TN
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bordered on the south by the state of Mississippi and on the west by the river of the same name, the City on the Bluffs has long been spreading eastward, taking in more and more of Shelby County. Hot and humid in July and August, Memphis enjoys a mild climate the rest of the year.
Downtown Downtown Memphis grew from the warehouses that stored cotton and other goods shipped up and down the Mississippi River. For much of Memphis' history, this meant that the riverfront was just a place for commerce. Now, when you take a ride on the paddlewheel boats that run regular tours from the Memphis harbor, you can spot joggers on the Riverfront Walk, visitors on  Mud Island and elegant homes along the bluffs (including Cybill Shepard's—look for the round window).
Downtown Downtown Memphis grew from the warehouses that stored cotton and other goods shipped up and down the Mississippi River. For much of Memphis' history, this meant that the riverfront was just a place for commerce. Now, when you take a ride on the paddlewheel boats that run regular tours from the Memphis harbor, you can spot joggers on the Riverfront Walk, visitors on Mud Island and elegant homes along the bluffs (including Cybill Shepard's—look for the round window). Visitors can take a beautifully restored trolley car up Main Street—parallel to the River—and stop at the Pyramid arena, grab a bite and a brew in one of the Pinch Historic District pubs, loop back to the south to see the Orpheum Theatre and continue on down to the Civil Rights Museum , located in the old Lorraine Motel, site of Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination. A ride up to Union Avenue and a walk two blocks east brings you to the Peabody Hotel , where the downtown comeback started. After a visit with the ducks in the lobby fountain, walk to the new Peabody Place entertainment center to see a movie, or visit the Center for Southern Folklore and learn more about local culture and history. Cross Union for some popcorn and crackerjacks while the Memphis Redbirds play baseball in Autozone Park .
Brought back from a downward spiral in the 1960s and 70s, Beale Street—"Home of the Blues"—now features lively bars, clubs, restaurants and souvenir shops. Closed to traffic on weekend evenings, the area teems with a mix of tourists, suburbanites, downtowners and kids turning flips for quarters. Here you can visit Elvis Presley's restaurant, with its souvenirs and videos of Memphis' favorite son. Visit B.B. King's Blues Club and the Hard Rock Café for music, food and dancing. More of Memphis' fabulous musical heritage can be soaked up at the original Sun Studio , just a short distance from Beale Street. This studio, made famous by Elvis Presley and B.B. King, still records major musical acts.
Victorian Village , situated on the east side of downtown, features homes built at the turn of the century, still standing in their original, tree-lined setting. Some of these homes offer public tours.
Midtown/Central The Midtown area stretches from I-240 on the west to the University of Memphis area on the east, and from Southern Avenue to Jackson Avenue. This lively neighborhood harbors beautifully restored residential areas, the city's highest concentration of ethnic restaurants, trendy clubs and live theater, along with some of the best places for antiques shopping.
At the heart of Midtown lies the Overton Square Entertainment Complex , home of Playhouse on the Square , the Malco Studio on the Square movie house and wine bar, Loony Bin Comedy Club, and a selection of restaurants and funky shops. To the north are the rolling lawns and shade trees of Overton Park , home of the Memphis Brooks Museum , the Overton Golf Course and the Memphis Zoo .
The Cooper-Young Historic District forms the south border of Midtown. Annual tours of this neighborhood and its fall festival show off the turn-of-century homes, which have been lovingly restored. The area supports some first-rate restaurants, too. Farther east is Pink Palace , which houses exhibits on natural history, the Sharpe Planetarium and an IMAX Theater .
University of Memphis Area The University of Memphis is largely a commuter campus, thus it has not developed the usual collection of businesses catering to students. Instead, the stretches of Highland and Park along the borders of the campus have an odd collection of bars and a Middle Eastern restaurant called Mo-Jo's, which looks like a fast food place, but isn't.
East In an area ranging roughly from just east of the University of Memphis to just outside the I-240 perimeter, East Memphis encompasses the Laurelwood Shopping Center , Oak Court Mall , and the Regalia Center at Poplar and Ridgeway, the best locations in Memphis for designer boutique shopping.
East Memphians have the Dixon Gallery and Gardens , which features a collection of Impressionist paintings and first-rate traveling exhibits. You will also find food to suit every palate and price.
North North Memphis is the kind of heterogeneous ethnic neighborhood common in cities such as Chicago and New York. With a recent influx of immigrants from Mexico, authentic taquerias and restaurants have sprung up on and near Jackson Avenue. Asian shops with exotic produce and merchandise are helping the area take on an appealing international flavor.
Graceland/Airport Mention Memphis in Paris, Beijing, or Budapest, and who comes to mind? Elvis Presley, of course. The King is more connected with his hometown than are most celebrities, and his home, Graceland , brings more visitors to Memphis from all over the world than any other single attraction in the area.
Germantown, Bartlett and Cordova While largely residential, Germantown brings in visitors for the international horse show. The area provides some excellent dining and shopping as well. Current favorite places to dine include the Greek/Mediterranean-inspired Yia Yia's Eurocafe and the country-club style Three Oaks Grill.
For shopping, Germantowners and East Memphians flock to the Shops of Saddle Creek and the smaller Carrefour , located at Kirby Woods. Bartlett and Cordova have Cordova Cellars , where visitors can taste local wines and learn about wine-making, and the Davies Manor Plantation , a restored log home from the 19th century. Many national chain restaurants and shops along with the Wolfchase Galleria shopping mall have made this area a major draw for out-of-towners.
E. Thrush
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
By Michaelds5
8 days
There's so many things to do with your kids in Memphis, even taking 8 days packs your itinerary to the brim. If you're an active family, this is a great one to go on with attractions like the Mud Island River Park, Putt-Putt Family Fun Park, and the Sharpe Planetarium just to name a few!
|
|
|
By MikeFerr34
8 days
This is a great 8-Day trip for couples or friends with an emphasis on gardens, museums, music, and theaters like the phenomenal Orpheum Theater.
|
|
|
|
27 people reviewed Memphis (1-20 out of 27)
|
Top
|
|
|
at 4:42AM May 28, 2008
Nice place to visit, but too darn hot to live...you have to be up early to get a jump on the heat....I like to sleepin :)
|
|
at 9:42AM October 27, 2008
Beale st. is awesome and very popular of course. I can't wait to go back and have a bucket o fun!
|
|
|
at 5:43PM May 29, 2008
Rockin' barbeque
|
|
|
at 1:10AM May 29, 2008
I have visited here on one occasion and went through Graceland. Very nice. on another occasion we went over the river via a cable car or whatever it's called to Mud Island. Interesting & enjoyable place to visit. Memphis has character.
|
|
at 5:43PM May 28, 2008
love Memphis, always loved Elvis, even more so now, Graceland was incredible, as was the whole Elvis story, he was an amazing human being, talented, generous, such a shame he's not still with us. Went to the Memphis in May finale on the banks of the Mississippi.
|
|
at 5:08AM October 14, 2009
|
|
|
at 5:00AM March 24, 2009
Crime-riddled and run-down, but it has some nice spots. Love the music.
|
|
at 9:04PM March 20, 2009
|
|
|
at 10:40PM August 31, 2008
Safe-haven from Gustav.
|
|
|
at 3:40PM August 19, 2008
Aside from Graceland, which was fascinating and actually increased by appreciation for Elvis (in that it was much "homier" than I would have expected), Memphis doesn't have much to recommend it--at least from what I saw in my brief visit.
|
|
|
at 6:00AM July 3, 2008
|
|
at 5:50PM June 7, 2008
I haven't been here since I was a kid -- though have been close a number of times -- and am looking forward to returning someday soon.
|
|
|
at 4:06PM May 29, 2008
|
|
|
at 3:38PM May 29, 2008
|
|
|
at 1:04PM May 29, 2008
I love Memphis, Tennessee!!! If you want to know more get to know mw!
|
|
|
at 11:01AM May 29, 2008
Can't beat Corky's for ribs
|
|
|
at 10:28AM May 29, 2008
Lots of fun attractions, music, nightlife, and gambling!
|
|
|
at 8:51AM May 29, 2008
Born and Raised
|
|
|
at 5:46AM May 29, 2008
EVERYONE should experience Beale Street
|
|
at 4:17AM May 29, 2008
I didn't get to see much of the city, but I ate the best BBQ I've ever had here.
|
|
|
|
Add to
My Places
Plan Your Visit
