Trying to figure out where to stay that's in a decent location and decent price. I've not been in Memphis since 2006 and I've been looking on places on Expedia and kind of think of staying out at the Hyatt in Wolfchase, Home2 Suits in Southaven, or LaQuinta in Wolfchase, or the Hotel Memphis...Was also considering maybe splurging on the Sheraton Downtown or Crowne Plaza.
I'm also trying to get a beat on restaurants to eat at, things to see or do, or any events going on. I've been trying to look up everything and found a few restaurants that interest me (Rendezvous, of course) but certainly like suggestions. And also sort of a run down of Beale Street and things to do (I've never been) and what to do around that area.
Any information would be nice!
My favorite subject! I love my hometown. You are coming at a great time of year.
Where to stay? If you will have a car, I like the University of Memphis Holiday Inn because it is in a pretty residential area across from campus, is safe, and moderately priced. Being just outside of Midtown, it is convenient to Downtown and East Memphis, and is easy to find. A trip to the Tiger Bookstore is not too far!
If you will be flying in or just want a lot of restaurants (200+) and attractions in a small area, stay
Downtown. My preference would be the Hampton Inn and Suites near the Peabody Hotel and Beale Street. If you have a big piggy bank, the River Inn in Harbor Town is very nice, too.
I would not stay anywhere near Wolfchase, no matter the low price; it is not safe and will be inconvenient. Any of the hotels Downtown will be much better, or the ones near Poplar Avenue in East Memphis.
By all means, "do" Beale Street (best restaurants: Blues City, Miss Polly's, Johnny G's, Itta Bena above BB King's for upscale. See the Will Tucker Band, the early show, 5:00, at BB King's on Fri. and Sat., and don't miss Schwab's store) Get off Beale by 11:00.
90% of the "great stuff" Downtown is "off Beale." Restaurants galore, up and down Main Street (pedestrian only) and on all the side streets, and from Harbor Town to Uptown through the Core and all the way down Main Street to the South Main Arts District.
I love South Main because the parking is easy, it's a real urban neighborhood like you find in New York, and the restaurants are very cool. Don't miss the historic, iconic, late-night Earnestine and Hazel's bar for people watching, the best juke box, and the location of eight movies. Go upstairs and say hi to Nate, bartender. The 5 Spot restaurant at the back of Earnestine's is awesome. Also, visit the Green Beetle for homecooking and the Blue Monkey on Front Street in South Main.
There is a Central BBQ in South Main, and it's well worth a visit. Westy's in the Pinch serves great food until 3:00 a.m.
Let me know what food you like, and I can give you a list of places to pick from.
What to do? Another endless list, depending on your interests. On the Must Do list by location: Downtown: Rock 'n Soul Museum, Gibson Guitar Factory, watch the sunset from the banks of the Mississippi, and the rooftops of the Madison Hotel and the Peabody Hotel; roam all over the Peabody Hotel and see the Ducks March; Civil Rights Museum; a drive around Harbor Town, the "island" to the north; a look inside Memphis' own Raiford's, late-night impossible-to-describe "disco." You may like a tour of St. Jude. Step inside any of our historic churches. Take a Ghost Tour, or a tour of the Woodruff-Fontaine Home in Victorian Village. Go to Molly Fontaine's Lounge in Victorian Village to see another historic home and people-watch. Drive by the historic Hunt-Phelan Home just outside Downtown. Belz Museum of Judaic and Chinese Art, incredible! Take a riverboat ride for a unique view of Memphis. Our historic courthouse is gorgeous; go in and walk all over; don't miss the law library. Check out the U. of M Law School in a large, historic building on the river. Downtown Farmer's Market on Saturday morning in South Main.
Outside Downtown: Midtown ~ Save an evening or afternoon for both Overton Square and Cooper-Young, for dining and shopping. Favorite restaurants in Overton Square are Chiwawa's, Local, Bari for Italian, and Babalu. Try Mulan, the Beauty Shop, Soul Fish, and Sweetgrass in Cooper-Young. Check out the House of Mewes for adoptable cats and Burke's Bookstore for great used books. Swing by Broad Street in Midtown and see who is playing at the Cove. Check out Overton Park for an Old Forest and an excellent zoo and the Brooks Museum of Art, and swing by Rhodes College for the sheer beauty of it. Drive down Central Avenue and Belvedere and Peabody to see the lovely historic homes of Central Gardens.
East of Midtown: Visit or drive by the Pink Palace, a palatial home that was never inhabited and is now a wonderful museum; drive through Chickasaw Gardens to see the homes and the lake; see the Liberty Bowl and Tiger Lane; and head out the Poplar Ave. corridor to East Memphis with its restaurants of all prices and kinds. Just ask me for suggestions there, too! The Botanic Gardens, Lichterman Nature Center, Dixon Gallery and Gardens.
I could go on and on. Let us know what sounds good and this board will point you in that direction. We will be glad to help you select a great place to watch the Tiger football game that Saturday.
Sources for info: the weekly Memphis Flyer newspaper, the Visitors Center downtown, TripAdvisor on the internet, and getdown@downtownmemphis.com
If you'll be downtown, bring a gun and plenty of pocket change for the wino's and bums.
I'd stay Downtown. If you are on a budget try the Hampton Inn, the Residence Inn, the Springfield Suites, the Courtyard or the Sleep Inn.
If you want to splurge then the Peabody, Westin and Madison are obvious choices, but two other possibilities are the Talbot Heirs Guesthouse and the River Inn on Mud Island.
(08-08-2014 10:51 AM)MemphisTiger15 Wrote: [ -> ]If you'll be downtown, bring a gun and plenty of pocket change for the wino's and bums.
It must be terrifying on a daily basis to go through life as a coward.
(08-08-2014 11:14 AM)3601 Wrote: [ -> ] (08-08-2014 10:51 AM)MemphisTiger15 Wrote: [ -> ]If you'll be downtown, bring a gun and plenty of pocket change for the wino's and bums.
It must be terrifying on a daily basis to go through life as a coward.
How do you know the winos and bums are cowards, they could just be down on their luck?
21-17 has covered it all, essentially. To be specific, and presumptuous, the nice courthouse is the civil courthouse (not the criminal one), nice classic roman architecture. There are some great restaurants and museums downtown and midtown. In the last few years, several districts have emerged with distinct identities -- Broad Avenue and Overton Square (the past two or so years it has exploded) have joined Cooper-Young as districts that complement the downtown areas of South Main, Harbortown, etc.
My favorite places are South of Beale in South Main (nice mix of young and professionals, especially when there's an event in town) and Gus's Chicken, but I've had great times in several areas. Bardog (on Madison west of Autozone Park), Aldo's on Main (in a great pedestrian area with an almost European character of outdoor patios -- Lenny's, Local, the Center for Southern Folklore, and Majestic are in this area, and Silly Goose and Flying Saucer are around the corner). Aldo's has great bartenders that remember you even if you're visiting.
A number of local restaurants have garnered national attention -- the top two that come to mind are actually in East Memphis, around the Clark Tower area (Poplar) -- Muddy's Cupcakes and Hog & Hominy. I've heard that Muddy's may expand though, which is good to hear.
Regarding specific events, some regular (weekly/monthly) events may be over by then. If they're still happening, I'd consider the rooftops of Peabody and Madison hotels, the Dixon Gallery concerts, Overton Square concerts, the Levitt Shell and Handy Park have free concerts. I think you'll miss Trolley Night and Undercurrent which are monthly events toward the end of the month. But it's October, so perhaps there'll be some Octoberfest events throughout. A German restaurant is opening in Overton Square (Schweinhaus?).
If you're looking for outdoor activities, Shelby Farms, Shelby Forest, Overton Park, the Greenline are all pretty popular, among others. There are several farmers markets, if that's your thing, including one in South Main at Central Station. The Zoo is consistently ranked among the best in the country.
Memphis has come a long way in the past few years, particularly in quality of life and self-confidence. And it seems the momentum is just beginning.
(08-08-2014 11:13 AM)3601 Wrote: [ -> ]I'd stay Downtown. If you are on a budget try the Hampton Inn, the Residence Inn, the Springfield Suites, the Courtyard or the Sleep Inn.
If you want to splurge then the Peabody, Westin and Madison are obvious choices, but two other possibilities are the Talbot Heirs Guesthouse and the River Inn on Mud Island.
All of this. The River Inn is very nice, and a little more removed from the hustle & bustle of downtown if you want something a little more calm.
It's a waste of time to acknowledge and endorse contributions and contributors of trollish negativity. Malcontents' desire to limit others -- whether it's in the area of optimism, drive, vision, or just mere enjoyment -- is a bigger internal problem than community one.
As a suggestion, focusing and acknowledging those that contribute to positivity and improvement (including constructive criticism), whose numbers are ever-increasing, probably is more productive, and will result in actual improvements (which many of these critics don't want, given their dependence on negativity). One of the reasons I rarely contribute on the MT political board. We don't have to validate toxicity.
To the OP, I additionally noticed that Katy Perry will be in town on the 5th. Even if she's not your thing, the evening of her show there should be a lot of activity downtown.
(08-08-2014 12:00 PM)tigergreen Wrote: [ -> ] (08-08-2014 11:13 AM)3601 Wrote: [ -> ]I'd stay Downtown. If you are on a budget try the Hampton Inn, the Residence Inn, the Springfield Suites, the Courtyard or the Sleep Inn.
If you want to splurge then the Peabody, Westin and Madison are obvious choices, but two other possibilities are the Talbot Heirs Guesthouse and the River Inn on Mud Island.
All of this. The River Inn is very nice, and a little more removed from the hustle & bustle of downtown if you want something a little more calm.
I'm a Marriott guy so I always stay at the Residence Inn downtown on Madison. I know the Madison Hotel and Peabody rooftops have been mentioned, but the Residence Inn has a great rooftop setting for a spectacular view of downtown and sundown.
I have to recommend the Park Place Hotel at Poplar/I240. It and The River Oaks Grill on the same property belong to some friends of mine.
When I come in for business, I stay at the LaQuinta right next to St Francis Hospital, Ridgeway/Park. Recently remodeled, clean, reasonable rates and easy to get anywhere in town.
If I can't stay there I am pretty loyal to Hampton Inns.
Like 21-17 said, there is a ton to do.
My next trip, maybe Labor Day and I am going to hit Brother Junipers. Always on my list but we never seem to make it. Oh and about three BBQ joints. Need some REAL pork BBQ and not what they sell in Texas.
Oh, also, I've heard Wild Bill's is the place to go for Blues.
(08-08-2014 10:51 AM)MemphisTiger15 Wrote: [ -> ]If you'll be downtown, bring a gun and plenty of pocket change for the wino's and bums.
You are the ying to my yang.
I will fix it for you: If you'll be downtown, bring your big-city common sense, don't feed the panhandlers (they are not homeless), be alert at all times, walk with friends, stay on the beaten path. If you feel uncomfortable or uncertain, turn back. Get directions first, and know where you are going. Call 545-COPS for help. Leave Beale by 11:00 or earlier. Park on the street or in a well-lit garage. Don't use a street ATM or drink so much that you make yourself a target.
Expect to have a good time. Do your best to make that happen by being smart. Be assured that Downtown is statistically the safest precinct in the city, there are lots of police there in the well-traveled areas, and remember that crime can happen anywhere in Memphis from Downtown to Collierville, at any time of day or night.
(08-08-2014 11:14 AM)3601 Wrote: [ -> ] (08-08-2014 10:51 AM)MemphisTiger15 Wrote: [ -> ]If you'll be downtown, bring a gun and plenty of pocket change for the wino's and bums.
It must be terrifying on a daily basis to go through life as a coward.
or jealous.
All the information excellent! Trying to get a beat on kinda the general vibe, but it seems that I should keep away from the Wolfchase area. I think the main issue will be just trying to find the right hotel at the right price because I'm trying to keep it around $150 or less, just to save some money (though definitely considering Hampton Inn around Beale or the Residence Inn). But I also guess Beale after 11 gets bad (or just the area in general?) I was looking at maybe staying in Southaven as well. I've often been to Tunica, but I really didn't want to commute into Memphis from that far to do stuff, though it might be an option. Anyone know anything about staying in Germantown (I've always loved staying in Hyatt's...same for the one on Primacy Parkway)?
I definitely will keep a list of all the places mentioned. I also think I might go to Overton Square and try the Bayou Grill is it? (I had originally planned to go to New Orleans, but I have family in Memphis I've not seen in a very long time so Memphis kinda trumped it). So if there's any kinda cajun places in Memphis too, that would be nice. (Thought about also eating at Restaurant Iris.)
So for the most part I'm looking to stay relatively cheap with a high cost on food and doing things around town and seeing family. Like I mentioned, thinking about the Home2 Suites by Hilton in Southaven, thinking about maybe staying in Tunica, and of course somewhere downtown or East Memphis. I'm considering the Holiday Inn @ University of Memphis as well...and definitely would love a place to spend Saturday to watch Memphis beat Cincinnati (Go Tigers Go!)
If you haven't been to Memphis since '06 you won't regconize Overton Square. It's been completely revamped.
I recommend the zoo. Pink palace, and go to the game!
(08-08-2014 09:25 PM)dfwtxtiger Wrote: [ -> ]I recommend the zoo. Pink palace, and go to the game!
I'll definitely go to those places and Overton Square...and the game is in Cincy!
(08-08-2014 07:29 PM)21-17 Best Time I Ever Ha Wrote: [ -> ] (08-08-2014 11:14 AM)3601 Wrote: [ -> ] (08-08-2014 10:51 AM)MemphisTiger15 Wrote: [ -> ]If you'll be downtown, bring a gun and plenty of pocket change for the wino's and bums.
It must be terrifying on a daily basis to go through life as a coward.
or jealous.
Carrying a gun in downtown Memphis means you're a jealous coward? Oh wait, you're talking about criminals. In that case, you're right.
Really enjoying reading all this. Man, you guys make me miss Memphis somethin' fierce! I moved away in 1994 (twenty years?? good grief, where does the time go??) and it sounds like some great things happening for the city, and especially glad to hear that Overton Square has been resurrected, and Cooper-Young continuing to grow. Beale was my hangout when I lived there, Rum Boogie should have charged me rent I was there so much. Love live blues. Where is Wild Bill's?