OT- Vacation in Memphis

[Esquared1]

The girlfriend and I are kicking around the idea of going to Memphis on vacation. Has anybody ever stayed near Beale Street? Is it nice? Did you have a good time?

You opinion is greatly appreciated!

[Pumpy Tudors]

I have a feeling that you're gonna get a lot of, er, unappealing responses. I've only been to Memphis twice, and it was fine, but I wouldn't exactly consider it for a vacation.

[GoldenEagle]

I am from Memphis....

Downtown has changed alot. There are several tourist attractions now. What dates are you considering?

[ahbrady]

I've been to Memphis many times. I live in Little Rock, so it's a pretty short trip. Unless there is something big happening when you plan to go, I wouldn't make it a vacation. I think you would run out of things to do fairly quickly. If you are big Elvis fans, then there's Graceland. Outside of that and Beale Street, there's not much.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Been there, done that.

About the only reason I go through Memphis at this point is that it's on the way to Tunica, MS.

Otherwise ... too damned hot, not all that much to do/see there, not at all somewhere I'd consider as a vacation destination.

[ausonny]

I've lived here my entire life, and would only add Sun Studios and a few other music museums as things to do.

Beale St. is not too far from Tunica, at least compared to the rest of the city. As GE said, downtown is much better than it used to be, Autozone Park and Peabody Place are places to go. Especially Autozone Park, which has to be the nicest AAA Stadium in the country.

[bionicgrov03]

I live in Memphis, and I have to agree with everyone else and say........why Memphis?

If you are just coming here to relax and do nothing, then this is the place. But if you are coming for attractions and a hearty club & bar scene, you might just want to reconsider. If you ultimately decide to come here, I just want to warn that the entire city looks like it needs a good cleaning. I don't want you to be surprised when you get here and say, "damn this city is dirty."

To answer some of your questions, Beale Street is really only happening on Friday and Saturday nights. They tried to make it into another Bourbon Street, but it just hasn't happened yet. The Gibson Guitar Factory is really cool, and to repeat what ausonny said, if you come to Memphis, you have to, absolutely have to, go see a game at Autozone Park. It is nicer than most Big League parks and there is not a bad seat in the park. Just make sure you get some Barbeque Nacho's at the game. Heaven!!!

Hope this helped. If you have any questions, fire away.

[MacroGuru]

I went to Memphis in May, bout the only time I would ever consider vacationing there, all though I am a sick individual trying to find a job there (Hey, it's not Utah!) cause of the family I have there.

Downtown has changed quite a bit since I was last there 2 years ago, but other than that, all is well.

I would just head on south to New Orleans.

[ahbrady]

I've lived here my entire life, and would only add Sun Studios and a few other music museums as things to do.

Beale St. is not too far from Tunica, at least compared to the rest of the city. As GE said, downtown is much better than it used to be, Autozone Park and Peabody Place are places to go. Especially Autozone Park, which has to be the nicest AAA Stadium in the country.

I didn't think about Sun Studios, Tunica, and Autozone Park. I haven't been to Autozone, but I have heard it is one of the nicest stadiums in the nation. I would also echo what someone else said that Beale street isn't the greatest and is nothing if it's not a weekend night.

[KWhit]

Unless you have a burning desire to see Graceland, then I would suggest you pass on Memphis.

[TroyF]

These vacation threads are great. I'll be in Memphis the last week of May and Chicago the third week in July. I have a feeling seeing the minor league park in Memphis will be MUCH cheaper than trying to see the Cards/Cubs game in July.

[Warhammer]

If you like BBQ you need to stop by both the Rendevous and Corky's. Also, we have pandas at the zoo, so if your g/f is into that sort of thing you can go there. Tunica is only 15-20 minutes from downtown, so you can get some gambling in there, plus there is some good golf in the area.

Other than that, we have the three largest crosses in the world off of Exit 15. The wife and I call it Six Flags Over Jesus (not trying to offend any one, but coming from one who attends a decent sized church, that one looks like an amusement park.)

[ahbrady]

These vacation threads are great. I'll be in Memphis the last week of May and Chicago the third week in July. I have a feeling seeing the minor league park in Memphis will be MUCH cheaper than trying to see the Cards/Cubs game in July.

What calendar are you using?

[GoldenEagle]

Corky's is way overrated.

[TroyF]

What calendar are you using?

oops, Memphis in June.

[ahbrady]

Rendezvous is a pretty famous place for BBQ in the downtown area. The food is good, not all it is built up to be, but still pretty good.

[ahbrady]

oops, Memphis in June.
dola

Just giving you a hard time. ;)

[Esquared1]

Watch out, this is long.

Interesting all! Thanks for all the perspectives. Before I ask the follow-up questions, I must mention the "Six Flags over Jesus" thing.

Not that I am in the business of offending anybody either, but. . . back in the day, I worked at a Tastee Freez that employed a fair amount of high school students and Jehovah Witnesses. One JW, Becky, would go on a week's vacation to learn to become a better JW. When asked why Becky was not working one day, Joey, a high school student deadpanned "Becky went to Six Flags over Jesus."

For the past 13 years, it has been a source of humor among my 'ol high school buddies. And now we know exactly where she went! :)

Anyhow, I have the g/f sitting right here rolling her eyes at my story. So I better get to what we were planning to do, in no particular order:

1) Sit around the pool. (the g/f in the sun, and me in the shade)
2) Listen to some music (the g/f remaining fairly sober, and me drinking a fair amount of Bass Ale)
3) Zoos are always welcomed
4) Having a clean room with good service
5) Maybe watching some baseball
6) My g/f having some sort of memory loss and driving with me to Tunica and waiting for me to play some 3/6 hold em. (not very likely)
7) Other assorted gardens/museums
8) Eating BBQ/authentic Southern type food we don't get in Chicago.

Last year, we went to Phoenix during "Christ, it's F'n hotter than hell "week, and managed to have a good time. The g/f is more of a fan of hot weather, since her skin type is more "olive" than my "Norweign" skin type.

Therefore, here are our questions/request for recommendations:

1) Where is a good place to stay downtown? (Or do you know of a place that's not downtown, but has some sort of shuttle service)

2)Is Downtown safe? Will we not want to walk around when I have consumed too much to drink?

3) Is there a fair amount of live music Thursday and Sunday nights?

4) Any other assorted recommendation given the plans we have mentioned above?

That should be enough. The g/f states that my posts includes "too many lists". Therefore, I will not list the reasons why I enjoy going on vacation with my g/f. She lost out on an oppurtunity for me to express my love. :)

Thanks again all!

[ahbrady]

The only hotel I know of that is downtown is the Peabody. I've never stayed there, but it looks fairly nice plus it has ducks. I've walked around downtown many times at night, so I would think that you would be fairly safe. I know nothing about the other two questions, but I'm sure that someone from Memphis will help you out.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Okay, if you're hellbent & determined to go to Memphis, then I'd strongly recommend seeing "The Peabody Ducks". If you're familiar with them, then you already know why -- if you aren't, I'll be doggoned if I can explain them nor exactly why they're so popular.

http://www.peabodymemphis.com/asp/duc_DuckMarch.asp?sec=vgu&sub=duc

It's odd, it shouldn't have any appeal AFAIC, and yet ... my wife made me go & fight the crowd & see 'em and I have to admit I'm glad I did. It's ... Americana. (I don't think it's something I'd do a lot, but the lobby bar was decent and a little alcohol makes most things go down smoother).

Also ... based on your list, these would be worth checking out online to see if they're up your alley

The Dixon Gallery & Gardens (been there, it was okay as I recall)
http://www.dixon.org/

Memphis Botanic Gardens (never been)
http://gardenweb.com/directory/mbg

Brooks Museum of Art (Partnered w/the Smithsonian IIRC, my wife liked it when she went) http://www.brooksmuseum.org/welcome.html
Also, there's a link to a long list of museums & such at
http://www.brooksmuseum.org/public/visitor/default.asp?id=10000033

[ice4277]

I was in Memphis in March for a weekend. It was a side-trip off of a bigger trip I was on. We stayed right downtown at the Radisson across the street from Autozone. If you don't have your hotel yet I would recommend staying there, pretty nice hotel, relatively cheap, right across the street from the park, and a couple blocks from Beale St. Beale was pretty cool if you are into the bar scene, we also went to a Grizzlies game, but outside of that, I would have probably gotten pretty bored had we been there for more than two nights. Overall, not a bad diversion, but I wouldn't want to stay for more than a weekend.

[GrantDawg]

If you must go to Memphis, stay at the Peabody and stay downtown. The rest of Memphis is a dump.

[yonkovim]

Goto Leonard's Pit Barbecue for BBQ, I was just down there for a family reunion and the BBQ buffet is awesome! Here is desc and and address:

5465 Fox Plz, Memphis, TN 38115 · 901-360-1963
Since 1922 Leonard's has been serving up its famous pork sandwiches, ribs and catfish. A la carte menu and serve-yourself buffet are available. If you want catfish, it is only served on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Try the rib feast for two or the "all you can eat" specials - real bargains. Leonard's motto is "what real pit barbecue is all about." Reservations not accepted. Located near the airport on 240 E, exit on Mt. Moriah.

Also on your way down from Chicago you may want to stop by Lamberts Cafe, Home of the throwdrolls in Sikeston, Missouri... Depending on how you are getting down to Memphis that is ( driving )... http://www.throwedrolls.com/

Don't forget to stop and see the Memphis Belle which is pretty cool too.

[GoldenEagle]

I go to Leonards every year for my birthday. That place is great. I would order off the menu though. They have the best BBQ in town.

[GrantDawg]

I go to Leonards every year for my birthday. That place is great. I would order off the menu though. They have the best BBQ in town.
I love the buffett. The BBQ is great, but I like the catfish, too.

[GoldenEagle]

I love the buffett. The BBQ is great, but I like the catfish, too.
BBQ/Spaghetti plate for me with the great rolls they have there.

[Esquared1]

Wow, thanks everybody!