This story is written based on the belief that crews are staying in downtown Memphis as there is nothing nice or remotely nice out by the airport.
Memphis – Home of Elvis, the Blues and great BBQ and flight crews will find all of this and more in downtown Memphis. Weekends are usually the busiest downtown with bars and restaurants busy and music to be found everywhere.
Getting around downtown Memphis is pretty easy. Not that large, you can walk to most places, cab if you need to and then take MATA, Memphis Area Transportation Authority’s, Trolley service in downtown Memphis. It transports nearly 1.5 million locals and visitors every year. These ADA accessible trolleys cover three main routes and pass notable destinations like South Main’s Historic Art District, Sun Studio, Beale Street, the Mississippi River and Cook Convention Center. A one-day pass on the trolley is only $1 and 3-day passes are available for $9.
From the Jungle Room to jungle cats, the Memphis Hop tour bus makes it super simple to explore Memphis attractions without a car. One low price gets you a seat on this hop-on, hop-off tour bus. The Memphis Hop makes stops at 10 Memphis attractions each hour, so spend as much time as you wish to sightsee before boarding the next bus to continue your tour of Memphis. The price for adults is $22 and $17 for children.
Running 7 days a week and nearly every hour, the free Sun Studio Shuttle goes between three of Memphis’ best music attractions – Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum, Graceland (also makes a quick pickup at Heartbreak Hotel) and of course, Sun Studio. Seats are available for free on a first come, first served basis, but this deal is just too good for those without wheels. To make sure you don’t miss the bus, check the complete shuttle schedule.
Rockin’ Running Tours are ideal for individuals or groups (up to 6 people ) who need to burn off a little Memphis barbecue from the night before. Going at your own pace and running past some of Memphis’ most interesting and historical sites, Rockin’ Running Tours are perfect for the visitor who wants to get a little PR with their R&R.
Last, but not least is the Memphis-famous (and free) Jimmy Ogle Walking Tours. Lace up your Nikes for a tour that will fill you with so much Memphis knowledge, you might think your head is going to pop. Jimmy’s Tuesday tours last about 45 minutes, cover four blocks of Downtown Memphis and include history the of Cotton Row, Beale Street, the Civil War and more. Jimmy also offers a Saturday Super Tour. Details and schedules are available on his website.
If you prefer to rent a bike check out Midtown Bike, located at 517 S. Main Street (not too far from the National Civil Rights Museum). They rent bikes by the day. You can rent it online at http://midtownbikecompany.com/articles/rentabikenow-pg816.htm
Need the flexibility of a car, but a taxi doesn’t make sense? Reserve a zipcar online for just under $10/hour ($69 day). Now peep this, the cost of a zipcar includes free gas and insurance!
After you’ve reserved your ride, just tap your membership card against the door and the locks pop open. Zipcars are clean, fuel-efficient hybrids with 24/7 access parked across Downtown Memphis locations. Find out more about car sharing and zipcars in Memphis on their website.
New ride-sharing services Lyft and Uber are now available in Memphis. Both offer a similar customer experience. When you need a ride, just pull up their mobile app and request one. The GPS on your smart phone goes to work matching you with a driver from the area and an estimate on their time of arrival. To find out more about Lyft and Uber, go here.
Nearest Drug Store – If you need a drug store there is a Walgreens at 2 N. Main St. – Open from 7am to 8pm. Ph – 901 525-0036
Nearest Grocery Store – If you are needing a grocery store then look for City Market located at the corner of Main and Union.
Shopping – As for shopping, no major malls anywhere near downtown Memphis but along most streets you will find all kinds of boutiques and shops offering all kinds of items.
Where to dine – If BBQ is what you crave then head for Charlie Vergos’ Rendezvous which is actually in an alley just north of the Peabody Hotel and behind the Holiday Inn. Charlie Vergos’ Rendezvous is closed on Sunday and Monday and open for dinner only from Tuesday to Thursday from 4:30pm to 10:30pm, Friday and Saturday you can grab lunch here as the restaurant is open from 11am to 11pm on Friday and 11:30pm to 11pm on Saturday. If you ask locals who makes the best BBQ in Memphis it is normally one of two names, Rendezvous or Corkey’s and there are no Corkey’s anywhere near downtown Memphis. To dine at Corky’s you need to head for the location on Poplar Dr in East Memphis for the location closest to the airport.
If BBQ, then how about a hamburger, fried in 100-year-old grease. If you consider yourself a hamburger aficionado then you have to stop in at Dyers Hamburgers located at 205 Beale St. This is where they fry the burger in the same grease for the past 100 years. Yes you read that right. To show you how passionate they are about the grease when Dyers move from their original location to their current location on Beale St. they had a police escort to transfer the grease from the old location to the current one. So at least one night, or for lunch, go have a Dryers hamburger and fries.
If fish is your preference then head over to The Flying Fish in downtown Memphis. Enjoy the catfish plate. Lightly seasoned, moist, and served with rice/beans and grilled veggies. You can also find wonderful southern and soul food here. The Flying Fish can be found at 105 S 2nd St.
Other places worth a try include:• Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken serving what else, Fried Chicken and good fried chicken at that. Located at 310 S Front St
• Bardog Tavern – Here you will find pub food including sandwiches and Italian food. 73 Monroe Ave
• McEwen’s on Monroe – Modern American Southern Soul Food. 120 Monroe Ave
• DeJavu – Creole and Cajun plus Southern and Soul Food – 936 Florida St
• Rizzo’s Diner – Creole and Cajun plus Southern and Soul Food – 106 G.E. Patterson Avenue
• Arepa and Salsa – Latin American – 662 Madison Ave
• Earnestine & Hazel’s – Hamburgers – 531 S Main St
• Evelyn and Olive – American and Caribbean Food – 630 Madison Avenue
• Mollie Fontaine Lounge – Tapas – 679 Adams Ave
• Little Cafe Electric – Breakfast and Brunch plus coffee – 111 Harbor Town Sq
• Johnny G’s Creole Kitchen – Creole and Cajun – 156 Beale St
• Bluff City Coffee – Bakery, Coffee, Sandwiches – 505 South Main
• Court House Deli – Sandwiches and Subs – 22 S Main St
What to do:
Sports
Baseball – If it is baseball season check out the Memphis Redbirds. Their stadium, AutoZone Park is just 2 blocks from the Peabody’s north entrance. The Redbirds are the Triple-A minor league baseball affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals. If you have not taken in a minor league baseball game, you owe it to yourself as it is unlike anything you experience at the Major League Level. More intimate and much less expensive. Tickets for a Redbirds game is going to run from $6 to $21 and you can normally just walk up and buy a ticket. Check out the Redbirds website for more info – http://www.milb.com/index.jsp?sid=t235
Basketball – FedEx Forum, located downtown just a block from the Westin, is home to the NBA Memphis Grizzlies. Depending on who they are playing tickets may or may not be available. For more info go to http://www.nba.com/grizzlies/
Hockey – The Memphis RiverKings are a minor league hockey team that play their games in the Lander’s Center in Southaven, MS a suburb of Memphis. For more info go to http://www.riverkings.com/
Football – The University of Memphis Tigers play at the Liberty Bowl Stadium located at 335 S Hollywood St. in Memphis which is about 15 minutes East of downtown Memphis. This is also where the Liberty Bowl is played each year.
Fairs & Festivals
Africa in April emphasizes cultural diversity and ethnicity through music, food, arts and crafts and creative performances. Educational programs examine economics, transportation and African American history while attendees enjoy tasty African treats and cultural performances throughout the festival. The Vendor’s Marketplace gives participants and visitors another chance to experience Africa’s diverse culture right in Memphis. Africa in April is ideal for the whole family as it delivers educational opportunities with Memphis festival fun.
Memphis in May is a citywide festival in Memphis, Tennessee that takes place over three mid-month days. It includes the Beale Street Music Festival, which incorporates more than 60 performers playing tunes from a variety of music genres—rock, blues, gospel, soul and R&B—on four riverside stages. Also at Memphis in May is Desti-Nations International Family Festival, which chooses a different country to honor each year and educates kids and their families about the foreign place. The Memphis Symphony Orchestra always performs at the festival annually and gives families from Memphis and beyond a taste of what it’s like to be in Memphis in May.
Memphis Music & Heritage Festival taking place Saturday and Sunday every Labor Day Weekend. The two-day Memphis Music & Heritage Festival celebrates various Memphis cultures with a diverse mix of events from local performers and musicians presenting a wide variety of Memphis Music including rock, rap, gospel, blues, jazz, spoken word, marching bands, and folk music on six indoor and outdoor stages. Folk art and crafts, food demonstrations from a variety of cultures and cooks, all featuring more than 500 musicians, cooks, dancers, talkers and artisans from the Memphis/Delta region and attracting over 50,000 visitors.
Elvis Week – Elvis Week is a festival that attracts die-hard Elvis fans from around the world to see the King’s Memphis hometown. Relaxing on a beach towel or blanket on the Graceland Mansion ground for Elvis Music & Movies is a great way to pay homage to the legendary musician. The proceeds from nearly every festival event at Elvis Week are donated to various charitable causes, like United Cerebral Palsy and the Elvis Presley Scholarship Fund. The Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest gives audiences a chance to relive Elvis concerts and gives contestants a chance to back in the glory of the King. Everything from Elvis Bingo to a candlelight vigil will keep Elvis fans young and old entertained while celebrating the King’s life in true Memphis form. Taking place Aug. 9 17, 2014
Things to Do
Graceland – Graceland, located approximately 12 miles south of Downtown Memphis, is the second most-visited home in the country (following closely behind the White House), and when you visit you can enjoy tours of the King’s jungle room, pink Cadillac, record collection — even his shoes and gifts sent to him from avid fans. Elvis’ grave is also located on the Graceland grounds.
If you hate crowds, avoid visiting Graceland in August, when Memphis hosts the annual Elvis Week festival.
You can visit Graceland on any weekday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., or from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends. Hours of operation may vary depending on the season. It’s possible to visit Elvis’ grave for free every day between 7:30 and 8:30 am. The cost of house tours and the adjoining Elvis Presley Automobile Museum vary, depending on which attractions you choose to visit. Visit Graceland’s official for more information – http://www.graceland.com
Peabody Ducks – You have to see it to believe it. The March of the Peabody Ducks at the Peabody Hotel. Visit around 11 a.m., when the ducks make their way from their rooftop suite down the red carpet through the hotel lobby and into the Peabody Fountain where they spend their day splashing about. Join the onlookers that gather along the carpet to tap their toes to the beat of John Philip Sousa’s King Cotton March as the ducks waddle past. At 5 p.m., the tune picks up again and the ducks hop out of the fountain and make their way back along the red carpet to their home. Since the 1930’s, Peabody Ducks have been a staple feature of this historic hotel.
Mud Island River Park – Stroll along the River Walk (a scale model of the lower half of the river) or learn about the influence the river had on Memphis’ development at the Mississippi River Museum. If you’re visiting in summer you can catch a concert at the Mud Island Amphitheater; everyone from Jimmy Buffet to Norah Jones and the Zac Brown Band has graced its stage.
If you’re simply looking to escape the busy downtown area, bikes, kayaks and paddleboats are available for rent, plus there are several eateries and plenty of picnic. Mud Island River Park is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m from the end of May to early September; throughout the rest of the year, the park closes at 5 p.m. For a detailed schedule of upcoming concerts and events, visit the Mud Island River Park at http://www.mudisland.com/.
Beale Street – Head over to Beale Street to experience the heart and soul of Memphis. It was here that the blues was born, and many famous musicians — including Alberta Hunter, B.B. King and Isaac Hayes who all got their start here. During the day, stores and restaurants beckon with music memorabilia and savory barbecue, while at night, the area between Second and Fourth Streets comes to life as numerous live music clubs open their doors to music fans of all types. Street performers are always entertaining and the open air concerts in between buildings are awesome. The Beale Street area is also home to several popular attractions such as the Orpheum Theater, the W. C. Handy House and the A. Schwab Dry Goods Store
However, bear in mind that Beale Street is party central, and much like Bourbon Street in New Orleans, this area tends to attract a louder and rowdier crowd. If you are looking for a more laid-back night out then check out Overton Square in Midtown instead.
Memphis Zoo – A five-acre primate habitat, a nocturnal animal exhibit, a vast big-cat area and more. All in all, you can observe approximately 3,500 animals, including the ever-popular giant pandas, Ya Ya and Le Le. The zoo’s small size makes it easy for little legs to navigate, and lectures on the zoo’s furry friends prove entertaining for visitors of all ages.
Located in Overton Park in Midtown Memphis, the Memphis Zoo is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. from March through October and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. October through February. General admission is approximately $15 for adults, $14 for seniors and $10 for children ages 2 to 11. Parking is an additional $5. A complete schedule of zoo events can be found on the zoo’s website – http://www.memphiszoo.org/
Sun Studio – A must-see for music aficionados. The tours will give you a behind-the-scenes glimpse of what it’s like to record music. It literally like taking a step back in the past to see and hear the greats perform. Former owner Sam Phillips helped launch many a music career, including that of Elvis, B.B. King, Roy Orbison and Johnny Cash. Today, the studio is still used by artists like U2, the Spin Doctors and Bonnie Raitt.
Located in Downtown Memphis, the Sun Studio is open to visitors every day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and tours are given at the bottom half of every hour. Admission costs $12 for adults and is free for children ages 5 to 11 (children under 5 are not allowed). There is also free parking, and a café and gift shop on the premises. Free shuttles will cart you to and from the studio and Graceland.
Gibson Guitar Factory Tour – Take a complete tour of the Gibson Beale Street Showcase in Memphis. This memorable tour of Gibson’s Memphis guitar factory consists of an intimate viewing of the facility as Gibson’s skilled Luthiers craft some of the finest guitars in the world. An opportunity to witness the intricate process of binding, neck-fitting, painting, buffing, and tuning that creates these incredible musical instruments. See and hear how Gibson has helped shape the world of music for over 100 years and continues to set the pace for the musical innovations of tomorrow.
The tour lasts approximately 45 minutes. Due to varied hours of manufacturing employees, it is not guaranteed that there will always be Luthiers present. Tickets can be purchased inside the Gibson Retail Shop, located in the Gibson, one block south of Beale Street, directly across from the FedEx Forum and The Westin Hotel.
Then set aside some extra time for the Gibson Factory Store, where you can test drive a wide selection of guitars, pick up your Gibson merchandise, and take home the ultimate souvenir…your own Gibson!
Stax Museum of American Soul – Dedicated to preserving the musical legends that passed through Memphis. The museum is fantastic and the experience is one-of-a-kind. This is a must see in Memphis. If you love this stuff, you’ll go nuts here for weeks.
Easily identified by the “Soulsville USA” marquee, this building was once the home of Stax Records and headlining artists like Otis Redding, Aretha Franklin and Earth, Wind & Fire. Relive the 20th century’s top musical moments, including songs from some of the most popular musicians of the time, including The Beatles, Elton John and Elvis. And don’t forget to stop by Isaac Hayes’ Superfly Cadillac, complete with gold-plating and shag carpeting.
Sitting south of Downtown Memphis, the Stax Museum of American Soul Music operates seasonal hours. From April through October, the museum is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from 1 to 5 p.m. Hours are the same from November to March but the museum is closed Mondays. General Admission is $12 for adults, $11 for seniors and students and $9 for children ages 9 to 12 (free for children 8 and under).
National Civil Rights Museum – Lorraine Motel – Housed in the Lorraine Motel where Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated, the museum features multimedia presentations on the Civil Rights Movement. Stop in and explore the Montgomery, Ala. public bus that sits inside the Montgomery area of the museum. You need to see the exhibitions at this museum first before all other attractions. It provides framework for all other architectural and musical attractions that surround it and puts the past, present the future in perspective.”
Located south of Downtown Memphis, the National Civil Rights Museum is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. (the museum is closed on Tuesdays). Admission is roughly $13 for adults, $11 for seniors and students and $9.50 for children ages 4 through 17. Guided tours are available.
Saving $$ Tips – Consider getting the Entertainment Book for Memphis, especially if this is going to be a city your regularly overnight it. The book normally costs $35 a year but they are running specials right now. Click here to check those out and even look at the cost of a digital version of the book – http://bit.ly/1f2xUtF
Also check with your hotel front desk or concierge and see what restaurants they might recommend and also which restaurants and even attractions they might have discount coupons for that you could use. Sometimes those coupons can save you as much as 10% off your meal.
In any case enjoy your overnight in Memphis and I hope this article gave you ideas on what to do, where to go and eat on your overnight in Memphis!