Visiting Memphis questions?

#27
#27
TBrown said:
Haha it’s not 1985. You can jump on 269/385 and get places any number of ways besides Lamar.
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True but if you are staying at Exit 2 in OB, you would be backtracking a good bit if you wanted to go to the Zoo, downtown, etc. if you took 269/385 especially since GPS would take you down Lamar.
 
#28
#28
BigOrangeMojo said:
True but if you are staying at Exit 2 in OB, you would be backtracking a good bit if you wanted to go to the Zoo, downtown, etc. if you took 269/385 especially since GPS would take you down Lamar.
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I think if you make the decision to stay in OB then you aren’t too concerned about the most direct route anywhere.
 
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#30
#30
TBrown said:
I think if you make the decision to stay in OB then you aren’t too concerned about the most direct route anywhere.
Click to expand...

True but if you are an out of towner, you rely on GPS and you don't want to go through Hickory Hill or Lamar and that's where GPS wpuld tske you.
 
#31
#31
Okay, for example: directions from our hotel to the zoo, help me out.
Get on TN-385 W in Memphis from Germantown Rd and Riverdale Rd
Follow TN-385 W, I-240 E and Sam Cooper Blvd to E Pkwy N
Poplar Avenue
 
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#37
#37
Also looks like I can bypass hickory hill and lamar avenue with a couple of alternative routes. It may be 3 or 4 miles longer, but what the hell.
 
#42
#42
Memphis native here, I am not going to downplay the crime in Memphis but I don't think it is quite as bad as its reputation. Most of the violent crime is between people in the city who know each other and crime is heavily concentrated in certain areas. What you should expect though is being asked for money, especially when stopping for gas. It never fails.

Memphis is a tourist city and makes its living off of tourism and it has invested heavily in developing and policing certain areas over the last decade. I went to college and grad school in midtown and lived downtown for about 10 years and whenever I travel back to Memphis, which is about every 3 months, I rarely leave the downtown and midtown areas (I am 36 and my wife is 33 so it fits our lifestyle of eating and drinking). The city and investors have heavily invested in downtown, which runs along the Mississippi River, which now consists of a lot of old warehouses converted into lofts and condos with new eateries and bars.

My list of stuff to do and eat:

Attractions:

Civil Rights Museum
Sun Studio
Graceland
Peabody Ducks
Stax Records Studio
Bass Pro at the Pyramid
Tom Lee Park - along the Mississippi River
Mud Island - it also has a pretty cool and not well know museum on it called the Mississippi River Museum at Mud Island

Food:

BBQ Shop (Midtown)
Cheesecake Corner - My favorite cheesecake place, opens at 5:00pm (Downtown)
Gus World Famous Fried Chicken (Downtown location is the best)
Flight - nice for a date night (Downtown)
Café Pontotoc (Downtown)
Brother Junipers - Breakfast (Midtown)
Muddy's Bake Shop (Binghamton)
Arcade Restaurant - if you are an Elvis fan (Downtown)

Drinks:

Earnestine & Hazels - The most haunted bar in America and only has one item on the menu called the Soul Burger. This is where you go at night after a day of drinking while listening to great local bands - a night spot, not a day spot. (Downtown)
Mollie Fontaine Lounge - My wife favorite bar, open at night (Midtown)
Loflin Yard - My favorite bar, mostly outside and dog friendly (Downtown)
Eight & Sound - Attached to the Hilton Central Station Hotel which used to be my apartment (Downtown)
Railgarten - Mostly college students but its a good place to drink when the weather is nice, has an Austin, Tx feel to it (Midtown)
Lafayette's Music Room (Midtown/Overton Square)
 
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#44
#44
TBrown said:
All depends on what you’re trying/wanting to do. A little context would help.

OB is pretty out of the way for most anything that you would want to do.

Sun Studio does tours that are insightful. I enjoyed going there. Graceland has added a lot of fluff around the house/property tour. It can get pricey to do everything but the house tour is cool.

I only get down there for Grizzlies games now but typically if you’re off Beale by 11pm you’ll be fine. If you’re there past then you can find trouble if you look hard enough.. There are shops and restaurants on the street to see in the day and of course restaurants, music, bars etc at night. I haven’t been down there much in the covid environment so no clue how the atmosphere is. It’ll be during the week also so can’t imagine heavy crowds, especially early in the week. Weather should be pleasant though.

Silky’s and Alfred’s are both on Beale and across the street from each other with ample outdoor seating.

You’re going to be here for a while so I’ll give several recommendations on food.

Rendezvous is really great for atmosphere and beer by the pitcher. Ribs (they’ll be dry rub) and brisket are solid. They churn out so much food it can be a little inconsistent but never bad. I’ve had really good food there but it isn’t the best in the city.

BBQ shop on Madison is the best IMO. They do a bbq sandwich on Texas toast and it’s killer. They also do bbq spaghetti. Little different but if you’re into it’s there to be had. Sweetest sweet tea in the world.

People rave about Central BBQ - there’s a couple locations in the city now - they do a massive bbq nacho plate that’s good. You can also swap out the house chips as the base layer instead of tortilla chips. Hometown secret that’s popular with some. Wings are really good here - honey gold and sweet heat are my go tos.

One and Only BBQ has excellent sauce. It’s different than the others. I get pulled pork/smoked chicken with twice baked potatoes (you want this side) there.

Best overall/most versatile is Commissary. The original is a tiny shop in “old” Germantown. It’s cool but tight. There’s a newer bigger one in Collierville that’s easier to get into but much less vintage. Everything on the menu is good, all you can eat ribs on Monday’s.

For non BBQ, there’s Gus’s fried chicken and Huey’s. Huey’s is a local burger joint. Bar food and bar atmosphere but really good. Cool place to hang out and happy hour 4-10 on weekdays.

Brother Juniper’s breakfast is top notch but you’ll be waiting if you don’t get there early or check in online via Yelp.

Anything else just ask, happy to help.
Click to expand...
Lived there for 5 years and this poster just steered you 100% in the right direction.
 
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#45
#45
GritNGrind1906 said:
Memphis native here, I am not going to downplay the crime in Memphis but I don't think it is quite as bad as its reputation. Most of the violent crime is between people in the city who know each other and crime is heavily concentrated in certain areas. What you should expect though is being asked for money, especially when stopping for gas. It never fails.

Memphis is a tourist city and makes its living off of tourism and it has invested heavily in developing and policing certain areas over the last decade. I went to college and grad school in midtown and lived downtown for about 10 years and whenever I travel back to Memphis, which is about every 3 months, I rarely leave the downtown and midtown areas (I am 36 and my wife is 33 so it fits our lifestyle of eating and drinking). The city and investors have heavily invested in downtown, which runs along the Mississippi River, which now consists of a lot of old warehouses converted into lofts and condos with new eateries and bars.

My list of stuff to do and eat:

Attractions:

Civil Rights Museum
Sun Studio
Graceland
Peabody Ducks
Stax Records Studio
Bass Pro at the Pyramid
Tom Lee Park - along the Mississippi River
Mud Island - it also has a pretty cool and not well know museum on it called the Mississippi River Museum at Mud Island

Food:

BBQ Shop (Midtown)
Cheesecake Corner - My favorite cheesecake place, opens at 5:00pm (Downtown)
Gus World Famous Fried Chicken (Downtown location is the best)
Flight - nice for a date night (Downtown)
Café Pontotoc (Downtown)
Brother Junipers - Breakfast (Midtown)
Muddy's Bake Shop (Binghamton)
Arcade Restaurant - if you are an Elvis fan (Downtown)

Drinks:

Earnestine & Hazels - The most haunted bar in America and only has one item on the menu called the Soul Burger. This is where you go at night after a day of drinking while listening to great local bands - a night spot, not a day spot. (Downtown)
Mollie Fontaine Lounge - My wife favorite bar, open at night (Midtown)
Loflin Yard - My favorite bar, mostly outside and dog friendly (Downtown)
Eight & Sound - Attached to the Hilton Central Station Hotel which used to be my apartment (Downtown)
Railgarten - Mostly college students but its a good place to drink when the weather is nice, has an Austin, Tx feel to it (Midtown)
Lafayette's Music Room (Midtown/Overton Square)
Click to expand...
thank you for this. Really helpful.
 
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#50
#50
I always throw an extra clip in the truck when I go there. But that’s just me.
 
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