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Going to Memphis this weekend..tips?

RicPlaya

RicPlaya

Apr 22, 2003
2,703
163
51
The Mitten
#1
Ok TBers..the little lady and I are going to Memphis for a long weekend. We are staying near Graceland. The things we are doing is going to Graceland, Sun and Stax records, and Beille (sp)street. I want to ask some of you folks where is the best venues to see good music, blues and jazz? What are some other sights? Where's the best food, BBQ and soul food etc.
 
#2
Oh boy! Beale St! That's all you need to know. Plenty of places to eat. Plenty of clubs and music. Just park your car in Peabody Place, and walk around downtown. Other than downtown, Memphis doesn't have too much to offer. If you enjoy nature, there's always Shelby Farms. Hmm. Let me know if there's anything you specifically want to know. I'd be glad to help.

Also, just a tidbit: 95% of Memphians can't even tell you where Graceland is.
 
#5
higgi said:
I haven't lived near there in many years, but I liked King Mongo's, The Antenna Club, 616, the Babylon café and for dessert, Jack Daniels Chocolate Pie from the Rum Boogie Café.
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I don't think any of those exist anymore, except for Rum Boogie. 616 has been closed for many, many years. I played both their and at Antenna in my youth.

My first suggestion if going to Memphis: DON'T STAY ANYWHERE NEAR GRACELAND! Graceland is in a bad part of town, and there is nothing to do in that part of town EXCEPT Graceland. Stay downtown, Graceland is only about 10 minutes away by car.

For bbq, hit the Rendevous in downtown. Fantastic ribs. If you want a nicer meal, I would highly recommend either Automatic Slim's or McEwan's, both of which are also downtown. If you like beer, hit the Flying Saucer. It's one of those "beers from around the world" places. Don't forget to walk through the Peabody Hotel lobby, it is quite impressive.

Isn't there also a Gibson museum in Memphis now?

Many of the clubs downtown have pretty good music. BBKings (yes, I know it's a chain) usually has some pretty good blues, especially on the weekends. The other clubs can be hit or miss, but you can just stand outside and listen for a few minutes and listen before to pay the price of admission.
 
#7
guy n. cognito said:
I don't think any of those exist anymore, except for Rum Boogie. 616 has been closed for many, many years. I played both their and at Antenna in my youth.

My first suggestion if going to Memphis: DON'T STAY ANYWHERE NEAR GRACELAND! Graceland is in a bad part of town, and there is nothing to do in that part of town EXCEPT Graceland. Stay downtown, Graceland is only about 10 minutes away by car.

For bbq, hit the Rendevous in downtown. Fantastic ribs. If you want a nicer meal, I would highly recommend either Automatic Slim's or McEwan's, both of which are also downtown. If you like beer, hit the Flying Saucer. It's one of those "beers from around the world" places. Don't forget to walk through the Peabody Hotel lobby, it is quite impressive.

Isn't there also a Gibson museum in Memphis now?

Many of the clubs downtown have pretty good music. BBKings (yes, I know it's a chain) usually has some pretty good blues, especially on the weekends. The other clubs can be hit or miss, but you can just stand outside and listen for a few minutes and listen before to pay the price of admission.
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There's no Gibson museum, but you can tour the factory. All you will really see are hollowbody guitars, though.

My sister actually works at the flying saucer. It's pretty close to Beale, and as stated before, there are plenty of places to eat along Beale St. Isaac Hayes' restaurant is one of my favorite places to eat.
 
#9
guy n. cognito said:
I don't think any of those exist anymore, except for Rum Boogie. 616 has been closed for many, many years. I played both their and at Antenna in my youth.

My first suggestion if going to Memphis: DON'T STAY ANYWHERE NEAR GRACELAND! Graceland is in a bad part of town, and there is nothing to do in that part of town EXCEPT Graceland. Stay downtown, Graceland is only about 10 minutes away by car.

For bbq, hit the Rendevous in downtown. Fantastic ribs. If you want a nicer meal, I would highly recommend either Automatic Slim's or McEwan's, both of which are also downtown. If you like beer, hit the Flying Saucer. It's one of those "beers from around the world" places. Don't forget to walk through the Peabody Hotel lobby, it is quite impressive.

Isn't there also a Gibson museum in Memphis now?

Many of the clubs downtown have pretty good music. BBKings (yes, I know it's a chain) usually has some pretty good blues, especially on the weekends. The other clubs can be hit or miss, but you can just stand outside and listen for a few minutes and listen before to pay the price of admission.
Click to expand...

Thx GNC!
 
#14
RicPlaya said:
Cheese and beer....for sure!
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check out neeleys on jefferson for some good "wet" barbq
you might have trouble finding the rendevouz so just walk into the peabody and ask someone to point you down the alley its in.

big foot cafe down from the flying saucer is cool.

DONT STAY NEAR GRACELAND!!!!!!!! you'd be better served stayin downtown and driving over there. just drive fast lol

check out the civil rights museum which is nice. the pink palace is kinda cool if you are out that way. feel free to shoot me an email and i can recommend stuff on the fly lol.
 
#15
Jon Burnet said:
check out neeleys on jefferson for some good "wet" barbq
you might have trouble finding the rendevouz so just walk into the peabody and ask someone to point you down the alley its in.

big foot cafe down from the flying saucer is cool.

DONT STAY NEAR GRACELAND!!!!!!!! you'd be better served stayin downtown and driving over there. just drive fast lol

check out the civil rights museum which is nice. the pink palace is kinda cool if you are out that way. feel free to shoot me an email and i can recommend stuff on the fly lol.
Click to expand...




Wet BBQ?

I am staying at the heartbreak Hotel..right across from Graceland:eek: I'm from Detroit, i should be allright.

What is the big deal with the peabody? Civil right museum, I heard that is very cool. They have the actual hotel room and part of the hotel where MLK was assassinated, and they have the roo just like it was when he was killed.
 
#17
RicPlaya said:
Wet BBQ?

I am staying at the heartbreak Hotel..right across from Graceland:eek: I'm from Detroit, i should be allright.

What is the big deal with the peabody? Civil right museum, I heard that is very cool. They have the actual hotel room and part of the hotel where MLK was assassinated, and they have the roo just like it was when he was killed.
Click to expand...

Well, not only is it not a good neighborhood, but most of those hotels are pretty crappy and there's just nothing to do in the area other than Graceland. Better to stay downtown and make Graceland an afternoon trip. Everyone I know that has stayed near Graceland has regretted it.

The Peabody is a grand old hotel, and has been fully renovated. It's just neat to see. Plus, they have ducks in the lobby. :eyebrow:
 
#19
guy n. cognito said:
Well, not only is it not a good neighborhood, but most of those hotels are pretty crappy and there's just nothing to do in the area other than Graceland. Better to stay downtown and make Graceland an afternoon trip. Everyone I know that has stayed near Graceland has regretted it.

The Peabody is a grand old hotel, and has been fully renovated. It's just neat to see. Plus, they have ducks in the lobby. :eyebrow:
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Speaking of Ducks, I plan on visiting Sun records...Donald Duck Dunn was a great one. The ironic thing is i live near Detroit, and have not visited the Motown museum yet.
 

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