Things to do in Memphis?

[UNIGuy4Cy]

I had a roommate take a vacation there once and said a restaurant called "Gus' Chicken" is to die for.....

I can attest to that. Awesome.

[KFitzy87]

Of those who have seen it, is Graceland worth seeing or overrated?

Yeah I thought it was worth it

[DistrictCyclone]

Has Rayford's been mentioned? If not, Rayford's.

[dmclone]

Just read that certain parts of the civil rights museum are closed for a couple months . Too bad, it was the best thing to see in Memphis.

[jsb]

Just read that the civil rights museum is closed for a couple months . Too bad, it was the best thing to see in Memphis.

I just read on the Memphis website that part of it is closed, but you can go on the hotel balcony and see some specific exhibits and it is at a reduced rate.

[isu_29]

Anybody watch man vs. food? Bigfoot lodge in memphis was on his show! I think the challenge was the Sasquatch? I'm going to check that out!

[CyBroncos]

huey lewis and the news playing in tunica on dec 30!

Memphis Concerts, Live Music, Tour Dates, Gigs and Tickets | Songkick

No f**king way...that's really tempting

[Bu4ISU]

Pollos Hermanos?

Chicken Brothers?
4 years of spanish and this is the first time I've used it

[cylentMike]

If you want a true "Blues" experience and are willing to travel two hours south. Check out Po Monkeys. It's would not be family friendly however. Make sure to check their schedule, as they are only open certain nights of the week. I think around New Years time frame they are open more often. I have never been there, a friend of mine was and said it was a great experience. If anyone goes, I expect a full report/review of the experience.

http://http://blogs.crikey.com.au/no...d-mississippi/

[Wesley]

Here are some more things to do in the Memphis area:
Most Daring - ser.7 ep.7 - YouTube

[aauummm]

I've been in eastern TN a couple times, but never western TN.

So what's there to see or do cyclONEnation?

This might give people some more ideas:
AutoZone Liberty Bowl Tickets, Hotels and Things to Do | memphistravel.com

[CascadeClone]

Our warehouse is in Memphis and I have been there a week every year for the last 3 years, most recently in May. Not a super-pro or resident, haven't been everywhere and seen everything, but my $0.02:

Beale St is where you want to hang out if you want to party. Just an open good time. It's bigger than the IC ped mall, but not as disgusting as Bourbon St. Very open, lots of cops, being drunk is ok, but not drunk and disorderly.

Been to BB Kings 3 times, and every time it was the best live music I've ever seen. Amazing. Mostly cover tunes, and it will range from Philadelphia soul to rock to blues, depending on the particular band that night. There are several other places with live music as well. None of the food is anything special, and it's expensive from an Iowa perspective, but not as bad as NYC was last year. There is a place that sells absinthe. You can buy beer on the street in big containers for decent prices. There are a lot of bars. There is a Coyote Ugly that never seems to have more than 2 people in it (though I am usually there on week nights). There is a bar/restaraunt with goats walking around.

For the guys: Flying Saucer on the end of Beale is awesome. 300 kinds of beer, picnic tables to sit in groups in one section, and the wait staff dress code will make an impression (you can thank me later).

There are a zillion restaraunts around town, eating is kind of what they do best. Abuelos is a great Mexican place. Folks Folly is a high-end place, expensive. Many others.

For BBQ, there is tons of good places, favorites will be an individual preference. Rendevous is good, Corkys is good, my fave is The Commissary in Germantown.

As some have said, you have to be careful about where you go, and don't plan walking anywhere at night- even in safe areas, stick to large groups. Downtown by Beale is OK, and suburbs (eg Germantown) is OK, but in between... well, don't go there.

[Cycsk]

If you want a true "Blues" experience and are willing to travel two hours south. Check out Po Monkeys. It's would not be family friendly however. Make sure to check their schedule, as they are only open certain nights of the week. I think around New Years time frame they are open more often. I have never been there, a friend of mine was and said it was a great experience. If anyone goes, I expect a full report/review of the experience.

http://http://blogs.crikey.com.au/no...d-mississippi/

Thanks for the suggestion. Any other thoughts about authentic blues places?

Terra Blues in NYC was incredible. Band started at 9:30 and played until 3:30!

Is B.B. King's in Memphis an old-time establishment? Or like the Orlando International Drive recreation that really just uses his name?

[shassebr]

Beale Street. Interstate BBQ. If coming from Iowa, spend a day or two in St Loius on the way or way back and a day r two less in Memphis. . Memphis really is a dump other than the party scene on Beale, but as others have noted be careful on where you go.

Memphis is a large city that has bad parts, but it is by no means a dump. Is it different than Iowa? Absolutely. Do they have more homeless people? Yep. More crime? Sure. But simple math would tell you the more people you have in a city, the higher those incidences are going to be. Memphis is a great city with great food, great music, and great people. I lived there for two years and at no point did I ever fear for my safety.

[shassebr]

Almost everywhere.

Not true. I wouldn't walk around West Memphis, Arkansas or South Memphsi--but to say "almost everywhere" as high crime areas is quite the exaggeration.