***Memphis Travel - Hotels and Things to Do***

[CycloneAlley]

Any recommendations on hotels to stay at in Memphis from those who were there for our last bowl game there or live there?


Also, What are some attractions that people enjoyed?

Thanks!

 

[ISUCyclones2015]

Top of the pyramid at sunset is pretty cool. Costs money to get up but I think you get reimbursed if you buy so many drinks or you get a drink for free or something like that

 

[jsb]

I'd highly recommend staying very near to Beale Street. Not a lot of places open right now, but I suspect they will open up.

Last time we did Graceland, Sun Studios, the Lorraine motel, spent lots of time on Beale Street.

 

[cycloner29]

Staying at a Hampton Inn and using points!! More money for alcohol!!

 

[Cycsk]

Gibson Guitar factory with tours of the manufacturing floor.
Civil Rights Museum, including car, hotel, and window from which MLKJ was shot.
Grizzlies game.

All close to Beale Street.

 

[ISUCyclones2015]

That was the view the last time I was up on the Pyramid in Memphis at sundown.

 

[J-Diggy]

Had Gus's fried chicken (downtown location) - excellent.
Picked up Central BBQ at location near Liberty Bowl stadium for tailgate - also excellent.

Graceland, of course.

 

[CascadeClone]

Former employer had a warehouse in Memphis. Went down almost every year to audit operations. My $0.02:

Eats-
Commissary is best BBQ in town, or was last time I was there
Corkys is like WalMart - kind of looked down on but always really good
Rendevous - not quite as good as the above, but more expensive
Gus Fried Chicken - the locals get the catfish

Beale Street-
Booze is expensive, but its a fun place. Like Bourbon St in NO but without the dead bodies and human feces in the street. Food is okay most places, none of it is great and some places are terrible.
I always loved BB Kings. Food is average, booze is pricey, usually a cover charge. But you will listen to the best live music you have ever heard. Seriously, been there at least 4 times, and every time was just blown away by the no-name house band musicians.


Note that about 90% of the town is not safe, including the area around the stadium. Seriously, don't be outside anywhere after dark, unless you can see at least 50 other people around you. Beale is fine, lots of police there. But be careful when leaving there to get back to hotel.


Last but not least, here's a fun fact: approx 70% of all buildings in Memphis are either Baptist Churches or Walgreens. Not exaggerating. Look around.

 

[cyIclSoneU]

I'd highly recommend staying very near to Beale Street. Not a lot of places open right now, but I suspect they will open up.

Not that important IMO, Memphis has Uber.

 

[cyIclSoneU]

Germantown Commissary is really good especially if you're staying out in the burbs and it's more convenient one night.

 

[jsb]

Not that important, Memphis has Uber.

I'm a firm believer in staying where the action is. It's a personal preference, but I'd be $100 extra a night not to have to uber or taxi or anything like that.

 

[cyIclSoneU]

I'm a firm believer in staying where the action is. It's a personal preference, but I'd be $100 extra a night not to have to uber or taxi or anything like that.

Different strokes, if Memphis didn't have Uber I'd agree, but it does so I wouldn't do that myself.

 

[DevilDog]

Staying at Residence Inn in Germantown using our free points. Looking forward to Jack Trice South.

 

[CyDude16]

Note that about 90% of the town is not safe, including the area around the stadium. Seriously, don't be outside anywhere after dark, unless you can see at least 50 other people around you. Beale is fine, lots of police there. But be careful when leaving there to get back to hotel. .

Lol this part is straight up hyperbole, and super iowanish

 

[ISUCubswin]

Do not go to South Memphis.

Wear a bullet proof vest.

Enjoy the BBQ.

 

[ISUCubswin]

Lol this part is straight up hyperbole, and super iowanish

To be fair, both nights I was on Beale 5 years ago, I saw massive fights break out which required multiple cops breaking it up, including one of which where the cop said one person had a knife, though it was never used.

Love the scene. As long as you don't bump into anyone or do anything non-Iowanish, you'll be fine.

 

[ISUCyclones2015]

Also remember you'll stick out like a sore thumb wearing giant red and yellow ISU gear.

But I agree, not that unsafe if you don't do anything stupid and mind your own business.

 

[dmclone]

Lol this part is straight up hyperbole, and super iowanish

Silly Iowan's now wanting to get knifed.

 

[jsb]

Silly Iowan's now wanting to get knifed.

You probably have as good of chance to get shot in Waterloo as you do in Memphis.

Be aware of your surroundings and don't be stupid and you'll be fine.

 

[CyclonesMoney]

Where do we buy game tickets though? I got hotel booked already and I remember Jamie Pollard said we should buy tickets through ISU and I don't see crap on ISU site. Just don't want to be left out and start panicking at last minute.