Things to do in Memphis?
- Thread starter cobraclone71
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KFitzy87
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DistrictCyclone
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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.
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/northern/2009/04/15/po-monkeys-lounge-merigold-mississippi/
http://http://blogs.crikey.com.au/northern/2009/04/15/po-monkeys-lounge-merigold-mississippi/
This might give people some more ideas:
AutoZone Liberty Bowl Tickets, Hotels and Things to Do | memphistravel.com
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
Try earlier in the day on Sunday. They still have reservations for 4:45 and earlier, though the remaining times are squeezed between the parade and the pep rally.
Also, they have a $30 standing-room-only option for New Year's Eve, although I'm more inclined to go to Mr. Hardy's Blues Hall on NYE.
