John95683
145 posts
Mar 30, 2014
3:45 PM
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My wife and I are considering taking a trip back to Memphis on vacation later this year. Can those of you who are familiar with the city give me some advise on the Beale St. blues scene, food, where to stay, and so forth? Is Beale St. a tourist trap or are here good blues joints? Probably would rent a car to drive down to Oxford, MS and Clarksdale. Any other info would be most appreciated. Thanks.
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The Iceman
1564 posts
Mar 30, 2014
5:05 PM
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Charles Vargos' Restaurant for ribs!!
I enjoyed the tour of Graceland.
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The Iceman
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Slimharp
289 posts
Mar 30, 2014
6:44 PM
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I am originally from West Tennessee. Havent spent much time in Memphis as of late but can tell you a few things. Beale street is major tourist but still has some good music spots. Graceland of course. There are tour companies that have tours of historical Memphis. There is usually fine exhibits at the Pyramid and boat tours on the Mississippi. West Tennessee Bar B Que is some of the best. Try a a franchise chain called Corky's. You may want to check out local music scene mags for venues outside of the tourist areas. If you rent a car there are many civil war sites within short drives. I dont know where you are from, but consider this FORMOST. Unless you are accustomed to high humidity and heat go before June 15 or end of Sept, Early October. Memphis is beautiful in early October. Very pretty. You cant go wrong then, and the tourist crowd has calmed way down. Have fun.
Last Edited by Slimharp on Mar 30, 2014 6:46 PM
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Hondo
288 posts
Mar 30, 2014
7:14 PM
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Iceman is referencing "Rendevous". Go to Interstate BBQ, Cozy Corner and Gus' Fried Chicken. For music, I would check the lineup @ Rum Boogie Cafe and definitely go to Hi Tone. There is a great concert series at a downtown park amphitheater that escapes me right now. Google and I'm sure you can come up with it. As a harp player, I would check Brandon Santini's schedule. Also check Reba Russell and Blind Mississippi Morris's schedule.
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STME58
711 posts
Mar 30, 2014
8:49 PM
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It has been several years since I have been to Memphis. Got there once on the City of New Orleans.
I enjoyed Beale street. At the time I was traveling with young kids and the restaurants were open to kids before 10. It was one of the last times the whole family could enjoy live music. Now I have a teenager who, on principle, can not like anything dad likes.
I particularly enjoyed the Rum Boogie Cafe and BB Kings. Gibson guitar is walking distance from Beale Street and they give tours. Then there is the daily march of ducks (yes real ducks!) at the Peabody Hotel right in that area. Fascinating story on how that got started. The Peabody is mentioned in some rock/blues songs but I can't remember which ones.
Last Edited by STME58 on Mar 30, 2014 10:36 PM
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Chinn
114 posts
Mar 31, 2014
8:23 AM
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I grew up just outside of Memphis and I'm sitting about 15 minutes from Beale St right now.
Beale Street is kinda touristy, but the music is good. +1 for going to see Blind Mississippi Morris (plays BB's often) or Brandon Santini. Anything at the Rum Boogie Cafe is usually good.
Graceland is cool if you're into Elvis, but I think Sun Records is even cooler. There are a couple of blues tour companies which lead tours which are worth the time/$$'s. I took a bunch of out of town co-workers on one last summer, and they thoroughly enjoyed it (and so did I). Even after a lifetime of living here, I learned a bunch of things. The civil rights museum and Gibson Guitar are here as well.
For Barbeque, the Rendezvous is the best bet for ribs. For everything else BBQ, then Interstate or the Germantown Commissary are the best. Corky's is famous, but I think they've lost their touch compared to years past. Don't go to a BBQ joint in Memphis and ask for beef BBQ. That's like going to a blues joint and asking the band to play an easy listening song.....
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Slimharp
298 posts
Mar 31, 2014
8:33 AM
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Chinn - Pulled Pork, sauce on the side, cole slaw.
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The Iceman
1566 posts
Mar 31, 2014
9:36 AM
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There's also this real cool area downtown by the river...some kind of small scale accurate reproduction of the area that you can walk through.
Great town!
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The Iceman
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Chinn
115 posts
Mar 31, 2014
10:40 AM
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You got it Slim!
Iceman, that is Mud Island.
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hooktool
125 posts
Mar 31, 2014
11:01 AM
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The Ornamental Metal Museum is awesome and way more interesting than it sounds. The worlds best blacksmiths, bladesmiths, sculptors etc are there at various times, and will be working, and the museum has several exhibits on display at most times.
Its a fabulous restored mansion right on the bluff above the river.
John
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