BBQ and other Memphis highlights
CULTURAL
What we did…
Graceland: A d’uh, must visit! (Elvis Presley Blvd)
A. Schwab’s: Great shopping for locally made and themed products with a traditional ice cream parlor look. (163 Beale St)
Withers Collection Museum and Gallery: Gallery showcasing the photographs of Ernest C. Withers, who was famous for documenting the Civil Rights Movement. Worth stopping in! (333 Beale St)
Sun Studio: Tours of the classic studio, every hour from 10:30- 5:30pm, about 1.25 hrs. At the end, get a chance to hold the same mic used by Elvis, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and many more. (706 Union Ave)
National Ornamental Museum: “It was metal,” says Rufus. Check out a huge range of metal works (374 Metal Museum Dr)
On our list for next time…
Stax Museum of American Soul Music: If you’re into soul music, definitely worth the visit to explore their collection. (926 E. Mclemore Ave)
Pink Palace Museum: Both a science and historical museum- T-Rex, replica of a Piggly Wiggly, huge train set, planetarium, and an IMAX theatre. Fun stop, especially if it’s too rainy to walk around downtown. (3050 Central Ave)
Brooks Museum of Art: Check out what current exhibits they have when you go, worth checking out if the theme is something up your alley. (1934 Poplar Ave)
Full Gospel Tabernacle Church: Church where Al Green has his sermon each Sunday, when he’s in town. (787 Hale Rd)
Peabody Hotel: Beautiful hotel from 1869 that has the “March of the Ducks”- ducks make the daily walk to the fountain in the morning at 11am, and then leave in the evening at 5pm (149 Union Ave)
ROADSIDE ATTRACTION
Statue of Liberation Through Christ: the Statue of Liberty, sans a torch plus a giant cross. (Winchester Rd, Memphis. World Overcomers Outreach, Southeast corner of Kirby Pkwy and Winchester Rd)
FOOD
What we ate…
Dyer’s Burgers: Diner/burger joint that’s famous for deep-frying burgers in their “ageless cooking grease” (205 Beale St.)
The Pig on Beale: Get their ribs! Smokey and tender- they’re amazing. (167 Beale St)
Gus’ World Famous Fried Chicken: Hands down, the best fried chicken we’ve ever had. Your pick of white or dark meat (730 S Mendenhall Rd)
On our list for next time…
Charles Vergos’ Rendezvous: Famous for their dry ribs (52 S 2nd St)
Cozy Corner Restaurant: Cornish hen and more ribs! (745 N Pkwy)
HOTEL
Embassy Suites Memphis: Great rates for the amenities and size of rooms. Indoor pool and hot tub, plus a huge range of breakfast options that includes omelets and pancakes made to order. Cute factor are the ducks and a stream with koi fish in the huge inside courtyard garden. Downside is it’s a bit far from the downtown area, 25-minute drive with light traffic, if that area is your main focus. About $90 a night. (1022 S Shady Grove Rd)
ROAD BETWEEN MEMPHIS AND NASHVILLE
Billy Tripp’s Mindfield: Totally a must if you’re doing the drive to/from Memphis and Nashville. A man’s artistic and bizarre sculptural monstrosity- 3 stories of metal with a canoe, watchtower, bathtub, toy cars, and decapitated baby dolls. Take the time to soak it all in. (344 W. Main St, Brownsville)