Tor

Can anyone recommend any decent hotels we're British and visiting Memphis next year for the first time. Also plan to go to New Orleans. Any do's and dont's? Thanks awfully.

Molly

Hey yall, check the Louisiana posts for tons o'stuff on Nawlins. Have a great time, cheers!

SharonG

Try the Peabody Hotel in downtown Memphis. It is lovely and they have ducks in the lobby that swim in a fountain. In the morning they have a little ceremony where the ducks come down in the elevator from the roof where they live. They walk across a little red carpet to music and jump in the fountain. In the evening they repeat it only this time they go up to the roof by elevator. People line up to see this and it is really cute. Plus, downtown Memphis has really perked up and the Peabody is centrally located. When I lived there, there was a great Russian restaurant just down the street and another fun place, Automatic Slims around the block.

Harriett

I'll second the vote for the Peabody -- it's a great place to stay and within walking distance of Beale Street and most of the downtown must-see stuff. Be sure to check out the Rendezvous for a truly unique dining experience -- but the Peabody also has great dining choices, especially the cafe on the lower level. We've eaten there several times and never had a bad meal, although that was five years or so ago.

susan

I absolutely agree with the Peabody. The hotel itself is an institution and watching the ducks is great!! If you want the same location but not prices so high, you might stay directly across the street at the Radisson or Holiday Inn Express. While there, you should walk around Beale Street...there's always lots going on there.

Ess

How are you planning to get from Memphis to New Orleans? If you rent a car in Memphis you can drive south through Mississippi along the Mississippi River, stopping along the way to visit various towns and sites of interest, such as Clarksdale (Delta Blues Museum), Greenville, Vicksburg, Natchez, and many more. Enjoy your trip!

Ess

Tor,

to continue...

I can't really think of any particular do's or don'ts. Southerners are quite friendly and hospitable, and generally very polite. They'll probably be very interested in where YOU'RE from.

I don't know whether or not you're from a fast-paced environment, but Southerners usually take things slowly. Service workers aren't accustomed to the "hurry up!" attitude you find in a lot of cities. If you're used to a more hectic pace, you'll probably enjoy your visit more if you can slow down a little, and take your time.

John

Tor:
Above posts are quite right. The Peabody in Memphis and mentioned restaurants for sure. Also Graceland if you're an Elvis fan.
My wife and I live 90 miles from Memphis and are frequent visitors. We just got back from the UK and enjoyed it thoroughly. Felt right at home as I'm sure you will while visiting Memphis.
John

susan

One other option. If you like to gamble, Tunica, Mississippi is only a 30 minute drive from downtown Memphis and has lots of relatively new casinos and hotels.