edeevee

We are four ladies: Mama and her best friend, Gladys (in their 70s), my bff and me (in our 50s). Last year, with much help from kind Fodorites, we planned an amazing trip to New York. we had so much fun that we'd like to try traveling together again. This time to Memphis.

We're planning a long weekend in early September. Mom and Gladys have health concerns (heart, lung) so we need to minimize walking, especially in the heat. Tips on bathrooms along the way are also appreciated as Gladys takes water pills that seem to go off like time bombs.

Graceland, Sun Studio, the Peabody Ducks, barbeque and Beale Street are all on our wishlist. Mama and Gladys aren't much for museums but they love a good bus tour, seeing a real slice of the city, souvenirs, and a great bargain.

Can you help?

tomfuller

Where are you all gathering to make your journey together?
My first thought: The City of New Orleans leaves Chicago Union Station at 8PM every night. It arrives in Memphis about 6:30AM (10.5 hours). On the train you have a bathroom within 60 feet of you at all times.
Drop off your luggage at the hotel and take off to see your sights until check in time.

bachslunch

I'd definitely stay downtown in the area just above Beale Street. The Peabody and Talbot Heirs Guest House are two options to consider here.

Here's my trip report for a visit I did to the city. What I actually did is located later in the thread:

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...-itinerary.cfm

and here's one for food:

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...experience.cfm

Note that Memphis is one of the best places in the US for BBQ.

Given mobility issues, it may well be a good idea to rent a car here unless you're sticking solely to the attractions right on or close by Beale. Though there was last I heard a shuttle service that connects the Rock and Soul Museum close by Beale Street with both Graceland and Sun Studios.

musicfan

We lucked into a great rate at the Peabody on Travelzoo a few years ago and LOVED it there--what a grand place! I also periodically get emails with specials from them so you might see if you can sign up on their website to get them.

There is a trolley/bus that makes a loop through downtown, stopping at the major attractions (Beale Street, Civil Rights Museum). I read about the shuttle to Graceland and Sun Studios, but since we had a car, we didn't utilize it. Enjoy your planning--looking forward to reading another one of your outstanding trip reports!

spirobulldog

Blues City Cafe is my favorite place on Beale Street. Don't let the guy that opens the door scare you before you even go in. Blues City has a good ribs, catfish, tamales, and thier seafood augratin is really good. Also good is Rendevouz for bbq.
Right around the corner from Beale Street is Gus's Fried Chicken. Very good and get the fried green tomatoes there too.

paula1470

YOu said your Mom and Gladys weren't much for museums but I don't think you should miss the Civil Rights Museum. That along with Sun Studios were my daughters and I favorite things in Memphis. It's not a huge museum so the walking wouldn't be bad and it would get you out of the heat for a little bit. Have fun, we loved Memphis but didn't go in the summer!!

willowjane

I am a huge fan of talbot heirs but those stairs are steep to get upstairs to the rooms. We loved Graceland and really enjoyed our day there. Not sure if you like art museums but there are two nice ones in town (Brooks and Dixon). Sun studios was an awesome experience too! We had a car and had no difficulty getting around. We noticed there were lots of smaller bus tours all over the city. We spent cocktail hour at The Peabody and had great fun people watching and duck watching. I enjoyed your NYC trip report and I can't wait for this one.

bachslunch

Will second spiro's food suggestions, though I wasn't able to get to Rendezvous, as they were closed for vacation when I went.

Much as I enjoyed the Civil Rights Museum (it's a must as far as I'm concerned, and one of the best such museums I've visited), I would consider it a sizable place, well worth spending a few hours or so in.

bachslunch

Of the two museums willowjane mentioned, the Dixon is a small house-style museum (with gardens) reminiscent of the Frick in NYC and Gardner in Boston, while the Brooks is a larger, more traditional style art museum. Given your mobility issues, you'll want a car to reach them. Both are certainly okay, though the art museum I liked best in Memphis was actually the Belz (right downtown and crammed full of wonderful Chinese carvings and sculpture, much of it from the 18th and 19th centuries).

mztery

and at Sun Studios you can "pretend" record with microphones on one of the studios - great fun!
I don't have a lot of advice -DH has been there but i haven't - but I look forward to the thread unfolding.

I would be careful about the heat - even going in May, DH said there was a LOT of humidity and hotter than he expected.

mztery

The other thing I remember, was that a hotel w/ a fridge is a must. Portions are HUGE in restos and DH often ate leftovers for breakfast.

edeevee

So good to see some of you again and hello new friends!

tomf: Mom will be visiting central Illinois in September so we'll leave from Champaign. We were strongly considering the City of N.O. (if for no other reason than I love that song). But then my daughter took the Megabus from Omaha to Chicago last weekend. She reports it was clean, comfortable and had a bathroom. I checked the websites and the four of us can take the overnight bus to Memphis for only $155 -- that's the TOTAL for all four of us! You know how much we like a bargain We do plan to take your advice re droppping the bags at the hotel before we see the sites. Thanks!

bachs: Great trip reports! I've scanned through them once already and will take my time to glean every speck of info out of them next. I'm not sure about renting a car yet. At first glance it looks like most of our 'must do's' are accessible by trolley or that shuttle thing -- if I can figure that out.

mztery: Thank you! Thank you for reminding that Mama needs a refridgerator in her room for her medicine! I'd completely forgotten about that. It lets a whole lot of downtown hotels out, and of those that do offer in room fridges -- most were already sold out on our dates.

musicfan: I was trying to justify the extra expense for the Peabody (It looks so nice!) until mztery reminded me that we need a fridge. That makes it a no-go I need to learn more about the tolley and the shuttle to decide if we'll need a car or not. Was the trolley pretty easy to use?

spiro: How scary IS the guy at the door? lol. Blues City sounds great, as does Rendezvous and Gus'. Thanks!

paula and willowjane: I LOVE museums of all kinds. Ironically, I developed that love while dangling off my mother's arm. When I was a kid she took me to all of them and only admitted last year (when we were planning our NYC visit) that she didn't care for them much. Your info won't go to waste though. I'm already thinking this won't be my last visit to Memphis. Next time I'll take my husband. He lived there for a short time as a child and has never been back. He's a blues afficianado. He's always shared my enthusiasm for "regular" museums -- and I've dragged him through so many art museums in our 30+ years together that he's developed a taste for them too. Thanks!

SusanCS

We're frequent visitors to Memphis and after staying in LOTS of downtown hotels (including the Peabody), our current favorite is the Marriott Residence Inn. Their units all have fully equipped kitchens and their free breakfasts are really good! It's a couple of blocks away from the Peabody. They also have 2 bedroom units.

I've never taken the shuttles in Memphis, but I know there's one that goes to Sun Studios, Graceland, and a third place I've forgotten. It's free...you might want to check into it.

edeevee

The Residence Inn is sold out for the weekend we plan to be there. I've made cancellable (is that a word?) reservations at the Comfort Inn Downtown for now. Have you ever stayed there, Susan?

musicfan

You probably already know this edeevee, but did you just check online for availability at the Residence Inn? I've been able to get rooms at "sold out" hotels by calling the property directly--just a thought.

And even though you can't stay at The Peabody, definitely plan to have a drink in the lobby---it's gorgeous!

The trolley was easy to use and really reasonable because we were traveling on it mid-day.

mztery

If there's a hotel you like that has availability, call and ask if they can provide a small fridge. Especially if you explain it's for medication some places will accommodate you.

A friend just returned from Memphis - they did not have a car and between the trolley and a couple of taxis they were fine.

The megabus is a great deal but for an overnight deal where i might want to hit the ground running when I arrive I much prefer the train. The megabus is more likely to be on time, however.

tomfuller

When a train is scheduled to arrive at 6:30AM I don't care if it does not arrive at 8AM really. The bathroom on the City of NO will almost certainly smell better than the bus bathroom by the time you get to Memphis. The $39/pp fare is good.

SusanCS

edeevee - no, I have not stayed at the Comfort Inn, sorry

edeevee

Huh? I knew not to trust places like hotrooms or priceline but I never would have guessed that if I used a hotel's own site they might not have accurate information -- or that they might provide a fridge even when it's not listed as an ammenity.

I may just stick with the Comfort Inn though. They have consistently good reviews on several websites. They're on the trolley line. They meet the fridge requirement. They offer a free breakfast -- so Mom can grab something to eat with her meds in the morning. And they are really well priced. If a great bargain pops up at the Peabody (and I can get a fridge there) I can still jump on it.

Speaking of the Peabody ... which is preferred, watching the ducks in the morning or evening?

As for train v. bus question, I'm sure you guys are right. Alas, I've already fallen victim to a combination of shiny object syndrome, nostalgia and a clever marketing ploy.

For years, my aunts, cousins and a couple dozen other women all boarded a charter bus on the Saturday after Thanksgiving for a huge mall in the Chicago area. The trip was less shopping, more rolling reunion. So, when I think 'bus', I get a warm, fuzzy feeling that the rest of the population probably doesn't share. Add to that the Megabus pricing strategy of Buy NOW While Prices are Low, Low, LOW! ... and I couldn't resist. I've already booked our fares

edeevee

Day One Itinerary?

Arrive 8AM North terminal of Memphis Transit Authority. Purchase 3 day passes ($8/adult, $4/senior. Board trolley to hotel. Drop off bags.

Find breakfast. Where?

Make our way to Blues City Cafe on Beale by 11:15 to board the Big Mojo bus tour. Tour is on a reconditioned 50's era bus with singing tour guide, overview of the city and includes a one hour guided visit to Sun Studios.

Return to hotel via trolley 2:30-3:00ish. Check in. Nap or pool.

5:30ish: Back to Beale Street for dinner. Best barbeque downtown?

Explore Beale Street. Mom and Gladys are more rockabilly/roots rock/country fans than blues. My friend won't care as long as there is booze available. I love all kinds of music (and all kinds of booze too). I think the ladies would really enjoy some kind of Elvis impersonator type show. Is there a club that features something like that?