Travelcat

Hello! My husband and I are planning a 3 day trip to Memphis in late March and of course, me being a huge Elvis fan, we are doing the Graceland tour. Can you recommend some other fun things to do or see while we are there and a good place or area to stay?
We are in our 30s and enjoy all types of activities. Thanks!

sfamylou

We went last August with some friends and had such a good time. We stayed at the Hampton Inn and had a two-room suite. It was noisy at night, though. We hung out on Beale Street, ate at Isaac Hayes' place (great). Spent a day at Graceland, which was fantastic. We did the platinum tour and I'm glad. We didn't get to Sun Records (well we did, but we had our 2-year-old with us so we couldn't tour). Also, we skipped the Civil Rights Museum, which I wanted to do. Had BBQ at Corky's. We didn't get to the Cardinals minor league game, but the stadium looked like fun. Probably too early in late March, but you could check into it. Also we had drinks in the Peabody lobby and saw the ducks; it was goofy and entertaining. Mostly, we partied on Beale Street and listened to great music. Have a good trip!

SusanCS

You'll definitely want to stay downtown and there are lots of options for accommodations in all price ranges.

As the above poster mentions, the Hampton Inn at Peabody Place is a great place to stay, but it can be VERY noisy if your room is on the Beale Street side. I might also add that this is the highest grossing (and most popular) Hampton Inn in their chain and it's priced accordingly. If you decide to stay there, get a room on the opposite side of the hotel from Beale Street.

The Peabody Hotel is the grand dame of Memphis...if you don't stay there, you should at least be there either in the morning when the ducks "parade" down or in the afternoon when they go up. I can't remember the times, but I think they come down at 10 in the morning and go up at 5 in the afternoon. The Peabody bar has the best people watching in town. It's not unusual to see more than one bride and groom there on a weekend night!

Across from the Peabody is the Radisson...a good choice and less expensive than the other two. There's a Holiday Inn Express across the street that's not too expensive either. Our current favorite place to stay is the Marriott Residence Inn...it's only a couple of blocks away from the Peabody but their rooms are great: they all have full kitchens and their complimentary breakfast is really great! Have fun

bennnie

I found the Dixon Gallery and Gardens to be very interesting. Its a small art museum with beautiful grounds to stroll around in. I bet it would be great in the spring. www.dixon.org

Also in this area (off Poplar Ave outside of downtown)is a very nice book store called David-Kidde. They have a little cafe there that has nice sandwiches and salads.

bennnie

Make that Davis Kidd. daviskidd.com

Also in Downtown is the Gibson Guitar Factory and Museum.

ellen_griswold

We're really not fans of Elvis but enjoyed exploring Graceland and Memphis on one of our long sumemr road trips. Its also where the Lorraine Motel is located, where Martin Luther King was shot. There's a small museum but was closed when we were there(a sunday am). The Hard Rock Cafe is pretty good compared to others we've visited, which includes the vast majority in the US! (fave of DS). We also toured The Hermitage (Andrew Jackson's home) that day but i think its closer to Nashville...?

Travelcat

Thanks for all your suggestions!!!
Any suggestions for places to go on Beale St? Also, skip the zoo since we have no children?

audreyh1

Travelcat,
My boyfriend and I will be going in March also. We leave March 31st. If you return before my trip please let me know everything. We are staying at the Hampton Inn Peabody Place. Thanks,
Audrey in NC

bennnie

Haven't been to the zoo but it does have pandas which makes me want to go.

Travelcat

I'll let you know, Audrey!

SharonG

Don't miss the Civil Rights Museum. It is really wonderful. Also, you've got to go to The Rendezvous for the dry rub ribs. Its in the alley across from the Peabody. Automatic Slim's was another fun place to eat but I haven't been there in awhile so not sure it is still there.

japw82

B.B. Kings is great if you like jazz. Silky O'Sullivan's has a garden with a band and a billy goats gruff theme with actual goats. Really, it is true. You have to see it first hand. It is so hideous it's funny!! Also, stop in at Pat O'Brian's for a hurricane.