For some reason I do not understand, Memphis is on my list of places I want to go. I have no particular interest in Elvis, dead or alive. When I told a 90-year old client, originally from Memphis, that I wanted to visit her city, she responded "what the h*ll for!" Is she right? What else is there?

We ejnoyed the National Civil Rights Museum. It's on the site of the Lorraine Motel, where MLK was assassinated.

They gutted most of the motel, set up the musem inside. It's arranged as a timeline of the history of blacks in the US. At the end of the timeline, you turn a corner, and there's Dr. King's motel room, preserved just as it was on the night he was shot (right down to a tray of fake room-service food). Quite moving.

http://216.157.9.6/civilrights/main.htm

Try for some jazz on Beale Street, though it's mostly tourist traps nowadays. Also on Beale Street are a tourist info center and a police museum. Or there were, the last time I was in town!

Visit the Memphis Music Museum and you'll find a LOT more musicians than Elvis made their way through Memphis. The Ornamental Metal Art Museum is fairly unique. Check out what's showing at the Pyramid; they have special exhibits all the time. And there's also the Danny Thomas Pavilion at Saint Jude's Hospital.

Go to Memphis during Memphis in May, which is an annual event. Lots of events, all set off by the city's springtime beauty. Highlight is the Beale Street Music Festival, where more than 60 bands perform on 4 stages over 3 days. The performance list will be announced in mid-March; check www.memphisinmay.org.

Don't miss the ducks coming down in the morning at the Peabody Hotel! It's just such a wonderfully silly thing to see, everyone is cheered by it.

Mud Island with its fun, scale-model of the Mississippi river that you can take off your shoes and walk in.

Sun Studios -- recording studio of Elvis, but also many others.

I just find the bluffs down by the river beautiful and there is a nice park to walk along and see the river roll by.

The downtown architecture -- much of which is gone, but some of which dates back to the cotton exchange.

Rhodes College -- gotta' put in a brag for my alma mater -- but it truly is a beautiful campus. All of the buildings are built in the collegiate gothic style, with perfectly pitched slate roofs. Lots of magnolia trees and grass.

Great jazz and blues on Beale. I disagree that it is all touristy. I think lots of the clubs are fun.

Overton Park is a nice park, with a 3-par golf course and an art museum -- what more can you ask for?

Memphis is May is GREAT if you time it right. The world's largest BBQ contest and lots of bands and other events.

I think Memphis is really underrated and is a great 3-or 4-day weekend. Enjoy!

Gail, Memphis is a fun city to visit. Along with what previous posters have said, there is the Sun recording studio to visit, and in May the Peabody Hotel has jazz on the rooftop I beleive on Thursday nights. (Watch the ducks enter the lobby, or exit,for their all day swim in the fountain.) There is also a new baseball park. Have fun.

I am glad that other people enjoyed Memphis, we hated it! I found the city to be dirty and very unappealing. The ducks at the Peabody were the highlight of our trip if that tells you anything. Beale Street was ok, long waits for a table but given that there probably isn't any other decent places to eat there I wasn't surprised. Hopefully the above poster's offered you something of interest but if there are other places you want to visit I would consider those ahead of Memphis.

Well we have been 3X in the last 3 years since my husband's grandmother lives near there. I love Memphis! But not in the summer & the crowds. We go in November around Thanksgiving. Stayed at the Peabody, saw the lighting of the Christmas tree & the children's choral group in the lobby & then a visit from Santa. It was the most festive I've felt in a long time. Nobody to speak of on Beale Street except good music & great food...Rum Boogie Cafe is our favorite. Go to Schwab's drugstore. And the Rendevous, across from the Peabody is a must!

Be sure to visit the statue and grave of General Nathan Bedford Forrest before the PC crowd destroys it!

More suggestions for my beloved hometown (moved away 3 years ago): Take a trolley ride around downtown- do the whole loop and you'll see the better part of downtown from one end to the other, at least for an overview.
Everything already mentioned for things to do are good essientials of Memphis. There is a Gibson Guitan plant and museum recently opened downtown that I've not been to yet, but it looks cool. The Center for Southern Folklore is a funky, interesting place downtown. There is also a firefighers museum downtown. The Orpheum is a beautiful old restored theater- not sure if they give tours, but if a broadway show is playing there, catch it. The Pink Palace Museum is a great general interest museum, with a planetarium and IMAX. The Brooks Museum of Art is also great, as is the Dixon. The Memphis Botanical Gardens was one of my very favorite places- beautiful and peaceful with a Koi pond.
Restaurant suggestions (GatorGirl- get off Beale St. next time to eat): The Pier for seafood (downtown), Rendezvous has the best BBQ in the world, Huey's in midtown for great burgers, Bosco's Brewery and Paulette's (French) in Overton Square (midtown). The Bayou is also in Overton Square, and my husband claims they have the best wings in the world. Memphis Pizza Cafe is also there. For a "meat & 3" home cooked lunch (during the week) go to the Cupboard or the Yellow Rose downtown. Buntyn's is good too- the best rolls you'll ever eat.
Places to stay: The Peabody, of course, although a bit pricey. There is also a new Hampton Inn that backs up to Beale Street- it is the ideal location, in the center of everything, and very nice. Address is on Peabody Place (not the one on Union). Also, there is the Talbot Heirs Guesthouse, directly across the street from the Peabody- it is upscale, but very private and small- only 8 rooms I think. And some rooms have kitchenettes. Web site is www.talbothouse.com. Also there is a Sleep Inn on Court Square.
Memphis is May is a great time, as mentioned by someone else. All info is at www.memphisinmay.org. Musicfest is the first weekend in May, the World Championship BBQ contest is the 3rd weekend. BBQ is more fun if you know someone on a team, although it's just a big party and you'd probably make a few friends. May be too late to try that this year- hotels sell out way in advance.
As you go eastward in Memphis, it slowly becomes more overrun with every chain everything- restaurants, gas stations, grocery stores, Lowe's and Home Depot on every corner, etc as that is where suburbia has spread to- so don't let that be your only impression of Memphis. Please venture to downtown and midtown and see what it's really all about.

Memphis, can you tell me if the Ramada Inn is a good enough place to stay close to the airport for 1 night before leaving for home? Just passing through to the airport this time.

Peggy- never been to that property, and actually haven't been in that part of town in quite some time (if you are talking about the one on Brooks Road). I can tell you that previously, there wasn't much to do in that area- it was/is kind of plain and industrial. Not sure about restaurants. Don't know what your situation is- if you just need a bed for the night, or have an early flight- but if you'd like to go out to dinner or have something to do, check the French Quarter Inn in Overton Square. You'd be directly across the street from the restaurants I mentioned there, and in walking distance to Overton Park where the Brooks Art Museum is, and the zoo for that matter. I'm almost certain they have an airport shuttle. Downtown hotels might have a shuttle as well. Just depends on what you want to do for the evening, if anything, and how early your flight is.

GrapeApe: What did Gen. Forrest do?

Memphis: you mention funky, but are there any hip, trendy places to go?

ttt