Beale Street
 

Our road trip includes a stop in Memphis. Sis just called and is very excited after reading a little about Beale st. and all the music and neon lights.
Can someone tell us a little about it? Wandering the street and popping in and out of the bars, listening to the music sounds great.
Also, are there casinos in that town?
Thanks all

First of all, there are no casinos in Tennessee, but there are 9 fairly big casinos in Tunica, Mississippi, which is only about a 30 minute drive from downtown Memphis (the Beale Street area). It's not like Las Vegas, where you can walk between casinos, so you'll be happy to have your car.

Some folks are disappointed in Beale Street because it's got such a huge reputation for such a small place. If you're accustomed to other famous "streets," you may be disappointed! But my husband and I go to Tunica fairly often and always spend the night in Memphis because it's fun!
I honestly don't remember seeing many - if any - neon light there; the part of Beale Street that you'll be interested in probably isn't more than about 4 or 5 blocks. It's more fun on weekends, when the music is better and there are street entertainers. You should also check out the Civil Rights Museum - definitely one of a kind.

There are lots of hotels in all price ranges downtown. At the high end are the Peabody and the Madison ( you really NEED to go see the ducks either go up or come down - it's wonderful and quirky!) At the lower end financially are the Holiday Inn Select and the Sleep Inn. Lots and lots of places are in between. Ask more questions if you'd like!

My wife was born and raised in Memphis and I've been there probably 50 times in the last 20 years. It's a great town. Over that time, downtown has really come back. Comprised of Beale St, galleries, museums and other things like the Gibson Guitar factory, Graceland, the new ball park, Memphis downtown is so much better than 20 years ago. And, the pork bbq is to die for. The people are friendly and the the pace is nice. We look forward to going back there many more times.

Thanks so much for the reply Susan... I did just read about the fact that there are no casinos, but that they are in Tunica. We really do not need them anyway (last minute trip, doing it as cheap as possilbe).
We are looking forward to checking out the music, not at all used to any big time streets, so will not be disappointed.
They say that the BBQ is the best in this town, do you have dining recommendations?

You have to go to Rendezvous for BBQ, especially the ribs! It's just down the street from Beale Street, in the alley across from the Peabody. They do the dry rub, I've heard they are hit and miss, but the night we had them they were a big "hit"! We also had BBQ at Blues City Cafe on Beale St, another good/fun place to eat. BBQ wasn't as good as Rendezvous, but still a very enjoyable place, lots of character.

Wow...as soon as I saw the title of this the song "Walking in Memphis" (with my feet 10 feet off the Beale)
by Marc Cohen popped into my mind (and will probably be there all nite lol).

Thanks for the info everyone.

I stayed in a hotel in Memphis a few years ago and I want to go back but I can't for the life of me remember the name of it.
It was around the corner from Beale st, I remember walking there. In the lobby there is an old brick wall that belonged to the original building and they kept it there.
Does anyone have a clue as to what hotel that is?
I had a really great time there last time, Rendevous bbq definitely fantastic, try the bbq lamb. Delicious.