Should I plan a visit here in the summer? what to see and do? what about Graceland and Mud Island?

Have visited Memphis. It's going to be pretty muggy in the summer but its a neat city. Usually the Pyramid downtown has some really cool exhibits. (We saw the Titanic exhibit there and they did a really nice job with it). I've heard Graceland is cheesy but actually pretty fun. Enjoy!

Check out Sun Studios (where Elvis is just ONE of many rockers who got their start), Beale Street, the walking of the ducks at the Peabody Hotel, the Memphis Music Museum, Overton Park, and Civil Rights Museum (where Martin Luther King Jr was killed). Graceland is fascinating in showing what happens when someone has 100 times more money than taste. Make ABSOLUTELY certain you drive down Presley Blvd and buy Krispy Kreme glazed donuts just out of the oven. They're the best in the world, beyond ANY question.

If you like Bar-B-Qued ribs you must
eat at corky's on Poplar Ave. They have
the best ribs in the world

By all means check out the times the ducks are brought down at the Peabody in the morning...this is a treat you can't see just anywhere and it's hard to describe! I think it's 11 am..and the coming down part is more fun than the going up part. If you're a gambler be sure and make a trip to Tunica, Mississippi, which is a short 30 minute trip from downtown Memphis. It popped up out of nowhere and has apparently turned into the 2nd largest gambling mecca in the country! Surreal...

Am a native Memphian. Been away for 13 years, but get back several times a year. While Corky's certainly has excellent 'Q', you should also try The Rendevous. It is located in an alley just across from the Peabody. The Memphis in May festival sponsors an international 'Q' cooking contest down on Riverside Drive and is a lot of fun. It closes with a Symphony on the River and fireworks show show that is outstanding. Later in the summer Memphis has a PGA tournament that is also fun, especially if you enjoy golf. Don't know dates this year. Zoo is also pretty good for a city the size of Memphis. It will be humid in the summer.

Am a native Memphian. Been away for 13 years, but get back several times a year. While Corky's certainly has excellent 'Q', you should also try The Rendevous. It is located in an alley just across from the Peabody. The Memphis in May festival sponsors an international 'Q' cooking contest down on Riverside Drive and is a lot of fun. It closes with a Symphony on the River and fireworks show show that is outstanding. Later in the summer Memphis has a PGA tournament that is also fun, especially if you enjoy golf. Don't know dates this year. Zoo is also pretty good for a city the size of Memphis. It will be humid in the summer.

A musical treat that should not be missed is Sunday morning services at Al Green's church at 787 Hale Road. Some of the most beautiful music you'll ever hear and it's absolutely free!
On your way back from church, stop off for some southern cooking and hospitality at Ellen's Soulfood Kitchen at 601 S. Parkway East. The fried chicken is mouth watering! Have a great trip!

We are traveling to Memphis at the end of August and would like to know a great place to stay downtown and also an interesting place to eat. We will unfortunately be staying only 1 day and night.

The Peabody Hotel is the only place to stay if you are looking for a great place. Don't miss the ducks in the lobby even if you stay elsewhere. The Rum Buggy Cafe on Beale street is fun and the music is great. Charlie Vergo's Rendezvous is the best place in town for Memphis BBQ, directly across the street from the Peadbody.

I've always considered the Peabody to be THE place to stay in Memphis. Forgive me for this warning: two weeks ago one of my friends who works for a small college in my town was staying at the Peabody for a business meeting. She heard a knock at her door about 8:30 PM and heard a man's voice saying he was a hotel employee who was delivering something to her. When she opened the door, a man charged in, beat her unconscious, and assaulted her. She came to about an hour later and called 911 (or perhaps the hotel operator did). They have surveillance cameras and hope they can identify the assailant. The point is - this didn't happen in a shabby place or to a trashy woman. It was the Peabody, and the woman is a lovely intelligent Christian, although seemingly very naive to have opened a hotel door. Just take care wherever you are!

We stayed at the Wyndham Garden downtown for $69. and that included breakfast.

A worthwhile warning Judy...but did you mean that non-Christians or "trashy" women deserved to be assaulted? Jeez, lady.....

Of course not, and I knew when I wrote that that someone would misconstrue it. I just meant that in no way did she provoke the attack by dressing or acting in a provocative manner. I didn't mean to offend any non-Christian or "trashy" women out there. And I don't mean that non-Christian and trashy are synonyms...

Judy, you haven't been miscontrued,, you've been pegged. The statement "I just meant that in no way did she provoke the attack by dressing or acting in a provocative manner" is an insult to anyone who's ever been the victim of an assault.

Good gosh folks! Forgive me for saying a word! You've really hurt my feelings here. Now I know why others have quit this forum...

OK, folks, we're straying here...Douglas, Memphis is a music lover's city. In my humble opinion (and I'm right!), it is the birthplace of rock and roll. Whereas New Orleans is the birthplace of jazz (and super smelly streets), Memphis has Beale Street which is lined with super nice night clubs featuring great music and excellent food (and no wreaking odor of toilets). Unlike Bourbon St. in New Orleans, where for the most part the locals stay away from, the Memphians still flock to Beale. It IS going to be hot...be prepared. Graceland is always a good side trip if nothing else. If you're not an Elvis fan, it's still fun to go and make fun. I woulndn't bother with Mud Island, unless you're a geography buff (there's a layout of the entire Miss. river that you can walk over like an under foot 3-D map). I especially recommend a tour of Sun Studios and will make it mandatory if you're a musician. Mega-history there, although it's a bit pricey, but, hey, you're in Memphis! Forget Corkey's for BBQ, hit the Rendevous, but make reservations! And, if you haven't been to a zoo in a long while, they have a pretty nice one for the size of the city. A lot of people have recommended the Peabody...yeah, it's nice, but probably the most expensive in the city. There are other more reasonable hotels downtown, but be aware, they are constructing a new baseball stadium downtown at this time. I would call the visitor's bureau and they would steer you right.

Going to Graceland- Any suggestions???

I heading to Graceland this August for Tribute week. I've never gone before, but cannot wait to be there. HAs anyone
here ever been to Graceland for the anniversary of Elvis' passing? Where do you stay? Besides the house and its immediate surroundings, what else is a MUST to see? A Big thanks to anyone with helpful info!

IM ALSO HEADING FOR THE ELVIS WEEK IN AUGUST. IM STAYING AT AMERISUITES PRIMACY PARK. I HOPE ITS NICE. MAKE SURE TO BOOK A PLACE IN ADVANCE THOUGH.

ttt