Memphis for the Weekend
 

My daughter and i will be visiting my son who is teaching in Hughes Arkansas. We will be in Memphis the first weekend in October. Staying at the Springhill Suites downtown, since daughter has special through her employer for that hotel. Anything not to be missed? We have seen the Civl Rights Museum - wonderful! And none of us are Elvis fans :( We are up for nightlife on Beale Street - I can always go back to the hotel if the kids want to stay late! So any suggestions for museums, shopping, other sights?

Mud Island has lots of interesting exhibits
We also enjoyed the "tour" of Sun Studio (you go into a room where the history is explained)
I am not an Elvis fan either, but Graceland is pretty interesting.

The Pink Palace Crafts Fair will be held that weekend. If you are renting a car, I would recommend this. The weather is usually perfect that time of year. http://www.artsandcraftsfestival.org

The Memphis Zoo is another alternative. Trolley cars run up and down Main Steet, which is close to your hotel.

Do you gamble? Tunica, MS is 30 minutes from downtown and they have 9 big casinos.

I'm no spring chicken, but I really love the zoo.

If you haven't seen the ducks entrance or exit at the Peabody Hotel lobby, that's a zany treat. You need to get there either when they go down from the roof in the morning or when they go up at night. The Peabody lobby bar is one of the best people-watching places in the country. We've seen as many as 5 wedding parties in one night!

The Springhill Suites aren't bad--we stayed there a couple years ago through a Priceline bid. Walking distance to downtown and a decent, free breakfast.

We really enjoyed Gus' fried chicken, which was near the Civil Rights museum.

You must go to the Peabody to see the ducks when they come out. Very fun.

We aren't big Elvis fans, but the visit to Graceland was really interesting and worthwhile, you'd just want to make sure to 1) reserve your tickets in advance to bypass the crowds and 2) go early.

My husband and I thought the restaurants were great, and we weren't expecting much as we are in New Orleans. Here's my trip report if you'd like more detailed info:

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...rip-report.cfm