poester

I will be flying from CA to Memphis (April 28-May 5) with my father and his wife and would like to know which area of Memphis is the safest and most convenient for hotel selection. We don't particularly want to be right in the middle of downtown because we will have a rental car. I think a suite arrangement might be nice as it would give us each some space of our own in case I wanted to stay up late and not disturb them. By suite, I am referring to something like Embassy Suites, not a regular hotel suite. We would also like recommendations for what we should see and do while we're there. Also, does everyone recommend a cruise on the Memphis Queen. That looks pretty interesting. I think I've read about all the information on BBQ so we have that part covered. Dad is almost 92 and his wife is 87, both very healthy and able to walk for miles. I was born in Memphis and lived there until we came to CA in 1960. This will be my first (and probably only) trip back there and am really looking forward to getting there. Any recommendations on areas, hotels, sites, activities will really be appreciated. Thank you.

SusanCS

My husband and I stayed at the new Hampton Suites at Peabody Place last weekend. The location is great and they have suites - though we didn't see one. Our room was wonderful...it was huge and we had a balcony. We've stayed at several places downtown...the Radisson, the Peabody, the Holiday Inn. I'd advise you to get a suite at the Hampton Inn. Be sure not to get accommodations overlooking Beale Street...they're loud!

mclaurie

Poester, the other area you might want to consider is Overton Square. I recently read on a post here that there's a hotel there now. Since the text search is not working right now, I can't check it out. This area is full of restaurants & shops. Can't comment on the river cruise but I loved the art museum! Keep in mind the Memphis in May festival starts while you're there so it may be busy. I'd book quickly.

X

There was a good trip report here a few weeks ago from someone who went to Memphis. Do a text search when it comes back up.

mclaurie

Poester, I've "topped" 2 threads for you. The Overton Square hotel is the French Quarter Inn. The trip report mentions the Holiday Inn on Poplar. I'd try the French quarter Inn first. have a great time!

MD4

Hi there- you may have a hard time finding a hotel room (or a decent rate) in a downtown hotel for the first weekend in May. That's the weekend of the Beale Street Music Festival (you can check out the lineup and get more info at www.memphisinmay.org). Be aware that downtown will be very, very crowded and parking difficult, especially at night, during the festival.

There are several hotels in the Poplar Avenue @ I-240 area, including an Embassy Suites, which is pretty centrally located and has easy interstate access. Besides Embassy, there is also a Ridgeway Inn and the Adam's Mark (that I know of- there could be a couple more).

In my opinion, downtown and midtown are the most interesting areas of Memphis. The further east you go, the more you get into chain restaurants, galleria malls and general suburbia. Things to do/see: Dixon Art Gallery, Memphis Botanic Gardens, Brooks Museum of Art, Sun Studio Tour, Civil Rights Museum Tour, Gibson Guitar Plant (I think they still do tours), Victorian Village (great lunch place there, Cielo), check out Cooper-Young area, check out Overton Square area, Ornamental Metal Museum (on the river bluffs- very cool), check the Redbirds baseball schedule- great new stadium in downtown. Pink Palace Museum (IMAX Theater).
And the obvious- visit Graceland.

Other questions or info needed, just post and we'll try to help!

poester

Thanks for all the valuable information. Will do a little more searching and need to get my reservations completed soon.