Memphis is Great in 2008!
Welcome to Memphis "Home of the Blues; Birthplace of Rock & Roll". In addition to our legendary music and BBQ, there's much more here to explore. I've lived here for, uhm, a long time, and worked for several years in the hospitality industry. Every year, we have people from all over the world come here to experience our rich history in music, civil rights, the Mississippi River Delta lifestyle and more.
You'll find true Southern hospitality, delectable foods, and more things to do than you can shake a stick at.
So, come on in ya'll!
Buy some books, movies or songs for your mp3 player, then book your trip -- just look below for everything you need to experience Memphis.
Be sure to favorite, bookmark, subscribe to or rss this page for updates on what is happening here.
Memphis Travel
Tools for planning your visit
- Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau
- Hotels, attractions, travel guides and more can be found here.
- See Memphis Inc.
- See Memphis offers a wide variety of guided tours of the city, including Memphis Music, Memphis African-American History, and of course, an Elvis tour.
- City of Memphis
- Official website of the City of Memphis. Includes a video welcome from Mayor Willie Herenton.
- Memphis Mojo
- Memphis' best entertainment resource. Includes everything from where to buy gas to who's playing at the Canon Center to movie reviews.
- Premier Transportation Services
- Need to get around Memphis? Full array of transportation services, including taxicabs, shuttles, executive sedans, buses, and more.
Your Memphis Itinerary
- Memphis Travel
- Where to Eat
- Memphis Grizzlies
- Family, Friends and Fans Mourn Isaac Hayes
- Isaac Hayes Music
- Isaac Hayes pictures
- Elvis Presley's Graceland
- University of Memphis Tigers shirts
- Memphis Zoo
- Down Home with the Neely's
- All About Memphis
- All About Memphis Group
- Elvis Videos
- Visit Memphis!
- Sweet Caroline written in Memphis
- Elvis stuff on Ebay
- More Memphis Music
- Elvis and Graceland
- Memphis Music Info
- Memphis Attractions & Activites
- Books about Memphis
- Memphis Del.icio.us!
- Share your Elvis Stories!
- Reader Feedback
Where to Eat
Memphis Dining
- Review of "The Arcade" Restaurant
- One of Memphis's most famous restaurants. Great food, old-school atmosphere and well, everybody's been there (yep, even Elvis!) They don't have or need a website, but you need to go there to eat. (P.S., If they have Banana Pudding, save room for dessert)
- The Rendezvous
- I heard about The Rendezvous for years before I went there, and I expected fine (as in nice china & linens) dining. Not so much. It's paper plates & plastic forks. And, the restaurant is located in an alley.
The place is almost always packed, the BBQ is good (try the BBQ Nachos, the shrimp, and the BBQ Smoked sausage). It's a Memphis thang! - Neely's BBQ
- Neely's BBQ is a not-so-well-kept secret anymore. I do believe for many years Memphians tried to keep Neely's to themselves.
I prefer their ribs to any I've tried, and the BBQ & Spaghetti dinner is a favorite of many. (You'll find "and Spaghetti" is a common Memphis menu item. It's sort of like "and baked potato".) - Huey's
- Where else can you get a burger to die for, and not just permission, but encouragement to write on the walls and stick your frill-picks in the ceilings? Gotta be Huey's!
- Bol a Pasta
- The Grisanti family has been around Memphis almost as long as the Mississippi River, and they are the First Family of Italian food in these parts. My favorite is Bol a Pasta. Nice decor, good food, friendly service. Try the Penne Pasta Florentine - I'm hooked on it!
- Insider Info on Eating in Memphis
- Chowhounds in Memphis post their "Top 5 must-visit chow destinations in Memphis"
Memphis Grizzlies
- Grizzlies Official Website
- Game schedules, player info, game recaps, fan forums and logo'd products available at the Grizzlies website.
- Grizzlies Auctions
- Bid on Grizzlies memorabilia and support worthy causes.
- Wikipedia page on the Grizzlies
- Wikipedia page on the Grizzlies. History of the team, coach & player stats, more.
- Commercial Appeal Grizzlies page
- Local newspaper, the Commercial Appeal, coverage of the Grizzlies.
- 2008-2009 Season Schedule
- Follow the Grizzlies game action for the season.
Family, Friends and Fans Mourn Isaac Hayes
Soul Legend Dies at the age of 65
Hayes was best known as a musician and soul singer and was long affiliated with the legendary Stax Record company in Memphis. One of his most famous songs was the theme song to Shaft, for which he won an Academy Award. Hayes also performed as the voice of "Chef" on the animated hit TV show South Park.
Lifelong friends, family members and Hollywood celebrities gathered on Monday, Aug. 19 to mourn Hayes. Details of the service are in this NY Times article: Hollywood Joins Memphis for a Farewell to Isaac Hayes
For more info about Isaac, visit his official website at: Isaac Hayes.com
Isaac Hayes Music
Hot Buttered Soul
Hayes' ground-breaking second album established his sound.
Amazon Price: $10.99 (as of 11/22/2008) 
Shaft: Music From The Soundtrack (1971 Film)
This theme song that won Hayes his Oscar.
Amazon Price: $10.99 (as of 11/22/2008)
Greatest Hit Singles
Excellent songs on this one. You'll recognize many of them.
Amazon Price: $10.99 (as of 11/22/2008)
Isaac Hayes pictures
Isaac Hayes
South Park Chef
Bernie Mac, Isaac Hayes and Samuel L. Jackson
Isaac Hayes at piano
Isaac Hayes
Elvis Presley's Graceland
- Elvis Presley's Graceland
- This is the official website of Elvis Presley's Graceland. You'll find tons of info, pictures, events and more here.
- Elvis Week
- August 9 -- 17, 2008. The biggest gathering of Elvis fans you can imagine and then some. It gets bigger every year. Book your tickets now or you might miss out.
- Weddings at Graceland
- Get married at Graceland! Yep, you can. There's a lovely little chapel there for weddings.
University of Memphis Tigers shirts
Memphis Tigers Perennial Basketball T-Shirt
Amazon Price: (as of 11/22/2008)
Memphis Tigers Perennial T-Shirt
Amazon Price: (as of 11/22/2008)
Memphis Tigers Perennial Basketball Long Sleeve T-Shirt
Amazon Price: (as of 11/22/2008)
Memphis Tigers Women's All Star Tee
Amazon Price: (as of 11/22/2008)
2008 Nike Memphis Tigers Men's Final Four Bound T-Shirt
Amazon Price: (as of 11/22/2008)
Memphis Zoo
Ranked #1 by Trip Advisor
- Memphis Zoo # 1
- Newton, Mass. - The world's largest travel community, TripAdvisor, announced today the top 10 aquariums and zoos in the U.S., according to traveler popularity and TripAdvisor editors. The Memphis Zoo was named the top zoo in the country.
- Memphis Zoo Website
- Find out more about the Memphis Zoo on their website.
Down Home with the Neely's
Watch Pat Neely and Gina Neely on Food Network
- Down Home with the Neely's
- Find show schedules, recipes and more info on the Neely's via the Food Network site.
- Bobby Flay does Memphis
- Bobby Flay visits Memphis and discovers Elvis' favorite pizza -- yep, it's a bbq pizza. You have to try it--unusual, but a home-town fave. Bobby shares the Coletta's recipe, so if you can't come get the original, you can make your own.
All About Memphis
Articles, websites and more
- 12 Free Things to do in Memphis Read my article on 12 great things to do in Memphis for FREE! Family-friendly, fun activities you don't want to miss.
- Wikipedia article on Memphis. History, geography, demographics, climate and more.
- Downtown Memphis All about living, working & playing in downtown Memphis.
- Celebrating 50 Years of Soul in Memphis. Come join the fun.
All About Memphis Group
Elvis Videos
And, I still think he was one fine-looking man!
Visit Memphis!
Book your trip right now - we'll be waiting, ya'll!
Sweet Caroline written in Memphis
Neil Diamond recently revealed the secret
It's a great song. And, the Elvis version is amazing. Look below for a You-Tube link.
Sweet Caroline
13 great Neil Diamond songs, including Sweet Caroline!
Amazon Price: (as of 11/22/2008)
Elvis stuff on Ebay
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by
More Memphis Music
Al Green - Greatest Hits
Amazon Price: (as of 11/22/2008)
B.B. King - Greatest Hits
Amazon Price: $10.97 (as of 11/22/2008)
Dusty in Memphis
Amazon Price: $10.99 (as of 11/22/2008)
The Complete Stax-Volt Singles 1959-1968
Amazon Price: $79.98 (as of 11/22/2008)
From Elvis in Memphis
Amazon Price: $13.99 (as of 11/22/2008)
Elvis and Graceland
Memphis Music Info
Blues, Rock & Soul
- Live from Memphis
- Check out upcoming concerts, plus news and srtist info.
- Sun Records
- Visit the birthplace of rock & roll. Sun Studio is still located in the original place where Elvis and Sam Phillips launched a genre over 50 years ago.
- Soulsville USA
- Soulsville and the original Stax Records provide a great experience for the soul music lover. It's music history.
- Divingin2Memphis.com
- Current info on what's happening now in music, art, food and more.
Memphis Attractions & Activites
What to do & where to go in Memphis
- Memphis Zoo
- Pandas and more at the Memphis Zoo. Our zoo is a great place to hang out. Check out our pandas, and the new baby bonobo!
- Graceland
- All Elvis, all the time! When you visit Graceland, there's more to see than just the mansion. The "Lisa Marie" airplane is there available for tours, as is one of Elvis's tour buses.
- Memphis Motorsports Park
- Nascar and more for the racing fan. Visit their website for photos, driver info & free wallpaper. Book tickets early. These races are very popular.
- Dixon Gallery & Gardens
- Over 2,000 paintings, sculptures and decorative art objects make up this museum's gallery. Excellent collection of Impressionist works. The gardens are beautiful mix of English gardens in a Tennessee woodland setting. Don't skip the museum shop - it's one of our city's best-kept shopping secrets!
- Beale Street
- History, music, food & fun all rolled into one little street. A. Schwab's is a must-see. Their slogan is "If we don't have it, you probably don't need it anyway". And, just take your pick of nightclubs and eateries.
- National Civil Rights Museum
- This museum is located at the Lorraine Motel, where Dr. Martin Luther King was killed in 1968. Exhibits and galleries focus on the struggles and victories of the civil rights movement. A fairly comprehensive history is available on their website, too.
- Playhouse on the Square
- Memphis professional resident theatre company--great shows at affordable prices. If you get a chance to catch a performance, do so. Visit their website for schedules & ticket info.
Books about Memphis
Including music, history, travel guides and more.
The Firm
The classic Grisham novel features many Memphis scenes.
Amazon Price: $19.80 (as of 11/22/2008)
Frommer's Nashville & Memphis (Frommer's Complete)
Amazon Price: (as of 11/22/2008)
The Man Who Flew the Memphis Belle: Memoir of a WWII Bomber Pilot
Amazon Price: $10.20 (as of 11/22/2008)
Beale Street: Crossroads of America's Music
Amazon Price: (as of 11/22/2008)
Memphis Del.icio.us!
Memphis bookmarks
- American Murder Mystery
- Commercial Appeal : Memphis News, Business, Homes, Jobs, Cars, & Information
- Elvis Presley - Official web site for Elvis Presley
- The Memphis Flyer :: the mid-south's news weekly
- Rendezvous Ribs
- craigslist: memphis, TN classifieds for jobs, apartments, personals, for sale, services, community, and events
Share your Elvis Stories!
Did you ever see Elvis in person, attend a concert, have the honor of receiving one of those Cadillacs, or just have a fondness for Elvis music and Fried PB and Banana Sandwiches? Tell us about it!
greggers wrote...
Memphis is great! We live south of St Louis and we've been to Memphis 3 times. Or course for us Elvis fans, Graceland and Sun Records are a must, but the food and the music are great! I give Memphis and your lens 5 stars!
Posted July 20, 2008
Karendelac wrote...
Wonderful job Deborah, I gave you 5 stars. I only regret not having your information last year when I vacationed in Memphis. I will certaAll the Best, Karen at Karen's Kinkade Art Storeinly save your lens to use on my next trip.
Posted July 22, 2007
Chris wrote
This is a video that is exploding on the internet that uses Elvis music. The king will never die!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFSCXIffv1s
Posted July 13, 2007
Deborah wrote...
I never saw Elvis in person. I did stay up late to watch his movies and being from rural Arkansas (transplanted to Memphis) I've heard a gozillion stories of people who did meet him or see him.
Posted July 10, 2007
Reader Feedback
Talk about Memphis!
BigJim wrote...
Nice lens. I love this great music city. Thanks for joining the Squidoo City Guide.
Posted March 07, 2008
pondlady wrote...
Aha, now I recognize you. Great lens, of course. I have always loved Memphis.
Posted July 27, 2007
Retired-Cop wrote...
I grew up 60 miles south of Memphis. Memphis was always like another Home Town to me. We would go there to shop and visit relatives.
Posted June 05, 2007
ank wrote...
Hi Deborah, Great lens. I also created my lens. It got lots of info on beautiful country Spain. I am quite passionate about my country and you can get loads and loads of info on spain on my lens. To view the lens click here.
Posted June 01, 2007