Give me Memphis!

1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic by 8 people | Log in to rate

Ranked #3,715 in Travel, #122,863 overall

Memphis is Music, Food, Fun

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". You'll find a lot of information on planning the perfect trip to Memphis or enjoying some of our favorite books, music, movies and foods even if you can't get here right now.

Be sure to favorite this page for updates on what is happening here or leave a comment or a rating & let me know how you like it, and certainly, drop me a note if maybe I missed your most-favorite "Memphis thang".

So, come on in, y'all

Elvis Presley's Graceland 

Come see why people come from all over the planet to see Graceland. Then, make plans to join them!
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
Every year in August, Elvis Week brings the biggest gathering of Elvis fans you can imagine and then some to Memphis. It gets bigger every year. Graceland is always adding new things, too. For the ultimate Elvis fan, there's now a VIP tour.
Weddings at Graceland
Get married at Graceland! Yep, you can. There's a lovely little chapel there for weddings.

Memphis Zoo  

Ranked #1 by Trip Advisor

Memphis has a wonderful zoo, and TripAdvisor agrees!
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.

Where to Eat 

Memphis Dining

Memphis Restaurants, Cafes, Bars, and elsewhere to find great food.
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. It has been featured in many food shows and now, our own Pat and Gina Neely have their own Food Network shows.

Pat and Gina are part of a large extended family and many members of the family have their own BBQ joints. I honestly don't know how many Neely-owned BBQ restaurants we have here now!

I do believe for many years Memphians tried to keep Neely's to themselves, but now the word is out and if you get a chance to eat at one of the many Neely's restaurants, you won't be sorry.

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! Several locations around town mean you're never really far away from a great burger experience.

It's not "just a burger joint", though--you can get a salad (try the spinach), soup (the potato is yummy) and they serve meat on a stick--steak and chicken, last time I looked, among other things--the menu is loaded with options.
Insider Info on Eating in Memphis
Chowhounds in Memphis post their "Top 5 must-visit chow destinations in Memphis"

Down Home with the Neely's 

Watch Pat Neely and Gina Neely on Food Network

Memphis' own Pat and Gina Neely, owners of world-famous Neely's Bar-B-Cue, host their own Food Network show called "Down Home with the Neely's". Be sure to tune in -- Pat and Gina are great fun, and the recipes are delish! (BBQ Spaghetti, anyone?)
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

What's hot in Memphis entertainment, sports, attractions and dining.

Memphis Attractions & Activites 

What to do & where to go in Memphis

A few favorites to add to your itinerary when you visit.
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.

Elvis Videos 

I don't think I've ever met anyone who doesn't think Elvis was a great performer and had a great voice. Watch these and see if you don't agree!

And, I still think he was one fine-looking man!

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elvis presley - always on my mind

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Elvis Presley - How Great Thou Art

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curated content from YouTube

Visit Memphis! 

Book your trip right now - we'll be waiting, ya'll!

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Sweet Caroline written in Memphis 

Neil Diamond recently revealed the secret

Neil wrote this song about Caroline Kennedy, daughter of the late President John F. Kennedy. And, he wrote it "while holed up in a hotel in Memphis."

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 12/02/2009) Buy Now

Elvis stuff on Ebay 

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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.

More Memphis Music 

Al Green - Greatest Hits

Amazon Price: (as of 12/02/2009) Buy Now

B.B. King - Greatest Hits

Amazon Price: $10.97 (as of 12/02/2009) Buy Now

Dusty in Memphis

Amazon Price: $10.99 (as of 12/02/2009) Buy Now

The Complete Stax-Volt Singles 1959-1968

Amazon Price: $89.99 (as of 12/02/2009) Buy Now

From Elvis in Memphis

Amazon Price: (as of 12/02/2009) Buy Now

Memphian Isaac Hayes 

Learn about soul legend Isaac Hayes

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.

For more info about Isaac, visit his official website at: Isaac Hayes.com

Isaac Hayes Music  

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Isaac Hayes pictures  

Public Domain: Documerica: Isaac Hayes Performs in Chicago by John H. White, 1973 (NARA) by pingnews.com

Isaac Hayes at piano

curated content from Flickr

Memphis Music Info 

Blues, Rock & Soul

Find concerts & bands, and learn the history of the great music our city has fostered.
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 Grizzlies 

The Grizzlies are Memphis' pro basketball team.
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.

University of Memphis Tigers shirts 

There's a lot of love out there (and yes, some frustration) for our Tigers. No matter--these are cool t-shirts:

Memphis Tigers Perennial Basketball T-Shirt

Amazon Price: (as of 12/02/2009) Buy Now

Memphis Tigers Perennial T-Shirt

Amazon Price: (as of 12/02/2009) Buy Now

Memphis Tigers 2009 Perennial T-Shirt

Amazon Price: (as of 12/02/2009) Buy Now

Memphis Tigers Team Color Baby Creeper

Amazon Price: (as of 12/02/2009) Buy Now

All About Memphis Group 

Got a lens about Memphis or related to Memphis? Join the All About Memphis group:

All About Memphis

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 12/02/2009) Buy Now

Frommer's Nashville & Memphis (Frommer's Complete)

Amazon Price: (as of 12/02/2009) Buy Now

The Man Who Flew the Memphis Belle: Memoir of a WWII Bomber Pilot

Amazon Price: (as of 12/02/2009) Buy Now

Beale Street: Crossroads of America's Music

Amazon Price: (as of 12/02/2009) Buy Now

Mudbound

Mudbound starts in Memphis, although the setting is mostly in the Mississippi delta. However, you'll love the Memphis references. I especially enjoyed the circa 1940 night out at the Peabody! I reviewed this book on Amazon.com. too.

Amazon Price: $10.04 (as of 12/02/2009) Buy Now

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!

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by Deborah

Deborah Crawford is a marketing coach in Memphis, TN and owner of Smart Marketing Works.  Her interests include cooking, walking, readi... (more)

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