Heading to Memphis

[ellenec]

Heading to Nashville and Memphis for a couple of days, have never been before and looking forward to it!! Can anyone suggest any good hotels in the area??? I saw Gaylord resort in Nashville has anyone stayed there??? We are also visiting the Jack Daniels distillery!! Anyone help would be appreciated-

 

[Beauty]

In Memphis, DO NOT stay near Graceland, it is in a HORRIBLE neighborhood! You want to stay in Germantown near the Wolfchase Galleria. Downtown Memphis "may" be okay if you stay at the Peabody but it can get bad at night as well. Memphis has TONS of crime although it is very charming in some parts. We stayed at a Comfort Inn downtown and it was okay, we were going to an event at The Pyramid but we wouldn't have wanted to go outside there at night. What are you planning to visit in Memphis?

 

[Pugdog007]

I've stayed at Gaylord Opryland Hotel in Nashville and it's nice. The rooms are nothing to write home about, but the complex is massive and interesting to walk around.

 

[Rafiki Rafiki Rafiki]

Yeah, generally if you go with the northwest side of Memphis, you're okay in the hotel selections.

The Memphis visitor center that is down on the river has some really great statues of BBKing and Elvis, and lots of great information inside. It's also really close to the Mud Island tram.

Are you planning to visit Beale Street for blues and drinks?

 

[ellenec]

We are planning on visiting Graceland while in Memphis- Can't wait. Thanks for the response on Gaylord in Nashville any hotels worth writing home about!!!

 

[lovemygoofy]

The Gaylord is having a wonderful summer festival inside this summer with mini concerts and acrobats and shows and I don't know what else. It has some great places to eat and the whole place is great to stay I think. Nashville has the grand ole opry and 2nd Ave with the Wild Horse Saloon and then down Broadway to some of the older bars like Tootsies. I'm about 45 mins away and love to come down there. Centenial Park is nice with the Parthenon. Frist Arts center is a nice place as well as the Country Music Hall of Fame and the botanical gardens though it is a bit hot. I do recommend the dinner cruise. It's so nice at night going down the river with the music and relaxing. If you have the overwhelming need to see a giant army post just let me know

Memphis is a great town and I agree with Beauty don't stay near Graceland. It's like staying on Martin Luther King Blvd in any city. Not a good idea. I would stay on a hotel somewhere around I40 like the Comfort Inn or the Peabody or some other hotels right around there. I've never had any problems with people at night and have been out all times of the night. Some good eats in both cities you are visiting. Feel free to ask PM if you need more suggestions.

 

[ellenec]

Never heard of it but will check it out! My boyfriend enjoys the blues and I enjoy the drinks-Thanks-

 

[Pugdog007]

Never heard of it but will check it out! My boyfriend enjoys the blues and I enjoy the drinks-Thanks-

Beale Street is neat... a lot like Bourbon in New Orleans.

 

[Chris2597]

I agree....stay away from the Graceland area....It is scary....I enjoyed touring the Graceland museum and home but the rest of Memphis did not impress me....I told Dh for future trip reference to be sure he gassed up the car before hitting Memphis as I never want to stop there again. I am sure there are nice areas but once was enough for me.
Nashville is a different story....I have been twice....I stayed at the Opryland Hotel, which is now Gaylords....It was great....We were there for a work conference and loved it....the second time we stayed in a Courtyard by Marriott hotel nearby and went to a concernt at the Grand Ole Opry during Fanfare....We had such a good time.... We also took a tour of Loretta Lynns property that is right outside of Nashville....very interesting if you are a country music fan.

 

[SherryNC]

Can't help ya, but have a safe and fun trip.

 

[Caradana]

Memphis ROCKS. Been there four times in the last year for work. I've tried the Madison Hotel, the Peabody, and Talbot Heirs - and liked them all. Beale Street is a blast by any standard. HAVE FUN.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Just to visit Opryland Hotel (Gaylord now I guess) is an experience in of itself. It is an amazing place to walk around. Enjoy your trip.

 

[TTFN]

If you like ribs, check out the Rendevouz in downtown. You have to go down an alley and into a basement, but it is worth it and is well known all over the world by BBQ fans. Lots of old Southern charm (in a gritty kind of way). You'll see lovely old blue haired southern gentlewomen eating next to rednecks next to urban-dressed youth.

 

[Stitch Inside]

If you like ribs, check out the Rendevouz in downtown. You have to go down an alley and into a basement, but it is worth it and is well known all over the world by BBQ fans. Lots of old Southern charm (in a gritty kind of way). You'll see lovely old blue haired southern gentlewomen eating next to rednecks next to urban-dressed youth.

Oh man, now my mouth's waterin' thinkin' of those great ribs at Rendezvous. And if you like beer, check out the Flying Saucer.

 

[ellenec]

Thanks for the great advice. I will check out Beale St. for the food and drink. I will book Gaylords in Nashville and check out Peabody in Memphis-Thanks again-

 

[DisneyDotty]

Oh my--I LOVE Memphis! Definitely try the various bar-b-q ribs--Rendezvous yummy! Others around Beale street also very good--sorry, can't remember the names...We enjoyed the Elvis Presley restaurant, Graceland (of course!), Sun Records, watching the ducks at the Peabody. We stayed at a Hilton/Homewood Suites--very nice, lots of free food--nice area of town. Also be sure to visit the National Civil Rights Museum--a definite must-do.
Enjoy some sweet tea, too. And maybe a mint julep. Now I gotta go get me something to drink.
You're going to Graceland, Graceland. Memphis Tennessee. La la la. Have fun!

 

[DisneyRoys]

I live in Memphis and will be glad to help you out with any questions you have. If you need any suggestions just let me know.

As far as crime, just use common sense as you would use in any large city- don't walk down a dark alley, if your downtown don't walk around by yourself, don't visit a park after dark, etc. If you visit Graceland during the daytime you will be safe.

Memphis is a cool city with lots of stuff to do. Let me know if I can help.

 

[RadioNate]

In Memphis, DO NOT stay near Graceland, it is in a HORRIBLE neighborhood! You want to stay in Germantown near the Wolfchase Galleria. Downtown Memphis "may" be okay if you stay at the Peabody but it can get bad at night as well. Memphis has TONS of crime although it is very charming in some parts. We stayed at a Comfort Inn downtown and it was okay, we were going to an event at The Pyramid but we wouldn't have wanted to go outside there at night. What are you planning to visit in Memphis?

I'm sorry I have to laugh a bit considering up until about 18 months ago I lived about 5 min for the Pyramid and about two miles from downtown/Beale street.

Downtown Memphis is hardly the place it once was. There isn't TONS of crime. Is there crime, of course but it's hardly like your in the middle of a gang ridden ghetto. Of course there are bad areas but the city is definately cleaning up. Like in any large city guard yourself and your belongings and don't wander into unfamiliar areas but it isn't really any different than somewhere like New Orleans.

The hotel in Germantown are fine but you will be in the suburbs and it'll be 20-30 min drive to Beale Street, the zoo, Graceland etc.

I agree about not staying near Graceland. I would also suggest against the airport area and anything south. There is a Hyatt or Hilton that is in a pretty rough part of town too.

As for Downtown hotels. I'd stay any from anything that isn't right in the heart of the Beale Street area. If the Peabody isn't in your price range use it for location and pick something that is really close. There is a Raddison close and the Madison Hotel.

I would skip anything right on the freeway or near the medical complex.

Seems from reading on that the Peabody may be in your price range so if you can swing it I'd stick with that. You don't want to be driving to Germantown from Beale at night.

There is a lot to do in Memphis
Beale Street
Graceland
Sun Records
The Civil Rights Museaum
The Rock and Soul Museaum
The Mississippi River model on Mudd Island
what ever exhibit is currently at the Pyrmaid
The Memphis Zoo (which is 1 if the 4 zoo's in the US to have Panda's)

Someone mentioned gas. The only really easy gas station downtown is at Poplar and Danny Thomas, since it is between the Justice Center and the homeless mission is can look pretty rough. As a female I didn't go alone at night but in the 2 years I frequented it I never had a problem.

You should hit Rendevouz for ribs just for the experience. It isn't the best BBQ intown but it is definately historic, Elvis loved it, there are lots of cool things to look at. Some people have a problem with the waitstaff but that's their deal, they are there to move you in and out. There are only like 3 menu items so like things short and sweet.

Blues City Cafe is great, very "memphis."

have fun on your trip!

 

[OhioTony]

Beale st is a must for any blues fan! It won't work for you this year but if you like it and want to go back-- Labor Day weekend there is a BluesFestival on Beale St. Pay for a bracelet and it gets you in to all the bars to listen to a ll the music( sometimes BIG name people).

We really enjoued the Sun Studios tour, Mud Island and we took a dinner criuse on a riverboat. So much to do

Have fun and let us know how you liked it

 

[RadioNate]

Just bumping to add that I remembered that there is a Hampton Inn that is right between Beale and maybe Peabody Place that is a great location and usually has reasonable rates.