Memphis DISers - I need some guidance

[Cindy's Mom]

We extended our upcoming trip by 3 days - we are driving to WDW by way of Graceland. We will be in Memphis for 2 nights, arriving about noonish on Sunday, we have all day Monday then will be leaving about 5am ish on Tuesday morning. We are travelling with DH, DD5 and DS4 and myself. We know for sure that we will be going to Graceland on Monday.

As far as the hotel, I got an incredible rate of $80 (DH works for the state, so we qualify for "state rate") at the Doubletree Downtown Memphis (on Union Street) Does anyone know anything about this hotel? I looked at tripadvisor and it seemed that people like it (which is wierd for that site).

Also, any ideas about where to eat. We want some authentic BBQ - I read about Rendezvous; but judging by their website - (yes they have a website) it seems a bit commerical....I may be wrong

I also read about Gus's Chicken - we would for sure want to go there one night too; if its really good.

I am open to suggestions on where to eat and any thing else you recommend we do/see in our short time there.

 

[Evil Queen]

We extended our upcoming trip by 3 days - we are driving to WDW by way of Graceland. We will be in Memphis for 2 nights, arriving about noonish on Sunday, we have all day Monday then will be leaving about 5am ish on Tuesday morning. We are travelling with DH, DD5 and DS4 and myself. We know for sure that we will be going to Graceland on Monday.

As far as the hotel, I got an incredible rate of $80 (DH works for the state, so we qualify for "state rate") at the Doubletree Downtown Memphis (on Union Street) Does anyone know anything about this hotel? I looked at tripadvisor and it seemed that people like it (which is wierd for that site).

Also, any ideas about where to eat. We want some authentic BBQ - I read about Rendezvous; but judging by their website - (yes they have a website) it seems a bit commerical....I may be wrong

I also read about Gus's Chicken - we would for sure want to go there one night too; if its really good.

I am open to suggestions on where to eat and any thing else you recommend we do/see in our short time there.

Corky's is my favorite bbq there. Not sure if you have the time, but we loved going to Mud Island when we lived there.

 

[Cindy's Mom]

Corky's is my favorite bbq there. Not sure if you have the time, but we loved going to Mud Island when we lived there.

Thanks Evil Queen - I looked at the Mud Island website and it looks really cool, but they are closed on Monday's boo hoo. I recognize the monorail from a Grisham movie....you know the one about the do gooder Southern Lawyer who firm tries to kill him

BTW, the 3rd leg of our trip we will be spending at my parents in Highland Beach. Have you ever been to Doc's on Atlantic and Federal in Delray Beach? I just love love love their burgers.

 

[Snoopymom]

Don't live there but we spent a weekend there and loved Memphis, and loved the Rendezvous! I don't think it feels commercial at all, more like owner operated, a reputation to uphold type of place, but when I think of commercial I think of places like the Hard Rock and the Rain Forest cafes.

There is a greasy spoon diner type of place called Mike's down one of the side streets that I read about before going, and it was good, great milk shakes, but you definitely feel like you better eat healthy for the rest of your trip to compensate, LOL.

I've heard there's a really nice zoo there for the kids, and just so you know, the area around Graceland is a little seedy, but once you get on the grounds there, it's nice. I just expected it to look different and I thought for sure we were going the wrong way, LOL.

Have fun!!!!

 

[Cindy's Mom]

Don't live there but we spent a weekend there and loved Memphis, and loved the Rendezvous! I don't think it feels commercial at all, more like owner operated, a reputation to uphold type of place, but when I think of commercial I think of places like the Hard Rock and the Rain Forest cafes.

There is a greasy spoon diner type of place called Mike's down one of the side streets that I read about before going, and it was good, great milk shakes, but you definitely feel like you better eat healthy for the rest of your trip to compensate, LOL.

I've heard there's a really nice zoo there for the kids, and just so you know, the area around Graceland is a little seedy, but once you get on the grounds there, it's nice. I just expected it to look different and I thought for sure we were going the wrong way, LOL.

Have fun!!!!

Thanks for reassuring me on Rendezvous - we will go there on your recommendation. Also, I'm glad you reinforced my feelings about the the area around Graceland being seedy. I was looking at a couple hotels in that area and I wasn't really diggin em. I just had a feeling it wasn't the best of areas. Thanks.

 

[Evil Queen]

Thanks Evil Queen - I looked at the Mud Island website and it looks really cool, but they are closed on Monday's boo hoo. I recognize the monorail from a Grisham movie....you know the one about the do gooder Southern Lawyer who firm tries to kill him

BTW, the 3rd leg of our trip we will be spending at my parents in Highland Beach. Have you ever been to Doc's on Atlantic and Federal in Delray Beach? I just love love love their burgers.

Doc's is the best!

Some memories of my childhood there too. If my dad went to go get a haircut, I would tag along, and after we always stopped at Doc's. It's been around so long. That place gets packed at lunchtime.

 

[kmp1191]

ok...not an expert on Memphis, but I have lived here for 13 yrs.
Rendevous is good....not the best in my opinoin, but good. Are you looking for ribs, or BBQ? If it's ribs, then I'd go w/ Rendevous...wet or dry is both good. If it's BBQ, then Corky's is good. The best in my opinoin is Interstate BBQ....but I'm not sure where it's at. My DH usually brings it home, or eats there w/ his partners.
I've never had Gus's Fried Chicken from Downtown, but I hear it is spicy and great. I'm told the atmosphere is what makes the place great. Again, I've never been to the one downtown.
You should be fine at the DoubleTree Downtown. Make sure you check out the Peabody Ducks...I like that more than Graceland! I think your kids will get a kick out of seeing the ducks come down the elevator! Beale Street is ok too....but maybe not w/ the kids....it's mainly bars and shops....during the day it's ok....but again...some of the shops are more adult themed (not like sex stuff, just a more mature audience).
Also, you are real close to AutoZone Park - AAA Baseball - if you want me to...i'll check to see if they're in town if you want to go to a game. Oh, and Peabody Place is cool too.....
hhhhmmmmm....i'm still thinking......

marie

 

[kmp1191]

oh....almost forgot....Gibson Guitar Factory is here too....and Sun Studios....remember...Memphis is the birthplace of the blues!

 

[Cindy's Mom]

ok...not an expert on Memphis, but I have lived here for 13 yrs.
Rendevous is good....not the best in my opinoin, but good. Are you looking for ribs, or BBQ? If it's ribs, then I'd go w/ Rendevous...wet or dry is both good. If it's BBQ, then Corky's is good. The best in my opinoin is Interstate BBQ....but I'm not sure where it's at. My DH usually brings it home, or eats there w/ his partners.
I've never had Gus's Fried Chicken from Downtown, but I hear it is spicy and great. I'm told the atmosphere is what makes the place great. Again, I've never been to the one downtown.
You should be fine at the DoubleTree Downtown. Make sure you check out the Peabody Ducks...I like that more than Graceland! I think your kids will get a kick out of seeing the ducks come down the elevator! Beale Street is ok too....but maybe not w/ the kids....it's mainly bars and shops....during the day it's ok....but again...some of the shops are more adult themed (not like sex stuff, just a more mature audience).
Also, you are real close to AutoZone Park - AAA Baseball - if you want me to...i'll check to see if they're in town if you want to go to a game. Oh, and Peabody Place is cool too.....
hhhhmmmmm....i'm still thinking......

marie

Thanks - I just googled the ducks - that sound neat. I'll add it to the list. Boy I've got alot to do in just 1.5 days.

 

[tink38]

ok...not an expert on Memphis, but I have lived here for 13 yrs.
Rendevous is good....not the best in my opinoin, but good. Are you looking for ribs, or BBQ? If it's ribs, then I'd go w/ Rendevous...wet or dry is both good. If it's BBQ, then Corky's is good. The best in my opinoin is Interstate BBQ....but I'm not sure where it's at. My DH usually brings it home, or eats there w/ his partners.
I've never had Gus's Fried Chicken from Downtown, but I hear it is spicy and great. I'm told the atmosphere is what makes the place great. Again, I've never been to the one downtown.
You should be fine at the DoubleTree Downtown. Make sure you check out the Peabody Ducks...I like that more than Graceland! I think your kids will get a kick out of seeing the ducks come down the elevator! Beale Street is ok too....but maybe not w/ the kids....it's mainly bars and shops....during the day it's ok....but again...some of the shops are more adult themed (not like sex stuff, just a more mature audience).
Also, you are real close to AutoZone Park - AAA Baseball - if you want me to...i'll check to see if they're in town if you want to go to a game. Oh, and Peabody Place is cool too.....
hhhhmmmmm....i'm still thinking......

marie

I'm fairly new to the Memphis area, but I've lived here since Katrina. Jim Neely's Interstate BBQ is on 3rd Street down near Beale. There's another one on Stateline Road in Southaven, MS, but I've never been there.

We went to the Pink Palace Museum a few weeks ago and were pleasantly surprised by it.

 

[kmp1191]

I'm fairly new to the Memphis area, but I've lived here since Katrina. Jim Neely's Interstate BBQ is on 3rd Street down near Beale. There's another one on Stateline Road in Southaven, MS, but I've never been there.

We went to the Pink Palace Museum a few weeks ago and were pleasantly surprised by it.

Thanks Tink.....I was thinking of Neely's, but didn't know where it was. DH always calls it Interstate. They've got a couple around town....I think there's one on Winchester....
Anyway, I like them the best....that's just my opinoin.

 

[Alison Wonderland]

Regarding seedy area around Graceland: I used to live in Memphis and I heard that when he lived there it was a nice area--I think it may have even been kind of rural and it just got seedy over the years.

 

[perdidobay]

The Doubletree hotel is a good chioce, and in a great location to do all the things downtown. The Autozone park is right across the street, go if there is a game while you're in town. They have some really neat play areas for kids.http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/...d=35233&vkey=ballpark_t235&fext=.jsp&sid=t235

Peabody Place is a mall with lots of neat shops and restuarants, also right by the hotel
http://www.belz.com/peabody/entertainment/index.html#

I agree with seeing the Peabody ducks at the hotel, fun for kids!

The Rendevous is good, altho a little overrated...it's a landmark kind of place.

The Memphis zoo is awesome....the new Northwest Passage is worth the admission price alone
http://www.memphiszoo.org/home.aspx?pid=1


The Bigfoot lodge is a neat place to eat downtown...and the food is good!
http://www.bigfootlodge.net/

 

[kmp1191]

It got seedy over the years.
It's such a tourist spot that there are plenty of police in that area. I wouldn't go at night, but in the daytime it's fine.

 

[RadioNate]

Former Memphis resident

Rendezvous isn't the best BBQ in town BUT it is true Memphis. Elvis's favorite. The Menu consists of ribs or chicken. Waitstaff won't chit chat with you, they move 'em in and out asap, they can be curt and seem unfriendly but it is about atmosphere. For food my pick would be The Bar-B-Q Shop.

I love the Memphis Zoo. They have panda's! The Pink Palace Museaum is also cool. Sun Studios and the Rock and Soul Museaum @ the Gibson Guitar factory is also a great Smithsonian exhibit.

The area around Graceland is pretty skechy but the Graceland 'complex' is fine. I however wouldn't stay around there.

I can't think of a Doubletree on Union. I'll have to ask DH. There is a Hampton Inn on Peabody Place and (I think) 4th, that I have stayed at that was very nice.

Gus's is good. The Front Street location is close to downtown.

The Arcade on main is good for breakfast/brunch.

Anything on Beale is generally ok but you'll want to clear out pretty early with kids.

 

[Cindy's Mom]

Former Memphis resident

Rendezvous isn't the best BBQ in town BUT it is true Memphis. Elvis's favorite. The Menu consists of ribs or chicken. Waitstaff won't chit chat with you, they move 'em in and out asap, they can be curt and seem unfriendly but it is about atmosphere. For food my pick would be The Bar-B-Q Shop.

I can't think of a Doubletree on Union. I'll have to ask DH. There is a Hampton Inn on Peabody Place and (I think) 4th, that I have stayed at that was very nice.

Gus's is good. The Front Street location is close to downtown.

The Arcade on main is good for breakfast/brunch.

Anything on Beale is generally ok but you'll want to clear out pretty early with kids.

I looked at the Hampton Inn and its it booked - The Doubletree recently underwent refurishment and used to be called the Radisson. I'm going to look up the Bar-B-Q shop. BUt since you said that Rendezvous was Elvis' favorite, I think we must go.

 

[RadioNate]

I looked at the Hampton Inn and its it booked - The Doubletree recently underwent refurishment and used to be called the Radisson. I'm going to look up the Bar-B-Q shop. BUt since you said that Rendezvous was Elvis' favorite, I think we must go.

Ha, I know where the Radisson is. I haven't been in any guest rooms but it is in a good area. Just east of the Peabody.

 

[kmp1191]

OK....Cindy's Mom.....did you go?