Long distance information, give me Memphis, Tennessee
July 30, 2018 7:29 AM Subscribe
DOT, Jr. and I are going on a father-son road trip to Memphis for Labor Day. I'm actually from Memphis but for reasons have not actually been back in 15 years. What's good? What to eat? What to see?
Specifically, we're interested in eating a bunch of unhealthy barbecue and other southern/regional food the likes of which we can't get up in Chicagoland. DOT Jr. is open-minded enough to try most things, but his preferences tilt toward normal nine year-old stuff, livened up a bit with a fondness for over-the-top comfort food of the Diners/Drive-Ins, and Dives ilk: bacon, fried things, excess.
In the interest of kid-friendliness, I'm figuring on a trip to the Memphis Zoo (which was great when I was there and has only gotten better, I have been assured) and maybe a riverboat cruise. (I never did one of those when I lived there, so it would be new to me, too.) And Beale Street/Schwab's, of course. And the Peabody ducks.
I'd like to fit in a trip to one of the music-centric locations that is new and/or I haven't gotten around to... maybe the Stax Museum? I'm not opposed to doing Graceland or Sun Studio again, if someone makes a convincing case that one of those would be the most fun for a bright nine year-old. Still... the kid probably doesn't have the grace and patience to do a full on musicology expedition, so I want to keep it to one music history destination.
And finally, is nine too young to take him to the Civil Rights Museum? I always like to give him some perspective and education where I can and he is, as I am ceaselessly fond of bragging about, super duper smart, but would this be something that would register with him, or it better off being held for when he hits his late tweens/early teens, on some subsequent visit?
I do still have many friends there, but I'd like to hear what was fun for people as tourists, too. Even things that aren't that new might be worth mentioning, as I was subsistence level poor the last time I lived in Memphis and didn't get out much.
Specifically, we're interested in eating a bunch of unhealthy barbecue and other southern/regional food the likes of which we can't get up in Chicagoland. DOT Jr. is open-minded enough to try most things, but his preferences tilt toward normal nine year-old stuff, livened up a bit with a fondness for over-the-top comfort food of the Diners/Drive-Ins, and Dives ilk: bacon, fried things, excess.
In the interest of kid-friendliness, I'm figuring on a trip to the Memphis Zoo (which was great when I was there and has only gotten better, I have been assured) and maybe a riverboat cruise. (I never did one of those when I lived there, so it would be new to me, too.) And Beale Street/Schwab's, of course. And the Peabody ducks.
I'd like to fit in a trip to one of the music-centric locations that is new and/or I haven't gotten around to... maybe the Stax Museum? I'm not opposed to doing Graceland or Sun Studio again, if someone makes a convincing case that one of those would be the most fun for a bright nine year-old. Still... the kid probably doesn't have the grace and patience to do a full on musicology expedition, so I want to keep it to one music history destination.
And finally, is nine too young to take him to the Civil Rights Museum? I always like to give him some perspective and education where I can and he is, as I am ceaselessly fond of bragging about, super duper smart, but would this be something that would register with him, or it better off being held for when he hits his late tweens/early teens, on some subsequent visit?
I do still have many friends there, but I'd like to hear what was fun for people as tourists, too. Even things that aren't that new might be worth mentioning, as I was subsistence level poor the last time I lived in Memphis and didn't get out much.
According to Roadfood, bbq spaghetti is a Memphis specialty (I've only been to central TN and didn't see it on menus there).
posted by brujita at 8:22 AM on July 30, 2018
posted by brujita at 8:22 AM on July 30, 2018
Best answer: I don’t know how old DOT Jr. is, but the Memphis zoo kicks ass as far as zoos go. Also, the Bartfast Brothers really liked the fire truck museum in Memphis. Seconding the Germantown Commissary, please bring me back 3 bottles of the spicy sauce, thanks.
I’ve never been, but my racist republican parents just loved Beale Street for being so “authentically cultural” which means stay the fuck away.
On edit: by which I mean probably not at all authentic and set up for dumb white people to throw money away for a “safe” exposure to black people music that won’t make them feel uncomfortable.
posted by Slarty Bartfast at 8:34 AM on July 30, 2018 [1 favorite]
I’ve never been, but my racist republican parents just loved Beale Street for being so “authentically cultural” which means stay the fuck away.
On edit: by which I mean probably not at all authentic and set up for dumb white people to throw money away for a “safe” exposure to black people music that won’t make them feel uncomfortable.
posted by Slarty Bartfast at 8:34 AM on July 30, 2018 [1 favorite]
The Rendevous for ribs
posted by Pressed Rat at 8:39 AM on July 30, 2018
posted by Pressed Rat at 8:39 AM on July 30, 2018
Beale Street is fine, as long as you’re ok with only listening to music that is older than you are. And there’s neon and drinks to go. No reason to eat there unless you’re going to a Grizzlies game, which you’re not. It’s like 3 blocks long, and then you can go someplace else downtown/along the riverfront.
You need to go to Huey’s at some point. Probably doesn’t matter which one.
Also, if your traveling companion really is nine years old and he’s a child of your first marriage, I’ve reason to believe Paul Simon demands you go to Graceland. I mean, I was ok with you skipping it but it’s right there in the song.
posted by Huffy Puffy at 8:44 AM on July 30, 2018 [8 favorites]
You need to go to Huey’s at some point. Probably doesn’t matter which one.
Also, if your traveling companion really is nine years old and he’s a child of your first marriage, I’ve reason to believe Paul Simon demands you go to Graceland. I mean, I was ok with you skipping it but it’s right there in the song.
posted by Huffy Puffy at 8:44 AM on July 30, 2018 [8 favorites]
Thirding the Germantown Commissary, even over the Rendezvous (but I mean, do both for VERY different ambiances, if you can).
posted by easement1 at 9:30 AM on July 30, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by easement1 at 9:30 AM on July 30, 2018 [1 favorite]
If you do go to Beale Street -- which, as noted above, is hokey but safe -- there is a spoopy voodoo shop that a nine-year-old might be delighted by. I know I was. Magic oils are inexpensive and, despite smelling like '70s cologne, harmless.
posted by Countess Elena at 9:36 AM on July 30, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by Countess Elena at 9:36 AM on July 30, 2018 [1 favorite]
The park on Mud Island has a neat scale model of the Mississippi River that a 9 year old would probably enjoy splashing around in. (At least, I thought it was neat. )
posted by Green Eyed Monster at 11:23 AM on July 30, 2018 [3 favorites]
posted by Green Eyed Monster at 11:23 AM on July 30, 2018 [3 favorites]
Best answer: Unhealthy barbecue/comfort food = Central BBQ nachos. Get the full order.
The Civil Rights Museum is awesome but I think you would be frustrated by wanting to read everything while your 9 year old wants to zoom through. On the opposite end of the ahem... cultured... spectrum, go to Bass Pro Shop at the Pyramid. I hate that I am suggesting it, but your kid will think it is THE GREATEST THING EVER.
Memphis recently got a bike share system and Bird scooters, although I think you are supposed to be 18 for scooters. Not sure about bikes. You can use either one to cross the Harahan Bridge / Big River Crossing which someone mentioned above... a pedestrian bridge that crosses the Mississippi. It's really pretty cool. Also just walking along the riverfront is cool, or take a football or frisbee to the park on Mud Island (not the actual "Mud Island River Park" which is more of a museum - just cross the AW Willis bridge to the residential part of Mud Island and hang out at the park).
Check out one of several La Michoacana locations for delicious paletas or Jerry's Sno-Cones (the original on Wells Station - cash only) for dessert one night. Prepare for a long line at Jerry's but it generally moves fast.
I don't know baseball schedules but the Redbirds are the local minor league team (Cardinals affiliate) and if they're playing that time of year, it's a fun thing to do - it's got to be the best minor league stadium in the country.
If you ever spent time at Shelby Farms when you lived here, know that it is totally transformed now and is AWESOME. You and kiddo could rent kayaks or stand up paddle boards at the newly expanded lake. If he's not too old for a (super cool) playground, there is an awesome adventure playground there. Zip lining. Definitely check this out if y'all are at all outdoorsy.
posted by raspberrE at 2:59 PM on July 30, 2018 [2 favorites]
The Civil Rights Museum is awesome but I think you would be frustrated by wanting to read everything while your 9 year old wants to zoom through. On the opposite end of the ahem... cultured... spectrum, go to Bass Pro Shop at the Pyramid. I hate that I am suggesting it, but your kid will think it is THE GREATEST THING EVER.
Memphis recently got a bike share system and Bird scooters, although I think you are supposed to be 18 for scooters. Not sure about bikes. You can use either one to cross the Harahan Bridge / Big River Crossing which someone mentioned above... a pedestrian bridge that crosses the Mississippi. It's really pretty cool. Also just walking along the riverfront is cool, or take a football or frisbee to the park on Mud Island (not the actual "Mud Island River Park" which is more of a museum - just cross the AW Willis bridge to the residential part of Mud Island and hang out at the park).
Check out one of several La Michoacana locations for delicious paletas or Jerry's Sno-Cones (the original on Wells Station - cash only) for dessert one night. Prepare for a long line at Jerry's but it generally moves fast.
I don't know baseball schedules but the Redbirds are the local minor league team (Cardinals affiliate) and if they're playing that time of year, it's a fun thing to do - it's got to be the best minor league stadium in the country.
If you ever spent time at Shelby Farms when you lived here, know that it is totally transformed now and is AWESOME. You and kiddo could rent kayaks or stand up paddle boards at the newly expanded lake. If he's not too old for a (super cool) playground, there is an awesome adventure playground there. Zip lining. Definitely check this out if y'all are at all outdoorsy.
posted by raspberrE at 2:59 PM on July 30, 2018 [2 favorites]
Nthing the Germantown Commissary. RaspberrE is right about Central BBQ nachos and La Michoacana!
The Civil Rights Museum is amazing, although your nine-year-old may not have the patience for it. Your nine-year-old will probably love the Bass Pro in the Pyramid -- so weird and great.
posted by woodvine at 2:23 AM on July 31, 2018
The Civil Rights Museum is amazing, although your nine-year-old may not have the patience for it. Your nine-year-old will probably love the Bass Pro in the Pyramid -- so weird and great.
posted by woodvine at 2:23 AM on July 31, 2018
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Mud island river park for the scale model of the lower Mississippi River, before they replace it with something else.
The Pyramid is a Bass Pro Shop. Which means it’s open and you can visit it. It costs $10 to take the elevator to the top.
Civil Rights Museum is good, but it’s a lot of reading.
Stax is neat.
There’s a walking trail across the river bridge that’s parallel to 55, in South Main.
The trolleys are running again downtown. $1.
posted by Huffy Puffy at 7:46 AM on July 30, 2018