Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with memphis

Where should I karaoke in Memphis on a Thursday or Friday?

23skidoo — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 09:42:37 -0800

I am travelling to Memphis in a couple few weeks. Where would be a good place for me to karaoke there, specifically on a Thursday or Friday? Here are things that I am looking for in a karaoke place. The more of them that your recommendation has, the better.

1) friendly dive bar type of place where people in their 20s or 30s might go
2) not terribly busy (I get to sing at least once an hour)
3) not just country singers, but a wide variety of clientele
4) a karaoke book that has lots of Hall & Oates (so I can convince my sister to come out)

Recommend me somewhere.

Plan my roadtrip.

lockestockbarrel — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 16:40:17 -0800

PlanMyRoadtrip Filter: Driving from St. Louis, MO to Brownsville, TX in 3 days. What should we do along the way? My wife and I are driving from St. Louis, MO to Brownsville, TX, leaving on Monday, March 9th. The only constraint is that we have to arrive in Brownsville three days later. However we divide up the distance between the three days is fine.

Because we have three days to take the trip, we'd like to do some sightseeing along the way. As we've never driven through this area of the US, we'd like to see places, do things, and eat things that are representative of the region. We'll likely be through this area again, so it's not a farewell tour or anything like that. We're in our mid-20s and adventurous -- we'd like to see sights, eat local food, take photographs, walk around places, etc., but we'll have a car full of stuff so take that into account.

The default GoogleMaps route takes us through OK (a seemingly boring route) but we hit Dallas and Austin. I was thinking we could drive directly south through Memphis to New Orleans, then cut west along the gulf through Houston. It's less important for us to see Austin on this trip as we'll probably visit there later; it's less likely we'll visit New Orleans from Brownsville.

As far as the driving, we just have to arrive three days after we depart. So we could drive one day to New Orleans, stay one day, then drive the rest the second day. Or we could drive to Memphis, then drive to New Orleans, then drive the rest. Or we could drive to New Orleans, drive to Houston, then drive the rest. Or we could drive to Dallas, stay the next day, then drive the rest. You get the idea. Driving 11 or 12 hours in a day is not a big deal for us.

So:
1. How should we design our route?
2. We have to sleep twice on the trip. Where?
3. Where should we eat?
4. What should we go see/do/experience?

Thanks, MeFi!

Car-free in Memphis

catlet — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 06:44:08 -0800

MemphisFilter: I have a week-long business trip coming up. I'll be staying in East Memphis, and will not have a car. Am I SOL for seeing anything interesting without wheels? This will be my first trip to Memphis, and most of the time I will be on-site at my client's. One colleague is renting a car and will be shuttling us from hotel to client site, but none of us will be listed as additional drivers. Other Memphis-tourism AskMes generally involve cars or staying downtown (I realize I'm not exactly staying in the boonies, but will be on Poplar Pike west of St. Francis Hospital).

I'd like to go out for dinner a couple of times (hotel food for five days is going to get old, and I'm crazy for barbecue) and, if the agenda permits, would particularly like to see the Civil Rights Museum, Elmwood Cemetery, Soulsville USA, or the Museum of Ornamental Metal sounds a lot more interesting! Bars and Beale Street aren't particularly interesting, especially because I'll be alone, and it's my impression that Graceland is a full-day commitment.

I am fine with cabs or public transit. Tell me whether I should start looking at guidebooks or if I'm better off holing up in my room and studying for my stupid certification exam. Thank you!

Suggestions for Memphis, Nashville, and Little Rock -- what to do and where to stay..

seinfeld — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 10:22:25 -0800

My wife and I are taking a trip to Memphis, Nashville, and Little Rock next week.. Need help on what to do and where to stay.. Planning on flying into Memphis and heading straight to Nashville for 1-2 nights.. On Sunday, head back to Memphis. Spend Monday in Little Rock, at the Clinton Library and perhaps other suggested places, and then spend Tuesday in Memphis before returning home that evening.

Comments? What should we do besides the obvious -- Graceland, seeing the Grand 'ole Oprey..? Where should we stay? Is it worth spending the money to be downtown so we can enjoy the nightlife and have a few drinks and not worry about driving? Wife and I -- we're in our 20s.. Friday - Tuesday.

Thank you!

Vacation spots within driving distance of Memphis for two 20-somethings?

saucy — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 18:26:55 -0800

Vacation spots within driving distance of Memphis for two 20-somethings? So the hubby and I have just been handed a week's worth timeshare from my parents, as they won't be able to use it before it expires at the end of the year. We can transfer it to pretty much anywhere. The question is where to go?

Unfortunately, even with a weeks lodging taken care of, we still don't have a whole lot to spend on the vacation. We're located in Memphis, and I'd prefer to find a place within driving distance, as plane ticket prices make flying out of the question.

My first thought was to find a nice quiet Florida getaway where we can chill beachside/poolside and not eat up too much cash.

Of course the first words out of his mouth were: anywhere but Florida.

He says he's only ever vacationed in the South (mostly Florida,) and wants to go somewhere new. New Orleans is out, too.

I want somewhere relaxing where we won't have to spend all our cash at tourist traps. (and I'd really love to spend at least one day at the beach, though not necessary.)

Does the perfect solution exist?

"Thank you very much..."

jpburns — Fri, 02 May 2008 15:08:21 -0800

I'm going to Memphis March 31st (my wife is attending a conference there...) and am looking for dining and touristy suggestions. Nothing too fancy for the dining (although we'll be on an expense account); looking more for "local flavor."

What else to see? Graceland? Worth seeing? Any good comic book stores? Museums? Neat neighborhoods?

I'm a geezer, so late night clubs aren't high on my list...

Thanks in advance.

Another delivery of love

fijiwriter — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 13:17:37 -0800

Looking for an outstanding, but deliverable, gift in Germantown, Tenn., area for new parents. Mrs. Writer's cousin and his wife just had their first baby, and are due home next week. They've been through a lot lately, and we wanted to order and have something special delivered, other than the token flowers or plants or cookie bouquet, etc.

So, for you fine Germantown and Memphis folks, what is a nice gift to have delivered from a local store/company? I'd like to steer away from the usual "new baby" realm, if at all possible.

Organic/Ethical/Non-Factory BBQ in Memphis?

iwhitney — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 13:22:24 -0800

I'll be traveling to Memphis, TN in a few weeks and would love to sample a lot of local BBQ and other Memphis specialties. But I'm pretty picky about the meat I eat. Are there options for me? I'm not sure if there's a easy term for the kind of meat that I prefer to buy & eat. But if you've read "The Omnivore's Dilemma" or "River Cottage Meat Book" then you'll know where I'm coming from. Basically I want, and am willing to pay for, meat that was raised with care for the animal and the final product.

For pigs, I'd like them to be fed a varied & organic diet, have access to the outside, not have to live in a tiny stall, not be de-taied after birth, etc.

While cooking at home, I tend to use meat that I buy either directly from a farm that I know meets my standards, or from a co-op that researches their meat vendors pretty thoroughly. When I'm at restaurants, I try to get meat dishes that use the same kind of products that I'd use at home, or I just stick to vegetarian fare.

So are there places in Memphis where I can cast my dollar votes for well-raised meat?

Memphis & Mississippi songs

cainiarb — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 20:22:13 -0800

I'm trying to put together a playlist of songs with the words Memphis or Mississippi in them. Here are the ones I have so far. Can you help me add to my list. The ones in the titles are easy. I tend to forget the ones where the words are embedded in the lyrics rather than the title.

Can't Stop The Mississippi - Charley Pride
Dixie Chicken - Little Feat
Dixie On My Mind - The Charlie Daniels Band
Don't Mention Memphis - Tim McGraw
Down In Mississippi (Up To No Good) - Sugarland
Honky Tonk Women - The Rolling Stones
Lonesome Boy From Dixie - The Charlie Daniels Band
Memphis - Lonnie Mack
Mississippi - The Charlie Daniels Band
Mississippi Girl - Faith Hill
Mississippi Queen - Mountain
Muddy Mississipi - The Charlie Daniels Band
My Head's In Mississippi - ZZ Top
The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down - The Band
Night Train To Memphis - Dolly Parton
Ol' Man River - Paul Robeson
Proud Mary - Ike & Tina Turner
Queen Of Memphis - Confederate Railroad
The South's Gonna Do It Again - The Charlie Daniels Band
Tryin' To Live My Life Without You - Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band

Henna in Memphis?

Mimzy — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 21:11:26 -0800

Where can I find someone in Memphis to do the elaborate "wedding" henna on a few people? Some friends and I would like to incorporate this into a wedding shower--we did it as part of an Indian ceremony a few years ago and it was great. However, I'm having trouble finding someone--any suggestions or recommendations?

Where can I shower in Memphis?

middleclasstool — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 19:00:20 -0800

I feel like a moron for asking this: Where can I take a shower in Memphis on Saturday? No, I'm not asking to use yours. So here's the thing my dumb ass did: I'm signed up to run my first-ever marathon in Memphis on the 1st. I got a sweet deal on a room right near the course for Friday night. Plan is spend the night Friday, run the race Saturday, get cleaned up and go home, kiss my fat baby and put him to bed, then open that bottle of red we bought in Tuscany to celebrate my Shaft-esqueness.

What I didn't realize until it was too late was that (1) the hotel won't let me check out later than 1:30 on Saturday, and (2) I don't run that fast, so I won't be able to make it back in time to shower at the hotel room after the race, not after all the snacks and rub-downs and mylar blankies and stuff. My only option, it appears, is to drive home after the race without showering -- smelly, caked in salt, and longing for the sweet pulsing showerhead reward.

Now, we only live two hours away, so it wouldn't be that long of a wait, but I stink like hell after even a short run, so I'd like to have mercy on my wife and get cleaned up so she doesn't have to spend two hours in close quarters with my ripe undercarriage. Is there anywhere nearby we can stop off and use shower facilities, like a university gym or something where I could slip in quietly for a quick delousing? I'm honestly not fishing for an invite to someone's home here.

My wife thanks you in advance and requests that you heap mocking upon me.

Playlist for a Memphis-New Orleans roadtrip

madajb — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 14:51:49 -0800

Short roadtrip from Memphis to New Orleans. Musical Selections? So, I'm taking a trip down south. Looking for some music appropriate for a car journey. I was thinking some Sun Records for the Memphis portion. Some blues for the middle. Maybe some Southern Rock.
I'm not much on Zydeco, but I could be persuaded.
Bonus points for songs that mention the journey or sights along the way (Memphis, New Orleans, Mississipi, etc)

Memphis Gift Basket

iphog — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 09:58:26 -0800

I have a friend that is starting a new job in Memphis TN. I want to send her a gift basket of pastry's or a gift basket of food from Memphis for her and her office to enjoy. Can anyone please give me some advice on who to call or where to look?

What goes down in the South in terms of bachelor parties?

kookywon — Wed, 30 May 2007 09:57:10 -0800

Memphis Bachelor Party: Need some ideas for things to do as well as details on activities from TN residents. I've got to organize a bachelor party in Memphis. However, I've never been there in my life and know no one who has. I need some ideas of 1) things to do and 2) places to eat. Here's my rough outline:

morning: Graceland (Is there anything I need to know about this?)

afternoon: Riverboat Gambling (where do I get on? Is it overrated?)

early evening: Strip Club (I have no idea about the establishments there. I want something nice and fun. Not extremely sleazy and not extremely hands off)

prime time: Beale Street (I'm thinking we're just gonna show up and this will be autopilot. Are there places to definitely go? Places to definitely avoid?)

I need filler items like good bbq joints, places I absolutely need to eat, fun stuff we can do hungover (like bowling), etc. I'm not thinking that we'll be interested in museums and stuff, but if there's something cool to see that is within our roaming area those suggestions are welcome as well.

BTW, we've got hotel rooms about 2 blocks north of Beale Street. I'm assuming that's pretty central.

Public Education in Memphis, Tn

bethrossrn — Wed, 11 Apr 2007 18:26:54 -0800

My family and I will be moving to mid-town Memphis this summer. I originally thought private education was the only way to go in Memphis but after doing my research I am finding out that there are some public schools where academics are challenging and they offer more extracurricular activities than the private schools. I am leaning towards White Station high school and Snowden for elementary school. Appreciate any help.

Where to live in Memphis?

DiscourseMarker — Tue, 06 Mar 2007 07:04:24 -0800

I'm looking for suggestions on places to live in Memphis. Should I rent or buy? I've accepted a job offer at the University of Memphis for the fall, and I'm going down there this weekend to scout for housing. I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed with all the info I've gathered from the Internets so I'm looking for suggestions to target my search. I'm not really interested in very suburban or anything rural, and I'd like to be within a 30-minute commute to the university (I have no idea what traffic is like there). I'm open to renting or possibly buying a condo, so I'm also wondering what the market is like. Will buying be a good investment? Also, I'll be moving down there without hubby, who's staying behind for his job, so he wants me to be "safe." We're especially concerned about some things we've read that suggest there's a lot of property/auto crime in Memphis. Any suggestions on areas, streets, complexes, etc. are welcome.

The coolest roadtrip ever?

Richat — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 14:24:28 -0800

Travel advice for a couple of Guys looking to make a drive to northern Florida a little more interesting? My 26 year old brother and I are planning to drive from Toronto to Destin, FLA in February. We have a few days to make the 20 hour trip and so would like to make it more interesting. We already figure on stopping in Memphis, to check out Stax, Sun and possibly the nearby Gibson guitar factory. Oh, and maybe Graceland...Other ideas we had come up with included starting with a detour up to Woodstock to see if Levon Helm would mind if we knocked on his door and said hello.

Hopefully that gives you an idea of the kind of detours we are interested in. Can anyone suggest other cool points of interest that are roughly along the way? We don't mind going out of our way, but not like, Arizona-out-of-our-way...

Also, it's been a long time since I've driven in the states...Are there any other tips that could come in handy? Best way to keep Smokey off our back? Chain restaurants to avoid like the plague? Chain restaurants that are actually worth stopping at?

I will try to pay attention and answer any follow-up questions.

Memphis in November

mmw — Mon, 30 Oct 2006 09:51:57 -0800

I'll be visiting Memphis for the first time by train in November. Will have one weeknight and two weekdays there. I'll be alone (I'm female and in my 40s) and am specifically looking for a good (centrally located, not too expensive, safe, fun) place to stay and things to do. I like walking, good photography ops, bookstores, trying new beers, wine bars, theater, and I want to hear some Memphis music. Not into shopping. I've read through the AskMeFi queries tagged with "Memphis" (http://ask.metafilter.com/tags/memphis) and gleaned good ideas there, like a tour of St. Jude's and a visit to the Flying Saucer. Anything else, especially for a woman alone in cold weather?

Memphis, TN here I come

special-k — Tue, 01 Aug 2006 13:39:02 -0800

Suggest places to eat/drink/hang out in Memphis I’ll be in Memphis all of next week for a conference (right downtown). I’m looking for cool bars and restaurants that locals hang out in (cheap would be a bonus). I used to live in New Orleans so Beale Street does not appeal to me (unless there's something I must see).
Also, any other suggestions on off-beat stuff to do in the area would be appreciated. Thanks! I’ve seen this thread but it’s a bit old.

PS: Not a big Elvis fan. Is Graceland worth a visit?

How bad is it to stay in East Memphis?

kdern — Wed, 17 May 2006 11:14:35 -0800

Is it a bad idea to stay in East Memphis? I've never been to Memphis before - we're planning to drive in from St. Louis for Memorial Day weekend. We're planning to visit the normal tourist attractions... Beale Street, Al Green's Church, Sun Records, Civil Rights Museum, lots of BBQ.

Hotels downtown are either sold out or priced too high ($160-200 per night). I've got a room booked at the Park Place hotel in East Memphis, about 20 minutes away. How much of a pain is it going to be to drive into town and park, considering it's a holiday weekend and there's a music festival on Sat night (Memphis in May)?

Also - anyone ever been to this hotel? Is it a nice, clean place? As nice as a Hampton Inn? Is it a nice neighborhood? Anything to walk to?

Don't be cruel, give us some recommendations

pieoverdone — Tue, 15 Nov 2005 07:23:27 -0800

We're taking a road trip to Memphis the weekend of Dec 9th. Other than Graceland and Beale St, what should we see? What do the locals do/recommend? Where's the bad part of Memphis so we don't Priceline a hotel located there?

Fun things in the mid-south

brad! — Tue, 29 Mar 2005 07:38:23 -0800

I'm taking a road trip to the south this weekend. What are some can't miss places -- for eating, shopping, experiencing, or simply tons of fun -- in and around Nashville, Memphis, or Little Rock? Any restaurants, museums, record stores, world's biggest shoe, or other such must-see attraction is welcomed. My friends and I are fairly poor, so the less expensive the better. Most of our time will be spent in Memphis, and while this recent thread is helpful, it dealt mostly with live music. Also, if by chance anyone knows any hot spots around Cairo, Illinois or Terre Haute, Indiana, those are certainly welcomed as well. Thank you in advance!

Memphis recommendations

yoga — Fri, 25 Mar 2005 05:37:50 -0800

I'll be in Memphis for the first time April 8 - 10. Any recommendations for off the beaten path places to hear some good blues? Bonus points for acoustic sets.