What to see while I'm in Memphis? (Bartlett, Columbia: hotel, house)

[aar0on]

Next month, I'm going to be in Memphis for about 2-3 days. I've never been there before, so I don't really have any idea as to what I should see while I'm there. I'm bringing my camera, sleeping in my car, and basically just roaming the city all weekend.

Any must-do things I can't miss while I'm there?

[tigergal]

Originally Posted by aar0on

Next month, I'm going to be in Memphis for about 2-3 days. I've never been there before, so I don't really have any idea as to what I should see while I'm there. I'm bringing my camera, sleeping in my car, and basically just roaming the city all weekend.

Any must-do things I can't miss while I'm there?

Memphis really isn't a city in which you should sleep in your car. It is a far cry from Columbia, MO ( a lovely place, by the way).

[Pearlbob]

Oh my gosh. This has to be a joke, right?

[aar0on]

I can take care of myself, guys, no worries. So, back to my question... what should I not go home without seeing?

EDIT: my church group will be in Memphis while I'm there. They're working on an S.O.S. project and camping out at night. I'll be able to hang with them over the weekend if I need to be around others.

[Pearlbob]

Camping where?

Memphis can be a very dangerous city. Most church groups who come here work in VERY dangerous areas. I would not want to be in a lot of areas during the day, let alone at night, let alone sleeping in a car.

I cannot in good faith answer this question, sorry. If you can't afford to stay in a hotel, or at least camp somewhere safe (I have no idea where that would be), then i can't recommend you visit.

[aar0on]

I can easily afford to stay in a hotel, I just don't care to; who knows, maybe I'll change my mind, but I doubt it at this point. My church has been doing the Memphis trips for years, without incident, BTW.

[DubbleT]

Don't church groups normally stay with a host church? Your SOS site says they have a building that accomodates 190 "campers", is that where your church group is camping at? BTW I always wondered what that building was, now I know!

[Pearlbob]

Ohhh! Me too! It's by the new liquor store and across from Sonic and the used car lot. Even that area isn't the best, but if the camping is indoors, that should be fine. I still wouldn't risk sleeping in a car there, even in a gated lot. That is right in the heart of Memphis though, basically next to midtown and near downtown.

Originally Posted by DubbleT

Don't church groups normally stay with a host church? Your SOS site says they have a building that accomodates 190 "campers", is that where your church group is camping at? BTW I always wondered what that building was, now I know!

[Kabluey]

I'll let the rest of the forumers try to scare the crap out of you. Meanwhile, I'll try to answer your question:

What to see: The river, Harbortown, downtown (civil rights museum, Beale, Autozone Park, there's beautiful old architecture of the Exchange Building, Central Station, Lincoln-American Tower, Sterick Bldg); if you like music check out Sun, Stax Records, the Gibson Guitar factory and the Smithsonian museum. Elsewhere in the city, check out Overton Park in midtown, home to Brooks Museum of Art, the Overton Park Shell (outdoor ampitheater that has been renovated and opened; it is historic because of an Elvis performance there) and the Memphis Zoo.

Besides the Brooks, if you like art you might consider 1) the Dixon gallery; 2) the Art Museum of Memphis (primarily for its Egyptian artifacts); 3) Belz Museum (near Gayoso House downtown, priarmily for its Asian artifacts); 4) some of the galleries on South Main, particularly the Power House (located in an old brick power station by Central Station).

Some districts to check out besides South Main and Beale include: Cooper-Young (on the intersection of Cooper and Young in Midtown, it's a small district with some quaint restaurants, bars, galleries, and little mom-and-pop shops); the Edge (I don't know too much about this district, it's located by Sun Records, but there seems to be a coffee shop, the Hattiloo theater for the Black Repertory theater, and some galleries and clubs); the University neighborhood around Highland (primarily if you want University of Memphis souvenirs, lol, or for one or two bars there).

If you like food, I'd recommend Gus's fried chicken downtown, any Seikisui location for sushi, and for barbecue any of the following (Corky's, Neely's, Interstate). There are several nice upscale restaurants especially around Overton Square, but I don't frequent them that much.

If you like music, there are tons of venues around; pick up the Memphis Flyer (free weekly paper) to check out performances.

If you like architecture, then your best bet is downtown (many beautiful old churches, one unfortunately burned to the ground a year ago but several more still stand) and midtown (midtown particularly has several historic neighborhoods, and beautiful mansions line Walnut Grove in East Memphis and by Galloway golf course). There's is very little besides sprawl outside the city. If you return in a few years that might change. I think the best bets for density in a suburb may be Bartlett or old Collierville. Beyond that you'd have to venture to say Oxford Mississippi. Speaking of which, if you're interested in the gaming entertainment, there are like 10 casinos in Tunica, spread out incomprehensibly.

I'm sure I'm missing some details, but I think the best thing to see is entering Riverside drive from the south, headed north. It's a beautiful vista of the river and then of the downtown skyline.

Enjoy your visit, be safe and smart, and Memphis will treat you very well!!

[aar0on]

Thanks, Kabluey, that's exactly what I was looking for!