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Post by anonrefugee on Jun 17, 2015 15:49:34 GMT
What to do? Any suggestions for firework shows? I read the ballgame at AutoZone park was a good choice.
Where to eat, and what else to see?
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Post by alissa103 on Jun 17, 2015 23:06:52 GMT
Yes, go to the game and stay for fireworks! I used to live in Memphis so here's my suggestions.  BBQ! Eat it. It's famous. My favorite places: Corky's (only go to the one off of Poplar Ave - it's the original and the best) Germantown Commissary (get a slice of caramel cake - trust me) The Bar-B-Cue Shop (my favorite sauce) Tom's (kind of out of the way but they have my favorite ribs) People will tell you to eat at Rendevous downtown. Do not go. I swear on my life that it's a tourist trap and there's 100000 times better elsewhere (see above). For fresh Mexican, I love Deli Mexicanna/Las Tortugas. But check their hours bc they take a summer vacation and it might be over the 4th and they close the restaurant. Muddy's bake shop has the best cupcakes!!! I always suggest the Civil Rights Museum. Also do the the tour at Sun Records.., it is my FAVORITE! Check the hours for these places over a holiday weekend. Hours may vary. What else do you like to do? I will come back with more ideas based in what you like |
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Post by anonrefugee on Jun 18, 2015 0:33:57 GMT
alissa103 thank you! Can you believe I forgot BBQ ?? Those sound wonderful. My kids will like the Civil Rights Museum, they're both into history. We feel like we should see Graceland, but with such a short trip I'm not sure we want to devote a lot of time. Is their an abbreviated Elvis tour? Thanks for confirming ballgame and fireworks. Its so hard to read and know of things are PR hype or true.
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Post by anonrefugee on Jun 18, 2015 1:11:28 GMT
alissa103 my DH says Thank You for BBQ suggestions!
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Post by mztfied on Jun 18, 2015 1:12:41 GMT
Be sure you have lots of sun screen and water. It will be hot and humid.
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Post by alissa103 on Jun 18, 2015 1:28:49 GMT
Graceland is a hoot. It will take a good chunk of your day though, because on a holiday weekend there will be lines and you kind of have to do a bit of waiting around as you get shuttled from place to place. Maybe you could get there for one of the earliest tours? And just do the house tour (don't buy the pass for the plane and I forget what else is included in the add-ons). I think if you did that it would only take up your morning. It's expensive for a family though! I've done the house tour twice and honestly, it's really fun. It's one of those things you do once in your life to say you did it. The house is so funky that kids will get a kick out of it. The buildings with all his awards, gold records, etc. is IMPRESSIVE. It totally makes your jaw drop to see how talented he was in a tangible way. You will leave loving Elvis, even if you weren't much of a fan before. But yes, I highly recommend the tour if you can work it in! If nothing else, drive by the mansion. There's some parking where you can sort of temporarily park your car, jump out, take some pictures of the family in front of the gates, and get back in the car. Or you can find a side street to park and walk up to the gates for photos that way. The house is set back from the street, but you can definitely see it. The Civil Rights museum is amazing. So glad you're doing it. I think everyone should go when they're in town for a visit. Where are you staying? If you aren't staying near Autozone Park, you can park at one of the garages near the stadium. I would recommend that vs. a street lot. You can also park at the Peabody hotel garage. There's access on a corner really close to the ballpark but I can't remember the cross streets. If you are close to the hotel and see the stadium, you will most likely see a sign near the entrance though. Another great thing in Memphis is the Zoo. I don't normally go all crazy for zoos when I'm visiting a city, but really this is one of the top zoos in the country. It is one of 3 (I think) with pandas! And it's just a nice, fun way to spend an afternoon. So that's another option. I hope you have a fun trip! Memphis is a fun place to visit for a weekend for sure |
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Post by alissa103 on Jun 18, 2015 1:39:34 GMT
p.s. if your family is a bit more adventurous, I can send you to some hole in the wall BBQ joints that are AH-Mazing. But I don't normally send tourists there b/c I don't want to scare them. Ha. So let me know if you are up for that.
Also, slaw on your bbq sandwich is a memphis "thing" and it's good! Order it that way and if you don't like it you can scrape it off. But it seriously adds something to the sandwich in a very good way. If you order ribs, get some both "wet" (with sauce) and some "dry" (with a seasoning rub on them) so you can try the differences. Both are delicious. Dry rub is a Memphis thing and it's GOOD.
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Post by anonrefugee on Jun 19, 2015 14:46:16 GMT
alissa103 I'm already craving the dry rub!!! DS will love the slaw. I'd love the hole in the wall places, please! I can't tell you how many times we've missed the famous restaurant because we've been tipped off to a better place by locals. Thank you thank you! This is supposed to be a stop along the way but it's becoming a real vacation now!
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mshershey
Junior Member
Posts: 68 
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Post by mshershey on Jun 19, 2015 15:55:06 GMT
Sorry Anonrefugee, but I'm hijacking your thread. My DH and future SIL are into fishing and hunting. We are planning a trip to the new Bass Pro Shop in the Pyramid the weekend of July 4th. This thread has some great info and now I'm considering catching a Redbirds game. Just wondering what are some good restaurants in that area. My dd and I did the Rendezvous once and was not impressed. Usually when we go to the Orpheum we usually eat at the Spaghetti Warehouse. We would like to try something different since we will have the men folks with us. They are just plain, southern men so nothing fancy. I've heard of Kooky Kanucks. Is that a good place to eat and near AutoZone Park? Again, sorry for the hijack.
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Post by anonrefugee on Jun 19, 2015 16:52:22 GMT
mshershey go right ahead! Pea advice has led is to some wonderful places!
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mshershey
Junior Member
Posts: 68
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Post by mshershey on Jun 19, 2015 18:42:06 GMT
Another question. Does the trolley make a stop at the Pyramid. I'm thinking about parking in one of the garages near AutoZone Park and use the trolley to get over there if this is an option.
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Post by alissa103 on Jun 19, 2015 19:17:15 GMT
anonrefugee I sent you a message! mshershey No, I don't recommend Kooky Kanuck's. If you want to eat downtown, there's an amazing fried chicken place called Gus's. I'd go there. It will take forever because they make every order to order from scratch, so don't be in a hurry. It's also SPICY fried chicken. I think it's delicious! Other downtown options: Alcenia's for southern soul food. She also does traditional fried chicken that is good! I don't think she's open for dinner, FYI. The Little Tea Shop: more southern cooking. Their turnip greens are vegan and absolutely delicious. Don't let the name fool you - it's not a fru-fru place. Good fried chicken here too! For BBQ & a Mexican place, see my earlier post. And yeah, Rendezvous is yuck. LADIES: PLEASE CHECK THE HOURS FOR ALL RESTAURANTS BEFORE YOU GO. They may have reduced hours on the 4th, be closed completely for the weekend or not serve dinner. Just call, check and plan accordingly.
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Post by alissa103 on Jun 19, 2015 19:21:47 GMT
Another question. Does the trolley make a stop at the Pyramid. I'm thinking about parking in one of the garages near AutoZone Park and use the trolley to get over there if this is an option. No, I don't think there are tracks over there for the trolly. And the trollies may or may not be running. I think they're doing some pretty intensive restoration work on the cars themselves. I haven't been downtown lately so I don't know if they're back up and running or not. |
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mshershey
Junior Member
Posts: 68
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Post by mshershey on Jun 19, 2015 20:33:21 GMT
alissa103, Thank you so much for all of your wonderful suggestions.
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Post by anonrefugee on Aug 11, 2015 13:38:12 GMT
Thanks for reminder to update AmeliaBloomer ! We had a grea time in Memphis thanks to leads here! The Civil Rights Museum is very good. Each of my family members remarked about a fact they already knew being presented in a way that made them understand it. ETA the progression to MLKs hotel room and death was very informative and well presented. Sun Records was fun, not very long, and very worth it. Our guide was knowledgeable and entertaining. (I kept thinking of Gunnar on Nashville TV show due to his looks) We managed to get the last reservation for the Gibson guitar factory that weekend. It was another treat. Chicken and waffles at Aunt Pollys on Beale Street and Slims were two restaurants we enjoyed. I've lived in grit country a few times- but I've never loved them like I did in Memphis. We peeked at Graceland but didn't go. I might be back to add more later, it was a fun visit even in July heat. mshershey we didn't make it to the pyramid. I'm sure we'll be back in Memphis for this reason among many. |
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AmeliaBloomer
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,842
Location: USA
Jun 26, 2014 5:01:45 GMT
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Post by AmeliaBloomer on Aug 12, 2015 4:26:06 GMT
Pyramid? I just don't understand chicken and waffles. Seems as random as...I don't know...turkey leg and grilled cinnamon bun. Pork chop and pancakes. Fish and French toast.  |
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