Memphis Resident here - I highly suggest going to get some fried chicken from Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken. It's delicious - the original is in Mason, Tennessee, but you can get the chicken downtown, 310 S. Front Street, phone (901) 527-4877. Go to the hole in the wall restaurants - they truly are the best. Broadway Pizza on Broad Avenue is excellent, as is Pete & Sam's on Park Avenue. All of these are inexpensive too. Have fun!

If you'd like to see the gay scene in Memphis, I would recommend Backstreet - their drag shows are hilarious and fun.

Go To Rendevous There is no question
you have to have there wonderful baby back ribs no matter the price

Hey TJs Always ask locals in Memphis! I live in the south and we have good southern hopitality.

Another vote for Beale Street. The place rockes. It's always in season.

http://www.geocities.com/jayrob6/emoticons/rockin.gif   

quote:

Originally posted by cwench73:
Speaking of southern hospitality, you have to make your way south into Mississippi. "Tunica is Las Vegas east of the Mississippi river" you'll have lots of fun, but since you've already gone to Vegas, go east into Oxford, MS. It was named after Oxford, England, and is home to The University of Mississippi... Ole Miss to us! Come and see the famous Grove, William Faulkner's house Rowan Oak, and the Square! You will find shopping, bars and food like you've never seen before! make sure you eat at Handy Andy's, Ajax, Two Stick,Volta, Madre's and pearl street!

ya'll need to come down to Mississippi. if you go to tupelo ,you'd be in the town of elvis' birth.

That's so awesome that the TJ's will have a chance to visit Memphis, Tenn. So much American history can be found there, so it's perfect for them to get their '5 Takes' of the city, as well as the nearby area.

The city is very important to the Civil Rights Movement, because on April 4, 1968 at the Lorraine Motel, Martin Luther King Jr was assasinated there. The room in which he stayed at is exactly how he left it and that's where the National Civil Rights Museum can be found at, located at 450 Mulberry Street.

As you might have known, Memphis is well known for its cultural contributions to the identity of the American south, including musical and culinary offerings. It's the best place to show where the blues came of age in the early 1900s. Of course, I also totally agree that Beale Street has to be featured, because that's the heart and soul of blues music. The city is the birthplace to Johnny Cash, Elvis, B.B King and many others.

While at Beale Street, be sure to check out the Memphis Walk of Fame, designated exclusively for blues musicians, and composers.

TJ's just be careful while your there, because In 2005, Memphis was ranked the 4th most dangerous city in the US. In the first half of 2006, robbery of businesses, individuals and homicide increased from 2005.

For the TJ's that are really into the art scene, they have to check out South Main, in downtown Memphis on the trolley line, that's where it's happening at. More than a dozen art galleries have moved into the neighborhood.

A stop in Memphis cannot be complete without being sure to check out Graceland, home to Elvis, king of Rock and Roll! It's a mecca to fans of his music obviously. It's the 2nd most visited house, with the White House being the 1st.

I think this is the only stop on the 5 Takes tour that the TJ's will be able to experience the mighty ol' muddy Miss. It's essentially American and one of my favorite natural features. Be sure to check out Mud Island Mississippi River Park and Museum. They have a River Walk that has a mini model of the lower part of the river.

For an experience of nature, check out Shelby Farms, which is one of the largest urban parks in the US. It's just east of Memphis. It offers 4,500 acres (18 km²) of lakes, forests, and wetlands. The park is home to a bison herd and to a few Texas longhorn cattle.

Of course, a stop at Memphis cannot be complete without trying the BBQ there. I know there are already a ton of people on the boards telling ya where to go exactly, so take their word for it, cuz they know where to find the good stuff.

I'm not totally sure if there are any caves in the area, but I love to do cave exploring(splunking) whenever I was somewhere in that area of the US. It's truly an experience to visit a cave.

Enjoy the South TJ's!

Hey ive never to been to memphis but the thing i would do if i went is to take a cruise down the river on a riverboat

quote:

Originally posted by mod_ben:
Let us know where the TJs should go...

TJ's! When in Memphis you MUST go to the Lorraine Motel, where Martin Luther King Jr. drew his last breath. You can visit the room where he stayed, see the balcony where he was assasinated and see the Civil Rights Museum! This is a "Do not miss" to see an important chapter in American history. It is very emotional.

Also - visit Sun Records, the recording studio where Elvis and Johnny Cash recorded their first records.

Another good stop is Ernestine and Hazel's Sundry store, where you can stop in to see Russ, who has been running this historic blues musician hang-out for over 40 years! Russ will tell you stories about the "old days" in the Memphis music scene! This is a chance to hear about this history from a first-hand witness.

I know that many people will suggest that you visit Graceland, but there is plenty of Elvis history in Memphis without the entry fee to Graceland that could blow a chunk of your budget.

Have a great time in Memphis!!!
~Cathy

JFox's Guide to Local Memphis Eats:

<b><u>Classic Southern Food</b></u>
<b>Barbecue:<b>
Rendezvous
A Memphis Institution. A must. To be in Memphis for the first time and not go here is just a crime.

The Germantown Commissary
Another popular local place but far removed from the glitz of downtown where tourists tend to spend most of their time. They make great smoke turkeys. A lot of people buy smoked turkeys from them for thanksgiving. No doubt I'll be picking up several turkeys for people when I'm in town 2 weeks from today.
2290 S Germantown Rd
Germantown, TN 38138
Phone: 901-754-5540

<b>Fried Chicken:</b>
Gus's Fried Chicken
Arguably the best fried chicken in the world. Fried Chicken is a classic southern dish.
310 S Front St.
Memphis TN, 38103
Phone: 901-527-4877

<b>Catfish:</b>
Wolf River Cafe
This is as local as it gets. Roughly about 7 miles from Collierville, it's about 15 minute drive from my old house in Eads and from the Collierville area in a small country town called Rossville. Emphasis on the 'small' part. Trust me, the only people you'll find in here are hunters coming in from Wolf River Bottoms (ie, me and my grand dad when I lived in the mid-south) and neighborhood chaps. No tourist in their right mind would go an hour outside of downtown just for some catfish. A truer local old south watering hole you will not find anywhere else!!! Lots of character or 'local color'. Best catfish EVER! Good hushpuppies too. Served hot and fresh. If the weather's not cold, I highly recommend a big tall glass of iced tea to wash it down. Now I'm hungry!) Call ahead to ask when Catfish night is. (by the way, this is the place with the deer butt mounted on the wall)
460 Main St
Rossville, TN 38066
(901) 853-2586

<u><b>JFox’s favorite place in the entire Memphis area:</b></u>
Jaja's River Kwai Restaurant
A mom and pop Thai restaurant, the owners of Jaja's (an Americanization of the Thai word for 'grandmother') are real close friends of my grandfather. I eat there at least once a week when I am in town. If you are in Collierville YOU HAVE TO EAT HERE. Affordable family atmosphere. These people are my second family. I love them so much. Tell either Coach (older American man with grey hair), Jaja (older Thai woman), or Diana (younger Thai woman in her 30's) that Grier (pronounced 'gree-er, not greye-er) sent you and you'll be treated like family. Jaja and 'Coach' (the owners) are so much fun and always has good stories to tell.
192 Washington St.
Collierville, TN 38017
Phone: 901-850-5222

Note: Diana is also a masseuse. You should think about getting a Thai massage from her to work out all those kinks from the road! Out of a TJ's budget but definitely an idea for a splurge day.

I'll post any more ideas I can think of but this is a start.

quote:

Originally posted by mod_ben:
Let us know where the TJs should go...

One great, free, activity you MUST see is the Sound Fuzion show on November 16th at 7:30 at Harris Auditorium, University of Memphis , 3775 Central Ave. Memphis , TN 38152-3160 . (901)-678-5400. I am a music student here and we are an amazing school!!! Also, here you can meet so many students who really know the city! Plus, its free!

The 99th Annual Holy Church of God in Christ Convocation will be going on from 11/6-11/14. I think it would be very interesting to see what the TJ's thought of this convention, from the nightly services and events, to the best barbecue, fried chicken, and fish, that will be served everywhere!! I thought maybe one of you could spend a day attending the services, kind of like how Gabe did with the Monks in Thailand last season!! Of course, you DO have to wear your Sunday best Any takes??

COGIC Housing and Convention Service.

I found some online coupons for dining, attractions, etc. There's not a lot, but you might be able to use one or two. See the links on the left of the page.

http://www.memphistravel.com/coupons.asp

I noticed a few of them are expired, but I'd still try to use them. I've been successful using expired coupons on some of my travels. Just ask if it's okay to use it - the worst they can say is no.

You should send the people to the Sound Fuzion
> show on November 16th at 7:30 at Harris Auditorium, at the University of
> Memphis, 3775 Central Ave. Memphis, TN 38152-3160. (901)-678-5400.
SERIOUSLYYY

SO YEA! It was mentioned earlier but I would just like to take a moment to elaborate on the "Sound Fuzion" show that you should visit while you are in town. My name is Dustin Phelps and I am a member of a premiere touring ensemble of nine vocalists and five instrumentalists, which represents the University of Memphis at public school concerts, corporate functions, University sponsored activites in addition to performing as part of the Rudi E. Scheit School of Music's annual concert season (That is what you just HAVE to come be a part of!!). The ensemble performs many different styles of popular music from the 1950's to the present, including pop,rock,rhythm & blues,jazz, alternative, and country. This year we are performing great artist such as Billy Joel, Rascal Flatts, Neo, Switchfoot and much more. Sound Fuzion is well known for its professional and dynamic style and has performed with the Memphis Symphony Orchestra on three occasions to standing room only crowds. The group tours regionally every year and made their INTERNATIONAL DEBUT in 2005 in CHINA!

This is a group of highly talented and extremely dynamic individuals that come from all walks of life and "fuse" together with our love of music and entertaining. It would be our honor and privelage to have you on the evening of November 16 at 7:30 at Harris Auditorium, University of Memphis, 3775 Central Ave. Memphis, TN 38152-3160. (901)-678-5400. If you want to know what Memphis is REALLY all about you must experience music. Much of what we know today as good music was either born or inspired right here in Memphis, TN. To know us...you must know our music. Come and let us share our passion for music and where we live!

Thanks so much for taking the time to consider being a part of our show - and us being a part of yours!

Thanks and God Bless,

Dustin T. Phelps

PS - if you need more info please feel free to contact Dr. Larry Edwards at edwards@memphis.edu or 901-637-3767.

One of the moxe beautiful places I have seen while in tennesse was Smokey mtnnational park it has waterfalls black bears and the moct beautiful part of the state I have ever seen.http://www.nps.gov/grsm is the website.Mudd Island If I recall correctly, you can purchase tickets ahead of time for graceland. You follow a tour, with Head phones. It takes at least 2 hours. There are separate things to see there too like his car collection and jet. I would set aside at least 3 hours.
It is fun to take the little trolley around downtown. You could then stop at The Peabody for a drink or hot chocolate and see the world famous ducks. . Go to the top of the Hotel to see the ducks "living quartersTry Central BBQ for sandwiches and ribs. Go to the BBQ Shoppe or Interstate for sandwiches. Take a drive around Mud Island and look at the cool homes. Drive through Chickasaw Gardens
Oh yeah the Gibson Guitar Factory
is a great tour
Gus's Fried Chicken--"World Famous