Editor’s Note: So…we’re working on a ‘quick road trips from Nashville this summer’ piece collectively as a team here at SoBros Network. It’ll probably end up running next week, but I started asking for submissions last week. “Hey, if you want in on this, just send me a few sentences on where you guys like to go for a quick getaway,” or something like it, was my general request. What Steven McCash sent me was over a thousand words on Memphis, Tennessee. I said, “buddy, this is a whole ass article.” Since he put this much thought into it, he deserves to have a standalone article for it. So, for all the Nashvillians reading this, take our guy’s advice for a quick getaway down to the Bluff City. -Stoney
About three hours southwest of Nashville on I-40, you will find a sleeping giant of a city that is slowly waking from a deep slumber. Memphis, TN – the Birthplace of Rock and Roll – has been the butt of many jokes from every other city in the state over the last few decades and rightfully so. High crime rates, shady leadership from local politicians, and a dwindling public sector have been some of the problems at the forefront that the city is fighting to overcome. While there is a long road ahead for the Bluff City, it is on the right track and the tourism numbers over the last few years show that Memphis is a city that people are ready to visit again. 11 million people visited the home of the Memphis Grizzlies in 2022 and numbers are expected to reach the record-breaking visits of 2019 when nearly 12 and a half million people walked a few feet off of Beale.
There are the obvious reasons why one would want to visit Memphis. Graceland, Beale Street, and BBQ are the big 3, but there is so much more than that. Here are just a few must do’s to add to your itinerary when visiting Memphis…
Where to visit
Established in 1991, the National Civil Rights Museum is located at the former Lorraine Motel, where civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated on April 4, 1968. Through interactive exhibits, historic collections, dynamic speakers and special events, the museum offers visitors a chance to walk through history and learn more about a tumultuous and inspiring period of change.
Did you know that Memphis is home to the largest urban park in the country? At 4,500 acres, Shelby Farms Park is both a vibrant community hub and a retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city. With more than 40 miles of trails there is plenty of opportunity for walking, biking, running, and hiking. The park includes 20 bodies of water providing plenty of space for fishing. Families will enjoy the Woodland Discovery Playground and the Water Play Sprayground as well as other adventures including horseback riding, treetop adventures, paintball and laser tag.
Where to eat
There are an endless number of bbq joints to choose from in Memphis and every Memphian you talk to probably has a favorite that is different from the next person’s. I have a favorite bbq place for every different plate of bbq. I have a fave spot for a pork sandwich that is different from my one for bbq spaghetti that is different from my one for bbq nachos. I am not alone in this ranking system. My all-time favorite restaurant for ribs is hands down Blues City Cafe. Sitting on the corner of Beale St. and S. Second St. across from B.B. King’s is a bbq Mecca that has been visited time and time again over the years by visitors from all over the world. Blues City Cafe has an extensive menu, but I cannot vouch for anything on it beside the baked beans, steak fries, Texas toast and most importantly, the legendary hickory-smoked ribs that are basted with their homemade bbq sauce. This is the meal the saying “it’s so good it’ll make you want to slap your momma” was intended for.
Cafe Eclectic is a local coffee house and restaurant in Memphis, TN. The coffee bar features artisan Illy coffee and everything on their menu is made in house, from scratch. Breakfast is served all day and bread and pastries are made fresh daily. The family owned and ran restaurant has been serving Memphis since 2008.
Cafe Eclectic serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and is able to accommodate patrons with dietary issues and is vegan friendly as well. Pookie’s pancakes are not to be missed if you are dining for breakfast and the Brie & Apple sandwich is a lunch and dinner go-to. The sandwich which is served on wheat bread with warm brie, sliced red apple, arugula and local honey is a prefect choice for those looking for a light meal option and something a little outside of the box.
Where to stay
I chose a few hotels in the city for visitors to choose from based on their bars and restaurants.
Arrive opened in late 2019 and is quite possibly the coolest boutique hotel in the region. It is located in the South Main Arts District just steps away from some of the city’s hippest bars and restaurants. Anyone staying at Arrive must visit Longshot, the city’s go-to shuffleboard bar. Longshot is a great place to meet for happy hour, play some shuffleboard or before catching an event at the nearby Orpheum Theatre and FedEx Forum.
Hyatt Centric Beale Street Hotel
If you are one who must have the best views of the city to document on the Gram, then Beck & Call atop the Hyatt Centric Hotel is the place for you. The upscale rooftop lounge has a panoramic views of downtown that are second to none. There are multiple outdoor spaces for you to explore. There is a $15 cover charge on Friday and Saturday nights, but the view is worth every penny. Also, while there is no dress code, this bar is not the one to wear flip-flops and tank tops to.
There is so much to do in the city and it is impossible to list it all. Some other fun adventures to be had during a weekend getaway to Memphis include playing old school video games at Nerd Alert; visiting the city’s only video rental store Blacklodge that is also an arcade, bar, restaurant and live music venue; exploring Crosstown Concourse, the home of Memphis Listening Lab; and spending the day exploring the Cooper Young neighborhood ‘where art, culture, cuisine and commerce intersects in a fabric that weaves its way through this historic neighborhood to create a lifestyle district all its own.’
So come visit the city that USA Today named the most affordable destination across the US.
Steven McCash is the Lead Music Writer and Utility Man for SoBros Network. Steven is the host of the ‘Drinking With…’ podcast, and the pioneer of New Music Friday, highlighting each week’s new releases in the world of music in addition to the occasional live show review. He also pitches in as a Nashville lifestyle writer and football analyst (hence the ‘Utility Man’ title). Follow on Twitter: @MC_Cash75
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