Memphis City Guide

by admin on March 17, 2010

MEMPHIS

DOWNTOWN

The downtown area is the oldest and most visited section on the city. Communities in this area include: Historic Beal Street, Overton Square, Mid-town, and Cooper-Young Neighborhood. Restaurants, night clubs, and many entertainment venues exist in this section of the city. Revitalization efforts which have occurred in the downtown area have created renewed interest in the city as a tourist destination, as well as a boosted economy.

Midtown is primarily a residential fragment approach downtown, with many hospitals and health care centers. Overton Square is widely known for restaurants, and entertainment options, geared to young professionals. The Cooper-Young section is a runt, yet popular and trendy area. Many Art galleries, unique specialty shops, and coffeehouses are located in this dwelling. Overton Park is the distinguished green area in downtown, and houses the Memphis Zoo and Aquarium, and the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art. Orange Mound, and Binghampton are also downtown area neighborhoods.

RESTAURANTS

Alcenia’s American Regional Downtown Asian Palace Chinese East Memphis Automatic Slim’s Tonga Club American Downtown Beauty Shop American Midtown Buntyn Restaurant American Regional East Memphis Café 61 American Regional Downtown Café Ole Mexican Midtown Café Samovar Russian Downtown Café Society American Midtown Chez Philippe French Downtown Cielo American Downtown Corky’s Bar-B-Q Chicken/BBQ/Grill East Memphis D’Bo’s Buffalo Wings ‘N’ Things American The Airport & Graceland Areas Elfo’s Restaurant American Midtown Ellen’s Soul Food American Regional The Airport & Graceland Areas Erika’s German/Austrian/Swiss Downtown Erling Jensen-The Restaurant American East Memphis Folk’s Folly Prime Steak House Steaks/Chops East Memphis Fourway Restaurant American Regional The Airport & Graceland Areas Frank Grisanti’s Italian Restaurant Italian East Memphis Glass Onion American Midtown Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken American Regional Downtown Huey’s American Downtown Jarrett’s American East Memphis La Tourelle Restaurant French Midtown Le Petit Bistro French East Memphis Lulu Grille American East Memphis Melange Mediterranean Midtown Melos Taverna Mediterranean Midtown Napa Café American Regional East Memphis American Regional Midtown Owen Brennan’s Restaurant American Regional East Memphis Paulette’s Continental Midtown Pho Saigon Vietnamese Midtown Rendezvous Chicken/BBQ/Grill Downtown Saigon Le Asian/Pac Rim Midtown Salsa Cocina Mexicana Mexican East Memphis Sawaddii Asian/Pac Rim Downtown Sekisui of Japan Sushi/Japanese East Memphis Spaghetti Warehouse American Downtown Taqueria Guadalajara Mexican East Memphis The Arcade Restaurant American Downtown The Cupboard American Regional Midtown The Grove Grill American Regional East Memphis Tsunami Asian/Pac Rim Midtown

NIGHT LIFE
Alfred’s The Club & Music Scene Automatic Slim’s Tonga Club Bars & Pubs B.B. King’s Blues Club The Club & Music Scene Belmont Grill The Club & Music Scene Blues City Café The Club & Music Scene Boscos Squared Bars & Pubs Center for Southern Folklore The Club & Music Scene Club 152 The Club & Music Scene Dan McGuinness’ Irish Pub Bars & Pubs Earnestine & Hazel’s The Club & Music Scene Flying Saucer Draught Emporium Bars & Pubs Gibson Beale Street Showcase Lounge The Club & Music Scene Gordon Biersch Brewery and Restaurant Bars & Pubs Hard Rock Cafe The Club & Music Scene Hi-Tone Café The Club & Music Scene Huey’s Bars & Pubs Isaac Hayes’ Club The Club & Music Scene J-Wag’s Gay & Lesbian Bars Java Cabana The Club & Music Scene Jillian’s The Club & Music Scene King’s Palace Café The Club & Music Scene Le Chardonnay Wine Bar Bars & Pubs Lorenz/Aftershock Gay & Lesbian Bars Melange Bars & Pubs Newby’s The Club & Music Scene Pat O’Brien’s Memphis The Club & Music Scene Precious Cargo Exchange Gourmet Cafe The Club & Music Scene Rendezvous Bars & Pubs Rum Boogie Cafe & Mr. Handy’s Blues Hall The Club & Music Scene Sleep Out Louie’s Bars & Pubs Tap House Bar & Grill Bars & Pubs The Black Diamond The Club & Music SceneThe New Daisy Theatre The Club & Music Scene The North End Bars & PubsThe Peabody Lobby Bar Bars & Pubs Young Avenue Deli The Club & Music Scene Zanzibar The Club & Music Scene.

SHOPPING

A. Schwab Dry Goods Store Gifts Albers Art Gallery Art Bella Notte Gifts Bookstar Bookstores Burke’s Book Store Bookstores Champion’s Pharmacy and Herb Store Gifts Chickasaw Oaks Plaza Malls & Shopping Centers Chocolate Soup Fashion Cordova Cellars Wines & Liquors Crump-Padgett Antique Gallery Antiques DSW Shoe Warehouse Shoes David Lusk Gallery Art Davis-Kidd Booksellers Bookstores Dillard’s Department Stores Flashback Antiques Fratelli’s Market and Grill Markets Gibson Guitar Memphis Factory Tour, Museum, Cafe & Entertainment Music Goldsmith’s Department Store Department Stores Hickory Ridge Mall Malls & Shopping Centers Isabella Fashion James Davis Fashion Jay Etkin Gallery Art Joseph Shoes Joysmith Studio Art Kittie Kyle Kollection Fashion Laurelwood Malls & Shopping Centers Lisa Kurts Gallery Art Mantia’s Markets Mednikow Jewelry Memphis Drum Shop Music Memphis Flea Market Flea Markets Memphis Music Music Oak Court Mall Malls & Shopping Centers Only Kids (OK) Fashion Pappagallo II Fashion Pinocchio’s, The Children’s Book Place Toys Pop Tunes Music Rack Room Shoes Shoes River Records Music Rodgers Menzies Interior Design Antiques Shangri-La Records Music Square Foods Markets The Peanut Shoppe Gifts The Regalia Malls & Shopping Centers The Shops of Saddle Creek Malls & Shopping Centers The Willis Gallery Art Timna Fashion VF Factory Outlet World Discount Shopping Viking Culinary Arts Gifts Williams-Sonoma Clearance Outlet Discount Shopping Wolfchase Galleria Mall.

ATTRACTIONS

Art Museum of the University of Memphis Bogey’s Golf and Family Entertainment Center Children’s Museum of Memphis Chucalissa Archaeological Museum Danny Thomas/ALSAC Pavillion Dixon Gallery and Gardens Graceland Hunt-Phelan Home Libertyland Magevney House Mallory-Neely House Memphis Botanic Garden Memphis Brooks Museum of Art Memphis Rock ‘N’ Soul Museum Memphis Zoo & Aquarium Mud Island River Park National Civil Rights Museum National Ornamental Metal Museum Pink Palace Museum Putt-Putt Family Park Slavehaven Underground Railroad Museum/Burkle Estate Museum Soulsville: Stax Museum of American Soul Music Sun Studio The Pyramid W.C. Handy House MuseumWonders: The Memphis International Cultural Series Woodruff-Fontaine House

LEISURE TOURS

River Tours – Memphis Queen Line located at 45 South Riverside Drive. Phone – 1-800-221-6197. Paddle wheeler tours which leave from a cobblestone dock on Monroe Avenue. Tours are 1 ½ in length, and are open from March through November. Additional sunset, dinner, and party cruises occur in the summer, with Dixieland and big-band music.

EAST

East Memphis is located along I -240, and is the most affluent neighborhood in the city of Memphis. Office buildings, skyscrapers, hordes of shopping malls and plazas, and hotels all exist in volume in East Memphis. Additional neighborhoods includes: White Station, Galloway Gardens, Chicksaw Gardens, Balmoral, Berryhill, Countrywood, Cordova, Bridgewater, Wolfchase, Eads, Pisgah, Fisherville, and Sycamore Idea.

NEIGHBORHOOD & FAMILY FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES

Book Babies Storytime, Ongoing Each Wed, Memphis Central Library
Clyde Parke’s Slight Circus, Ongoing Daily, Pink Palace Family of Museums
Free Tuesday Afternoons, Ongoing Each Tue, Pink Palace Family of Museums
Gregor Mendel: Planting the Seeds of Genetics, Ongoing Daily, Pink Palace Family of Museums
Lab & Classroom: A Dinosaur’s Life, Ongoing Each Mon-Fri, Pink Palace Family of Museums
Lab & Classroom: African-American History Trail, Ongoing Each Mon-Fri, Pink Palace Family of Museums
Lab & Classroom: Cell Structure & Microscopes, Ongoing Each Mon-Fri, Pink Palace Family of Museums
Lab & Classroom: Dive into Sharks!, Ongoing Each Mon-Fri, Pink Palace Family of Museums
Lab & Classroom: Fun with Physical Science, Ongoing Each Mon-Fri, Pink Palace Family of Museums
Lab & Classroom: Making Sense of My Senses, Ongoing Each Mon-Fri, Pink Palace Family of Museums
Lab & Classroom: Native Americans of the Mid-South, Ongoing Each Mon-Fri, Pink Palace Family of Museums
Lab & Classroom: Rocks & Minerals, Ongoing Each Mon-Fri, Pink Palace Family of Museums
Our Place in Space, Ongoing Each Sat, Pink Palace Family of Museums
Piggly Wiggly Exhibit, Ongoing Daily, Pink Palace Family of Museums
Preschool Storytime, Ongoing Mon, Thu, Memphis Central Library
Preschool Storytime at Cherokee Library, Ongoing Each Wed, Cherokee Branch Library
Puppet Explain, Ongoing Each Wed, Poplar-White Station Branch Library
Starlit Nights, Ongoing Each Sat, Pink Palace Family of Museums
Theater Program: Dinosaurs & Fossils, Ongoing Each Mon-Fri, Pink Palace Family of Museums
Theater Program: Native Americans of the Mid-South, Ongoing Each Mon-Fri, Pink Palace Family of Museums
Theater Program: The Magic of Science, Ongoing Each Mon-Fri, Pink Palace Family of Museums
Toddler Storytime, Ongoing Each Wed, Memphis Central Library

COMMUNITY CLASSES & CAMPS

Boys & Girls Clubs of America
Buckman Arts Center at St. Mary’s School
Charity Guide
Cheerful Givers
Color a Smile
Global Citizens Network
Habitat for Humanity
Idealist.org
Kid Station
Make a Child Smile
Mason YMCA
Meals on Wheels
Memphis Botanic Garden
Memphis Symphony Orchestra
Memphis Youth Symphony
Memphis Zoo
Nuber YMCA
Operation Goody Bag
Peter Pan Children’s Fund
Private Lessons.com
Rebuilding Together
Signing Time!
Theatre Memphis
CampDepot.com
GameBreaker Lacrosse Camps
KidsCamps.com
Mason YMCA
Memphis Botanic Garden
Memphis Zoo
Nuber YMCA

CULTURE & LEISURE

Agricenter International
Buckman Arts Center at St. Mary’s School
Flicks for Kids
Germantown Performing Arts Centre
Memphis Symphony Orchestra
Memphis Youth Symphony
Opera Memphis
Pink Palace Family of Museums
Theatre Memphis
Videos, Movies, and More

RECREATION

Agricenter International
Artsonia
Cherokee Branch Library
Cordova Branch Library
Dixon Gallery and Gardens
Highland Branch Library
Laser Quest
Lichterman Nature Center
Memphis Central Library
Pink Palace Family of Museums
Poplar-White Station Branch Library
Randolph Branch Library
Agricenter International
Audubon Park
Dixon Gallery and Gardens
Lichterman Nature Center
Memphis Botanic Garden
Memphis Zoo

SCHOOLS

Artsonia
The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS)
GreatSchools.net
Home Education
Peterson’s Private School Directory
St. George’s Independent School
St. Mary’s Episcopal School
Teach-At-Home.com

SPORTS LEAGUES

Agricenter International
Little League Baseball
Mason YMCA
Nuber YMCA

TOP RESTAURANTS

Bennigan’s
Emack & Bolio’s
Peanut Shoppe

WALKING TOURS

Start: The Peabody Memphis hotel, on the corner of Union Avenue and Second Street.
Finish: The cobblestones on the bank of the Mississippi at the foot of Monroe Street.
Time: Approximately 2 hours, not including time spent at museums, shopping, meals, and other stops. It’s best to plan on spending the whole day doing this walking tour.

Best Times: Spring and fall, when the weather isn’t so muggy, and Friday and Saturday, when Rendezvous is open for lunch.
Worst Times: Summer days, when the weather is just too muggy for doing this much walking.
Start your tour of Memphis’s main historic districts at the posh:

The Peabody Memphis hotel
Home of the famous Peabody ducks, which spend their day floating on the water of a marble fountain in the hotel’s lobby. The ducks make their grand, red-carpet entrance each morning at 11a.m.
From the Peabody, swagger 1 block west to Main Street, which is a pedestrian mall down which runs an old-fashioned trolley. Turn left, and in 2 blocks you’ll come to:

Beale Street
This street of restored buildings is Memphis’s main evening-entertainment district.
On the corner of Main and Beale, you can’t miss the: Orpheum Theatre
Originally built as a vaudeville theater in 1928, the theatre’s style and décor attracts many visitors, and is Memphis’s main performing-arts center.
Across Main Street from the theater stands a:
Statue of Elvis Presley Popular site for Elvis fans, and photographers: B.B. King’s Blues Club
Named for the Beale Street Blues Boy himself, this is the most favorite club on the street, featuring live blues every night

A few doors down the street is the: A. Schwab Dry Goods Store
This store has been in business at this location since 1876, and looks like a time capsule inside, with many odd and unusual items

At Beale and Third streets is: W. C. Handy Park
Nearly constant source of live music in this park, also the residence of a statue of Handy.
Across Beale Street from this park is the:
New Daisy Theatre
A favorite venue for various types of music, including rock, blues, and folk.
A few doors down from the New Daisy, is the restored: W. C. Handy House – Though it wasn’t always on this site, this house was where Handy lived when making a name for himself on Beale Street.

Diagonally across the intersection is: Church Park
Former slave, Robert Church, became the city’s first African-American millionaire, and donated to the African-American citizens of Memphis this park in 1899.
Continue another 2 long blocks up Beale Street and you will come to the:

Hunt-Phelan House
One of the most impressive historic homes in Memphis.
Now head back up Beale Street and take a left on Main. This is the street down which the trolley runs, so if you’re feeling tired, you can hop on the trolley and take it south for the next 7 blocks. If you walk, turn left on Butler Street, and if you ride, walk east on Calhoun Street. In a very short block, you’ll come to the:
National Civil Rights Museum
Site of the Lorraine Motel, where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., was assassinated on April 4, 1968. The motel was converted into a museum documenting the struggle for civil rights.
After visiting this museum, head west on Butler Street and turn correct on Front Street. You will now be walking through:

Cotton Row

During the Civil War, most the nation’s cotton was shipped through the docks 2 blocks away. This area of warehouses is a designated historic district, and many of the buildings have been renovated. Just before you reach the corner of Front and Union streets, watch for the:

Carter Seed Store
West side of the street is the Carter Seed Store where the focus is on agricultural supplies and seeds. The store also features an old fashioned candy counter.
From the Carter Seed Store, take a left on Union Street and in 2 blocks to reach the banks of the Mississippi at an spot known as:

“The cobblestones”
A free public parking area and where the Memphis Queen Line paddle-wheelers dock. The cobblestones were once used as ballast by boats coming up the river to pick up cargoes of cotton.

SOUTH

Neighborhoods which comprise the South section of Memphis include: Oakhaven, Whitehaven, Westwood, Parkway Village, Capleville, Fox Meadows, and Southwind. Whitehave is primarily comprised of an African American population. Elvis purchased Graceland after the area was subdivided decades ago, creating a lot of interest in the place. Today, the Whitehaven Shopping Plaza is the primary hub of the community. Southland Shopping Mall, which was one of the first malls in the country is located in Shelby Drive. Hickory Hill is a middle class, family oriented, primarily African American neighborhood. A growing population of white families also live in this area. The Hickory Ridge Mall, and the World Overcomer Outreach Ministries Church are located in this section of the city.

NEIGHBORHOOD & FAMILY FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES

Preschool Storytime at East Shelby Library, Ongoing Each Wed, East Shelby Branch Library
Preschool Storytime at Gaston Park Library, Ongoing Each Wed, Gaston Park Branch Library
Preschool Storytime at Parkway Village Library, Ongoing Each Wed, Parkway Village Branch Library
Preschool Storytime at South Library, Ongoing Each Thu, South Branch Library
Preschool Storytime at Whitehaven Library, Ongoing Each Wed, Whitehaven Branch Library

COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS

The Box Project
Boys & Girls Clubs of America
East Shelby Branch Library
Gaston Park Branch Library
Humane Society of the United States
Levi Branch Library
National Library Service: Blind & Handicapped
Parkway Village Branch Library
Points of Light Foundation
PTO Ideas
Ronald McDonald House Charities
Share Our Strength
South Branch Library
United Way
VolunteerMatch
Whitehaven Branch Library

RECREATION & LEISURE

The Box Project
Boys & Girls Clubs of America
East Shelby Branch Library
Gaston Park Branch Library
Humane Society of the United States
Levi Branch Library
National Library Service: Blind & Handicapped
Parkway Village Branch Library
South Branch Library
United Way
Metal Museum
Davis Family YMCA
Little League Baseball
Interstate BBQ Restaurant
Whitehaven Branch Library

SCHOOLS

Artsonia
The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS)
GreatSchools.net
Home Education
La Petite Academy (3 locations in neighborhood)
Peterson’s Private School Directory

MEMPHIS SPECTATOR SPORTS
Auto Racing – Located at the Memphis Motorsports Park, 5500 Taylor Forge Dr., Millington phone: 901/358-7223
Baseball – The Memphis Redbirds Baseball Club (tel. 901/721-6000 or 901/523-7870; www.memphisredbirds.com), an AAA affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals, plays at the fresh AutoZone Park, located 2 blocks east of the Peabody Memphis Hotel.
Basketball – The Memphis Grizzlies (tel. 901/205-1234; www.grizzlies.com) are the city’s first NBA team, having relocated from Vancouver, British Columbia, in 2001.
Basketball – The University of Memphis Tigers (tel. 888/867-UofM or 901/678-2331)
Football -The Liberty Bowl Football Classic (tel. 901/729-4344) is the biggest football event of the year in Memphis.
Golf Tournaments – The Federal Notify St. Jude Golf Classic (tel. 901/748-0534), a PGA charity tournament, is held each year in late June at the Tournament Players Club.
Horse Shows – The biggest show of the year is the Germantown Charity Horse Show (tel. 901/754-0009; held each June at the Germantown Horse Show Arena, just off Poplar Pike at Melanie Smith Lane in Germantown.
Tennis -The Kroger St. Jude International Indoor Tennis Championships (tel. 901/765-4401 or 901/685-ACES), a part of the ATP Tour, is held each year in February at the Racquet Club of Memphis.

NORTH

The neighborhoods of the North side of Memphis include: Frayser, Raleigh, Berclair, and Shelby Forest. Frayser is primarily a working class neighborhood, which is located come the industrial park area of the city. The Harvester Plant is the main employer in the area. Raleigh is located near Wolf River, the highest point in the Greater Memphis area. The area is known s the automobile dealership super source, with a multitude of vehicle, and motorcycle dealerships located there. The Methodist Memorial Hospital and the Raleigh Springs Mall are the primary attractions, and employers in this blue collar neighborhood. The basketball program at Raleigh-Egypt High School is widely recognized as the best in the state.

CULTURE & LEISURE

Preschool Storytime at Bartlett Library
Bartlett Branch Library
The Box Project
Boys & Girls Clubs of America
Frayser Branch Library
Hollywood Branch Library
Humane Society of the United States
National Library Service: Blind & Handicapped
North Branch Library
Points of Light Foundation
PTO Ideas
Raleigh Branch Library
Ronald McDonald House Charities
Share Our Strength
Singleton Community Center
Wolfchase Galleria

COMMUNITY CLASSES & CAMPS

Ballet Memphis
Boys & Girls Clubs of America
Build-a-Bear
Charity Guide
Cheerful Givers
Color a Smile
Global Citizens Network
Habitat for Humanity
Idealist.org
Make a Child Smile
Meals on Wheels
Operation Goody Bag
Peter Pan Children’s Fund
Private Lessons.com
Rebuilding Together
Signing Time!
Singleton Community Center

RECREATION

Artsonia
Bartlett Branch Library
Build-a-Bear
Davies Manor Plantation
Frayser Branch Library
Golf and Games Family Park
Hollywood Branch Library
North Branch Library
Raleigh Branch Library
Singleton Community Center
Davis Manor Plantation
Golf and Games Family Park

Golf

Memphis’s public golf courses include the Stoneridge Golf Course, 3049 Davies Plantation Rd. (tel. 901/382-1886);
The Links at Audubon Park, 4160 Park Ave. (tel. 901/683-6941); the Davy Crockett Park Municipal Golf Course, 4380 Range Line Rd. (tel. 901/368-3374);
The Links at Fox Meadows Park, 3064 Clark Rd. (tel. 901/362-0232);
The Links at Galloway Park, 3815 Walnut Grove Rd. (tel. 901/685-7805);
T. O. Fuller Place Park Golf Course, 1400 Pavilion Dr. (tel. 901/543-7771).

Horseback Riding

Shelby Farms Riding Stables, 7171 Mullins Situation Rd. (tel. 901/382-4250), which is commence daily 8am to 4pm (7am-7pm in summer) and charges $15 an hour for rentals.

Swimming

“Gulf of Mexico” swimming pool on Mud Island is a fun residence for the family to frosty off.

Tennis

Leftwich, 4145 Southern Ave. (tel. 901/685-7907),
Wolbrecht, 1645 Ridgeway Rd. (tel. 901/767-2889). Court fees for 1 1/2 hours are $3 per person for outdoor courts and $18 to $21 for indoor courts.

MEMPHIS SPECIAL EVENTS

Beale Street Musical Festival
2 – 4 May 2008 (annual)
Tom Lee Park
The Beale Street Musical Festival is the first of several “Memphis in May Celebrations”

Memphis Shaded Writers’ Conference & Southern Film Festival
24 – 26 Apr 2008 (annual)
The Memphis Black Writers’ Conference & Southern Film Festival, is an interesting variety of readings, art exhibitions and film screenings aimed at raising Black visibility in the arts and media industry.
Memphis Symphony Orchestra at Cannon Center
15 Sep 2007 – 10 May 2008 (annual)
Cannon Center for the Performing Arts
The Memphis Symphony Orchestra hosts present the season at Cannon Center featuring one major program each month.

World Championship Barbecue-Cooking Contest
15 – 17 May 2008 (annual)
Tom Lee Park
The event is billed as the largest Pork BBQ cooking contest on Earth.

Memphis in May
2 – 24 May 2008 (annual)
Memphis
Memphis in May is a popular series of special events held during the weekends, offering displays, music, food, and art.


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