Posted on 06/02/2008 7:02:43 PM PDT by BOBWADE
I am planning a trip to Memphis in a few weeks with my family and wanted to see any of my FR brothers can give me some suggestions. I plan on going to the Rendezvous Restaurant for ribs but also want to hit a few other local attractions. Also, I wonder if there is any particular place to go for a more traditional slow smoked barbeque meal. My son is into history so anything historical may also be nice. Please feel free to make any suggestions that may be family approriate. My kids are 8 and 2. Thanks
reading the signs on the roadside.
I was led to believe that tracks from westward wagons could still be seen.
I looked they did appear to be wagon tracks.
However I was taken by roadside pull overs, picnic areas.
Most beautiful areas I have ever run across
It's about 90 miles east of Memphis but I would recommend the Shiloh battlefield. It is one of the best preserved Civil War sites in the country.
Agree!
The state of Tennessee, for all practical purposes is like 3 separate states:
West Tennessee, Middle Tennessee, and East Tennessee
West Tennessee is the least interesting and least attractive as far as the lay of the land. The famous bluffs of the Mississippi River in Memphis are wonderful. Memphis is a beautiful city, but (excuse me if I offend anyone) I would describe the city as being manic/depressive. It is too polarized; too drastic in both directions. I don’t enjoy Memphis and I lived there 10 years.
Memphis has great (and usually free) musical events. Beale Street, the Peabody ducks, and the BBQ (Corky’s is my favorite).
We enjoyed weekends at Chickasaw State Park.
http://www.state.tn.us/environment/parks/Chickasaw/index.shtml
Middle Tennessee consists of rolling hills and fertile valleys. Very beautiful, as if a fine-art painting. Nashville is a typical big city; lots of Country Music atmosphere.
East Tennessee is fantastic. Fantastic driving routes through the mountains. Great vistas of placid lakes. It has huge waterfalls (Rock Island), great system of dams and national parks.
http://state.tn.us/environment/parks/RockIsland/
Smoky Mountain National Park (on the Tennessee/North Carolina border) is not to be missed. Gatlinburg is a delight.
Maybe not the best time for an auto trip — but maybe it is — fewer people on the highway.
Have a great time.
Agree and...there is a restaurant on the river somewhere around that same area that we visited. Catfish and big fireplace. Really neat. Seems if memory serves me correctly there is an existing cabin that was the original. Whole area was flooded at one time. Information with photos is inside the restaurant. Really, rugged, neat atmosphere. Good food too. :) Have a fun and safe trip.
Memphis also has a wonderful zoo. Make sure you take sunscreen if it’s going to be a scorcher - there’s NO shade at that zoo! Yes, the BBQ is great in Memphis. Graceland is a must and the Peabody Hotel. Eastern Tennessee is a lot nicer when it comes to heat and the scenery though.
Corky’s - is that the one that has the BBQ pulled pork sandwiches that are to die for?? :~P
There's a lot of Elvis attractions - do a little internet search and you'll find quite a bit of information as to where you should or should not go.
I wish I could tell you more - as I said, I'm not very familiar with Memphis.
Thanks for the links and the good suggestions. I think we may travel across to the Shiloh battlefield and then come back for Graceland.
Oh, my, I had forgotten about that....is it tucked in behind a parking structure, in an alley and not far from the ball park?
>>>>Also, I wonder if there is any particular place to go for a more traditional slow smoked barbeque meal
Avoid Corkey’s. Chewy stick-to-the-bone ribs that you must gnaw like a caveman. I was very disappointed.
>>>>Graceland is a must see
I’ll second that.
I stayed at the Peabody Hotel downtown just for the ambiance and history and it was OK.
I dunno! People at a place where I used to work in Memphis would order out BBQ at lunch and I always had pulled pork sandwiches. They were yummmmyyy!! :~D
Sounds like The Rendezvous. In a back alley, a couple of blocks from The Pea-buddy Hotel. Not Peabody — the Pea-Buddy.
The Rendezvous has great BBQ ribs and live music.
I agree with several of the suggestions already mentioned: Rendezvous ribs, Beale Street, Sun Studios, Graceland.
If you’re there on Sunday around noon, take the elevator to the top floor of the Peabody Hotel for a good brunch. Also, try to catch the March of the Ducks there.
Take your kids to see the Ducks at the Peabody. It is worth the trip alone.
As mentioned I give Corkey's a thumbs down, but maybe it was an off night for them (but I'd just driven 12 hours and by gosh I was the customer).
Suggest you take a look at www.roadfood.com. About 20 Memphis restaurants are listed, and this is the REAL THING.
The breakfast joint right next to Corkey's in the eastern suburbs offers these delights:
http://www.roadfood.com/Reviews/Overview.aspx?RefID=1261
When I lived there, I used to love to eat at B.B. King’s on Beale St. Good food and good blues. There was also a good Mexican chain there called El Porton. It may not be open anymore. Also, for good ribs that aren’t overpriced like the Rendezvous, try Jack’s Rib Shack. They might not be open anymore either. Good bars with bands: Stage Stop (hard rock), Shooters and Neon Moon (country club). Those places may not be open anymore—I lived there in the early 90s. The zoo is outstanding. Definately check out the Peabody Hotel for the ducks and cocktails.
Ick! Not much one for biscuits and gravy. Just give me the southern BBQ!!! lol
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