Overall, it’s soul-stirring blues and gut-busting comfort food, presented by some of the friendliest people you’ll ever meet. There are no strangers in Memphis!
Where I stayed:
The Peabody Hotel, of course! With its famous duck march, elegant history and proximity to Beale Street, it’s a “can’t miss”. If you don’t stay at the hotel, plan to stop by to view the ducks swimming in the lobby fountain.
They make their appearance at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily. Or you can grab a drink at the rooftop bar for a great photo op and a viewing of the feathered hotel residents in their $200,000 duck palace.
What I wore:
Casual denim and cozy sweaters for late nights on Beale Street, combined with a few dressier looks. I glammed up for dining at The Peabody, but Memphis is definitely a laid-back city. Don’t be afraid to wear loose clothes for extra helpings of BBQ and late-night dancing at some juke joints.
What I did:
In addition to the Peabody ducks, I visited Graceland, indulged in food and music on Beale Street, and took a quick side trip to Oxford, Mississippi. If you’re able to visit Memphis in early May, check out the Beale Street Music Festival.
Other great places to visit include Sun Studio, Stax Museum of American Soul Music, and the National Civil Rights Museum (you’ll be able to stand outside the Lorraine Motel where Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated).
What I ate/drank:
Take my advice and eat your way through the following comfort foods: hot fried chicken, biscuits and gravy, ribs, country ham, mac and cheese, fried pickles, fried green tomatoes and banana pudding. There are so many great dining options, but I recommend Gus’s World-Famous Fried Chicken, Hattie B’s Hot Chicken, Bar-B-Q Shop, Germantown Commissary, and Jim Neely’s Interstate Bar-B-Q.
The legal drinking age in the US is 21, and Tennessee is known for its whiskey, thanks to Jasper Newton “Jack” Daniel. Sip it straight or try a Lynchburg lemonade. At the Peabody bar, you can choose from a Lucille, Great Balls of Fire, Memphis Mudslide, Memphis Mule, or Rubber Ducky Cocktail.
Social media musts:
Memphis is made for live music, which can be difficult to capture on film. There are some great murals on Beale Street, the rooftop view from The Peabody is breathtaking and take some pics at iconic Elvis landmarks (Graceland, Sun Records).
My travel playlist:
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