Andrew’s guidebook
Neighborhoods
Locals and visitors seek out this neighborhood for its restaurants and bars. It's a very walkable area (by Memphis standards) and while you can walk their from the duplex, parking in the area is usually not a problem. It has previously been ranked as one of the top 10 neighborhoods in the country, because of its historic architecture, nightlife and interesting businesses.
83 habitants recommandent
Cooper-Young
Locals and visitors seek out this neighborhood for its restaurants and bars. It's a very walkable area (by Memphis standards) and while you can walk their from the duplex, parking in the area is usually not a problem. It has previously been ranked as one of the top 10 neighborhoods in the country, because of its historic architecture, nightlife and interesting businesses.
You are in the edge of this district. An historic neighborhood with many large, classic Memphis homes. Nice to walk through. For a self-guided tour, see:
https://assets.speakcdn.com/assets/1955/cgawalkingtour.pdf?1586203357779
(Duplex is located just off the map on Linden in the upper right.)
9 habitants recommandent
Central Gardens
You are in the edge of this district. An historic neighborhood with many large, classic Memphis homes. Nice to walk through. For a self-guided tour, see:
https://assets.speakcdn.com/assets/1955/cgawalkingtour.pdf?1586203357779
(Duplex is located just off the map on Linden in the upper right.)
This is a revitalized arts district that is worth checking out, especially during their monthly Art Walks (check schedule). Some highlights: the original Wiseacre brewery, Bounty on Broad for great farm-to-table food, city & state for hipster-served coffee, the Liquor Store for diner-like food (with a Cuban? twist) and cocktails, Maximos for tapas, and Salt | Soy for Asian fusion and cocktails.
(5 minute drive from duplex)
13 habitants recommandent
Broad Avenue
Broad AvenueThis is a revitalized arts district that is worth checking out, especially during their monthly Art Walks (check schedule). Some highlights: the original Wiseacre brewery, Bounty on Broad for great farm-to-table food, city & state for hipster-served coffee, the Liquor Store for diner-like food (with a Cuban? twist) and cocktails, Maximos for tapas, and Salt | Soy for Asian fusion and cocktails.
(5 minute drive from duplex)
If you've been to Memphis but not in the last 10 years, this area won't look much like you remember. Tons of development of old warehouses and new construction has led to a resurgence of this area, which you'll want to check out for many reasons. The civil rights museum is located here, which I highly recommend for pretty much anybody. There are several great dining/imbibing options in the area. Some highlights: coffee/light breakfast in the hip Arrive Memphis hotel lobby; sampling beers at the large new Wiseacre brewery; drinking in an old brothel (Ernestine and Hazels); playing shuffleboard and eating sausages at Longshot bar; eating southern food at Rizzo's or French food at Bishop. The area is at its most festive by far on the last Friday of each month (Trolley night), where the area's art galleries are open late for viewing and sipping on wine.
14 habitants recommandent
South Main Street
South Main StreetIf you've been to Memphis but not in the last 10 years, this area won't look much like you remember. Tons of development of old warehouses and new construction has led to a resurgence of this area, which you'll want to check out for many reasons. The civil rights museum is located here, which I highly recommend for pretty much anybody. There are several great dining/imbibing options in the area. Some highlights: coffee/light breakfast in the hip Arrive Memphis hotel lobby; sampling beers at the large new Wiseacre brewery; drinking in an old brothel (Ernestine and Hazels); playing shuffleboard and eating sausages at Longshot bar; eating southern food at Rizzo's or French food at Bishop. The area is at its most festive by far on the last Friday of each month (Trolley night), where the area's art galleries are open late for viewing and sipping on wine.
Overton Square is a short drive/walk from the duplex. It offers restaurants, bars, a couple playhouses, a ballet, a movie theater. For live music, Lafayette's is the best option. For beer, Boscos. For fine dining, check out Porch and Parlor, especially if the weather is nice but even if it's not. For cocktails and poboys (and awesome bbq shrimp), Second Line. For great views and cocktails, check out the new rooftop bar, Tiger & Peacock, in the Memphian hotel (note: wear a collar). For underrated sushi and crab, head to Saltwater Crab. For coffee, head to Midpointe, located in the Ballet Memphis building.
Overton
Overton Square is a short drive/walk from the duplex. It offers restaurants, bars, a couple playhouses, a ballet, a movie theater. For live music, Lafayette's is the best option. For beer, Boscos. For fine dining, check out Porch and Parlor, especially if the weather is nice but even if it's not. For cocktails and poboys (and awesome bbq shrimp), Second Line. For great views and cocktails, check out the new rooftop bar, Tiger & Peacock, in the Memphian hotel (note: wear a collar). For underrated sushi and crab, head to Saltwater Crab. For coffee, head to Midpointe, located in the Ballet Memphis building.
Nearby Restaurants
Bari Ristorante e Enoteca
524 Cooper StIf you can't make it to Nashville, try this tasty Nashville import and compare to the (more of a must-visit) Gus's fried chicken. (0.6 miles from duplex)
20 habitants recommandent
Hattie B’s Hot Chicken - Memphis, TN
596 Cooper StIf you can't make it to Nashville, try this tasty Nashville import and compare to the (more of a must-visit) Gus's fried chicken. (0.6 miles from duplex)
In a city with not-so-great pizza, this is one of the few exceptions. (0.9 miles)
43 habitants recommandent
Aldo's Pizza Pies - Midtown
752 Cooper StIn a city with not-so-great pizza, this is one of the few exceptions. (0.9 miles)
Best tacos in Memphis. Very casual. This is a stationary food truck. The closest one is nearby at central and cooper.
10 habitants recommandent
Tacos nganas
4255 Summer AvenueBest tacos in Memphis. Very casual. This is a stationary food truck. The closest one is nearby at central and cooper.
One of the best BBQ places in the city (1.0 mile from duplex)
173 habitants recommandent
Central BBQ - Midtown
2231 Central AveOne of the best BBQ places in the city (1.0 mile from duplex)
One of the best BBQ places in the city. Old-school atmosphere. (0.6 miles from duplex)
77 habitants recommandent
The Bar-B-Q Shop
1782 Madison AveOne of the best BBQ places in the city. Old-school atmosphere. (0.6 miles from duplex)
I like the vibe of this slightly upscale poboy restaurant. It also has a great bar, and one of the better patios for nicer weather. Don't skip on the BBQ shrimp.
62 habitants recommandent
The Second Line
2144 Monroe AveI like the vibe of this slightly upscale poboy restaurant. It also has a great bar, and one of the better patios for nicer weather. Don't skip on the BBQ shrimp.
This is a new, fancy tapas place by one of Memphis’s most well-known chefs. One of my favorite restaurants for sure
Pantà Memphis
2146 Monroe AvenueThis is a new, fancy tapas place by one of Memphis’s most well-known chefs. One of my favorite restaurants for sure
Outdoors
Great place to walk/exercise, play (cheap) golf, take pets (dog park there), take young kids (big playground there). (1 mile from duplex)
160 habitants recommandent
Overton Park
1914 Poplar AveGreat place to walk/exercise, play (cheap) golf, take pets (dog park there), take young kids (big playground there). (1 mile from duplex)
This is actually one of the bigger urban parks in the country. I use "urban" loosely, as it is tucked between Memphis and Cordova and feels like you're out in the country. On a nice day it's great to go here and walk around the man-made lake, rent a paddle board or kayak, or eat at Coastal Fish Company (especially at sunset -- make reservations). The park also offers horse-riding, buffalo (not for riding), an amazing kids park (highly recommended for young kids), disc golf, walking trails, etc.
223 habitants recommandent
Parc Shelby Farms
6903 Great View Dr NThis is actually one of the bigger urban parks in the country. I use "urban" loosely, as it is tucked between Memphis and Cordova and feels like you're out in the country. On a nice day it's great to go here and walk around the man-made lake, rent a paddle board or kayak, or eat at Coastal Fish Company (especially at sunset -- make reservations). The park also offers horse-riding, buffalo (not for riding), an amazing kids park (highly recommended for young kids), disc golf, walking trails, etc.
This is great place for views of the Mississippi river. You can walk across the entire river on a recently renovated railroad bridge. Have feet in both Tennessee and Arkansas. Also good for jogging and bike riding (as trails continue into Arkansas).
25 habitants recommandent
Big River Crossing
Big River CrossingThis is great place for views of the Mississippi river. You can walk across the entire river on a recently renovated railroad bridge. Have feet in both Tennessee and Arkansas. Also good for jogging and bike riding (as trails continue into Arkansas).
Sightseeing
A good, uncrowded and easily accessible zoo.
1.8 miles from duplex (driving; 1.3 miles walking)
291 habitants recommandent
Zoo de Memphis
2000 Prentiss PlA good, uncrowded and easily accessible zoo.
1.8 miles from duplex (driving; 1.3 miles walking)
This regional playhouse offers quality performances and comfortable seating. Underrated. (0.4 miles from duplex)
46 habitants recommandent
Playhouse On The Square
66 Cooper StThis regional playhouse offers quality performances and comfortable seating. Underrated. (0.4 miles from duplex)
The Mud Island River Park is located on the south side of Mud Island, and in my opinion is one of the more underrated places to visit. While the associated museum is not open and the grounds can be a bit isolated and overgrown at times, the large scale model of the Mississippi river is great to walk through. The Memphis sign, at the end of the park, offers nice photos. You can get to the park by driving across the bridge to Mud Island or walking across the sky bridge.
Memphis Sign
The Mud Island River Park is located on the south side of Mud Island, and in my opinion is one of the more underrated places to visit. While the associated museum is not open and the grounds can be a bit isolated and overgrown at times, the large scale model of the Mississippi river is great to walk through. The Memphis sign, at the end of the park, offers nice photos. You can get to the park by driving across the bridge to Mud Island or walking across the sky bridge.
I'm categorizing this under sight-seeing because it's a notable and impressive building. This huge building was once a Sears distribution center, opening in 1927. It's now a fully-renovated mixed use development that has some restaurants, coffee, ice cream, brewery, etc. It's worth at least a brief stop-by on the way to or from downtown to wander around, get a snack or coffee, and take a few industrial chic instagramable photos.
Note: Audiophiles should check out the unique Memphis Listening Lab, a music library building around a local music-industry veteran's huge personal collection.
79 habitants recommandent
Crosstown Concourse
1350 Concourse AveI'm categorizing this under sight-seeing because it's a notable and impressive building. This huge building was once a Sears distribution center, opening in 1927. It's now a fully-renovated mixed use development that has some restaurants, coffee, ice cream, brewery, etc. It's worth at least a brief stop-by on the way to or from downtown to wander around, get a snack or coffee, and take a few industrial chic instagramable photos.
Note: Audiophiles should check out the unique Memphis Listening Lab, a music library building around a local music-industry veteran's huge personal collection.
A must-see destination for many visitors. It’s worth seeing once even if you aren’t particularly an Elvis fan. However, it is expensive, commercialized, and can be crowded.
260 habitants recommandent
Graceland
A must-see destination for many visitors. It’s worth seeing once even if you aren’t particularly an Elvis fan. However, it is expensive, commercialized, and can be crowded.
An excellent and informative museum. Recommended.
319 habitants recommandent
Musée national des droits civils - Motel Lorraine
450 Mulberry StAn excellent and informative museum. Recommended.
Based on my own (perhaps dated) experience, this is the best of the music-related museums/tours. The tour is short (just a few rooms), but the guides are excellent.
217 habitants recommandent
Sun Studio
706 Union AveBased on my own (perhaps dated) experience, this is the best of the music-related museums/tours. The tour is short (just a few rooms), but the guides are excellent.
Worth stopping in for a drink or just to look at the lobby. See the ducks “march” into the lobby around 11 and go back up the elevator around 5. It’s crowded around 5, so get there early and perhaps get a nearby table. I’m my opinion this is a bit drawn out, but if you find a comfortable spot to sit or stand, it’s at least a unique experience. Good for kids (except for the waiting).
126 habitants recommandent
The Peabody Memphis
149 Union AveWorth stopping in for a drink or just to look at the lobby. See the ducks “march” into the lobby around 11 and go back up the elevator around 5. It’s crowded around 5, so get there early and perhaps get a nearby table. I’m my opinion this is a bit drawn out, but if you find a comfortable spot to sit or stand, it’s at least a unique experience. Good for kids (except for the waiting).
Nearby Bars/Breweries
Well-located brewery with solid beer and a nice environment. Also offers great photo opp with "I heart Memphis" sign. (0.9 miles from duplex)
84 habitants recommandent
Memphis Made Brewing Company
768 Cooper StWell-located brewery with solid beer and a nice environment. Also offers great photo opp with "I heart Memphis" sign. (0.9 miles from duplex)
Closest bar to the duplex (0.4 miles). Has good outdoor seating and good burgers (sliders, hence the name)
44 habitants recommandent
Slider Inn - Midtown
2117 Peabody AveClosest bar to the duplex (0.4 miles). Has good outdoor seating and good burgers (sliders, hence the name)
A new, swanky rooftop lounge in the Memphian hotel. Interesting decor and the best view in midtown. (Guys: Make sure to wear a collared shirt.)
6 habitants recommandent
Tiger and Peacock
21 Cooper StreetA new, swanky rooftop lounge in the Memphian hotel. Interesting decor and the best view in midtown. (Guys: Make sure to wear a collared shirt.)
This is the place to go to in Overton Square if you want to see live music (every night).
130 habitants recommandent
Lafayette's Music Room
2119 Madison AveThis is the place to go to in Overton Square if you want to see live music (every night).
Other Notable Restaurants in Memphis
The restaurant scene is of course constantly changing, and there are lot of good restaurants throughout Memphis. I'm including only a handful here. Contact me for more personalized recommendations.
One of chefs Andrew Ticer and Michael Hudmans' restaurants, this Italian-oriented restaurant may be my favorite in the city. It's also great for cocktails/appetizers at the bar (perhaps before a show at the nearby Orpheum).
44 habitants recommandent
Catherine & Mary's
272 S Main StOne of chefs Andrew Ticer and Michael Hudmans' restaurants, this Italian-oriented restaurant may be my favorite in the city. It's also great for cocktails/appetizers at the bar (perhaps before a show at the nearby Orpheum).
Another one of Andrew and Michaels' restaurants, this one has a slight seafood slant. I'm a big fan of all their restaurants, but this one could be the best. Also has a top 3 bar for cocktails in the city. It's located next to the distillery.
28 habitants recommandent
The Gray Canary
301 S Front StAnother one of Andrew and Michaels' restaurants, this one has a slight seafood slant. I'm a big fan of all their restaurants, but this one could be the best. Also has a top 3 bar for cocktails in the city. It's located next to the distillery.
This is perhaps the fanciest restaurant in town. It has a fixed menu each night. Named one of the top ten best new restaurants in the U.S. in 2021 by USA Today.
Dory
716 West Brookhaven CircleThis is perhaps the fanciest restaurant in town. It has a fixed menu each night. Named one of the top ten best new restaurants in the U.S. in 2021 by USA Today.
Best fried chicken I’ve had. Tourists flock here (to this location especially), so prepare for a wait. The location on Mendenhal is just as good.
159 habitants recommandent
Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken
310 S Front StBest fried chicken I’ve had. Tourists flock here (to this location especially), so prepare for a wait. The location on Mendenhal is just as good.
Coffee
This eclectic coffee shop is nearby and has been around longer than any other in midtown. It has a patio, some decent food. Pretty good but not the best for getting work done. (If you are an avid coffee shop goer, you might check out:
- Belltower (on Highland near the university; has pottery making in a separate room).
- Memphis Chess Club (downtown; an actual chess club in a cool space. Great for chilling, working)
- City and State (on broad street; very hipster. Uncomfortable chairs)
-Hustle and Dough (downtown in the Arrive hotel lobby. Great space to hang out. Good pastries)
99 habitants recommandent
Otherlands Coffee Bar
641 Cooper StThis eclectic coffee shop is nearby and has been around longer than any other in midtown. It has a patio, some decent food. Pretty good but not the best for getting work done. (If you are an avid coffee shop goer, you might check out:
- Belltower (on Highland near the university; has pottery making in a separate room).
- Memphis Chess Club (downtown; an actual chess club in a cool space. Great for chilling, working)
- City and State (on broad street; very hipster. Uncomfortable chairs)
-Hustle and Dough (downtown in the Arrive hotel lobby. Great space to hang out. Good pastries)