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We are planning a February, 2011 trip to Memphis for the International Blues Challenge. http://www.blues.org/ibc/ Our good friend, Big Daddy O, aka Owen Tufts, won the duo/solo regional competition in New Orleans last week and will be representing New Orleans among 80-90 other contestants from around the globe. We plan to be a part of his cheering section. http://www.bigdaddyo.net/

This is our first trip to Memphis and we are considering staying at the Peabody Hotel. Before we plunk down the non-refundable deposit, we were hoping to get a little more local input regarding other hotels with in walking distance of Beale Street. Plus we were looking for the best BBQ places in the area. We'll have a car, so getting around town won't be a problem. We plan to do the Stax Records Museum, Sun Records tour and of course, Graceland. Any other input would be appreciated. Thank you.

Hey Wayne, and Cathi!
You need to talk to Shannon, (sunseeker) or Alison..They stayed at the Peabody there a few years ago...There's pictures of the ducks on here somewhere....lol!

The Peabody is the best hotel in Memphis. But it's wayyyyyyy expensive. But great.
For BBQ places, people seem to flock to the Rendezvous (52 S. 2nd St.). Any of the Neely's places, especially Interstate BBQ (2265 S. 3rd St.) might be best anywhere ON THE PLANET, or Gus's Fried Chicken (310 S. Front St.) out by the airport. All three places have been on the food networks, Diners Drive-ins and Dives, etc. The original Corky's BBQ is somewhere....we've never been.
The Memphis Zoo is really great and I'm not saying that just because my son engineered the polar bear exhibit windows. And the Pink Palace Museum, but I've never been and I don't know if it's just mainly for kids or not.
Graceland always makes me cry...seeing all Elvis's jumpsuits and the memorial outside...it's great. My preacher marries people at the Graceland wedding chapel across the street. It's not tacky, it's a beautiful ceremony.

Conolulu wrote:Hey Wayne, and Cathi!
You need to talk to Shannon, (sunseeker) or Alison..They stayed at the Peabody there a few years ago...There's pictures of the ducks on here somewhere....lol!

Hi Connie!
We are looking forward to seeing the duck parade. Give us a jingle when your in the neighborhood.

citcat wrote:The Peabody is the best hotel in Memphis. But it's wayyyyyyy expensive. But great.
For BBQ places, people seem to flock to the Rendezvous (52 S. 2nd St.). Any of the Neely's places, especially Interstate BBQ (2265 S. 3rd St.) might be best anywhere ON THE PLANET, or Gus's Fried Chicken (310 S. Front St.) out by the airport. All three places have been on the food networks, Diners Drive-ins and Dives, etc. The original Corky's BBQ is somewhere....we've never been.
The Memphis Zoo is really great and I'm not saying that just because my son engineered the polar bear exhibit windows. And the Pink Palace Museum, but I've never been and I don't know if it's just mainly for kids or not.
Graceland always makes me cry...seeing all Elvis's jumpsuits and the memorial outside...it's great. My preacher marries people at the Graceland wedding chapel across the street. It's not tacky, it's a beautiful ceremony.

Thank you Citcat! Definately doing the Rendezvous for BBQ. We saw the BBQ special on the Travel Channel and I remember Interstate BBQ being mentioned. Any other hotels downtown within walking distance can you recommend?

I will have to bow to other Memphians for that...our son lives there and we don't stay downtown. sorry !!!

Just so you know, Shannon and I didn't actually STAY at the Peabody...WAAAAY out of my budget BUT YOU MUST SEE THE PARADE of ducks. It's truly delightful for kids of all ages Would also recommend the Gibson guitar factory, which is in the building as (can't remember the actual name) the Smithsonian Museum of [something about blues music]. That part was a bit touristy, but I thought it was cool to see some the artifacts they have.

Have you asked Marc Cohen?

You HAVE to see the ducks at the Peabody!!! And have Mimosa there while waiting on the Duck Parade. And as Auntie has already stated we didn't stay there. The hotel WAS beautiful however and imagine quite a nice place to stay.

Thank you all for the info. We settled on the Residence Inn by Marriott near Peabody Place. No advance deposit, no minimum stay, king room with a kitchen and pet friendly so Mr. Utley can come along. Maybe Mr. Utley can join the duck parade at the Peabody. If anyone enjoys a good blues jam, the International Blues Challenge looks like a great reason to visit Memphis even in February. The downside is that we'll be traveling home the day of the Super Bowl. I hope we can get home before kickoff.

Well enjoy your trip! I highly recommend the Residence Inns...have stayed at several. Always clean rooms and good service.

he came from london wrote:Have you asked Marc Cohen?

Walking with my feet ten feet off of Beale

frognot wrote:My internet BBQing friend Danielle, aka Diva Q, has a great review on her blog about Memphis BBQ: http://divaq.ca/tag/memphis (The Memphis review is at the top of the page, then a rant about Canadian airlines, then rest of the review farther down.) Lotsa info and great pictures.

Danielle was on the TV show, BBQ Pitmasters last week, and came in second place.

Frog! We're going at the end of November and I've added Pigs on Beale and the Cozy Corner (gotta try that Cornish Game Hen) to my list! Thanks so much for the link. You rock, as always!

JollyMon66 wrote:

he came from london wrote:Have you asked Marc Cohen?

Walking with my feet ten feet off of Beale

What always makes me laugh when I hear it is some country band (I think it was "Lonestar") covered the song and when they get to the lines "She asked me if I was Christian, I said Ma'am, I am tonight." Now, maybe this is prejudiced of me, but I can't believe a country band would be anything but Christian. Mark Cohn, however, is Jewish. That's what makes that line so important.

popcornjack wrote:

JollyMon66 wrote:

he came from london wrote:Have you asked Marc Cohen?

Walking with my feet ten feet off of Beale

What always makes me laugh when I hear it is some country band (I think it was "Lonestar") covered the song and when they get to the lines "She asked me if I was Christian, I said Ma'am, I am tonight." Now, maybe this is prejudiced of me, but I can't believe a country band would be anything but Christian. Mark Cohn, however, is Jewish. That's what makes that line so important.

I always wondered about that line. Now I feel so enlightened!

Another piece of trivia about Marc Cohn - he's married to Elizabeth Vargas from ABC News.

JollyMon66 wrote:

he came from london wrote:Have you asked Marc Cohen?

Walking with my feet ten feet off of Beale

AND.. do you know who Beale was???

Nice page, Frognot!

If y'all need any help before you come down, give me a shout! Don't forget Graceland. Just do a drive by if nothing else...lol.

If you are staying at the Residence Inn on Monroe Ave., I stayed there a few years ago and it is within walking distance to Beale and if I remember correctly it is really close to Rendezvous. The hotel has a happy hour in the evening M-F with snacks and beer and wine. There is a jacuzzi on the rooftop but I don't know if it would be open in February. Hope you have a great time there! I sure did.