Locals Recommend
Hear from true Memphians that know the inside scoop on what to see, do and eat in Downtown Memphis!
Are you from Memphis and dig Downtown? Click here to share your itinerary!
Meet Stuart McGehee
OCCUPATION: Pres & Founder, Beyond Brick and Mortar
WHO ARE YOU: Four-eyed, middle aged, balding ex banker turned web developer whose office is downtown & who is quick to tell you that Memphis is a city with a soul, and that its soul is largely in downtown Memphis.
NUMBER OF YEARS IN MEMPHIS: Since the earth began to cool
FAVORITE THINGS TO EAT/DRINK IN DOWNTOWN: Rendezvous dry ribs; tuna appetizer at Felicia Suzzane's; soul burger at Ernestine & Hazels'; double double at Dyer's on Beale; cold beer in a bottle at Kooky Canuck; and a limit of 5 is really unfair because there are so many great spots!
BEST PLACES TO PEOPLE WATCH: FedEx Forum during a Grizzlies game (during a timeout, of course)
BEST TOURIST ATTRACTION and why: Beale Street at night because one can feed off the positive energy from the crowds inside the bars and out!
MUST DO’S DURING YOUR STAY IN DOWNTOWN: Eat at the Arcade; See the Peabody lobby; go to Tom Lee Park to see the mighty Mississippi River; Go to the Rendezvous; attend a Grizzlies game - if they are not playing, come back when they are!
BEST KEPT SECRET: parkandplaydowntown.com enables one to easily find convenient downtown Memphis parking. Why drive around like a knucklehead looking for parking when your computer, smart phone, or tablet can do the heavy lifting for ya?
Meet Lori Spicer
OCCUPATION: Manager, Community Affairs & Engagement at the Regional Medical Center at Memphis; Partner of Smitten Events (boutique event planning firm); and Adjunct Professor at University of Phoenix
WHO ARE YOU: Uptown Chick with a Downtown love, S.O. to a busy community developer and a Community Organizer who thrives on the success of her community and this soulful city called Memphis
NUMBER OF YEARS IN MEMPHIS: Native Memphian, left in 2000 for greener pastures and returned in 2007 only to realize Memphis was where she was supposed to be.
FAVORITE THINGS TO EAT/DRINK IN DOWNTOWN: Local Gastropub - Skillet Shrimp or Jumbo Lump Crabcakes; Beignet Cafe - Bread Pudding (Yum!); Flight- Chilean Sea bass and White Chocolate Strawberry Martini; Felicia Suzanne's Shrimp and Grits; Bar None - Weekender Punch and Bar None Queso (tastes just like Rotel Dip for the fortunate who have been exposed to it)!
BEST PLACES TO PEOPLE WATCH: The patio of Blue Fin; you are able to catch the people coming from plays, concerts and games and with the new bar on the side of the restaurant, you may see anything come your way.
BEST TOURIST ATTRACTION: Paula and Raiford's Disco - you never know who or what you may see, but you are guaranteed to have a good time! Also if you can catch a play, be sure to go to Hattiloo Theatre for some wonderful theatrical performances.
MUST DO’S DURING YOUR STAY IN DOWNTOWN: EAT! There are plenty of spots, but I like those off the beaten path like Cozy Corner, Alcenia's or even Lunchbox Eats - it is tucked away downtown, so most have not heard about it, but it is delish! I am a person who appreciates themes and the owner has really thought through hers with the menu, the food, and even the to-go box! You will want to try everything from the House Fries to the After School Scooby Snack to the Teacher's Lounge Spud to the Uniform Catfish Code, Principal's Office Link, Field Trip Greens (well as you can see I have pretty much tried it all). Oh and the desserts are not to be missed!
BEST KEPT SECRET: Itta Bena - it has one of the best views in downtown Memphis, the food is great and you can typically catch some funky tunes since its right above B.B. King's. Also Memphis Sounds under A&R BBQ. I took my friends there and they loved the juke joint feel with a neo-soul, R&B and blues sound. The crowd is unexpected - young partying it up with the old, and where else can you order fried catfish and barbecue while you listen to Big Baybay (spelling?) and her crew?!?!?!
OTHER TIPS: Don't miss out on life, find it in Downtown Memphis!
Meet Sarah Baker
OCCUPATION: Reporter at The Daily News
WHO ARE YOU: I write about local real estate, i.e. new companies – including restaurants and other hot spots – coming into and/or leaving town. NUMBER OF YEARS IN MEMPHIS: 23 (with the exception of 4 years at UT Knoxville)
Favorite things to eat/drink in Downtown:
1. Attitude Improvement at Wet Willie’s
2. Shrimp Po’Boy at Courthouse Deli
3. Rambo at Bardog
4. Brunch at South of Beale
5. Anything at Itta Bena
BEST PLACE TO PEOPLE WATCH IN DOWNTOWN: Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken
BEST TOURIST ATTRACTION IN DOWNTOWN: Beale Street flippers because it’s prime entertainment that’s easy on your wallet
MUST DO'S DURING YOUR STAY:
1. Eat a Soul burger from Ernestine & Hazel’s and venture upstairs to the haunted part if you dare
2. While you’re in the area, shop around at the eclectic shops off South Main and hit up the Cheesecake Corner off G.E. Patterson for dessert
3. Play in the fountains by City Hall
4. Walk Riverside in Greenbelt Park
5. Go see – and his hear commentary of – Isaac Hayes’ gold-plated Cadillac at the Stax Museum
BEST KEPT SECRET: Catfish, gumbo and jazz at King’s Palace Café
OTHER TIPS: Have some cash on hand for cover charges and tips. And wear comfy shoes, because everything’s in walking distance and you’re going to want to see it all!
Meet Karen SoroOCCUPATION: The Downtown Realtor
WHO ARE YOU: There is only ONE place to live in Memphis and it is DOWNTOWN!
NUMBER OF YEARS IN MEMPHIS: 25
FAVORITE THINGS TO EAT/DRINK IN DOWNTOWN:
Herb encrusted grouper at the Five Spot,portabello mushroom at Detour, crab cakes at Paulettes, and tilapia at Alcenias.
BEST PLACE TO PEOPLE WATCH IN DOWNTOWN: The window seat at the Flying Saucer
BEST TOURIST ATTRACTION IN DOWNTOWN and why: Beale Street- because it’s famous
MUST DO’S DURING YOUR STAY IN DOWNTOWN: Sip a glass of wine and watch the sun set at the River Inns rooftop, take in a Saturday morning farmers market, have breakfast at the Arcade, try and make a “trolley tour” night on the last Friday of the month, ditch the car and walk or ride the trolley.
BEST KEPT SECRET: The Five Spot, where you can have a gourmet meal and bring your own bottle of wine.
Meet Richard FloydOCCUPATION: Property Manager/Bartender/Smoker of pork
WHO ARE YOU: Lifelong Memphian that loves the city and history
NUMBER OF YEARS IN MEMPHIS: 37
FAVORITE THINGS TO EAT/DRINK IN DOWNTOWN:
1) Vodka martini with a dozen chargrilled oysters at Pearls Oyster House.
2) Double Soul Burger with a cold beer at Ernestine & Hazels
3) Eggs Redneck with a order of french toast at the Arcade
4) Frank's Deli Italian Business Man sandwich with a bag of chips and you favorite cold drink. Walk up to Vance Park on a nice day and sit on the steps of the bluff and watch the river.
BEST PLACE TO PEOPLE WATCH IN DOWNTOWN: Looking out onto the street while inside The Flying Saucer.
BEST TOURIST ATTRACTION IN DOWNTOWN and why: The Cotton Museum, Memphis wouldn't be the city it is today without cotton!
MUST DO’S DURING YOUR STAY IN DOWNTOWN: 1)Sit on the patio of Silky's and drink a diver.
2)Watch a sunset over the river.
3)Walk down S. Main St
BEST KEPT SECRET IN DOWNTOWN: The Grizzlies... (O.K. , maybe not anymore!)
