Memphis’ January Events Offer Fun For Families
Families flock to Memphis each year for its exciting events and attractions, and this January, Memphis has a fantastic show planned for its visitors with Shrek: The Musical! Children and adults alike will love the stage adaptation of the popular Dreamworks movie about the lovable ogre and his chatty donkey sidekick. The show runs from January 18-23 at the Orpheum Theatre. If you love Shrek, be sure to include Shrek: The Musical in your Memphis vacation!
Memphis is known for its delicious barbecue, and your vacation won’t be complete without sampling BBQ ribs and other southern fares at the Blues City Café! This famous establishment has a rich history on Beale Street and was featured in the Tom Cruise film The Firm. Enjoy live entertainment in The Band Box section of the restaurant, or simply enjoy the food and ambiance of Beale Street.
If you are interested in guitars, you will love taking a Gibson Guitar Factory Tour during your vacation in Memphis. You will be amazed at the skills of the factory’s artisans, and you will have a one-of-a-kind experience seeing every step in the production of Gibson’s famous guitars. You will be impressed at the workmanship it takes to produce each instrument.
Memphis Prepares for the Thanksgiving Holiday!
Memphis is jam-packed with great dining opportunities and family-friendly areas to visit during this upcoming Thanksgiving. If you decide to go to Memphis sometime in the next month, make sure you bring as many family members along as possible to get the most out of your fall vacation experience. The tree leaves are changing from greens to reds, oranges and golds, and the cool air is just beginning to bring signs of winter. As you stay in Memphis, you’re welcome to take the family out to one of the many restaurants or eat a delicious homemade meal at the area of your choice. Be sure to book your Memphis lodging before the Thanksgiving rush hits, and check out some of the restaurants to dine at while you’re here.
There’s nothing like the taste of a juicy American burger while you’re spending time in this southern Tennessee city. As you’re eating your fill, you’ll be surrounded by some of the great rock legends of both the past and present, including Janis Joplin, U2, Bo Diddley and much more. The blended genres of rock n’ roll were made popular in Memphis, and you’ll hear some of the greatest rock hits right from your table. On top of the great food, atmosphere and service, you’ll also get the chance to take some Hard Rock Cafe souvenirs back to your home to savor the memories.
Check out this historic restaurant after the sun goes down – the way it’s meant to be experienced. The dining area has live entertainment from The Band Box in one section, and you’ll certainly want to chow down on the tender barbecue ribs featured on the menu. Some of the other all-American cuisine includes zesty chicken, fried catfish, and enormous steaks. The restaurant is part of the historical heart of downtown and just across the street from B.B. King’s.
Join in with Memphis residents to celebrate the city’s history and family-friendly events. The Thanksgiving holiday memories will be some of the best you’ll ever have!
Historic Restaurants Serve Up Classic Food In Memphis
Memphis is home to incredible music and fascinating history. It is also home to some great restaurants. Whether you’re looking for great BBQ or fried fish or bacon cheeseburgers, Memphis has what you’re looking for.
Memphis Riverboats Sightseeing & Dinner Cruises
This dining experience is more than just a restaurant. You’ll enjoy your meal aboard an authentic paddle-wheel boat as you cruise down the famous Mississippi River. As you enjoy a fabulous meal of BBQ specials, you can expect to see sights such as the Memphis Pyramid and Mud Island River Park. The dinner cruise includes live music and dancing, amazing views of the Memphis area, and a true Memphis BBQ meal.
If you’re looking for a true Memphis dining experience, Beale Street is the place for you. Hit one of the most famous restaurants in the city and enjoy Memphis-style bar-be-que and the most famous BBQ ribs in Tennessee! The Blues City Cafe serves up incredible food while you listen to the music drifting in from the Band Box next door.
If you want a good old bacon cheeseburger served up in the classic style of Memphis, then the Hard Rock Cafe is the restaurant for you! The history of this building on Beale Street makes this a must-see in the home of rock ‘n roll. The historic building was once a saloon before being converted into a recording studio, and now it houses the Hard Rock Cafe. Enjoy your American-style cuisine as you bask in the history of America’s style of music.
Memphis Ranked #6 Best City For Live Music
Memphis was recently ranked number 6 on The Society of American Travel Writers Top 10 Cities For Live Music, which placed Memphis higher on their list than Las Vegas! With so much great live music in Memphis, why would you want to miss it?
Start off your trip to Memphis with the famous Mojo Tour. You’ll be guided through this historic city by one of the hometown musicians. The guide will have you dancing to the beat and before long you’ll be singing with him, which is highly encouraged. You’ll also enjoy an insiders tour of either Sun Studios or Stax. Don’t miss this look into American Music history!
After a day exploring Memphis, sink your teeth into a fabulous meal of Southern style food and famous Memphis BBQ at the Blues City Cafe on Beale Street. Nestled into the heart of downtown Memphis, Blues City Cafe occupies two store-fronts, with one being the cafe and the other being a live music joint known as The Band Box. Featuring live music each night, The Band Box is the perfect place to get a taste of Memphis’ world-class live music.
If you’re looking to find your own musical adventure in Memphis, why not situate yourself right by the action? There are several hotels located right in the heart of Memphis’ downtown music scene. You can search by price or amenities to find the perfect hotel for your stay. Regardless of which you choose, you’ll be within walking distance to everything you are looking for.
Get a Full Taste of the Blues through Memphis’ Dining and Historic Sites
In addition to stunning sightseeing cruises and Elvis-themed sites, Memphis is known for its contributions to the heritage of the Southern United States. Much of this southern identity can be traced through the years of blues music performed in and around the city. On your next visit to Memphis, get a full taste of the Music City blues through the city’s variety of blues-themed attractions and historic sites.
Though first heard in the early 1900s, it wasn’t until the 1930s or 1940s that blues music became a more recognized genre. Artists like Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, and Elmore James perfected the genre with a series of top hits on into the 1950s. One only needs to walk down historic Beale Street in Memphis to be reminded of blues with street performers and night clubs. One such night club is B.B. King’s Blues Club. You can enjoy a breakfast, lunch, or dinner at this historic club, but the real fun takes place after the sun goes down. The club features live performances from local and national talents alike, including the occasional performance from B.B. King himself. Ribs, burgers, catfish, and other favorites in southern cuisine make up a full list of menu items.
Right across the street from B.B. Kings Blues Club is the Blues City Cafe, where the late Chef Bonnie Mack is remembered. The restaurant features mouth-watering ribs, steak, chicken, catfist, and more. The food alone is enough to draw a crowd, but the evening entertainment also keep guests coming back for more. The Band Box is a section within the restaurant where entertainers perform. The Free World, a local band, provides many of the sounds you can expect to hear during any given evening.
The Civil Rights Movement marked a time of African American opression and struggle, a major theme found within blues music. Perhaps no greater museum exists to help remember that struggle than the National Civil Rights Museum. With exhibits of the Montgomery Bus Boycott, the March on Washington, and the Assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., among others, you’re sure to get an in depth look at some of the powerful moments in years past that have perhaps helped continue to spawn the complexities and emotions that make up blues music. The National Civil Rights Museum serves as a reminder and memorial to those very moments.
Beale Street Heats Up with Hot Sounds During the Beale Street Music Festival
If there is one thing Memphis is known for it is the soulful sounds that the city has produced throughout the years, and once again the unique sounds of Memphis will be paid homage with the Beale Street Music Festival. For three days, from May 1 through 3, Beale Street will be flooded with revelers and rockin’ sounds. With the festival just days away, the line-up is set with a number of popular acts making an appearance. Below is a short list of some of the notable performers attending:
- Jerry Lee Lewis
- Snoop Dogg
- Bonnie Raitt
- Elvis Costello
- George Clinton
- Medeski, Martin & Wood
- and More
While this popular event is definitely beginning to pack Memphis to capacity, there are still a number of lodging options available for those planning a last minute visit. Follow this link to browse and reserve lodging options still available throughout the city of Memphis.
Other than music, Beale Street is also well known for its one-of-a-kind ribs. And with the festival taking place on Beale Street, it’s extremely easy to enjoy the Memphis delicacy without missing any of the music. In particular, Blues City Cafe will offer ribs and southern cuisine that will be sure to please the taste buds and provide the sustenance needed to tackle a full day of concert going.
And for those that don’t plan on attending every day of the festival, but are still looking for music oriented entertainment, you’re always welcome at The King’s house. Though Elvis is no longer with us, his legacy is still alive and well, and with a tour of his Graceland mansion Memphis visitors can get closer than ever to Elvis Aaron Presley and his extraordinary life.
Add a Pinch of Cajun Flavor to Your Next Memphis, TN Vacation
While Beale Street is best noted for the blues, this February 27 – 28 the historic street will be host to the authentic sounds of Louisiana with the Beale Street Zydeco Festival. Throughout the weekend, guests will find many of the bars and clubs lining Beale Street showcasing some of the best in Zydeco music. Whether you’re a seasoned fan of the decidedly Cajun sound of Zydeco or have never even heard of the genre before, if you’ll be in Memphis during late February you’ll definitely want to stop by Beale Street and see what all of the commotion is about.
While visiting Memphis during the Beale Street Zydeco Festival, you’ll find a number of ways to take in the musical heritage of Memphis for a complete time of musical celebration. In particular, the Memphis Mojo Tour can offer a musical look at Memphis guided by an actual musician! Along the tour an authentic local musician will take you through the city in a 1950′s vintage bus as you explore sites including Beale Street, Sun Studio, Stax Museum of American Soul Music, and even a few sites not tied to music, but extremely important to Memphis, including the Civil Rights Museum.
Another great activity option while visiting during the Beale Street Zydeco Festival is dining at the Blues City Cafe. Located directly on Beale Street, the Blues City Cafe offers convenient and mouth-watering dining right where the action will be taking place. The diner is renowned for its ribs, though other local favorites can be found, including seafood gumbo and fried catfish.
Memphis’ International Blues Challenge Set for Feb. 4 – 7
There’s never a shortage of quality music to be heard along Beale Street, but during this year’s International Blues Challenge Memphis locals and visitors alike will be blessed with the ability to take in some of the greatest blues performances from around the world from February 4 – February 7! This is annually the largest blues gathering in the world, with last year’s festival showcasing over150 acts. Whether you’re a true blues aficionado or simply looking to experience Beale Street at its peak, you’ll definitely want to visit Memphis during the International Blues Challenge!
Located directly on Beale Street, Blues City Cafe offers an authentic taste of some of the city’s popular barbecue, and is a convenient stop during the International Blues Challenge. Ribs are obviously at the front of the menu when you visit Blues City Cafe, though visitors will also find other area favorites including fried catfish and live music served up at the Cafe as well. If you’re looking for great food and great times that represent the culture of Memphis, then look no further than the Blues City Cafe.
And for those that want to do more than merely hear the sounds of Memphis during their visit, the Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum can help by providing an detailed look into Memphis’ music history. As part of the Smithsonian Institute, you’ll already find the Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum to be a credible source before even stepping foot inside. And once inside you’ll find seven galleries that run through everything from the music itself to the social and racial boundaries it broke.
