Downtown Memphis - Memphis, TN Area Guide

Downtown is the oldest part of Memphis. Founders dedicated the riverfront to the people "now and forever" as long as the public used it. A river landing was formed for steamboats filled with cotton. By 1886, limestone and granite cobblestones lined the landing, which today is part of the National Register of Historic Places.

Another major Memphis attraction is the National Civil Rights Museum, housed downtown in the Lorraine Motel where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated. Exhibits teach about the people and events central to the struggle for civil rights in Memphis and beyond.

Reflecting the love Memphis shows for the arts is The Orpheum Theatre. Home to Opera Memphis, Ballet Memphis, and 10 to 12 Broadway shows annually, the Orpheum has been entertaining folks in Memphis since 1890, surviving a fire and several makeovers.

For fantastic no-muss, no-fuss, down-home fried chicken, look no further than Gus' World Famous Fried Chicken. Gus's has garnered rave reviews for its special, moist chicken, marinated first then fried, and the friendly atmosphere of all the locations. Start with fried green tomatoes then dive into a plate meal of chicken, coleslaw, the best beans you will ever have, and a piece of white bread. Add sweet tea or beer, and you will be one happy camper.

The Farmer specializes in giving an elegant spin to Southern dishes. For lunch or dinner, the menu is an impressive--but not pretentious--blend of new and old. The Farmer is certified by Project Green Fork thanks to its emphasis on supporting local farms and using seasonal produce. Enjoy the (Not Too) Spicy Vanilla Shrimp for an appetizer. It combines Large Gulf Shrimp, coconut milk, vanilla bean and hot sauce over crisp grit cakes. For a mouth-watering main dish, try the Heritage Pork Chop, a seared and oven-roasted bone-in chop with a side of sweet potato hash and sweet onion marmalade. Peruse the brilliant wine menu for a perfect pairing.

Downtown Riverside never lacks for evening festivities. At the Mollie Fontaine Lounge, sip your favorite cocktail or let your senses discover a new one as you explore the multilevel Victorian house meticulously decorated with bohemian flair. The lounge is open Wednesdays through Saturdays until "the spirits go to sleep," with musicians playing most nights.

Live music, trivia and pool are in excess throughout downtown, and a great place to explore is Beale Street. You can find ample jazz and blues at Blue Note Bar & Grill or the BB King's Blues Club. Get your dance on at Club 152 or Rum Boogie Bar, and shoot pool at the People's Billiard Club or Kings Palace Cafe's Absinthe Room. There is plenty more where that came from. Simply mosey down Beale Street, and see what catches your eye.

Downtown Riverside is the most walkable neighborhood in Memphis. While most errands require a car (or a bike/bus), you can get a bite to eat, do some shopping and visit a park on foot. Bikers can access more than 60 miles of lanes and trails used for commuting and recreation.

You can hail a cab on Beale Street, but elsewhere you likely have to call one of the many cab companies such as Bartlett Taxi and City Wide Cab. You can also use Uber. Drivers enjoy easy access to Interstate 40 to the north, Interstate 55 to the south and Interstate 240 to the east.

While walking downtown, you are sure to catch a glimpse of the Main Street Trolley. This classic streetcar cruises down Main Street and Riverfront Drive, adding to the timeless atmosphere. Buses are a great way to get around, and you can easily plan your trip through the convenient MATA Traveler app or the MATA Transit website. Bus fare is less for students, senior citizens and people with disabilities. You can also get a FastPass for unlimited rides at a flat rate. A downtown Amtrak station helps you travel regionally or even across the country.

Tom Lee Park lets you enjoy the view of the Mississippi River amid tranquility. The park is named after the black boatsman who saved 32 lives on the sinking M.E. Norman in 1925 despite not knowing how to swim. The park features an extensive riverwalk that attracts walkers, joggers, rollerbladers and cyclists. Though some fitness equipment is available, you can witness hardcore athletes sprinting up the stacks of stairs. The par hosts Memphis in May, a monthlong festival of musicians and air shows as well as a BBQ cook-off so intense it was nicknamed "The Superbowl of Swine.”

Several Memphis parks have swimming pools, and Peabody Park is popular. Kids can enjoy play equipment, an indoor basketball court, and of course, the indoor swimming pool. The Raymond Skinner Handicapped Center provides recreation services for folks with various ability levels. The few dog parks in town include the 2-acre off-leash Memphis Dog Park.

Downtown is part of the central business district and a top destination for tourists, so some goods and services can be pricier. To offset this, locals travel to Poplar or Midtown for groceries and household goods when they have time. Even so, the cost of living in Memphis is less than other parts of Tennessee and lower than the national average.

Renting a place downtown is likely to cost you $998 per month. Gas will not break the bank, as local prices are 17 percent lower than the national average. A pint of beer comes in at just $2. The wide range of shopping and restaurant options suits a variety of budgets.

Downtown Riverside shines with independent shops serving unique twists on old favorites. Several smaller grocery stores cater to those who are on the go. City Market has ready-made and artisanal foods. To save money on big grocery trips, head to Kroger and Whole Foods, both on Poplar Avenue.

From April through October, visit the Memphis Farmer’s Market. You will find more than 75 vendors, many local and some hailing from as far as northern Mississippi and western Arkansas. What they all have in common is a passion for quality, whether they sell meat, produce, flowers, herbs, baked goods or household items. A special winter market is also held the second Saturday of December.

Beale Street reigns supreme for picking up knickknacks reflecting the local fare and browsing vinyl and CDs of beloved artists. Look at A Schwab for tastes of the region, including sauces, pickled and dried goods, as well as regional crafts and products. Eel Etc. sells clothing for sophisticated folks at work and play, and is especially known for its selection of men's hats (chapeaus). Tater Red's Lucky Mojos and Voodoo Healing offers goods matching its bizarre, mysterious name. It is definitely worth a look if you are feeling brave.

Muse is a high-end shop specializing in one-of-a-kind designer clothes and jewelry from local artists.