Hyde Park - Memphis, TN Area Guide

As the city of Memphis gained traction and the population grew in the early 20th century, the neighborhood of Hollywood just north of Midtown was the place to be. With a movie theater, outdoor shopping mall and community center, the area drew much of Memphis. The neighborhood of Jackson Heights Rhodes developed much during this time, with many residences being constructed just along Hollywood's border to the west as more families tried to get close to the city hot spot. Rhodes College, originally founded in 1848, moved campus to the southern section of Jackson Heights Rhodes in 1925. The opening attracted a younger liberal arts crowd to the area and transformed the neighborhood into its present state. Head into Overton Park's Memphis Brooks Museum of Art to immerse yourself in an afternoon of culture among the more than 9,000 pieces showcased on Wednesday through Sunday each week.

Midtown's flourishing restaurant scene can be found situated between Union and Poplar Avenues. Take a stroll down the busy city streets where you're sure to enjoy an exciting night on the town. Whether you're in the mood for the perfect romantic restaurant rendezvous or a quick stop for a great lunch before returning to work, the greater Midtown area has what you want just around the corner. Settle into one of the candlelit tables of Restaurant Iris, and prepare to dine on some of the best gourmet food in Memphis. The menu rotates weekly, though popular appetizer favorites return regularly, including the lobster knuckle sandwich and barbecue shrimp. Not sure what to order? The five-course tasting menu allows the chef to choose your dinner based on the best seasonal ingredients currently available in the kitchen. Specializing in unique twists on classic burgers and traditional American foods, Belly Acres in Overton Square brings many customers back time and time again for popular items such as the Southern Gentleman Burger or The Cure, featuring tender, grass-fed beef served on a brioche bun. Seating fills up quickly during the dinner hour, so plan on a slight wait if you don't beat the rush. Among Midtown's go-to lunch spots, Kwik Chek fuses Mediterranean and Korean cooking flair into burgers and deli sandwiches with incredible results. Order the bibimbap burger for a flavorful combination of fried egg, been sprouts, rice and other vegetables piled high atop a charbroiled beef patty. Known for the eclectic and electric crowds it draws, Buccaneer has long remained a staple of Memphis nightlife. Perfect for a group of friends looking to unwind after a long day at work, the dive bar portion of the venue provides low-key lighting and enough interesting ambiance to make the trip one to remember. If you want something a little more high-energy, the stage draws different local and national acts every night of the week for personal shows ranging from bluegrass and acoustic sets to rock and punk.

Jackson Avenue bisects Jackson Heights Rhodes as it runs east and west, providing locals with easy navigation throughout the city and into the surrounding area. In addition to ride-share services, such as Uber and Lyft, Memphis' range of taxi cab companies come at your disposal. Jackson Avenue makes for a great place to catch a cab. Public parking can be difficult to find in the Jackson Heights Rhodes area, though many of the northern residential streets allow free parking during certain hours of the day. A number of the neighborhood's major roads incorporate bike lanes for the convenience of cyclists. Those living in southern Jackson Heights Rhodes find the area very walkable due to the wealth of Midtown shops and restaurants just south of the neighborhood. The Memphis Area Transit Authority services the area with bus stops along Vollintine Avenue, Jackson Avenue and North Parkway.

Complete with a nine-hole golf course, the Memphis Zoo, the Levitt Shell Amphitheater and a 126-acre forested recreational park, Overton Park on the south side of Jackson Heights Rhodes provides locals with all of Tennessee's natural beauty just around the corner from home. Bring your dog along for a walk through the park's nature trails, or let the kids loose on one of the two sizable playgrounds to ensure a fun afternoon in the sun. Folk fans and those looking to get involved in the tight-knit Midtown community should come out for the annual Todd Snider's What the Folk Fest in June each year. A number of popular local folk artists take the stage throughout the event while attendees enjoy food catered by Midtown restaurants.

Jackson Heights Rhodes' cost of living remains on par with the overall cost of living in Memphis. One month's rent for a standard one-bedroom apartment within Jackson Heights Rhodes costs an average of $800. Those local to the area can expect to pay $1.75 for a ride into downtown Memphis along the MATA bus line. Local bars charge around $5 for an average pint of beer, and Memphis gas prices trend around 15 percent lower than the nation's gas average.

Residents head south along Angelus Street to visit the City Center Shopping Center for its collection of conveniently located stores, including Radioshack, Payless, Family Dollar, Martin Music and Simply Fashion. Local grocery stores include Northside Deli & Grocery, Tiger Mart, and Walgreens. Jackson Heights Rhodes locals have an excellent nearby location for which to support local produce. The Evergreen Community Farmers Market on University Street promotes sustainability and community with its open-air market during the summer and autumn each year. Bring your dog along on-leash to purchase a range of organic produce, fresh ingredients, and handmade arts and crafts. Featuring an eclectic mix of handcrafted items from dozens of local artists and a fun and playful atmosphere to shop in, Modern Handmade Memphis should not be missed by those looking for unique gift ideas. Stop by during the holidays for a wealth of holiday-themed ornaments, handmade cards, wine bottle candle holders and much more. Stocked wall to wall with both vintage and newly released vinyl records, music fanatics can call Shangri-La Records their home away from home. From blues and rock to jazz, classical and metal, the spanning range of genres within Shangri-La makes the store worthwhile to any fan of high-fidelity music.