My Memphis Must Do List

No comments

Have you explored your own backyard? I am not literally speaking of the backyard your home sits on, but the city or town with which you live. With all the moving I have done over the years and places I have lived, I have realized that a lot of people don’t take time to explore what they have right in front of them. I am guilty of it myself. I have been here in Memphis since 2003 and just made my first visit to the Beale Street Music Festival. It is a great event that kicks off Memphis in May, which by the way is a great time to visit here, not only for the activities, but the normally gorgeous, perfect, temperatures we have before the humidity and heat arrive. The Festival is a great event set on the riverfront with various stages, food, vendors, and top music artists from all genres. I saw Lenny Kravitz. It reminded me of Milwaukee’s Summerfest, but just on a bit smaller scale. The Beale Street Music Festival is just one of many great things to do in Memphis. Here is a list of some of my must do items…

You must have barbecue. When visiting Memphis be sure to make plans to taste the barbecue. One of the favorites is Charles Vergo’s Rendezvous. Just be careful, the pork around here is very addictive. As they say, “one minute on the lips, a lifetime on the hips” I attribute a portion of my weight gain since moving here do to the ribs and pork butt.

Visit Beale Street. Beale Street in located in the heart of downtown and is a closed off pedestrian street. The street is alive with music, bars and dining. I highly encourage a visit to BB Kings. It has a great location on the corner which makes it ideal for people watching while enjoying the your meal and the live entertainment.

Visit the Peabody Hotel. Located in the heart of “Blues City” this elegant, southern charm, hotel is known for it’s ducks. The Peabody ducks are one of the main attractions and are escorted from their rooftop home to the lobby daily. It is a tradition dating back to 1933. And speaking of rooftop, visit during the summers and find live entertainment sky high on Thursday nights.

See Elvis’s home. What visit to Memphis would be complete without seeing “The King” of rock ‘n’ roll’s home, Graceland. Memphis offers a guided tour of his home with headset. It is something to see at least once. And if you are a huge Elvis fan, you will want to drop by in August when the city is filled with Elvis lookalikes to celebrate his birthday. Treat yourself to a fried peanut butter and banana sandwich.

My list could really go on and on as I have only scratched the surface or what Memphis has to explore. Memphis has a taste for everyone from music to museums and offers beautiful views with its perfect location upon the Mississippi River. I encourage you to make a visit to your own backyard and let me know your must to do. If your not from Memphis, I encourage you to share in the comments where you are from and what one thing we must do where you live.


Lisa Rossmeissl is the owner of Boomerang Escapes, a home-based agency located in Old Bridge, New Jersey with agents in TN, MS, and WI. 

She has been a professional travel consultant since 2008 and specializes in Australia and the South Pacific. Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Fiji, and Cook Islands are among the specialist certificates she holds.  Her agency’s focus is on creating custom itineraries with their client’s wants, desires, and budgets in mind.  She and her planners believe in getting to know the traveler to ensure they have a vacation to remember.  With each planner specializing in a different market area, Boomerang Escapes can offer a wide variety of leisure vacation planning.

Lisa RossmeisslMy Memphis Must Do List

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *