I know what you’re thinking, what makes a city guide “millennial”? Is it just where to get avocado on toast?
Well, I mean, kind of.
I figured there are lots of city guides out there with the run-of-the-mill attractions and standard hotels. But the things I look for when I’m visiting a new city are: great brunch locations, cool places to eat, Instagrammable spots, quirky things to do, events to know about and boutique stays. And I figured this is pretty millennial of me, huh? It’s pretty much things that look good on social media I’m ashamed to say. But y’know, give the people what they want.
Hence, these Millennial City Guides have been born!
I’m going to do the rounds with lots of my favourite cities. But I asked on Twitter which destination you would like to read about first and you said… Memphis! Which is good because I bloody loved Memphis but haven’t really written about it yet.
So I guess we should get this show on the road. YES, LET’S DO THIS, SNOWFLAKES.
Millennial City Guides: Memphis
Amazing Brunch
Looking for a brunch spot with fab food, a quirky theme and super Instagramable decor? You got it, bud. Check out The Beauty Shop.
Located in the Cooper-Young district of Memphis, The Beauty Shop is a former beauty parlour where Priscilla Presley apparently got her hair did. It’s retro 50’s but in a cool way, it’s not tacky. Think kitsch booths made from glass blocks and vintage hooded hair dryers.
The food is great too, with breakfasts from around the world, from traditional Southern to Jamaican or Israeli! Either way I recommend the ‘Yukon Gold, Sweet Potato and Apple Hash’ as a side, it’s banging. The cocktails are pretty fabulous too, just saying.
Instagramable Spots
In Memphis, you can easily fill your Insta feed with the awesome street art in the city.
Again, Cooper-Young has lots, like the ‘I <3 Memphis’ sign. There’s few good murals on Broad Avenue and Marshall Avenue. Oh and if you want to get a photo in front of the butterfly wings you might have seen on Insta, it’s part of a mural by James Bullock and is located Downtown next to Aldo’s Pizzas.
Cool Eats
You can’t go to Memphis without eating BBQ food! Barbecue is different all over the South, but in Memphis, they’re all about the dry rub. And the most famous joint to try it is Charlie Vergos Rendezvous BBQ.
Now, the menu is pretty small and they definitely do not cater to vegetarians. And to be honest, the service is pretty crappy… But still, you have to go to try the ribs and the brisket at this institution! It’s pretty awesome. And apparently Justin Timberlake eats there, soooo…
Head over here to see some of the other big barbecue restaurants in Memphis.
Neat Attractions
Graceland is a MUST when in Memphis. Even if you’re not an Elvis fan, you’ll be surprised how much you’ll like the Graceland estate.
There’s lots of exhibits, from the main man’s exceptional fashion choices to vintage 50’s cars. And the mansion itself has been perfectly preserved, so it’s good to have a wander if you like retro decor or vintage furniture. There’s even a cool retro diner on-site, so definitely give it a look-in.
Tickets cost $41 just for the mansion tour or $61 including the added exhibits at time of writing.
Another Memphis must-see is the legendary Sun Studio. Again it’s very Elvis-heavy as it’s the studios where he FIRST recorded some of his music. So it’s known as the birth place of Rock n Roll. But it has also hosted other big names such as Johnny Cash, B. B. King, Carl Perkins, Roy Orbison and Jerry Lee Lewis.
I figured this would just be an attraction for hardcore Rock n Roll fans but actually it’s super interesting and the tour guide is so enthusiastic and engaging that you get really into it.
Tours are 45 minutes long and cost $14 for adults at time of writing.
The National Civil Rights Museum is located at the former Lorraine Motel and is another attraction you should check out. It’s the location where Martin Luther King Jr was shot in 1968, which yeah sounds pretty morbid, but it’s really interesting. The museum itself traces the history of the Civil Rights Movement from the 17th century to the present.
Oh and the Lorraine Hotel outside has been perfectly preserved, so you can get some cool retro photos too.
Sick Events For The Diary
Throughout the month of May, Memphis puts on a good show for the Memphis in May International Festival. This consists of lots of festivities for the community which in 2019 includes the World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest (yes please) and the Great American River Run.
But every year, the big finish is the Beale Street Music Festival!
This music festival has four big stages along the river and attracts some pretty big headliners. When I went we saw Kings Of Leon but this year they have The Killers and Cardi B amongst lots of others. It also just has a great vibe with performers and street food. I definitely recommend it!
Boutique Stays
Ok, so normally I will promote the place I stayed, but as I visited on a press trip, I was actually in a pretty standard hotel rather than something cool.
However, I’ve done a bit of research and found some awesome and quirky places for you.
Hostel Memphis seems to be the only backpacker/budget option, and it’s pretty basic. But it’s in the cool Cooper-Young district, and offers bike hire and free WiFi, so is worth a look. Something a little cooler though is Hu Hotel (formerly known as Madison Hotel) which has a rooftop bar and on-site hipster coffee shop.
If you want to splash the cash, Big Cypress Lodge looks amazing. The 5 star hotel looks like something that should belong in Vegas with over-the-top, quirky decor. It has treehouse rooms, an ocean-themed bowling alley, it’s own swamp with live alligators, and the world’s tallest freestanding elevator. Wow.
Finally I thought I should point out that you can stay at The Guest House at Graceland. It is of course designed a la Elvis and has swanky rooms designed by Priscilla herself. Oh and it has a pool.
That’s all folks. What do you think of my Millennial City Guides? Shall I do this for more cities? Any you’d like me to do next?
Let me know in the comments below or hit me up on my Instagram or Twitter accounts, pal.
Total Blogger Transparency: I visited Memphis on a press trip so some meals/attractions were complimentary. However, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I wouldn’t play you like that, shorty.