Hit the road from New Orleans: A long weekend in Memphis

 
 
 

The traveler’s dilemma…

  • Arrive at airport 90 minutes before flight

  • Sit on the tarmac for an hour because of delays

  • Wait an hour for bags and Uber

  • Sit in traffic for 30 minutes before finally getting dropped off at hotel

If this sounds familiar you might have ended your day’s journey by saying “maybe I should’ve just driven”. Well, good news! if you’re ready for a vacation but don’t feel like dealing with MSY just yet, Memphis, Tennessee could be the answer you’ve been looking for. Just 396 miles north you can leave New Orleans at 8am and arrive in Memphis in time for a late lunch. 

Stay: Check into the Peabody Hotel where you can visit with the resident ducks at 11am and 5pm. Opened in Memphis 1869, the property is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Peabody is known as the “South’s Grand Hotel,” legendary for its charm, elegance, gracious hospitality and rich history.

Do: Visit the National Civil Rights Museum to reflect on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the movement he championed. Established in 1991, the National Civil Rights Museum is located at the former Lorraine Motel, where Dr. King was assassinated on April 4, 1968. Through interactive exhibits, historic collections, dynamic speakers and special events, the museum offers visitors a chance to walk through history and learn more about a tumultuous and inspiring period of change.

Study the roots of American music at the Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum. The museum is located at the corner of historic Beale Street, one of the most musically significant streets in the world, and B.B. King Avenue (which is actually an extension of the legendary Highway 61, also known as “The Blues Highway”). Stop by for a comprehensive experience from the rural field hollers and sharecroppers of the 1930s, to Memphis’ musical heyday in the 70s, and its global influence.

See where recording history was made at Sun Studio. Sun Studio is known worldwide as “The Birthplace of Rock’n’roll”. It’s where B.B. King, John Cash, Elvis and many other artists recorded their hits. You can listen to outtakes from recording sessions, view memorabilia and stand in the exact same spot as some of the most famous names in Rock ‘n’ Roll.

Eat: Memphis is known for barbecue and you can make your way through this list of a local’s opinion on the top 15 spots here. If you’re looking for something a little less messy try the Liquor Store (yes, that’s the actual name!) for breakfast, Broadway Pizza for lunch and The Gray Canary for dinner.

Architecture, food, history and music, Memphis has something for all interests and it’s close enough that a long weekend is all you need to get there, explore and get back.

Ready to pack the car and head to Memphis? Contact me today and let’s start planning your getaway! 

 
Amina Dearmon