| Author | Message | ||
  RICHARD M. BOWYER (jakaa) 4-Laureate Username: jakaa Post Number: 106 Registered: 4-2005 |
My wife and I are planning a trip to Tunica, Ms in September. Got to go to Stax/Civil Rights Museum/Graceland. Anybody been there and have any suggestions as far as either a tour bus or rent a car. We'll be staying at Harrahs in Tunica. Thanks! | ||
Kevin Kiley (imnokid) 1-Arriviste Username: imnokid Post Number: 19 Registered: 5-2010 |
If you can only do ONE of those things, go to the Civil Rights Museum and allow yourself HOURS to take it all in. It should be mandatory that every person in America take the tour. I think when people would be confronted with the horrors of what has happened in this country, they may reconsider any racist views that they now have. Bring tissues. You will need them. Often. | ||
RICHARD M. BOWYER (jakaa) 4-Laureate Username: jakaa Post Number: 107 Registered: 4-2005 |
Thanks Kevin!! I really appreciate that!! I was leaning toward that!! It's a done deal! Gonna try to do Stax too...but if not..maybe next time!! And Lord knows theres a lot of division in the air right now in this country! Thanks A Bunch!! | ||
AlanH (alanh) 5-Doyen Username: alanh Post Number: 423 Registered: 11-2005 |
Hi Richard You will not be disappointed. A friend and I have been to both. They are so good we returned to Memphis last summer to visit them both a second time. To see either museum properly you need to allow at least half a day for each of them. On our first visit to Stax, we went in at 10.00am and left at 4pm, without having a break! (The second visit wasn't much shorter.) Kevin is absolutely right - the Civil Rights Museum is an essential, but you must allow at least 3-4 hours. I don't want you to think that they are daunting tasks, but both are so rich in content, well laid out and put together. They are absorbing, inspiring and valuable resources. If you do plan to visit both the Civil Rights Museum and Stax, you can buy a joint ticket (at the door at either) which gives you discount on getting individual admission. You'll enjoy them. | ||
kamasu (kamasu) 6-Zenith Username: kamasu Post Number: 8420 Registered: 3-2005 |
Both Kevin & Alan are right on. Both museums are worth visiting. As is Graceland. I'd suggest renting a car and drive from Tunica into Memphis. A car will give you more flexibility while here. It's a simple and short drive. Have your hotel hosts design a map for you. (Message edited by kamasu on July 24, 2010) | ||
RICHARD M. BOWYER (jakaa) 4-Laureate Username: jakaa Post Number: 108 Registered: 4-2005 |
Thanks to everybody for all this great info!! Gonna try to rent a car.Kamasu. Thanks a lot!! Hey AlanH.. need to pack a lunch for the Stax Museum..huh!! Thanks!! Can't wait to see the spot where Dr. King departed this world and all of the other great historical information that all Americans need to experience at the Civil Rights Museum! I can't wait! Maybe we need to do the tours first before hitting the casinos! (Smile) Hey Kamasu..Thanks for the info about renting a car!! Good Stuff. Can't wait to check out Stax Museum where all the great artist became apart of music history. Thanks A Bunch Ya'll! I'll keep ya'll inform about how it went!! Thanks Again!! | ||
AlanH (alanh) 5-Doyen Username: alanh Post Number: 425 Registered: 11-2005 |
Pleased to help, Richard. I'm sure you'll do your pre-planning research about opening hours, but just in case... the Civil Rights Museum is closed on Tuesdays (we got caught by that one!). Both the Civil Rights and Stax are only open 1pm-5pm on Sundays. Otherwise Civil Rights is 9am-5pm and Stax 10am-5pm.....so IF you plan to try to do both on the same day, get an hour's start at the Civil Rights. | ||
RICHARD M. BOWYER (jakaa) 4-Laureate Username: jakaa Post Number: 109 Registered: 4-2005 |
Thanks again, AlanH. I'm jotting all of this down. | ||
Motown_Fan (motown_fan) 6-Zenith Username: motown_fan Post Number: 4590 Registered: 9-2006 |
Richard, my advice is don't eat any of that casino buffet cuisine until late evenings.  If you are going to be on the move, you don't want to get weighed down by a heavy meal. September will still be very hot in Memphis. A cooler of bottled water might not be a bad idea. Avoid the famous Memphis barbeque during the day. If you're going to eat it, do it a few hours before bedtime. The National Civil Rights Museum is near Beale Street, so depending on what time you are done at the museum, you can go there for a light meal. On weekends, Beale Street is closed off to cars for tourists. You park your car in a doowntown lot and walk. Beale Street is like French Quarter on weekends, you can hear the blues and watch people. I'd advise you to do the Stax tour early in the day. Kamasu was right about renting a car. The bus tours are scheduled, you won't have enough time if you are on their tour. I'm sure you know, most of the casinos in Tunica are along highway Sixty-One (most are situated in coves or boulevards right off the highway). Highway Sixty One leads straight into Third Street, which runs into South Memphis. (Message edited by motown_fan on July 26, 2010) | ||
RICHARD M. BOWYER (jakaa) 4-Laureate Username: jakaa Post Number: 110 Registered: 4-2005 |
THANKS CAN WE RENT A CAR FROM THE HOTEL IN TUNICA? ALL OF THE INFO IS APPRECIATED. THANKS! | ||
kamasu (kamasu) 6-Zenith Username: kamasu Post Number: 8438 Registered: 3-2005 |
Now that I don't know for sure. But there are probably car rental businesses in Tunica. | ||
Stevie (stevie) 2-Debutant Username: stevie Post Number: 16 Registered: 10-2008 |
Richard...as everyone is saying, you'll have a very memorable experience at both these museums. Regarding meals...you can't go wrong with any barbecue in Memphis but my advice is to make sure you try Interstate Barbecue. | ||
michael r. lee shue (mikey) 6-Zenith Username: mikey Post Number: 2942 Registered: 11-2004 |
How about Neely's Barbecue? | ||
kamasu (kamasu) 6-Zenith Username: kamasu Post Number: 8446 Registered: 3-2005 |
The Neelys are the relatives of Jim Neely who owns Interstate Barbeque. It's a family recipe. The Neely brothers were taught by their uncle. But Interstate does have a reputation. (Message edited by kamasu on July 27, 2010) | ||
Dinelle (dinelle_watson) 6-Zenith Username: dinelle_watson Post Number: 2151 Registered: 4-2004 |
I wish I could have visited both museums when I went to Memphis six years ago, but we were only there for the Easter weekend. | ||
RICHARD M. BOWYER (jakaa) 4-Laureate Username: jakaa Post Number: 111 Registered: 4-2005 |
Man!! All this is great info!! My wife just sat down and viewed all of ya'lls great input She is just as impressed as I am. And she also wanted me to extend our greatest gratitude for ya'lls help! Oh...and we have decided that we "Gone Eat Somebody's Barbecue!!) We're going to both the Civil Rights Museum and Stax!! That ya'll can bank on!! Any additional info will be greatly appreciated. Again..THANKS A LOTS!! | ||
TOPDIVA (york) 3-Pundit Username: york Post Number: 425 Registered: 5-2009 |
Trust this - you are going to have a great trip. Also you might want to sample SEVERAL different barbecue places. Interstate is great and of course a landmark, but trust also, some of the other lessor known places. All usually really great, I went for the food. LOL | ||
kamasu (kamasu) 6-Zenith Username: kamasu Post Number: 8451 Registered: 3-2005 |
You can find delicious barbeque just about anywhere in Memphis. Places like the Interstate, Corky's and the Rendezvous are better known, but two BBQ restaurants I frequent are Pollard's in Whitehaven and Tom's in S.E. Memphis. | ||
RICHARD M. BOWYER (jakaa) 4-Laureate Username: jakaa Post Number: 112 Registered: 4-2005 |
Wow!! Let me see!! There's Corky's, Interstate, Rendezvous, Pollards, Tom's in S.E., Man!! How many B'cue joints in Memphis are there!! Seems like to me we gonna have barbecue for breakfest, lunch, and dinner!! All good stuff!! We gonna have to get a Mapquest for the Barbecue joints alone!! (Smile)Gonna have to plan another trip just to eat Barbecue by itself!! (smile) Because of all of this great info, there's no way we're not gonna have a great time!! THANKS AGAIN YA'LL!! | ||
kamasu (kamasu) 6-Zenith Username: kamasu Post Number: 8462 Registered: 3-2005 |
Richard, a relative who works at Graceland just reminded me of how expensive a tour is. Graceland charges ten dollars for parking, but you can park for free at one of the shopping plazas across the street from the mansion. A VIP tour is seventy dollars but it includes everything at Graceland. A mansion tour (only) is around forty bucks and they have smaller attractions that they sell tickets for. No wonder the average Memphian doesn't go there. Graceland does allow some fans to visit the graves of Elvis and his family members for free during the early morning hours...before 8 a.m. | ||
TOPDIVA (york) 3-Pundit Username: york Post Number: 442 Registered: 5-2009 |
Enjoy your trip - live it up - take the VIP Tour!!! | ||
kamasu (kamasu) 6-Zenith Username: kamasu Post Number: 8468 Registered: 3-2005 |
If it's only two people, maybe a VIP tour is the way to go. But a VIP Graceland tour for a family of four or more? You've paid for half a semester of tuition to private school for some Graceland exec's kids. (Message edited by kamasu on July 31, 2010) | ||
RICHARD M. BOWYER (jakaa) 4-Laureate Username: jakaa Post Number: 113 Registered: 4-2005 |
Man! This is too cool!! Initialy all we wanted was to rent a car or tour bus! Now, thanks to all this great info... we got to eat all the barbecue in Memphis..(Smile) stay half a day at the Civil Rights Museum...a half a day at Stax..don't spend all our money at the casino (smile)..go to Graceland (But don't spend the kids college tuition (smile)...enjoy Beale Street.... and most of all...HAVE A GREAT TIME!! Thanks So Much!! We were really taking this trip in the blind without knowing what to expect. Even though I haven't been an active everyday participant in this great forum..I always check on it daily for the great info you all provide. No matter how the trip turn out...I can say that we got the best info possible!! Thanks Again! Can we get some more!(Smile) | ||
AlanH (alanh) 5-Doyen Username: alanh Post Number: 426 Registered: 11-2005 |
Hi Richard Of course, it's now all down to how long you're going to stay in Memphis! If it's a day trip then with the Civil Rights and Stax Museums and a Barbecue meal, your day will just about be filled. It's interesting to see the responses about good barbecue places from the locals like Kamasu. As a tourist my visits were based around Beale Street and I found the Blues City restaurant really great for ribs. It always seems to be busy, serves great food and has live music and a great atmosphere and I'd personally recommend it. It's opposite BB King's restaurant/club. However, next time I go I'll be trying some of those mentioned earlier. By the way, just close to the Civil Rights Museum is the Arcade Restaurant/Diner - the oldest in Memphis and said to be a favourite of Elvis. If you've never been to Memphis you really should visit Beale Street anyway, especially in the evening. There's always great free live music on the 'bandstand' in WC Handy park (in Beale St) from around midday until late at night. I've often seen musicians who are every bit as good as those you'd pay to see. There's also a great record shop called Memphis Music, which is almost opposite the Blues City Cafe, just down from BB King's. It's got a brilliant selection of soul and blues CDs plus memorabilia like photos, posters, T shirts etc. And that's not to mention the Rock N Soul Museum on Beale Street. Not nearly as good as the Stax Museum, but well worth a visit if you like music generally. Memphis really is a great place if you like music. I feel sad for people who come and see Graceland and go again. The city is much more than that! I feel visitors need at least a good 3-4 day stay to enjoy it properly. After all this discussion I can't wait for a third visit in a few years time! | ||
RICHARD M. BOWYER (jakaa) 4-Laureate Username: jakaa Post Number: 114 Registered: 4-2005 |
AlanH. Thanks again!! We're gonna be in the Tunica/Memphis area for three and a half days and I'd say we'll probaly spend one entire day in Memphis. My wife already insisted that one day will be spent for shopping.(Smile) So we'll probaly take your advice on the Sax/Civil Rights Museum, Beale street, Barbecue meal, and a drive by at Graceland. But I got a feeling that this is not the last time we'll be taking this trip!! Too much to see and do in just one day! We can't wait! Again, thanks everyone for the great info. We'll keep ya'll posted on how it went! | ||
kamasu (kamasu) 6-Zenith Username: kamasu Post Number: 8474 Registered: 3-2005 |
Richard, where does your wife want to shop? There's one of those outlet plazas or small malls in Tunica. There are about five or six malls in the Memphis area, including one in Southaven, Miss, between Tunica and Memphis. Upscale shopping can be done at Laurelwood on Poplar, not far from Oak Court Mall (actually across the street) and Wolfchase which is off Interstate forty. There's also shopping plazas and chain stores all along Germantown Parkway/Road where part of Wolfchase is located. (Message edited by kamasu on August 01, 2010) | ||
RICHARD M. BOWYER (jakaa) 4-Laureate Username: jakaa Post Number: 115 Registered: 4-2005 |
Hey Kamasu!! My wife is checking out all this great info on a daily basis now. And you can bet that she'll be salivating and chomping at the bit ater reading the info you just provided about the shopping in the Tunica/Memphis area!! She was going to inquire about the shopping after we arrived, but I don't think that will be necessary now!! On her behalf, I thank you! Hey! Wait a minute!! Shopping at Outlet Malls,etc with my wife....Now I know I've got to get my Casino time in on that first day!! (Smile) Again, Thanks!! | ||
kamasu (kamasu) 6-Zenith Username: kamasu Post Number: 8475 Registered: 3-2005 |
No problem, Richard. It seems you and your wife have made good plans by staying at Harrah's. You won't have to worry about sleeping arrangements or where to get breakfast, etc. It's all there at Harrah's, which has shopping (A gift shop), a day spa and I think Paula Deen has a restaurant there Your only concern is getting around. Any further questions, just ask. If I don't know, I can ask someone who does. | ||
Milli Vanilli (millie) 6-Zenith Username: millie Post Number: 447 Registered: 3-2004 |
Dennis and I went to Memphis a couple of years ago, and we did the Stax tour which was fantastic. They showed a really cool video which told the entire STAX story...and what a story it was. We tried getting into Sun Records, but they were closed. Boo Hoo..I really wanted to see where Elvis did his earliest and best works! I absolutely loved Memphis, and hope Dennis and I can go back there again. We were there for the Ponderosa Stomp where Dennis' played in the Gibson factory! Very cool! | ||
kamasu (kamasu) 6-Zenith Username: kamasu Post Number: 8476 Registered: 3-2005 |
Milli, We gotta work on getting Dennis and some other Detroit acts back down here. But you know how that is. Guees the ol' Detroit-Memphis rivalry still exists in some minds. | ||
RICHARD M. BOWYER (jakaa) 4-Laureate Username: jakaa Post Number: 116 Registered: 4-2005 |
Hey Kamasu and Milli Vanilli!! You mean we get a video at Stax!! Man! How cool is that! You mean we get to see all the great Stax artist on a video! Cool! Man this is gettin better by the moment! Hey Kam...we're staying at Harrahs and that's a good thing considering that it's all about our comps! Whatever! We're In The House!! (Smile) Thanks for the rental car info!! That's the bottom line. Because without the rental, we would'nt be able to enjoy all of the other things that everybody else suggested. (Hope I'm not wrong for putting it that way) Anyway, Thanks Ya'll!! |
