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The Insider’s Guide to Seeing Memphis Like a Local

Like any American city, Memphis, Tennessee is home to many off the beaten path culinary, historical and cultural attractions. These Memphis gems are hidden among the shadows of places like Beale Street and Graceland, and are local go-to’s for food, fun and even learning. Want to discover the city like you’re a Memphian? Let’s take a look at some of the local favorites in Memphis.

Charlie Vergo’s Rendezvous

You can’t tour Memphis and not dine at the world renowned, Charlie Vergo’s Rendezvous and try their Memphis-style dry rubbed ribs. The ambiance itself is well worth the visit. Beyond downtown, there are neighborhood staples that have been the driving force of cementing Memphis as the BBQ capital of the world (not up for debate).

Central BBQ

Located on Central Avenue near Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium—home of The University of Memphis Tigers football team—is the original location of the local favorite, Central BBQ, where they’re serving up much more than the typical pork sandwich. Pulled pork nachos, smoked chicken wings and the iconic Memphis cheese and smoked sausage plate are all must-haves.

Lines can get long at this small and rustic location, and while there are other locations throughout the city, there is something about visiting where it all started that makes it well worth the wait. Other local favorites include Cozy Corner, Bar-B-Q Shop and Germantown Commissary.

Uncle Lou’s Fried Chicken

Contrary to popular belief, there are endless non-BBQ dining options in Memphis. One local favorite is Uncle Lou’s Fried Chicken—where you’re invited to leave your mark by placing a push pin on your hometown on a map that covers a wall. Lou is usually always in the dining room helping guests with the menu. Although, after a couple visits, no help is required. If you’re counting calories, you’re probably in the wrong city, but if you happen to have a hankering for a salad, try Cheffies Café, nestled in one of Memphis’ hottest neighborhoods, Highpoint Terrace.

Shelby Farms Park

Memphis offers an unlikely outdoor attraction too: one of the largest urban parks in America. Five times larger than Manhattan’s Central Park, Shelby Farms Park is home to pedal boats, fishing, horseback riding and the Greenline, a seven mile urban trail that snakes through the city and along the Wolf River. Shelby Farms Park could easily take up an entire day (or two) of outdoor activities. Usually frequented by locals, the park is a break from the hustle and bustle of typical urban vacationing.

Lafayette’s Music Room

Aside from the booming food scene and great outdoors space, you could spend a week visiting one of the numerous historical and cultural landmarks that make Memphis what it is today-pure American soul.

As mentioned, Graceland and the Beale Street Historic District are great visits for those interested in music, history and the the King of Rock ‘n Roll. However, two places truly embody what it means to be Memphis. One illustrates the kind of urban revival that is taking the city by storm—the return of Lafayette’s Music Room to Overton Square. Having closed during a period of eastern flight of business and development, the live music venue and restaurant is now back nearly 40 years later. Any given night, it is packed by locals—and a growing number of tourists.

National Civil Rights Museum

Memphis has been through so much as a city, but its people have been through more. Much of the struggle endured by the city came following the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. It was during this period that the city hurt the most. Torn by racial and political divisiveness, the outcome of this internal struggle that gripped the city and nation was the establishment of social justice and peace that had not been attained since our nation’s founding.

No establishment does a better job of highlighting this struggle than the National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Hotel, the site of King’s assassination. Although heavy on the heart, a trek through the museum is not only educational but is the truest representation of what it means to be from Memphis.

This just touches the surface of what exploring Memphis means to a Memphian. The city’s upward trend as a blossoming city for urban explorers—although reliant on the more well-known establishments—is truly rooted in the success of each mom and pop restaurant, neighborhood music joint and city park.

Ready to tour Memphis like a local? Embark on Sweet Magnolia Tour’s’ Memphis City Tour and discover the city that made Blues, BBQ, and Rock ‘n Roll famous. And when you’re trying to pack in as much music as possible on your Memphis vacation, try the Memphis Music Attraction Discount Pass!

Tags: Beale Street, Central BBQ, Charlie Vergo’s Rendezvous, Lafayette’s Music Room, memphis, Memphis Tour, Memphis Vacation Package, National Civil Rights Museum, Shelby Farms Park, Tennessee, Uncle Lou’s Fried Chicken, Vacation in Memphis