Memphis Travel Recommendations:

A wall outside Elvis' home signed by his adoring fans/visitors.

Do you love to travel? Planning to visit Memphis?  Planning on driving by the city on a longer road trip? Big Elvis fan?

This post is for you!

After spending five glorious days in this fabulous southern city, I put together a little list of recommendations for my fellow travelers. Enjoy! 

Thrifty Shopping:

If you love vintage or thrift store shopping, Memphis is a great destination!

Flashback Vintage-

Items are well displayed and are in great condition. If you're in need of old fashioned porcelain Christmas decorations, they have an amazing selection! This place totally made me feel like I was visiting in my grandmother's house.

Summer Avenue-

This street made me wish I had been driving a U-Haul on my trip. If you have a love of old furniture and sifting through old clothes to find a good deal, this is your spot!! Google map Summer Avenue and National Street. Search "thrift stores". Tons will pop up on your map. My recommendation is head west on Summer Ave. from National St., and peruse the shops!!

Food:

Be prepared to loosen your belt buckle after hitting up some of these local restaurants!

Gibson's Doughnuts-

If you're a traveler on a budget, enjoy fun local flare {go University of Memphis!}, and drool at the thought of red velvet doughnuts that taste more like a cupcake, then this is your Memphis must.

Central BBQ-

Despite being a meat heavy menu, I found their BBQ portabello mushroom and Gouda cheese sandwich more than satisfying. An added plus-- they carry microbrewed beers!!

Skunx Chef Pub-

A new addition to the Memphis restaurant scene, this restaurant serves up an amazing thin crust pizza. If you love pork, be sure to order the prosciutto!

**Additional Recommendations: Republic Coffee Memphis {vegetarian friendly} and River Oaks Restaurant {A local man recommend their burgers. All their meats are free range/ farm raised}.

A Tourist Must:

There are many touristy activities for any visitor to busy themselves with during their stay. Below are my two favorites!!

The Civil Rights Musuem-

Located on the property Martin Luther King was assassinated; The Lorraine Motel. It's a bit eerie to walk through the place MLK took his final steps, but incredibly moving and well worth the ticket price.

Graceland-

Even if you're not an Elvis fan, head over to Graceland. Getting a glimpse into this late cultural icon's life proves to be intriguing. A tour of Graceland includes a walk through  Elvis' house, checking out his two personal jets and numerous vehicles, and seeing various angles of the "glitz and glamour" that went along with being "the king". Additional Recommendations:

• Ideal on a sunny day. There is quite a bit of walking outside, so rain may put a damper on your visit.
• DO NOT purchase your souvenirs on Graceland property. There are stores across the street and next door who offer similar items cheaper.
• Do use the photo booths! Use the booth on the left. You get two strips for $5, and an awesome video replay of yourself posing and making funny faces for the camera.
• Outside Elvis' home there is a wall near the street signed by many visitors. Bring some paint or a sharpie, and leave a message!!

To really set the mood, I couldn't end this post without a little Elvis serenade. Enjoy!!! =)

Additional Memphis recommendations are welcome! Please add to this list by leaving a comment below! =)

Scrapbook: The Surprise

a month in advance. i cleared my schedule.

for a random pair of October days.

day one. i rolled over. leaned in. and asked...

to be told. "pack-up. we're boarding a bus."

{this is the city i thought. of course we're boarding a bus}

shaking his head. nope. Milwaukee you dope.

and then...

Screaming. Laughing. Smiling.

an out-of-town getaway!

oh 

what it is 

to be with someone that listens.

We left Chicago for a few days to embark on my first Milwaukee adventure! See a glimpse of the fun below! 

Has anyone surprised you with something fun or special recently?

Would love to hear your story! Leave comments below!

Northeast Adventure's Bits and Pieces Part 3B

A cloudy cool autumn morning +  Portland Museum of Art =

inspiration

Features of note:

-A distinct focus on local artists 

Beauty surrounded me while traveling in Maine. 

Boat harbors, crashing waves, scenic ferry rides to neighboring islands, camping on Hermit Island (under careful watch of some friendly porcupines), light houses, red brick side walks, old colonial homes with inviting front porches, complex skies layering clouds far out above the ocean, long runs around Back Cove Bay...

This beauty I witnessed was greatly enhanced by seeing it through the eyes of past and present artists; artists trying to convey narratives from the land sourcing their pride and pain.

-Traveling exhibit: John Marin: Modernism at Midcentury.

The exhibit is well done. Pieces on display and corresponding text provide a thought provoking experience.  

It steers one to think about Modernism and the purpose of art as the life of Marin is revealed through his work and words.

Famous Marin quotes:

"Give paint a chance to show itself entirely as paint."

"Painting is like golf; the fewer strokes I take, the better the picture."

Deer Isle Series: Mark Island Lighthouse, 1928
I scanned a copy of the card I bought from the gift shop for myself, a painting of Marin's.
Hopefully it will continually remind me of the inspiration I found in his work.

If you missed my Northeast Adventures Bits and Pieces Part 1 click here , Part 2 click here, or Part 3A click here.

Otherwise, check back tomorrow for Part 3C.  

Scenic photos of Maine to come!