We are taking a road trip on Thursday from Chicago to Memphis. We are leaving after work, hopefully about 3 or 4pm. We would like to drive about 6 hours before stopping for the night. Problem is that our directions don't list cities, or how far they are from either city. We don't want fancy lodging, just a place to crash. Concerned that if we don't make reservations in advance, we will pay too much for lodging because we are tired. We already have reservations in Memphis. Any ideas of what we should do in Memphis? We're planning to see Graceland on Friday. On Saturday our teenage son will be joining us in Memphis. He wants to go see the Gibson or Fender guitar factory and Sun studios. Any other ideas for places to eat in Memphis, or along the route?
Driving stops between Chicago and Memphis
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What route will you be taking? Will you travel I-55 or I-57 and connect to I-55? This will help in recommending hotels.
I-57
Memphis dining- my favorite four that I have eaten at are the following.
Gus Famous Fried Chicken-under $10pp to dine. Very good slightly spicy fried chicken fried green tomatoes are good
Rendevouz-ribs
Blues City Cafe- ribs and a lot of other southern type food
Brunch @ Peabody Hotel-expensive
Do see the ducks at Peabody Hotel, even if you don't eat there. It is free and is touristy, but where else can you see ducks in a fancy hotel ride an elevator.
Beale Street- the restaurants I listed are all near and around Beale Street. The Peabody is not far from any of these. Everyone seems to like Corky's BBQ in Memphis, NOT ME. There are many other good rib places as well. Neely's, Jim Neely's Interstate BBQ, and many more.
Depending how far you want to travel the first night, you might check into the Country Inn in Marion, IL or the Drury Inn in Sikeston, Mo.. Marion is on I-57 and Sikeston is at the junction of 57/55. What area of Memphis do you have reservations? That will help with restaurant recommendations.
I've lived in Memphis for 3 years as a college student, and I'm from around this area so I know the place fairly well.
All locals will tell you,
Rendezvous = overpriced tourist trap (does taste alright though). A rack of ribs is $18.50.
For real barbeque, I suggest the following more delicious and less expensive choices:
Central BBQ (Midtown)
The BBQ Shop (Midtown)
Interstate BBQ
Also, Gus's chicken is in fact delicious. There's usually about a 30-50 minute wait on Friday and Saturday nights.
The Gibson factory is worth definitely worth going to.
If you're near Sikeston around mealtime, check out Lambert's ("home of the throwed roll"). A well-known Southern country restaurant.