Mud Island Park in Memphis--sounds like a place where you'd expect to get your shoes stuck and your…read moreclothes ruined. Spoiler alert: no mud, just a whole lot of chill vibes and some seriously underrated views of the Mississippi River. You hop on the monorail, which feels like a low-key retro space mission, and zoom over the water with the Memphis skyline photobombing every shot. The Riverwalk--this giant scale model of the Mississippi--is like geography class got cool and decided to throw a party. Walking the entire river in flip-flops while dodging kids launching into the splash fountains? Perfect way to get your steps in and your funny stories ready. Bonus points for the picnic spots, perfect for pretending you're fancy while eating a sandwich you packed in your car. If you're in Memphis and want a little riverfront chill without the mud, Mud Island's your spot. Five stars and zero mud in sight!

Quality/Quantity - Memphis TN's welcome center suggested we walk over here and check it out…read more I bet in its heyday, this place was a great retreat from the "city." This place can use some love, but we still had a good time and enjoyed it. The tram was also out of order, but it was fun walking across the bridge. Atmosphere - An island off of Memphis. Most of this island needs love. Looked abandoned for a long time. Open 7 days a week from 7am to 5pm. Easy walk from the welcome center. Service - Self service. Price - Free. Owner Comment - If the city, county, and state were to invest a little $$ here, I can see how this could easily be 5 stars.

Located on Front Street at one of the entrances to the Cannon Center for Performing Arts, this…read morelarge scale sculpture is by artist Vito Acconci (1940-) and was completed in 2004. It is a metallic abstract sculpture, composed of columns, funnels, seating, and a roof-like structure. From the artist's statement, "A swathe of something--it could almost be a liquid--swoops out from under the glass overhang above the entrance to the building. It's as if a liquid has been flung out from under, and frozen in the air." The ceiling is lowered to create columns. The column's bottom is built out into a ring of seats, and the roof above reflects the pavement below, giving the impression that you are sitting inside the ground. You can enter the column and create seats inside by folding up the surface, which separates into an arch. You are outside while inside the column because the wall that surrounds reflects the sky. It's an immersive and interactive artwork. [Review 19843 overall - 395 in Tennessee - 816 of 2023.]

I am reviewing the Waffle Shop at Calvary Episcopal Church. The food was very good. We tried the…read morewaffle which was very fluffy!! The chocolate mousse dessert was good but very sweet. My friend and I shared the fish pudding plate that had fish pudding, corn sticks, cole slaw and potatoes. The fish pudding is like a casserole. I was happily surprised. It was made with a lot of catfish, celery, onions, breading and yummy seasonings. We enjoyed it. The corn sticks were a little dry. The potatoes were quite tasty and I liked the coleslaw. Coffee was okay. The people and service was spot on! The volunteers were so nice, friendly and helpful. My friend and I plan on making this event a yearly outing. They offer a lenten service after but we could not stay for it. We will return again.

Closed and secured on a Saturday afternoon, which is a bummer as this is a beautiful church on the…read moreoutside and I would expect it to be just as lovely on the inside. Plenty to see outside though. The marker out front reads, "The oldest public building in Memphis and the first Episcopal Church in Shelby County. Organized August 6, 1832 by the Reverend Thomas Wright. The church house started 1838 was consecrated May 12, 1844 by the Right Reverend James Hervey Otey, first Bishop of Tennessee, the Reverend Philip W. Alston, Rector. The Reverend Robert P. Atkinson, Rector, 1969." There is street parking nearby. [Review 19852 overall - 404 in Tennessee - 825 of 2023.]

I was in town for a conference, but honestly, I don't think I would've stayed in this hotel. Had it…read morebeen my choice. I really tried to give them the benefit of the doubt, but their staff was just a bit too rude from checking in through my hotel experience. It starts at check-in...the staff were just very short with everyone that was checking in and I arrived at a reasonable hour- 3 PM. The staff definitely looked annoyed that people were checking in, even though there was a conference and another large group in town. I asked the staff if I could put my Marriott account on file which they did but very reluctantly. The restaurant doesn't open until five and it was not the most walkable to restaurants or anything in the area. The gift shop has decent snacks, but not very many. It's a lot of junk food and not really anything that you want to eat that's healthy. later in stay, I asked a staff member if I could change the credit card that I had on file to my company card, which I received while I was on the trip. She flat out, told me that I couldn't do that and suggested that I do that on checkout instead. Knowing that there was a large group checking out the next day I informed her that I was really reluctant to do that. She told me that it would just be better because "there might be a trainee that will just get it wrong". Is that my problem? Also having worked for Marriott in the front desk for at least five years I don't know why she was so reluctant to do something that a customer had said. on top of that, the rooms are a bit dated... They say that they're queen but they're clearly full-size beds. it's an older hotel he clearly needs a little bit of an update in terms of the furniture and the TVs, which are at least 10 years old.

We were in town for the Queens Tour. We arrived around 8pm and there was only one person ahead of…read moreus. Check-in was pretty fast. I reserved a double. Since we were tired, we opted to order room service. We ordered wings and fries, a turkey sandwich and 2 sodas totally nearly $80 before a tip . It included an 18% gratuity and $5 delivery fee. The gentleman that brought our food was nice and friendly yet professional. The food wasn't worth the price. The room was clean and the view from my room was of a convention center. We were only there for two nights so we didn't request housekeeping. It's Wallace to Beale St. and the FedEx Forum if you can walk about a mile. I felt safe walking during the day. Check-out is at 11am; however, I was able to get a 1pm check-out.

Fantastic location and a close walk to Beale Street. The lobby and bar are decorated in a lively…read moremotif geared towards Memphis history and style. The staff are lovely and accommodating. The rooms are decent. The lamps are covered in rust but that's the worst thing I'd have to say about this establishment. The shuttle drivers are great and a wealth of knowledge about the best places to try according to locals.

Could have been much better. One expects more with the name Crowne Plaza. The only nice floor was…read morethe lobby. Only two positives...friendly staff and comfortable beds. Negatives: - overpriced breakfast - lights not working in room - understaffed, only one person covering restaurant floor and the bar. 20+ minutes to get a drink. - shotty ceiling repair in bathroom - wallpaper peeling

I love that this convention center has plenty of affordable parking connected to the building…read more Parking was a bit over $11 for 24 hours. The instructions to navigate the center are easy and there is cool art everywhere which brings the place to life. The restrooms are pretty clean and relatively modern.

I clearly haven't been to the convention center in a while, I was there 9/12-16 for training and I…read morewas impressed! Outside spaces to sit, the food was great for Lunch and breakfast, the service staff was helpful with great hospitality! I felt like I was in another city lol. Great job on the upgrades!

This marker stands in front of the Memphis branch of the Federal Reserve Bank. It points out the…read morehistory of a local who achieved much success in law. The marker is in excellent condition. On the front, it reads "Josiah T. Settle, one of the earliest African-American 19th century Memphis lawyers, was born in the Cumberland Mountains of East Tennessee. Educated at Oberlin College, Settle was a member of the Howard University's first law school graduating class (1875). That same year, he was admitted to the bar and in 1876 was presidential elector-at-large. During the early 1880s, Settle served in the Mississippi House of Representatives." On the reverse, "After a noted legal and legislative career in Mississippi, Settle came to Memphis in 1885. During the late 1880s, he served as Assistant Attorney General of the Criminal Court of Shelby County, an appointment unprecedented for an African-American at that time. He was a delegate to the Republican National Conventions of 1892, 1900, 1904, and 1912. In 1906, Settle was admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court." There is metered street parking and parking garages nearby. [Review 19845 overall - 397 in Tennessee - 818 of 2023.]

This beautiful building was designed by James Gamble Rogers (who also designed several buildings on…read morethe Yale and Columbia University campuses) and was completed in 1909. It is in the neoclassical style and features a long portico topped by a cornice supported by massive Ionic columns. The courthouse is surrounded by multiple allegorical sculptures including "Justice" and "peace" and "Authority" and "Wisdom." The grounds are open and quite accessible to view from all angles. Metered street parking was available, but it's a Saturday morning. I would expect all of these spots to be busy during the week. There is a historical marker with more information, "Designed by Architect James Gamble Rogers and dedicated on January 1, 1910, the Shelby County Courthouse is the largest and most ornate in Tennessee. Quarterly Court Chairman James Hill Barret led the movement for the imposing structure with modern amenities. Upon approval of the project and issuance of $1,000,000 in bonds (later supplemented by an additional $500,000), he appointed N.C. Perkins to head the construction committee. Until 1966 this neo~classical building of blue Bedford limestone housed the executive and legislative chambers of Memphis and Shelby County governments, as well as state and local courts. Beginning in 1984 and utilizing taxes paid only by litigants, County Commissioner Charles Perkins directed an extensive, 8-year renovation that resulted in refurbished courtrooms and offices for Circuit, Probate, and Chancery Courts and the Civil Division of General Sessions Court. Many fine details were preserved and augmented, including mahogany doors and paneling, brass doorknobs embossed with the County seal, and walls, pilasters, and flooring comprised of seven varieties of marble." Bummer the building was closed today. [Review 19841 overall - 393 in Tennessee - 814 of 2023.]

Have been there for the Symphony, other concerts, and the Nutcracker. Have sat in the balcony and…read morethe main floor. Doesn't seem to be a bad seat anywhere for acoustics (obviously the balcony and rear seats on the main floor make visuals tougher). Seats are relatively comfortable for a tall (6'2") individual. Not familiar with local parking (I wouldn't recommend at night), but the underground parking lot is pretty convenient

I am sitting in the city that gave birth to the blues. Watching arguably the greatest active guitar…read moreplayer of the Blues genre. This place is only 1/4 full. It is a crying shame. Not many times in my life have I ever said that I am ashamed of Memphis. Tonight I am. If you are the promoter of this venue, please consider finding something else to do with your life. You suck at promoting.

I enjoyed about two hours at the Fire Museum, viewing fire trucks, viewing photographs of the fire…read moredepartment's largest incidents, seeing memorabilia and fire equipment. I lucked out and one of your volunteers kicked off the "fire" video. Super interesting but honestly, a quick hit with a fire extinguisher would have saved a lot of drama. It's not the largest fire museum I've been to - the Hall of Flame in Tempe probably - but it's interesting and there is much to see and experience here. Well worth the time. If you can visit on a weekend when there aren't busloads of kids, that would be ideal. [Review 19848 overall - round number 400 in Tennessee - 821 of 2023.]

Outstanding museum for kids. The first section of the museum is a collection of firefighting…read moreequipment throughout history: fire trucks, hoses, masks, extinguishers, etc. This section also includes a corny but helpful video about when to call 911 and a display with hundreds of fire truck toys. There is a tour guide (retired firefighter) to lead visitors through the first half of the museum and answer questions. Older children and adults will find this part of the museum interesting, but what makes the Memphis Fire Museum exceptional is the second half, where children are free to explore a completely interactive room of fire truck and ambulance vehicles. On the second floor there is a fire simulator where visitors can watch (and feel the heat!) from a simulated house fire. On a Tuesday around 1pm, we pretty much had the museum to ourselves. I'm sure this isn't always the case, but frankly all of Memphis felt a little abandoned. It appears as though the city hasn't yet recovered post-COVID. We paid $46 for our family of 8 to visit the museum (but the baby was free) and I think it was worth every penny. I'm not sure how impressed a group of adults would be with the museum, but it's worth a trip for anyone with kids. Do go!