In the Overton Park section, you can tour the excellent Memphis Zoo and the acclaimed Memphis Brooks Museum of Art. Memphis extends well east from downtown, toward Midtown, which has many of the area businesses most popular with gay visitors. Other attractions that music buffs should check out include Sun Studio, where Elvis cut the early demo tape that launched his career, and Stax Museum of American Soul Music. You can tour the outstanding Memphis Rock & Soul Museum, which traces the region’s vibrant music heritage, as well as the Gibson Guitar Factory. Beale Street’s vibe is fairly touristy, and you won’t find any gay hangouts here, but the city’s Mid-South Gay Pride festival does take place here in October. Handy helped to turn Beale Street into the nation’s blue capital, abounds with live-music clubs, lively restaurants, and a number of excellent hotels. A short drive south, you’ll find one of the city’s lesser-known cultural gems, the National Museum of Ornamental Metal, whose galleries and outdoor sculpture garden sit on a hilltop overlooking a scenic bend in the Mississippi River.Īlong with King, the name most associated with Memphis these days is Elvis Presley, whose palatial – and decidedly kitschy – mansion, Graceland, is a must-see – allow at least two hours to tour the home, his custom jets, the car museum, and the several other exhibits that make up this impressive compound a 15-minute drive south of downtown Memphis.ĭowntown Memphis, where W.C. The surrounding South Main Street neighborhood is a good spot for a stroll, with several cool shops and cafes. Today the Lorraine Motel, where King was shot, is the home of the National Civil Rights Museum, whose collections are the story of America’s Civil Rights history. There’s much to keep visitors busy in this city famous for blues, Elvis, and the tragic assassination in 1968 of Dr. Here are some key exploring, dining, nightlife, and hotel highlights in these two cities just 215 miles apart via Interstate 40. In both cities, fans of dancing and clubbing will also find a nice range of gay nightlife options. Both cities have sizable GLBT communities, are steeped in American music lore, and have noteworthy restaurant scenes – not just barbecue and Southern fare, which is legitimately outstanding in these parts, but sophisticated contemporary cuisine. Mid-South Pride is held on a Saturday and always incorporates a procession at around 14:00, which heads along the main streets of the downtown district, including Beale Street.Although they’re the two largest cities of a decidedly conservative state, Memphis and especially Nashville have developed into popular destinations among gay and lesbian travelers in recent years. The main events offer up a real assortment of LGBT themed parties, vendors, discussions and gatherings, with much of the activity being centered around the Robert Church Park, within the famous Beale Street neighborhood. In previous years, the festivities have taken place in the middle of June, although from 2013, the date has moved to later on in the year - the middle of October. Wednesday Steak Nights are always popular, as are the Monday pool tournaments and the Beer Bust on Sundays.Īs one of the largest of all the South's gay pride celebrations, the Mid-South Pride festival is certainly a busy time for Memphis.
The Pumping Station comes with a particularly fun nightlife and regularly hosts parties, remaining open as late as 03:00 in the morning some nights. Situated roughly a ten-minute walk away from Dru's and found just off North Watkins Street is the Pumping Station, which ranks amongst the oldest 'leather' clubs within Memphis. Dru's Place prides itself on its choice of entertainment and comes with a large patio area, regular live music, karaoke evenings, a pool table, all day 'Happy Hours', and a cheap 'pizza and pitcher' combination. Those heading to the Midtown district may like to pay a visit to Dru's Place, which is located on Madison Avenue and opened in 2008. If you are looking for somewhere to drink or dance when evening comes around, then Memphis isn't able to boast a particularly large selection of gay bars and LGBT clubs. There is certainly no denying that the city of Memphis is a particularly laid back and relaxed place to hang out, and when it comes to the local gay and lesbian scene, this is at its most prevalent around the lively Midtown district.