Sad-tur-day, Night Alive!

Today: Memphis, TN

Breakfast at the hotel was above average. Biscuits, gravy (bland), eggs, sausage, assorted breads/pastries, cereal, waffles, yogurt (one flavor), and fruit were available. I would have preferred more fruit choices, but everyone seemed to like it.

We loaded up and headed out across town to Graceland.

Here's the short version: If you're not a huge Elvis fan, DO NOT GO. I repeat, DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY ON GRACELAND!!! Now, to skip the tourist rant, skip to, "NAP TIME."

Here's the long version: This place is over-hyped and over-priced! We read reviews online before we went on our trip and everyone talked about how great the Graceland experience is. Even though this was going to be one of the most expensive items on our vacation (more than Six Flags!), we thought that it would be worth it - especially since the kids wanted to go.

As we were approaching the ticket line, Melissa said, "I can't believe I'm doing this." We normally don't go to "tourist trap" things - especially if they're expensive. Now, the exception to this rule is on Route 66 - where tourist traps are part of the trip. There, though, they are usually inexpensive and fun for the kids. Graceland was expensive and not very interesting.

The automobile museum had some interesting cars, but we couldn't walk all the way around them, take flash photos, or use the tripod on the camera. The boys love cars - but they were only slightly interested - and that's what they were MOST EXCITED about before we got there.



The Jumpsuit/Costume exhibit was marginally interesting. Melissa took lots of pictures, but the boys and I just walked on through slowly. The kids kept wanting to know where the gold suit was. (It wasn't in there.)


The airplanes were more interesting to me - but the over-the-top gold-plated sink was too much for me. Who needs a gold sink? Really. Because of "security concerns" Melissa was not allowed to use the tripod to take pictures. Being a southern engineer, she used the kids' heads. Notice the happiness in the reflections below. :)


After we boarded the cattle truck (tour bus) to ride across the street to visit Graceland, we all became zombies listening to the self-guided audio tour guide. I've used self-guided audio tours at museums before, but I never imagined Graceland would not have a tour guide. The house was decorated lavishly and was very 70's. I don't think any of us was very impressed. Jaron liked the indoor waterfall and I liked the wooden bar, both in the Jungle Room. The kids did finally see the gold suit on display. Mostly, it was just weird walking through someone's house knowing that he died there and everyone wanted to come and see. Weird.


Graceland was definitely overpriced and not worth the money. He's gone. If you like Elvis, buy the songs on itunes or get the CDs. Don't visit Graceland. He's not here. (duh) And don't believe the marketing - it's not an "all day event." The coolest thing I saw was the Sirius Radio Elvis broadcasting location.


NAP TIME

We carted the kids back to the hotel. Of course they wanted to go swimming, but naps were mandatory. After naps, we headed out for dinner.

The only recommendations I could get from any locals were the typical "tourist" destinations for dinner. So, we headed to Beale Street. I had read several reviews of Beale St. ranging from "it's a great family outing" to "it's dirtier than Bourbon Street in New Orleans." It looked waaaaay cleaner to me than New Orleans - and the security was good. No one hassled us and we were able to navigate the street with no problems. It was busy because it was Saturday night, but it was nowhere near packed.


Melissa's parents had gone to B.B. King's restaurant (go before they start charging cover at 9), so we ramped up our tastebuds for barbecue and blues. The inside looked like a big bar - darker than Billy Miners, but just as big - and with an upstairs. For some reason, there was no smoking - and that was awesome for us.

We decided to experience the ribs - and let me tell you, I might give one of mine up to get some more. Those ribs were great! Fall-off-the-bone meat coupled with their collard greens was a perfect flavor combination. I noticed halfway through that there was no sauce on the table, but there wasn't any need for sauce. The ribs were perfect the way they came.

We watched the band and soundman setting up for the show and the kids had mixed reactions. Jaden didn't like it because it was so dark, but Jaron seemed fine with the whole thing. The band soon started playing and after the first song, introduced the leader to the stage. Preston Shannon came on and started a great show. It was kind of weird when he started playing "Play that funky music white boy" but his voice and guitar were great. Good blues and barbecue for a reasonable price should be a requirement for any city claiming to have a night life. I can wholeheartedly recommend that this destination is a winner. If you remotely like blues and barbecue, stop for a late dinner at B.B.'s.

By the time we got back to the room, we were exhausted and had to crash. More driving tomorrow, but this was certainly a great way to wrap up Memphis!