Articles posted in Memphis

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The Best Ice Cream in Town

Posted on July 7, 2015 by Stay Alfred Vacation Rentals — No Comments ↓

Source: State Library of Victoria, via Flickr

July is National Ice Cream Month, which gives you the perfect excuse to enjoy your favorite frozen treat. If you’re one of our guests, check out this list to find the best ice cream in town:

Boston:

Picco: The Pizza and Ice Cream Company (Picco for short) is a popular Boston restaurant that delivers the dream combination of delicious pizza and homemade ice cream. A little bit lighter than the typically dense New England offering, Picco’s ice cream explodes with sophisticated flavors.

Denver

Little Man Ice Cream: Denverites love their ice cream, and Little Man serves up the best in town. Easy to find, just look for the 28-foot tall milk can with a line of people queued up to get their sweet fix. They rotate a great mix of classic ice cream flavors, as well as few you wouldn’t expect, like salted Oreo. They even have vegan ice cream.

Memphis:

Jerry’s Sno-Cones: Kids and adult alike seem to flock to this local favorite when the weather turns warm. Although snow cones made with homemade syrup are this shop’s specialty, they also offer soft serve ice cream, either on its own or combined with a snow cone (order it “supreme”).

Nashville

Pied Piper Creamery: Across the river in East Nashville you will find this funky ice cream shop located in a vintage house. The ice cream is delicious and features wacky pun-filled titles like Minty Python, Oreo Speedwagon, and Handlebar Pistachio.

New Orleans:

Angelo Brocato’s: No dessert shop in New Orleans is as beloved as Angelo Brocato’s. Established in 1905, this gelateria and pasticceria is steeped in Italian tradition and offers authentic gelato you have to taste to believe. And if your love of cold sweets extends beyond ice cream, this joint is also known for its delectable granitas: fresh Italian fruit ice.

Philadelphia:

The Franklin Fountain: This old-timey ice cream parlor dishes up some of the best and most authentically Philly-style ice cream in town. The old school soda fountain theme, from bow tied servers to the antique cash register, adds to the charm, but it’s the achingly delicious handmade flavors, like Teaberry gum, that will keep you coming back.

Portland:

Cool Moon Ice Cream: Sure, you could go to Salt & Straw like everyone else. Or you could skip waiting in a forty-minute line for overhyped “artisanal” ice cream and just head into Cool Moon. Much more family friendly and still offering intriguing flavors made with local natural ingredients, Cool Moon will satisfy your cravings while the rest of those people are still waiting.

San Antonio:

Justin’s Ice Cream: Hometown boy Justin Arecchi’s ice cream has been called a national treasure by President Clinton. After a four-year absence, his new family-run ice cream shop has reopened right on the River Walk, making it a breeze to sample the same cool treats that have been enjoyed by kings and dignitaries.

Seattle

Molly Moon’s: The ever-popular chain of modern-rustic ice cream shops are frequently wrapped with lines of people, and for very good reason. Molly Moon starts with a base of Snoqualmie ice cream and mixes in a wide variety of locally-sourced ingredients to create unique flavors like honey lavender and balsamic strawberry. You can also find many vegan-friendly sorbets and coconut milk-based treats.

 

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Hidden Gems of Memphis

Posted on June 26, 2015 by Stay Alfred Vacation Rentals — No Comments ↓

Source: Flickr user Sean Davis

Like any city, Memphis has its special treasures that make it unique. If you are looking for a truly local Memphis experience, be sure to check out these hidden gems:

National Ornamental Metal Museum 374 Metal Museum Dr: The only institute in the United States devoted exclusively to the art and craft of fine metalwork. The gallery houses a permanent collection of 3,000 works of jewelry, sculpture, and architectural ironwork, as well as special exhibits. The campus also includes a working smithy and foundry, giving you the chance to see artists and craftsmen in action. Admission rates are extremely reasonable.

Earnestine & Hazel’s 531 S Main St: This hole-in-the-wall has a long and storied history, as well as a reputation for being one of the best dive bars in the country. The beer is cheap, the only food on the menu is the famous (and delicious) Soul Burger, and the jukebox is haunted. If you’re looking for the most authentic local experience in town, this is where it’s at.

Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum 191 Beale St: Memphis’ musical history is voluminous to say the least. The Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum started as a Smithsonian Institute research project and is the best place to get a comprehensive look of everything related to Memphis music in one convenient location. The museum is across the street from the Gibson Guitar factory at the FedEx Forum, making it an easy addition to any Memphis itinerary.

 

Are you planning a trip to Memphis? Click Here to view all of our downtown vacation rentals

Property Spotlight: Metro67

Posted on May 28, 2015 by Stay Alfred Vacation Rentals — No Comments ↓

Metro67, Downtown Nashville

Stay Alfred, the nation’s foremost urban vacation rental company, is excited to announce the grand opening of our newest vacation rentals in the beating heart of downtown Memphis. The Metro67 is a modern and stylish community located right on the banks of the Mississippi. This amazing property boasts excellent on-site amenities, breathtaking water views, and the perfect location for experiencing the best of Memphis.

Our new 2-bedroom vacation rentals will include all the comforts that Stay Alfred is known for: modern furnishings, fully equipped kitchens, free Wi-Fi and cable, DVD players, laundry and ironing facilities, linens, air conditioning, and secure parking.

The Metro67 itself features an impressive array of community amenities guaranteed to make your stay even more enjoyable. Feel free to work out in the state-of-the-art fitness center, relax on the rooftop deck overlooking the Mississippi River, or play pool and ping-pong in the club room. The Metro67 even has its own multimedia theater and art gallery, as well as our favorite feature: the ultra-cool Java Cafe set inside the building’s historic basement vault.

Of course, we don’t expect you to spend your entire stay hanging out inside the building (although you certainly could). The best part about Stay Alfred’s new Memphis vacation rentals is the central downtown location. You’ll be just steps away from Memphis’ best dining, shopping, and attractions. Within half a mile you’ll find the famous music venues on Beale Street, the historic Orpheum Theatre, and AutoZone park, home of the popular Redbirds minor league baseball team.

Residents of the Metro67 love the unmatched style and comfort that this premium building offers, while enjoying the perfect downtown location. In adding the Metro67 to our ever-expanding list of premium properties, Stay Alfred continues its role as the leader in urban vacation rentals, all matched with our award-winning customer service. Come experience the lifestyle that has redefined urban living in downtown Memphis.

Are you planning a trip to Memphis? Click here to view all of our great Memphis vacation rentals

Stay Alfred’s Guide to Memphis Activities

Posted on April 30, 2015 by Stay Alfred Vacation Rentals — No Comments ↓

Downtown Memphis, Flickr user Sean Davis

Stay Alfred is opening our new downtown Memphis vacation rentals just in time for summer. That means great weather, great music, and great food during your trip to the Bluff City! There is so many exciting things to do and see in Memphis, it’s tough to know where to begin. We’ve already written about our favorite restaurants and attractions, so this post is all about the other great activities that Memphis has to offer:

-Eat BBQ: Memphis is known as the BBQ Pork Capital of the World, so it should be no surprise that there a ton of places offering up delicious, slow-cooked pig. Of course, it’s not all ribs and pulled pork sandwiches; they’ll barbecue just about anything in Memphis: from spaghetti to nachos and everything in between. Popular joints like Charlie Vergos’ Rendezvous and Central BBQ draw large crowds, but you’re just as likely to discover life-changing barbecue at one of the many humble street corner delis spread throughout town. So get out there and find your own favorite.

-Listen to live music: By now you should know that Memphis is “the Home of the Blues and the Birthplace of Rock n Roll.” Don’t miss out on experiencing the city’s famous music scene for yourself. Beale Street is crowded with tourist-centric venues, but you can find find great live acts at Blues City and in Handy Park. If you’re looking for a more rock vibe, check out Hi-Tone and Young Avenue Deli east of downtown. During the spring and summer months, the Levitt Shell outdoor amphitheater in Overton Park hosts their free concert series, with a wide variety of acts appealing to all music lovers.

-Visit Mud Island River Park: The Mississippi River is an integral part of the Memphis landscape, and there is no better place to enjoy it than Mud Island River Park. Stroll along the scale model of the lower half of the river or learn more about its influence on Memphis’ development at the Mississippi River Museum. There is a monorail that will take you from downtown to the island, but you can save some money by just walking across the bridge.

-Watch the RedBirds: Memphis may not have as many big sports teams as a lot of other cities, but the ones that do reside here boast a fierce and devoted fan base. The Redbirds are the AAA farm team for the St. Louis Cardinals and a very popular team around town. They play at AutoZone Park, which was build to Major League standards at about a third of the size. It has been called on the the nicest baseball parks in the country. If it’s baseball season, a Redbirds game is one of the best places to be.

-American Dream Safari Tour: Tad Pierson is a bit of a local celebrity. He’s been giving tours of Memphis in his 1955 Cadillac for twenty years, armed with his nearly inexhaustible reservoir of insider knowledge. He has multiple types of tours, focusing on everything from juke joints to gospel churches to famous landmarks. With Tad as your guide, you’re guaranteed to get the inside scoop on some of Memphis’ greatest attractions (and some of it’s local secrets too).

Are you planning a trip to Memphis? Click here to view our great downtown Memphis vacation rentals.

 

Top 5 Restaurants in Memphis

Posted on April 28, 2015 by Stay Alfred Vacation Rentals — 1 Comment ↓

As the BBQ Pork Capital of the World, Memphis is home to some amazing barbecue joints. In fact, you can find a barbecue version of just about anything: spaghetti, pizza, nachos… the list goes on and on. And while baby back ribs and pulled pork sandwiches may be at the top of the food chain (so to speak), that doesn’t mean you can’t find other types of delicious food in the Bluff City. Here is a list of some of our favorite restaurants in Memphis. Don’t worry, there’s still plenty of barbecue on here:

  • Central BBQ, Flickr user brittreints

    Central BBQ: With so many choices for barbecue in this city, it’s best to go where the locals go. Central BBQ is a top-notch local favorite and frequent winner of the Best in Memphis title. Their BBQ amazing, but you should also try their other offerings, like smoked hot wings, BBQ nachos, and homemade potato chips.

  • Trolley Stop Market: One of the most unique spots in town, the Trolley Stop is part restaurant, part bar, part farmer’s market, and part gift shop. The large space located across from the Orleans trolley stop on Madison Avenue offers some of the best breakfast in town, all made from fresh, locally-sourced ingredients., Their pizzas are great too!
  • Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken: The name says it all. Gus’s chicken is indeed world famous, and for good reason. The recipe is a secret known only to five living souls, but it’s definitely on the spicy side, and oh so crispy. All chicken is fried to order, so be prepared to wait or call in your order ahead of time. And don’t forget about dessert.
  • Lunchbox Eats: An eclectic sandwich shop with a charming schoolhouse theme, right down to the assortment of board games and the daily specials written on the chalkboard. The sandwiches are an imaginative reinterpretation of traditional lunchtime favorites, like the fried chicken and cheddar waffles, or smoked pulled pork and mac & cheese. Yum!
  • Flight Restaurant and Wine Bar: Flight is not just a restaurant, it’s an experience. Based on a unique dining concept, all of their menu items are available as “flights” (combinations of three) or as stand-alone entrees. You can mix and match anything feel like trying, or go with their recommendations. True Memphis fine dining; reservations recommended.

Are you planning a trip to Memphis? Click here to view our great downtown Memphis vacation rentals.

Walking in Memphis: The Bluff City’s Best Attractions

Posted on April 21, 2015 by Stay Alfred Vacation Rentals — No Comments ↓

Flickr user cyanocorax

Memphis is one of those iconic cities that’s steeped in tradition as rich and flavorful as its famous barbecue sauce. Known as the home of the blues and the birthplace of rock ‘n’ roll, Memphis’ musical legacy is evident throughout the city, from Graceland to Beale Street. Perhaps just as famous as the music is the food: Memphis is the barbecue pork capital of the world and a paradise for lovers of tender, delicious smoked meat. On your next trip to Memphis, be sure to check out these famous attractions:

  • Graceland: Any trip to Memphis would be incomplete without a visit to the home of The King. Elvis Presley’s 14-acre estate provides visitors the chance to tour the mansion, trophy room, automobile museum, as well as Elvis’s final resting place in the Meditation Garden. How long you spend at Graceland depends on you level of devotion, but even casual Elvis fans will enjoy the experience.
  • Beale Street:The beating heart of entertainment in the Home of the Blues. Beale Street feels like a hybrid of New Orleans’ touristy Bourbon Street and Nashville’s Honky Tonk Row but with the blues taking the place of Dixieland jazz and country music. More than 25 clubs and shops line the street with live bands playing day and night.
  • Memphis Zoo: Consistently named as one of the best zoos in the country and with good reason. The Memphis Zoo is home to more than 3500 animals representing over 500 different species in an easy-to-navigate 76 acres. The zoo is one of only four in the country to house giant pandas and many of its exhibits offer an unparalleled chance to get up-close views of the animals.
  • Peabody Hotel Ducks: One of Memphis’s most famous-and unusual-attractions are the ducks that live at the Peabody Hotel. Every day for the past 80 years at 11 a.m., the Duckmaster has lead the ducks from their home on the roof down the elevator, across the red carpet, and into the lobby fountain, all to the tune of a Sousa march. The ritual is repeated in reverse at 5 p.m. This family favorite is free for everyone and highly popular.
  • Sun Studio: It has been said that “If music was a religion, then Memphis would be Jerusalem and Sun Studio its most holy shrine.” This studio launched the careers of not only Elvis Presley, but also Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, B.B. King, Roy Orbison, Carl Perkins, and many other music legends. Tours are given at the bottom half of every hour, giving visitors the chance to experience the true story behind the birth of rock ‘n’ roll.

Are you planning a trip to Memphis? Click here to view our great downtown Memphis vacation rentals.