There's no better introduction to the birthplace of rock and roll than this historic, downtown entertainment district.

by Contributor

Overview
The city's blues legacy sings, swings and sways with your every step on this hallowed musical ground. Once the thriving center of the African-American community in Memphis, today's Beale Street is a tourist mecca for its nightclubs, restaurants and souvenir shops.

The Experience
Enjoy the best in live blues at B.B. King's Blues Club at Second and Beale streets. To catch stars like Bob Dylan, check out the New Daisy Theater, or pay your respects to the statue of Elvis Presley. The cost for shows and meals varies, but a stroll along the street is free. Have your picture taken with the statue of W.C. Handy (trumpet in hand), the turn-of-the-century bandleader who first penned "The Memphis Blues" back in the early 1900s.

12/13/02

Magickal

by juliebyrd

Beale Street has IT. It is the best thing about Memphis and entertainment.

• Pros: fun, diverse, magickal
• Cons: parking, prices on SOME things

12/05/02

Birthplace of Blues and Rock and Roll:

by utlee

The "KING" shopped here. BLUESMEN sang here: MEMPHIS' BEALE STREET !! W.C. Handy, of St. Louis and Memphis Blues fame, penned both here. Beale St.-- where rural blacks who had known too much suffering came from the cotton fields of Tennessee, Mississippi, and Arkansas and called it "HOME". They sang the same Negro spirituals and Blues they had for generations in the cotton fields. Truly: MEMPHIS WAS THE BIRTHPLACE OF ROCK AND ROLL!. Elvis described "Rock and Roll" as a combination "OF Gospel and Rhythm and Blues." Memphis was the natural place for this blend and therefore also the natural birthplace of ROCK and ROLL!. It was Sam Phillips (Sun Record Co. Owner) who often said how if he found a "white boy who could sing like a black boy" he'd make a fortune. ELVIS entered SUN STUDIOS one day in the early 50'S!! Ya'll KNOW the rest!!!

• Pros: Easy access, A walk is FREE !!, Theme related R & R

08/30/02

never mind the heat, this is sweet

by TOOSAXY3

This is the best place to enjoy the outdoors, music, people and anything that comes your way. My family and I have been here soooo many times and will keep returning. So many different music events to hear and most of it free. Don't miss this area. Even just passing through town, everyone, and I mean, EVERYONE, should just stop here. You won't be sorry.

• Pros: great music, great food, enough good parking
• Cons: restrooms

08/08/02

hot nights kwel music

by moosejones

Things are always jumpin on the STREET....something for wvewryone to do and the fun goes on from daybreak to that hot Memphis sunset ....Great place to party!

06/15/02

kicks!

by mellieann

beale street was really awesome--a lot of live music, great food and the atmosphere was great. the shops there were also good!!

05/24/02

great first stop

by bluesman

great place to hangout or party or eat. after beale st.

head south 30 min drive to tunica casinos. then try

the other sites on list.

• Pros: inexpensive, ample parking

05/21/02

Hit or Miss

by KFMoreau_Citysearch

I've found Beale St. to be a happening place at night, at least intermittently and not too dissimilar an experience from Bourbon Street in New Orleans. During the day, however, seems another matter. Some friends and I walked up and down on a grey Sunday afternoon, and the difference was striking: It felt and looked like a worn tourist trap. Things are definitely sexier at night, with lots of music and pedestrians to add to the equation.