Rent a car or Uber. (Memphis, Central: to rent, hotel, law school)

[Coldjensens]

I will be in Memphis for business for a couple of days in early October (Sat. night through Tuesday afternoon). I will be staying downtown near the U-Memphis law school. Is it worthwhile to rent a car to do some exploring, or just uber from the airport and poke around in the downtown area on foot for a couple of days?



Note - I have no interest in visiting Graceland, but i would like to see the Peabody duck march - that would be amusing. Those are the only two points of interest that I know of.





Renting a car is not terrible (about $200) and I might spend close to that on Uber plus tip to get from and back to the airport. However If parking is a big hassle, or if there is little use for a car, there is no point to pay for it to sit in the hotel parking lot.


Also any tips on the cool things to do are welcome. I like history/architecture, oddball places, lively busy areas, jazz, Blues, classic rock at a tavern or street location woudl be nice. I have not been to Memphis except to drive through and not terribly likely to be there again (unless something is so amazing that i just have to return). I am older (60) so no longer interested in the get drunk and throw up type places, nor in going anywhere likely to result in fighting. Too old for all that BS.



Thank you.

[AppalachianAngler]

I would say nay to renting a car. You really only have 2 days-Sunday and Monday-and I presume Monday will be business. So, maybe one full day. If you were there longer, probably.

Within walking distance:
*Peabody
*Beale Street
*Tom Lee Park/River walk
*Restaurants (get Central BBQ downtown and hit the Civil Rights Museum)
*Live music (worth checking out BB Kings for live music/drink)
*Rooftops
*Redbirds (minor league baseball)
*Civil Rights Museum

If you are into music, I would probably say Sun Studios is worth it, which is in the medical district just west of Midtown and east of Downtown. That is a really short Uber from downtown--maybe 1.5 miles or so.

[Crazybreakfast]

Agreed with the above poster- the Hu Hotel (or the Madison)- has a nice rooftop bar. The others are great- I personally am a big fan of rendezvous' brisket. Flight is another good restaurant downtown- as is majestic grille. And you can just take the street car on main. You shouldn't need a car unless you want one. Downtown is relatively safe at night, especially Beale and Main.

[Coldjensens]

Thank you. This is a perfect response.