The post Spend a day at the Memphis Zoo appeared first on We Are Memphis.
]]>Nestled in Overton Park, the zoo originated with the effort to protect a single black bear named Natch. The search for suitable accommodations for Natch unearthed several more exotic animals that also needed housing, and the idea to construct a zoological garden for them and others was born in 1904. The zoo finally opened in 1906 to a delighted public, and additional exotic cats and elephants were acquired shortly thereafter.
Over the last century, the zoo has expanded to 19 exhibits, including seasonal exhibits that showcase animals sensitive to the changing Memphis climate. In addition to lions and tigers and bears (oh my!), you can monkey around in Primate Canyon, get hip to the hippos at Zambezi River Hippo Camp and fish for compliments at the Aquarium.
Photo Credit: Memphis Zoo Facebook
In acknowledgment of the fact that zoos began as a way to educate the public about animals they might not see regularly, the Memphis Zoo takes its commitment to public education seriously, and each main exhibit features daily chats with keepers. During these chats, staff answer questions about the animals’ natural habitat, their care at the zoo, how the zoo acquired its current population and more. If you or a companion have a special interest in a particular species, don’t miss this chance to talk with the experts. For a bit of the old razzle dazzle, the zoo also offers sea lion shows during which the animals perform tricks that will delight the young and young at heart.
Speaking of children, have you heard about Zoo Snoozes? These programs are the best excuse for zoo enthusiasts to stay up past bedtime, offering moonlight safaris and the chance to get a closer view of the nocturnal animals. The Memphis Zoo also hosts several summer camp experiences for children aged 3 to 13, with specialized programming for every young animal-lover in your family.
Photo Credit: Memphis Zoo Facebook
In terms of transit and accessibility, the Memphis Zoo is right in Midtown, with buses stopping by regularly. Street parking is also available, granting easy access to one of the nation’s oldest and finest zoos.
Your exploration of the cultural treasures of Memphis is just beginning. After you visit the zoo, why not check out the other things Memphis has to offer?
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]]>The post Neighborhoods you have to visit when in Memphis! appeared first on We Are Memphis.
]]>South Memphis
As one of the oldest areas of Memphis, South Memphis is steeped in history. So much of our city’s soul comes from South Memphis, making this neighborhood a must-visit. Stretching from Downtown Memphis to the Mississippi state line, South Memphis is home to many of the Bluff City’s most famous landmarks, including the Stax Museum of American Soul Music.
You can’t visit South Memphis without a visit to the Four Way, Kimble Fish Market or any of the many barbeque joints that call South Memphis home.
Whitehaven
Recognized as the de facto capital of South Memphis, Whitehaven was its own city until it was annexed by Memphis in 1970.
The fact that Elvis Presley Boulevard stretches through Whitehaven gives you an indication of what makes this neighborhood a must-see. That’s right, Whitehaven is home to Elvis Presley’s Graceland Mansion—not to mention Southland Mall, the first enclosed mall in Memphis.
Downtown
Between Midtown Memphis and the Mississippi River lies a hustling and bustling section of town that is considered by many to be where Memphis truly began. In addition to being home to 100 North, otherwise known as the city’s tallest building, the downtown area is where you’ll find the Pyramid, the Peabody Hotel, AutoZone Park and the FedEx Forum.
Downtown is also home to Beale Street, one of the most famous destinations in all of Memphis, as well as the South Main Arts District, which is filled with boutiques, galleries and upscale restaurants.
Midtown
East of the downtown area sits Midtown, an eclectic blend of mixed-use residential, business and commercial space. If you find yourself in Midtown’s Cooper-Young district, be sure to check out the Cooper-Young Trestle, an art installation along an old 150-foot section of railroad track that features sculptures of actual homes in the neighborhood.
Overton Park is a popular Midtown destination for locals and visitors alike, with the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, the Memphis Zoo and the Memphis College of Art listed among its most heavily trafficked offerings.
Crosstown
This neighborhood’s calling card is the newly renovated former Sears distribution center that today houses mixed-use education, housing, business, and commercial property. Dubbed the Crosstown Concourse, the building was added to the National Registry of Historic Places in 2013.
The renovation kick-started a complete revitalization of the neighborhood as an up-and-coming arts district that is also home to the Hi-Tone, a local live music hangout that many punk bands call their second home.
Binghampton
Like Whitehaven, Binghampton began as an independent municipality and was annexed into Memphis in 1919. It’s a largely tight-knit community composed of millennial transplants, families, and a strong immigrant community.
Along with Crosstown, Binghampton has been going through something of a renaissance of late thanks to the revitalization of Sam Cooper Boulevard, art installations along Broad Avenue and investments in the people and businesses in the area. During the neighborhood’s biannual art walk, local artists have the chance to display their works all along the boulevard. And if you’re more into cycling than art, listen up: Broad Ave. also serves as the headquarters of the Memphis Greenline, the cycling initiative created to make the Bluff City more bike-friendly.
No matter where your travels take you through Memphis, you can find all the information you need about these neighborhoods and others at the Memphis Travel website.
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]]>The post Find History in one of Memphis’ Oldest Bookstores appeared first on We Are Memphis.
]]>One such place in Memphis, a favorite of many students attending nearby universities and book lovers alike, is Burke’s Book Store. And while there is certainly a wide variety of locally owned stores in the Memphis area, Burke’s is one of those classic Memphis gems that has become a staple in the Cooper-Young neighborhood as well as the broader community. Having occupied four different locations around the city since it opened it 1875, Burke’s Book Store has certainly seen its fair share of beginnings and endings and even close calls as brick and mortar book stores continue to be phased out by online retailers and e-book readers.
Well known for both its collectible books (signed copies, first editions, rare books, etc.) as well as its wide collection of many of the latest, most popular titles, Burke’s Book Store carries an impressive collection of Memphis-focused literature. From a strong collection of history books on the city of Memphis to recently published works authored by Memphians, Burke’s masterfully curates a literary reflection of the mid-south appealing to both newcomers and lifelong Memphians.
In 2018, the city of Memphis will observe and honor the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and in 2019, Memphis will celebrate its bicentennial. With those anniversaries on the horizon, now more than ever seems an appropriate time to consider reading up on the complex history of the Bluff City that brought us to this point in time.
Burke’s also hosts a variety of events, one of which recently included a conversation with international best-selling author John Grisham (who, in case you didn’t know, wrote a book about Memhis that was made into a movie that was later filmed in Memphis and starred Tom Cruise!). Of course, you’ll find the usual bookstore staples of postcards, notebooks, artisan book marks, and other knick knacks, all with a uniquely Memphis flair.
To embrace 2018, Memphis, and all that the road ahead may bring this riverside city, read up on our city’s history from a handful of perspectives you might not have considered before. And for even more information about Memphis’ best bookstores, check out this article by our partner, Choose901.
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