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]]>Making Money Magazine’s Top 100 list in 2007, it has become the ninth largest city in the State of Tennessee. There is plenty to see and do in Bartlett, TN, which offers a slower pace than the larger City of Memphis. Visitors and others to the area should make time to travel the 13 miles east to see what the area has in store.
What Bartlett, TN has to offer
Bartlett began as an agricultural area, containing many of the region’s major plantations. After the Civil War and incorporation as a city (along with the change in name), it remained a small farming community until the late 1960s. The city grew from a population of just over 500 in 1960 to double that in 1970, with rapid growth occurring from 1990 on.
The City of Bartlett provides a quiet respite for those who enjoy living and working in Memphis and Shelby County. It is close enough to the action but tucked away just far enough to offer a break from the hustle and bustle of the city. Its growth was spurred by a desire to get away from the rapid urbanization taking place in Memphis while maintaining enough of a connection to the Bluff City.
Things to Do in Bartlett, TN
There is plenty to see and do in Bartlett, TN. Among the city-sponsored events are:
- Fireworks Extravaganza – held at the city’s Bobby K. Flaherty Municipal Center (located on Highway 70 and Appling Road), the event takes place on July 3rd as part of the city’s Fourth of July celebration. The event features presentation of the flag by the Bartlett Police Department, music, and of course, fireworks.
- Children’s Fishing Rodeo – Before the fireworks go off in July, the city holds its annual fishing rodeo for children 12 and under. It is held at the Municipal Center in June and is a great way for families and children to start the summer.
- Bartlett Festival, BBQ Contest & Car Show – September’s reserved for the city’s large family-friendly festival. It is held at the end of the month at W.J. Freeman Park (2629 Bartlett Blvd.), featuring a 5K run, food, music, and plenty of activities.
- Bartlett Christmas Parade – December 7 is the start of the Christmas season for Bartlett residents. The annual parade, kicking off at 4 pm, has two reviewing stages, at Elmore Park and Bartlett Boulevard and Bartlett Boulevard and Shelby Street.
You can link to the past and get a glimpse of what Memphis was like. Bartlett, TN is more than a unique suburban community; it is a growing place of interest for residents and visitors alike. Spending time in Bartlett gives you a different perspective of the greater Memphis area and a chance at seeing a good change of pace.
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]]>Collierville Summer Concerts
This is a small suburb just to the east of Memphis. It has a comfortable, small-town feel, as if you went back in time. If you enjoy being in a smaller environment or want to get away from the larger crowds of Memphis from time to time, this is the destination for you. In the city’s park square, a weekend concert series takes place during the summer. Many are local acts, but you’ll also find some traveling attractions and music from around the world. So if you’re looking for enjoyable, low-key summer fun, head on out to Collierville.
Gonerfest
This is the annual music festival that takes place during the fall months in Cooper-Young. It is put on by the local indie Goner Records label. At the festival, you’ll find a number of psyche rock and garage band groups (which are typically signed by Goner Records).
Brooks Museum of Art
Located in Midtown, tucked away within Overton Park, this museum is small but interesting. In Overton Park, you’ll also find a number of other interesting attractions, including the Memphis Zoo and the Memphis College of Art. This section of metro Memphis will have something for everyone to enjoy. You can also hop on over to the Children’s Museum, which has science and exploratory activities that younger children (and parents) are sure to love.
William Faulkner’s Home
This is a bit of a stretch in terms of distance, but if you are into literature, William Faulkner’s home is located in Oxford, Mississippi, which is approximately a 90-minute drive from the Memphis town center. Oxford is worth mentioning as it is a town steeped in local history (of course, it’s also home to the University of Mississippi). Faulkner’s home, known as Rowan Oak, is just one of the attractions worth checking out.
Additional Reading
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]]>Game of Thrones wrapped on Sunday, and let’s just say “it’s so hard to say goodbye.” As a faithful watcher of the show, it’s difficult to ignore the resemblance between the realm and the city of Memphis. One of the boldest comparisons is through the shared centering of families and their houses. Memphis is a city of families who are almost one degree of separation from the next family. You can always trace folks back to where they live or were raised by asking two simple questions “What high school did you attend?” and “What’s your church home?”
Give or take a few elements in the 8-year tv series, GOT houses easily mirror some of Memphis’ communities. If Westeros had a 901 zip code, here’s where you’d find some of your favorite characters and houses:
1. House of Stark – North Memphis
Two words: Not. Today.
Have you ever met anyone from Frayser?
Is your spouse a native of Smokey City?
Maybe you’re a teacher at Douglas or Craigmont High.
One thing is for sure: people from North Memphis don’t go down without a fight and even if they lose, they don’t stay down.
You can find Arya learning to fight at Ed Rice Community Center. Sansa is a graduate of Raleigh Egypt High and now acts as the Executive Director of the Frayser Community Development Corporation. Meanwhile, Bran sits in the middle of Ridgecrest Apartments listening to Yo Gotti all day, clapping at birds.
2. House of Lannister – Central/Chickasaw Gardens
The Lannisters are the richest family in Westeros. Can you not see Cersei standing at the top level foyer with a glass of red wine overlooking that lake in the middle of the Chickasaw Gardens community? Of course you can. Central and Chickasaw Gardens hold some of the finest families and homes in the city. Just ride through on a gorgeous summer day and admire the homes (unless you’re being creepy). There’s a hidden richness (no pun intended) in these areas.
3. House of Tyrell – Cooper Young/Midtown
So Olenna Tyrell – while perched on her porch across from Peabody Elementary – is the old lady you speak to when dropping your kids off but doesn’t speak back. Her garden is perfect and she shops alone at the Farmer’s Market in the parking lot of First Congregational. Margarey is often found at Cafe Ole, but more recently hangs out at Side Street Grill after Joffrey died, in search of her next king, but Loras got there before her at 4 p.m. Tommen rides through Overton Park on one of those Bird scooters, speaking to everyone on the Crazy Noodle patio until he was brought to an untimely demise attempting backflips on the motorized machine. His memorial was held at Rainbow Lake.
4. The White Walkers – (Elmwood Cemetery)
Some of the most notable Memphians who have ever lived are buried at Elmwood Cemetery, from civil rights leaders and politicians to racist confederate war generals. If they were to ever resurrect, we do hope Arya’s training from Ed Rice will come in handy.
5. House of Frey – South Memphis
The Red Wedding was facilitated, orchestrated and executed by someone from South Memphis. Period. Stone Bridge connects the two keeps of the Frey’s ancestral seat, the Twins. The new and old bridge is a dead giveaway that the Frey’s would reside in South Memphis with the house words, “We Stand Together.” People from South Memphis are extremely territorial, and they aren’t afraid to take action against those who break their promises. Walder Frey grew up around Hamilton but sent all his children (wives) to Booker T. Washington.
6. House of Targaryen – The Suburbs
If any Memphian would have dragons in their backyard, they would be in the suburbs because of all that acreage. All Targaryen’s are graduates of Collierville High where the mascot is, coincidentally, the dragon. It explains why Daenerys was attracted to men from the inner-city. Now that we know Jon Snow is really a Targaryen and therefore, a natural at riding dragons – it would only be right that we award him an honorary degree from Collierville.
7. House of Baratheon – Hickory Hill
Remember the 2008 tornado that took our Hickory Ridge Mall? People of Hickory Hill are Storm Lords, not unfamiliar with revitalization after disasters like the tornado. Since, the mall has been revived quite a bit. Folks from Hickory Hill are resilient people. They’re stylish, but they play to win like the Ridgeway High basketball teams. They know how to party and have a good time. Just stop by Winchester Bowl or East End Skating Rink and you’ll see what we’re talking about.
Tell us if we hit the nail on the head or the dragon on the Greyjoy. What house and Memphis community do you resonate with the most?
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]]>Images Source: Germantown Performing Arts Center
Germantown Performing Arts Center
This is one of the best performing arts centers in the entire state. And if you’ve never checked it out before you’ll be pleasantly surprised at the acts that come through. In fact, many of the top performing touring acts prefer to stop by Germantown because it’s easy to get in and out. So whether you’re looking for a comedy show, world class musician, or something unexpected, make sure to take a visit to the Germantown Performing Arts Center.
Brooks Collection
Whether you’re visiting Memphis for the first time or you’re a long time local, I always recommend Brooks Collection. Here you’ll find all kinds of antiques and boutique shops. Visiting the location is a great way to support local retailers and artists. Plus there are some pretty incredible things to see. You may have never realized you needed the brass-polished coat rack that says “Memphis,” or the antique bottle that reminds you of visiting grandma’s as a kid, but when you find it at one of these shops, it’ll bring back some wonderful memories.
Memphis Botanic Garden
There’s just something relaxing and invigorating about taking a stroll through botanical gardens. The Memphis Botanic Garden is located in East Memphis, as well as the Dixon Gallery & Gardens (in fact, both are within walking distance of one another). The Memphis Botanic Garden also has a fantastic children’s garden (called “My Big Backyard”). So whether you have a green thumb or just enjoy being around nature, stop by the gardens for a bit of personal relaxation.
Music Festivals
Gonerfest is an annual music festival put on during the fall by Goner Records. Now, nobody is going to blame you if you haven’t heard of Goner Records before (we all can’t be keeping up on every record label now, can we?). However, if you’re a fan of garage bands, this is the kind of music festival for you. Goner Records brings in artists such as Guitar Wolf.
The Cooper-Young Festival (which is also the site of Gonerfest) is a great music and art festival that is a bit more mainstream than Gonerfest. It’s also a great chance to purchase little goodies made by local artists (such as hand crafted jewelry). You may also enjoy just listening to the music while you sample some of the best street food Memphis has to offer.
There’s always something fun and exciting to do in Memphis. And the beauty of Memphis is, you don’t always need to be right in the city itself to experience these activities and destinations.
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