illustration by nancy mardis | memphis urban sketchers
Though I’m a native Memphian, raised in the same house my whole life, I took a brief sabbatical from the Bluff City to attend college and returned here in May 2012. Having been back just over a year, I can say that the Memphis I now know and love is a very different place from the one I left five years ago. Living “way out east” (as my co-workers affectionately call it) in Cordova and commuting downtown has opened my eyes to a plethora of gems I never knew existed. From only coming downtown for Redbirds games to now successfully giving people directions, this list is handy for even the lifelong resident. — Anna Cox
ATTRACTIONS
Beale Street: Downtown, 526-0115, bealestreet.comChildren’s Museum of Memphis: 2525 Central Ave., 458-2678, cmom.comChucalissa Museum: 1987 Indian Village Dr., 785-3160, memphis.edu/chucalissaCooper-Young District: Midtown, 276-7222, cooperyoung.comCotton Museum at the Memphis Cotton Exchange: 65 Union Ave., 531-7826, memphiscottonmuseum.orgDavies Manor Plantation House: 3570 Davieshire Drive, 386-0715, daviesmanorplantation.orgFire Museum of Memphis: 118 Adams Ave., 636-5650, firemuseum.comGibson Beale Street Showcase: 145 Lt. George Lee Ave., 544-7998, gibson.comGolf & Games Family Park: 5484 Summer Ave., 386-2992, golfandgamesmemphis.comGraceland: 3734 Elvis Presley Blvd., 800-238-2010, elvis.com/gracelandLichterman Nature Center: 5992 Quince Rd., 767-7322, memphismuseums.org/lichterman-overviewMemphis Botanic Garden: 750 Cherry, 636-4100, memphisbotanicgarden.comMemphis Rock ’n’ Soul Museum: 191 Beale St., 205-2533, memphisrocknsoul.orgMemphis Zoo: 2000 Prentiss Pl., 333-6500, memphiszoo.orgMud Island River Park: 125 N. Front St., 800-507-6507, mudisland.comMuseum of Biblical History: 140 E. Mulberry, Collierville, 854-9578, biblical-museum.orgNational Civil Rights Museum: 450 Mulberry St., 521-9699, civilrightsmuseum.orgPink Palace Museum & Sharpe Planetarium: 3050 Central Ave., 320-6320, memphismuseums.orgThe Peabody: 149 Union Ave., 529-4000, peabodymemphis.comShelby Farms Park: 500 N. Pine Lake Dr., 767-7275 (PARK), shelbyfarmspark.orgSTAX Museum of American Soul Music: 926 E. McLemore, 942-7685, staxmuseum.comSun Studio: 706 Union Ave., 521-0664, sunstudio.comW.C. Handy House Museum: 352 Beale St., 527-3427Woodruff-Fontaine House: 680 Adams Ave., 526-1469, woodruff-fontaine.com
AUTHORIZATION
Birth & Death Certificate: Memphis & Shelby County Health Department, Vital Records Office, 814 Jefferson Ave., Rm. 101-103, 222-9013BUILDING Permits & Inspection: Shelby County Office of Planning & Development, 125 N. Main St., Ste. 468, Memphis City Hall, 576-7197. Register of Deeds, 1075 Mullins Station Rd., 379-7500, register.shelby.tn.usHunting & Fishing License: Tennessee Wildlife Division, 800-372-3928, tn.gov/twraMarriage License: Both parties must appear for issuance of the license. Proof of Social Security number is required. Downtown Office: 150 Washington Ave., Second Fl. East Branch Office: 1075 Mullins Station Rd., West Wing. Millington City Hall: 4836 Navy Rd. Cost: $97.50Memphis Area Legal Services: 523-8822Memphis Bar Association: 527-3573Passport: Main Post Office, 555 S. Third St., 521-2575 us-passport-service-guide.com/memphis-passport.htmlProperty Tax: City Treasury Office, 125 N. Main St., 636-6306Property Value: Assessor Office Locations, Downtown: 160 N. Main St., Ste. 600. East: 1075 Mullins Station Rd., 222-7001Voter Information: Shelby County Election Commission, 222-1200, shelbyvote.com
HELP
Abused Women’s Crisis Hotline: 725-4277, memphisywca.orgAlcoholics Anonymous: 726-6750, memphis-aa.orgAnimal Services: 362-5310Better Business Bureau: 759-1300, memphis.bbb.orgChild Abuse Hotline: 877-237-0004Community Services Information: 211Crime Stoppers: 525-5122, crimestopmem.orgFire Services: 527-1400Greater Memphis Chamber: 543-3500Humane Society of Memphis & Shelby County: 937-3900, memphishumane.orgMemphis/Shelby County Public Library & Information Center: 415-2700, memphislibrary.orgPoison Emergency: 800-222-1222Suicide & Crisis Hotline: 274-7477Time & Temperature: 526-5261Veterans Services: 222-4237
illustration by Joseph P. Wieronski | memphis urban sketchers
illustration by Joseph P. Wieronski | memphis urban sketchers
Promotions/Tourism
Memphis Convention and Visitors Bureau: 47 Union Ave., 543-5300, memphistravel.comMemphis & Shelby County Film/TV Commission: 50 Peabody Place, Suite 250, 527-8300, filmmemphis.orgCity of Memphis/Tourism: memphistravel.comMemphis City Beautiful: 664 Adams Ave., 522-1135, memphiscitybeautiful.orgMemphis Area Association of Governments: 8289 Cordova Road, Suite 103, 729-2871, maagov.org
PUBLIC SAFETY
Emergency: 911Police Non-Emergency: 545-2677 (COPS)Fire Non-Emergency: 458-8281Shelby County Sheriff Non-Emergency: 379-7625Shelby County Fire Non-Emergency: 379-7070
TRANSIT
Bus & Trolley: Memphis Area Transit Authority, 722-7100, matatransit.comMemphis International Airport: 922-8000, mscaa.comTrain Station: Central Station, 545 S. Main St., 526-0052 amtrak.com
UTILITIES & RECYCLING
Residential Telephone: Bellsouth, 385-4966, att.comCable: Comcast, 259-2225, comcast.comCity Beautiful Commission: 664 Adams Ave., 522-1135Memphis Light, Gas, & Water Division: 245 S. Main St., 544-6549 (MLGW), mlgw.comPublic Works Division/Solid Waste Management: 125 N. Main St., 576-6730
VEHICLE COMPLIANCE
Drivers License Service Centers: 6340 Summer Ave., 543-7920; 3040 Walnut Grove Rd., 452-7148; 220 U.S. 51 (Covington), 475-2517; 5019 West Union Rd. (Millington), 872-0800Registration & Renewal: County Clerk’s Office, 150 Washington Ave., 222-3000, tennesseeanytime.orgTraffic Fines: City Court Clerk’s Office, Traffic Violations Bureau, 201 Poplar LL-80, 636-3400, epayments.cityofmemphis.org
