Memphis is coming back.” I’ve heard this phrase floating around Memphis for more than a year now, used as a slogan in commercials, as support in arguments with out-of-towners out-of-the-know, and as a reason to continue to live, love, and embrace this soulful city. It rings true, however, and from this native Memphian and self-proclaimed urban Southerner’s perspective, Memphis is not only “coming back” but also “moving forward.” With more to do, more to see, and more to eat, the list of “musts” for the newcomer continues to grow. The challenge is no longer finding a way to fill your Friday night in the Bluff City, but choosing from the countless local attractions. Our newcomer’s guide to Memphis is here to help assist the new kid on the block, because chances are, that block is worth exploring.
ATTRACTIONS
AutoZone Park: 200 Union Ave., 721-6050, memphisredbirds.com
Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid: 1 Bass Pro Dr., 291-8200, basspro.com/pyramid
Beale Street: Downtown, 526-0117, bealestreet.com
Children’s Museum of Memphis: 2525 Central Ave., 458-2678, cmom.com
Chucalissa Museum: 1987 Indian Village Dr., 785-3160, memphis.edu/chucalissa
Cooper-Young District: Midtown, 276-7222, cooperyoung.com
Cotton Museum at the Memphis Cotton Exchange: 65 Union Ave., 531-7826, memphiscottonmuseum.org
Davies Manor Plantation House: 3570 Davieshire Drive, Bartlett, 386-0715, daviesmanorplantation.org
FedExForum: 191 Beale St., 205-2525
Fire Museum of Memphis: 118 Adams Ave., 636-5650, firemuseum.com
Gibson Beale Street Showcase: 145 Lt. George Lee Ave., 544-7998, gibson.com
Golf & Games Family Park: 5484 Summer Ave., 386-2992, golfandgamesmemphis.com
Graceland: 3734 Elvis Presley Blvd., 332-3322, graceland.com
Lichterman Nature Center: 5992 Quince Rd., 636-2210, memphismuseums.org/lichterman-overview
Memphis Botanic Garden: 750 Cherry Rd, 636-4100, memphisbotanicgarden.com
Memphis Rock ’N’ Soul Museum: 191 Beale St., 205-2533, memphisrocknsoul.org
Memphis Zoo: 2000 Prentiss Pl., 333-6500, memphiszoo.org
Mud Island River Park: 125 N. Front St., 576-7241, mudisland.com
Museum of Biblical History: 140 E. Mulberry, Collierville, 854-9578, biblical-museum.org
National Civil Rights Museum: 450 Mulberry St., 521-9699, civilrightsmuseum.org
Orpheum Theatre: 203 S. Main St., 525-3000, orpheum-memphis.com
Overton Park: 1914 Poplar Ave., 214-5450, overtonpark.org
Pink Palace Museum & Sharpe Planetarium: 3050 Central Ave., 636-2362, memphismuseums.org
The Peabody: 149 Union Ave., 529-4000, peabodymemphis.com
Shelby Farms Park: 500 N. Pine Lake Dr., 767-7275, shelbyfarmspark.org
STAX Museum of American Soul Music: 926 E. McLemore, 946-2535, staxmuseum.com
Sun Studio: 706 Union Ave., 800-441-6249, sunstudio.com
W.C. Handy House Museum: 352 Beale St., 527-3427, wchandymemphis.org
Woodruff-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., Rooms 101-103, 222-9693, shelbycountytn.gov
Building Permits & Inspection:
Department of Construction Code Enforcement: 6465 Mullins Station Rd., 222-8300.
Shelby County Office of Planning & Development: 125 N. Main St. #468, 576-7197.
Shelby County Register of Deeds: 1075 Mullins Station Rd., 222-8100, register.shelby.tn.us
Hunting & Fishing License: Tennessee Wildlife Division, 800-372-3928, tn.gov/twra
Marriage 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: $97.50
Memphis Area Legal Services: 11th Floor, Falls Bldg., 22 N. Front St., 523-8822
Memphis Bar Association: 145 Court, 527-3573, memphisbar.org
Passport: Main Post Office, 555 S. Third St., 521-2575, us-passport-service-guide.com/memphis-passport.html
Property Tax: City Treasury Office, 125 N. Main St., 522-1111
Property Value: Shelby County Assessor Office: 1075 Mullins Station Rd., 222-7001, assessor.shelby.tn.us
Voter Information: Shelby County Election Commission, 150 Washington Ave., Suite 205, 222-1200, shelbyvote.com
HELP
Abused Women’s Crisis Hotline: 725-4277, memphisywca.org
Alcoholics Anonymous: 454-1414 (24-hr. hotline), memphis-aa.org
Animal Services: 2350 Appling City Cove, Bartlett, 636-1416
Better Business Bureau: 3693 Tyndale Dr., 759-1300, bbb.org/memphis
Memphis Crisis Center Child Abuse Hotline: 247-7477, memphiscrisiscenter.org
Community Services Agency: 2670 Union Extd., Suite 500, 222-4200
Crime Stoppers: 201 Poplar Ave, 528-CASH (2274), crimestopmem.org
Fire Services: memphistn.gov/Government/FireServices.aspx, 636-1400
Greater Memphis Chamber: 22 N. Front St #200, 543-3500, memphischamber.com
Humane Society of Memphis & Shelby County: 935 Farm Rd., 937-3900, memphishumane.org
Memphis/Shelby County Public Library & Information Center (Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library): 3030 Poplar Ave., 415-2700, memphislibrary.org
Poison Emergency: 800-222-1222
Suicide & Crisis Hotline: 274-7477, memphiscrisiscenter.org
Time & Temperature: 526-5261
Veterans Services: 2670 Union Extd., Suite 500, 222-4237
PROMOTIONS/TOURISM
City of Memphis, City Services Simplified: 311 (hotline)
Great Memphis Chamber: 22 N. Front St., 543-3500, memphischamber.com
Mayor’s Office: 636-6000
Memphis Convention and Visitors Bureau: 47 Union Ave., 543-5300, memphistravel.com
Memphis & Shelby County Film/TV Commission: 496 S. Main St., Suite 101, 527-8300, filmmemphis.org
Memphis City Beautiful: 664 Adams Ave., 522-1135, memphiscitybeautiful.org
Memphis Area Association of Governments: 8289 Cordova Road, Suite 103, 729-2871, maagov.org
PUBLIC SAFETY
Emergency: 911
Memphis Police Non-Emergency: 545-2677 (COPS)
Memphis Fire Non-Emergency: 458-8281
Shelby County Sheriff Non-Emergency: 379-7625
Shelby County Fire Non-Emergency: 222-8000
TRANSIT
Bus & Trolley: Memphis Area Transit Authority, 444 N. Main St., 274-MATA (6282), matatransit.com
Memphis International Airport: 2491 Winchester Rd., 922-8000, mscaa.com
Train Station: Central Station, 545 S. Main St., 526-0052, amtrak.com
UTILITIES & RECYCLING
Residential Telephone: Bell South, 1075 Mullins Station Rd., 385-4966, att.com
Cable: Comcast, 6263 Poplar Ave., 614-0953, comcast.com
Memphis Light, Gas, & Water Division: 245 S. Main St., 544-6549 (MLGW), mlgw.com
Public Works Division/Solid Waste Management: 125 N. Main St., 636-5742
VEHICLE COMPLIANCE
Drivers License Service Centers: 6340 Summer Ave., 543-7920 3200 E. Shelby Dr., 367-3639 220 U.S. Highway 51 (Covington), 475-2517 5019 West Union Rd. (Millington), 872-0800
Registration & Renewal: County Clerk’s Office, 150 Washington Ave., 222-3000 3412 Plaza Ave., 222-3000 6340 Summer Ave., 543-7920 3200 E. Shelby Dr., 367-3639 shelbycountytn.gov
Traffic Fines: City Court Clerk’s Office, Traffic Violations Bureau, 201 Poplar LL-80, 636-3400, epayments.memphistn.gov
