About Midtown

Sally Walker Davies

By
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There's a oft-seen bumper sticker in Memphis that proclaims "Midtown IS Memphis" -- and in so many ways, that is very true. The neighborhood, which stretches from I-240 on the west to East Parkway on the east, is home to haves and have-nots, gorgeous old houses and rundown apartments, and people of every ethnicity, political background and sexual orientation. Midtown is vibrant, funky, thriving, and diverse -- a real taste of Memphis.

  • Attractions: Culture & Creatures

    Midtown Memphis is home to the excellent Brooks Museum of Art, located in Overton Park, which is also home to the Memphis College of art and the Memphis Zoo. The zoo is truly one of the best in the country, with areas featuring creatures from the Teton wilderness, the American northwest, and China as well as the usual suspects.The Children's Museum, with its cool FedEx flight simulator and river play area, is an easy drive from the zoo toward the University of Memphis.

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  • Restaurants: Hip eateries, young chefs

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    Midtown may just be our favorite place for dining, thanks to great nationally-recognized young chefs who are all about combining local ingredients with their particular twist. Try Kelly English's Restaurant Iris for a touch of Creole, Ryan Trimm's Sweet Grass for Low Country fare and the iconic Beauty Shop for truffle oil fries and a daily grilled cheese special. For more casual fare, try Bosco's for hand-crafted beer and wood-fired pizza, Huey's for a burger, Central BBQ for Memphis-style pork barbecue, and the Trolley Stop for a killer breakfast.

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  • Nightlife: Live music, lively bar scene

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    From grunge rock bands to glam socialites, Midtown Memphis offers a varied and deep nightlife scene. Live music is found easily; try the Hi-Tone, Young Avenue Deli or Minglewood Hall for a taste of original Memphis music and national acts. The Cooper-Young section of Midtown offers some of the best bars in which to see and be seen, including Alchemy, Next Door, and Bari.

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  • Shopping: Decor destination

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    From antiques to high-end home decor (at a discount - yay!), Midtown Memphis is a must-hit. The antique and design district - basically the area surrounding the intersection of Cooper and Central - boasts Toad Hall, Palladio, Market Central and a host of other antique and vintage stores; the grimy Gary's is a favorite if you're looking for pieces to refinish for a second life. Try me & mrs. jones for the paint and tools necessary to bring those pieces from Gary's back from the dead.

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