Travel Destination Spotlight: Memphis, Tennessee

This Travel Destination Spotlight highlights some Memphis neighborhoods for you to explore. From one-day adventures to landmarks and museums to plenty of hot BBQ spots, you'll love Memphis as your next travel nursing destination.

Gifted Healthcare has opportunities in Memphis which is right on the Mississippi River in southwest Tennessee. This city is famous for its influence on blues, soul, and rock 'n' roll music and is referred to as the “Home of the Blues & Birthplace of Rock 'n' Roll,” so music buffs will enjoy the history in Memphis. Read on to plan your next adventure in Memphis, Tennessee.

What Neighborhood is For You?

Memphis refers to neighborhoods as either “inside the loop” or “outside the loop.” This terminology will be helpful as you search for your housing while on assignment.

The majority of people live inside the loop but there are popular neighborhoods outside the loop as well. Here are some neighborhoods worth checking out as you research housing for your assignment.

Cooper-Young, located “inside the loop” in Midtown, is a popular neighborhood for younger residents. It has been referred to as the "hipster" part of town and has streets full of local bars and eclectic shops. Chain stores and restaurants are less common in this small part of town so living here will introduce you to unique Memphis businesses quickly!

East Memphis is an area more commonly populated by families. The schools are all close by and the neighborhoods within this area are rather friendly. Most housing in this area has a yard so this is a great option if you are bringing a pet with you on your assignment.

The University area is near the University of Memphis and is commonly filled with students and nightlife. The Highline Strip, packed with restaurants and bars located next to the school gets busy. This location is near Midtown and Cooper-Young within the loop, so you would be centrally located.

As far as “outside the loop”, a couple of areas are worth looking into.

Downtown is becoming a more popular place to live in Memphis, Tennessee. With an array of locally owned bars and cool shops along Main Street, you will have plenty to explore living here. The area is walking-friendly and you will have plenty to do on days off from work.

Harbor Town is a town on Mud Island and is in close proximity to downtown which is a plus. It has a small-town feel so you can live a bit of the small-town life while still being close to the action of downtown.

No matter where you find housing for your assignment, all of these parts of town are worth exploring while you live in Memphis!

One Day Adventures

Sun Studio

Elvis Presley, B.B. King and Johnny Cash recorded albums at the legendary Sun Studio in Memphis, TN. The studio opened its doors in 1950 and is now open to the public for tours. The tour takes about one hour and tends to get busier in the afternoon so book a morning tour for a shorter wait time and embrace the history it has to offer.

Graceland

Graceland, the home of the late Elvis Presley, is another historic landmark in Memphis. This historic home is open year-round for tours, events, and overnight stays. The museum typically has four exhibits on-site and tourists rave about the room full of gold records! If you are a concert junkie, check out their calendar of bands that are performing during your assignment.

Other music landmarks in Memphis include the Rock 'n' Soul Museum, Blues Hall of Fame and Stax Museum of American Soul Music.

Tom Lee Park

Hit the outdoors and venture through Tom Lee Park. This spot is right on the river with scenic views and a calming atmosphere. The park is being updated to include four parts that will all have open areas, recreation spaces and nature trails.

Farmers Market

For another outdoor morning, take yourself to the Saturday farmers market in downtownMemphis. The market fills with local vendors and even food trucks to start your day with a yummy breakfast. While in the area, check out the Arcade, Memphis, Tennessee's oldest café.

Restaurants and Bars

Memphis is known for its rich history in the music industry, but did you know it also has a strong history with serving some of the best barbecue around? The secret is in how they cook the meat in Memphis, slowly cooking the meat in a pit, known as “pit barbecue”.

Charlie Vergos’ Rendezvous, or “The Vous” as it is more commonly known as, is one of the most visited spots in Memphis and has been serving barbecue since 1948. The house specialty is the dry-rub ribs, coated in a tasty crust flavored with paprika and oregano. Many celebrities have added this to their list of favorites, including Justin Timberlake.

Central BBQ is another fan favorite known for its homemade potato chips that are covered in its secret blend of spices to create the perfect side dish for your dry-rub wings or pork shoulder.

If you need a break from the barbecue while in Memphis, check out some of the city’s taprooms. Ghost River and High Cotton are two staples that get great reviews of their beers on tap.

Ghost River has a location on Beale Street which is a popular location for nightlife. This street has plenty of places you can dance your night away or people-watch from the balconies above. Head there on a Saturday night off of work and enjoy the culture of Memphis!