Really Big Deal on Beale Street

For those who are heading over to Memphis in their rented charter bus, coach charter, shuttle bus or party bus for a quick vacation with family and friends this summer, here is something we can all do, have fun with, without busting the budget. Beale Street of Memphis is pretty much like many other large downtown metropolis district in other larger cities like New York, New Jersey, Los Angeles, San Antonio, Las Vegas and Boston....only with a smaller price tags. Shopping, eating out and admission fees for tourist attractions in Memphis, naturally is cheaper than it is actually is in the larger cities. So, with a smaller budget, you get to experience pretty much the same thing.

Especially when you are faced with the incredible number of options on Beale Street. It is comprised of more than three blocks of endless night clubs, dining outlets, quaint never-seen-before shops and also an amazing array of entertainment. Many people like our bus charter Memphis customers come to this district to celebrate their wedding anniversaries, have their after-prom parties, bachelor or bachelorette parties, business gatherings and also not to mention, the melting pot of nightclubs makes it the perfect place to have a bar crawl too!

And the best thing about using the party bus, charter bus, shuttle bus or limousine rental services from a reliable charter bus company like Bus Charter Memphis means that you will leave all the driving woes to the bus charter driver. With that said, nobody has to restrain from partying on the night and EVERYONE gets to let their hair down and paint the town red.

Rewind a couple of decades back, Beale Street was the home to some conventional business owners and merchants who have clearly chosen this district because of its proximity to Mississippi River. It was also during the 1860s that many musicians who found this corner of the world lacks musical entertainment (a far cry from what it is now, we have to say) and therefore, they were found traveling in and around Beale, regularly performing to large crowds. This is how the entertainment scene in Memphis’ Beale Street began...and they have not looked back since.

Since then, they have started the Orpheum Theatre which is one of the oldest and most established entertainment outlet in Memphis. From there, it blossomed into having more options along Church Park which was turned into a social center. Today, Memphis is not just known for its massive Beale Street but also as the home of jazz legends like Louis Armstrong, memphis Minnie, Muddy Waters, B.B. King and also Albert King.

Don’t forget that every May, bring your friends and family with you for a short bus charter rental Memphis vacation and join in on the Beale Street Music Festival.

Sun Studio Gets The Rock and Roll Mood Right On

Mention “rock and roll” and almost immediately, you can list out legends like Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, “Rockin’ Robin” Roberts, and yes, even the forever loved, “The King” – Elvis Presley too! Memphis bus charter passengers who also are diehard fans of the Rock and Roll era will never fail to make a visit to the Sun Studio in Memphis to tour the place where it all began for Elvis Presley as well as many other popularly knows rock and roll singers those days.

Originally known as the Memphis Recording Service and later its name was changed to the Sun Studio, the building was a recording studio that was founded by Sam Phillips in 1950 and at that same time, Sun Studio also shared the building with the Sun Records label. When you arrive at the main entrance of the Sun Studio in the Memphis charter bus, you will quickly notice that it looks like a rather old building with colorful neon lights signage on the glass windows. Having been around since 1950, surely the building can’t look any “newer” than it did then.

The rather “old” looking building makes it even more authentic and definitely will bring back lots of nostalgic memories of the diehard fans of rock and roll. Don’t be surprised if you see Memphis bus charter passengers bringing out their cameras and start snapping away as soon as they get down from the bus. Nothing beats bringing home memories in the cameras to keep for many years to come and share the memories with others.

Upon entering the Sun Studio, be prepared to be taken back to the era of rock and roll with all the displays and exhibits there. Stand on the very same spot where Elvis did when he was recording, check out the piano where Jerry Lee Louis made a burnt cigar mark, and hold the microphones that the super stars used to pose for photos. When you are inside the studio, unless you don’t mind waiting, you may want to stand up further at the front if you intend to take some good photo shots of the place. The whole guided tour in the Sun Studio would take about an hour and after that, guests are welcomed to visit their gift shop to bring home with them some items for keepsakes before they climb back onto their waiting Memphis chartered bus.

Best Bars In Memphis

When it comes down to finding the best bars there is in Memphis, there is definitely no shortage. While the up-and-coming and most energetic bars and nightclubs can easily be found in the downtown bar strips, there are some quaint ones located at a short distance away. They are usually quieter and less packed - the perfect place for making a new friend, getting connected to the locals, and relax after a hard day at work, or traveling all around Memphis in a charter bus from one tourist attraction to another. Traveling might be fun but it can take a toll on you at the end of the day.

A place that will give you the ‘blues’ is a nice little nook called Beale Street Tap Room located on, well...Beale Street, of course! The bar is often visited by the locals so, if you want to have some insider knowledge or is interested in making friends with the locals, Beale Street Tap Room is most definitely the place to be on an impromptu visit. No admission fee, no frills, no queues....just a quiet, quaint and relaxing place to unwind and relax. However, the bar has been said to get rather crowded on Friday and Saturday nights so, head over early to grab the best seats and enjoy the Happy Hour rates. For those who do not drink, there is a wide range of non-alcoholic beverages being served too.

Another good option to go for would be Rafe’s Deli and Beer Garden located on Poplar Ave. What is unique about Rafe’s is the style of the ‘bar’. It has a very ‘convenience store’ feel to it because you get to do a little shopping (limited selection, mind you, because the focus here is on serving you your drinks) and bring home some of your favorite selection with you. There is clearly a focus on quality and variety instead of simply giving you a whole host of drink choices which often waters down the quality service you might get from the people manning the place. Rafe’s have a good selection of imports and American craft beers which means you get to decide which ones you prefer to have here or take home with you. If you have never tried Pumpkin Beer, then here you go, this is the perfect place to get it. And on a side note, if the owner of the store is there when you are visiting, try striking a conversation with her as she is known for her quick wit and sense of humor.

Dining in Memphis

As the largest city in the state of Tennessee, Memphis is a progressive and active region that offers historic landmarks, museums, art galleries and parks. Among outdoor enthusiasts, Memphis is highly regarded due to locations like T.O. Fuller State Park and Shelby Farms Park Conservancy for hiking, camping and horseback riding. Memphis has a multicultural community, so various dining options are available in the area. If you plan a charter bus visit and would like to enjoy a true southern culinary experience, Memphis offers several options. Visit Memphis with a bus, coach bus, party bus, mini bus, passenger coach or school bus chartered from Bus Charter Memphis and travel through the city in style and comfort.

Napa Cafe is an inviting restaurant located in Sanderlin Centre. Serving the community since 1998, this award-winning restaurant has been singled out by charter bus diners for its atmosphere, wine list, service, and salads. Dishes served at Napa Cafe include first courses like chilled swanki shrimp, short rib sliders and crispy artichokes and main courses such as lamb loin, yellow fin tuna, caramelized diver scallops and pork roulade. Napa Cafe also offers a private room and a wine cellar for Memphis charter bus groups wanting a little private dining.

Serving Memphis for more than 30 years, Paulette's is a coveted dining destination among locals and charter bus visitors due to its fine cuisine, old European-style setting and ambiance. Also popular among couples for its award-winning romantic feel, Paulette’s hosts piano weekend evenings. Paulette's menu features dishes like crab meat and spinach crepe, trout paschal, filet mignon, chicken Sicilian, Louisiana crab cakes and the filet Paulette. This restaurant also features a dessert menu, full bar and banquet facilities suitable for large charter bus groups.

Tsunami restaurant is in the midtown section of Memphis. Charter bus diners can enjoy fresh seafood dishes which are made with salmon, sea bass, tuna, sea scallops, shrimp, calamari, mussels and oysters. The restaurant also serves beef, lamb, soups, salads, pasta, sandwiches and desserts. Tsunami is open for lunch Mondays through Fridays and for dinner Mondays through Saturdays. Tsunami is affiliated with Project Green Fork, a Memphis organization helping restaurants operate in a more environmentally friendly manner by reducing waste and lowering overhead. Tsunami is a short charter bus ride away near Mud Island River Park on Front Street.

Coletta's is the oldest restaurant in Memphis and has been in business since 1923. All of the items on the menu, such as lasagna, manicotti, ravioli and sauces, are homemade. There are two locations of Coletta's in Memphis. At Coletta's, charter bus diners can begin with appetizers such as toasted ravioli or a mini barbecue pizza. Some of the specialty dishes include seafood scampi, chicken Parmesan, and eggplant Parmesan. A selection of pizza is available, including barbecue and vegetarian pizzas. Coletta's offers shipping of its barbecue pizza to charter bus visitors who live out of town.

A visit to Memphis for a sampling of its culinary delights is sure to be fun filled and memorable when you use the services of a charter bus from Bus Charter Memphis’ fleet of charter buses, and take advantage of their friendly, personalized service.

Down in the Jungle Room

A visit to Memphis is always special, especially in a charter bus, coach bus, party bus, mini bus, passenger coaches or school bus chartered from Bus Charter Memphis. Providing a variety of vehicles of various types to cater to any size group, Bus Charter Memphis makes it easy for you to visit that shrine to the King of Rock and Roll, Graceland.
Graceland was Elvis Presley’s residence until his death in 1977. This 13.8 acre estate was purchased by Elvis in 1957, when he gave his parents money to buy him a “farmhouse type” property. Elvis lived in Graceland with his parents, then with his wife Priscilla and their daughter Lisa Marie. In 1982, Priscilla Presley decided to open Graceland to the public, in order to raise funds to avoid defaulting on taxes owed on the mansion. This proved to be a major success with Elvis fans, and today more than half a million Presley fans visit Graceland each year.
A good way to visit Graceland is with a charter bus. The neighborhood around Graceland is described as “sketchy”, and chartering a bus from Bus Charter Memphis is a good way to travel safely and avoid any unfortunate incidents.
Graceland is constructed from tan limestone. This 10,266 square foot mansion as originally built was enlarged over the years to 17,552 square feet. It has 23 rooms spread across 3 levels.  Graceland today is very much a shrine to Elvis’ life. It contains all the furniture and fittings in the house as it was at the time of his death. The house has been variously described as “tacky and kitsch” and “white trash”. However, as a insight into the life of Elvis, it is an incalculable treasure.
Taking a tour of Graceland, the visitor will be led by an audio commentary with narration, comments and stories by Elvis and his daughter Lisa Marie. The Graceland Mansion tour includes Elvis’ living room, music room, parents' bedroom, dining room, kitchen, TV room, pool room and the famous Jungle Room. Visitors will be able to see the rooms where he lived, relaxed and played with friends and family.
Outside, visitors can step inside both of Elvis’ jets. The first is a Convair 880 which Elvis bought and christened “Lisa Marie”. Inside the aircraft, Elvis spent $800,000 remodeling the interior, installing a living room, conference room, sitting room and private bedroom. The second jet is a Lockheed Jet Star named “Hound Dog II”. This smaller plane was used to transport Elvis’ manager and crew to various venues when he was on tour.
The Elvis Presley Car Museum is next on the list. Here you can view Elvis’ automobile and motorcycle collection. Aside from his favorite pink Cadillac, also on display are his Harley Davidson motorcycles, the MG from “Blue Hawaii”, a 1975 Dino, Rolls Royce, a six door 600 Grosser Mercedes Benz and the John Deere tractor he used on his land.
A visit to Graceland will be unforgettable, especially if you are an Elvis fan. Call Bus Charter Memphis today to find out how we can help arrange your group’s trip to Graceland with our choice of vehicles and friendly, personalized service.

Make it a Romantic Moment in Memphis

Every love story begins with that first single step. Take your first one with Bus Charter Memphis and embark on a journey that will take you down all sorts of roads that you could never dream of.

Very often, the clincher in the start of a romance depends where the couple first profess their feelings for each other. What better place to start an evening like that at what some consider the finest restaurants in Memphis – Erling Jensen.

Offering up a romantic atmosphere with smooth music and elegant, yet unassuming decor if the ambiance won’t make you fall in love, the menu truly will. Specialties include grilled bison, roasted monkfish, and rack of lamb. And for that little extra romantic finish, share the chocolate soufflé with your sweetheart. Make the moment even more romantic with an elegant and stylish arrival via a limousine from Bus Charter Memphis.

If you’re not ready for the finest restaurant town, then why not consider the most romantic restaurant in town?

Step off the bus charter like a star, you will be greeted with star treatment from the velvet curtains to the fresh roses on each table, Chez Philippe serves French-Asian cuisine is unique enough to be special, but familiar enough for our Americanized palettes. The entrees are fantastic, but be sure to leave enough room in your stomach and your wallet for Chez Philippe's to-die-for desserts.

Sometimes, romances are meant to be kept secret. If that’s your scenario, then perhaps you should head over in the charter bus to one of downtown Memphis’ better-kept secrets. Circa by John Bragg, newly relocated to East Memphis, proffers a modern, yet inviting decor with an upscale menu that includes regional specialties such as crawfish beignets, wild mushroom risotto, and cornmeal crusted striped bass. We love the foie gras and escargots there.

Not all romantic soirees need to be conducted in the evenings. If Brunch is the only time you and your sweetheart can manage, then head over hand in hand in a spacious and comfortable Memphis mini bus to Paulettes’s. Their dim lighting and soft piano music make the restaurant an undeniably romantic restaurant and their Louisiana crab cakes are rumored to be worth cheating on your diet for.

Make sure there’s more than just music in the air in Memphis by seducing your sweetheart at all the right places and your relationship will be on its way to your dream destination. To make all that happen however, you need to make sure that you start your journey right, by booking your party bus rental with Bus Charter Memphis.

Memphis Walk of Fame

A walk of fame in Memphis, Tennessee? Yes, there is one! Modelled after the famous Hollywood Walk of Fame, bus charter Memphis can take you right to where the action is – on Beale Street Historic District in Downtown Memphis that spans 1.8 miles.

It is historic as the location is significant in the city’s historic and also in the history of blues music genre. There are many blues clubs and restaurants that line up Beale Street. Immerse yourself with the melodic rhythm of the genre here at B. B. Kings Blues Club, Alley Katz, Rum Boogie Café, Dyer’s Famous Burgers, The Lange Place, Ground Zero Blues Club and many more.

You may want to visit the Coyote Ugly Saloon on 326 Beale Street that served as the setting for the movie of the same name starring Piper Perabo and Maria Bello. However, please note that this IS the original Coyote Ugly so it may get rowdier than what you’ve seen on the movie. But don’t worry, if you need to get out of there fast call bus charter Memphis to ride out in style.

By the way, the United States Congress officially declared Beale Street “Home of the Blues” in 1977. In more recent times, you can enjoy the Beale Street Music Festival on the Mississippi River end of the street. This usually happens either in late April or early May, giving you ample time to prepare as the festival features not only blues music but those of other genres as well.

The festival is the major kick-off event for a city wide festival known as Memphis in May. Yes, bus charter Memphis can transport you and your friends directly to the heart of the festivities.

Now, back to the Walk of Fame – although modeled after its counterpart in LalaLand, it is designed exclusively for Memphis singers, composers, and writers. Those who have been honored include Bobby Blue Bland, W. C. Handy, Alberta Hunter and B. B. King.