Gethigh at the . t maynot tower over all other I buildingsin Memphis(it's actually eighth,in termsof verticalheight, at 322feet), but there's just no better view in townthan the one you can enjoy if youhop on the elevator and glide up to TheLookout res taurantthat perches atopwhat is nowknown as Big Cypress Lodgeand the Bass Pro Shops (enter. Andwhile our may beonly ha lf astall asSt. Louis' Arch, ourremarkable vista is unmatchedby anyo therplace in NorthAmerica . Hardto believe,but Bass Pro is now in itsfifth yearof operationhere. Just ashard to understandisthe fact tha t a ridiculousnumber of localshave n ever gone"up top ." If you'reone of those people,shame; there's no better view to ~~a~~? (}t'~~ t/uu,;Jj,(9U; tliink!

EA RS AGO, TV COMMERCIALS URGE D VIE W­ ers to "Sec the USA in your Chevrolet." And that's Ygood advice, whether you're a Chevyow ner or not. But sometimes, it's nice to stay close to home, and these days, there are plenty of good reasons to do that. The Travel Channel has named Memphis "the hottest Southern destination of 20 19 ." Frommer's has listed the The Bass Pro ShopsPyr amid behad of ourcity. Particularly since you BluffC ity "one of the best places to go in 20 19." TripSavvy offersthe best views in town. cango almost to the Pyramid's peak and considers our city one of the "best overall destinations." actuallygo outside (w eatherpermitting), greetingMother Nature in person,taking And Lonely Planet called Memphis "one of America's best in threevery different views of theplace emerging destinations." wecall home : southtoward Downtown, On these pages, we offer just a few reminders why some­ northtoward Harbor Town, and across to thewest into the vast Delta . times the best vacations can be staycations. What's more, Thecustom -builteleva tort hattakes we chose attractions that cost only a few dollars - and visitorsall the way from the bottom some of them are even free. What's not to like? to thetop is the tallest fr ee-standing elevatorin America,well worth the $10 round-tripticket Looking down below,

30 · MEMPHISMAGAZINE.COM• MAY 2019 PHOIOCREDITS : lOOlOUI(IOP) BY MEMPHIS TOURISM I AUEN GILLESPIE; PANORAMA BYBG youfind yourself becoming a speck in Dipa paddleinto Old Man River . Stepback in time at A . Schwab. thesky as you hurtle up the equivalent he MississippiRiver can be as _A Memphisstaycation wouldn't be of25 stories in lessthan a minuteor two. imposingas it isbeautiful. That is ~ completewithout a strolldown Onceyou're at The lookout restaurant, a lot of waterrolling south, and at an historicBeale Street. There's a sortof theworld below truly becomes your uncomfortablystrong pace. But the magicthat emanates from the brick oyster.The restaurant serves oysters, by Wolf' River Harbor is a differentstory, roadand dances between the build­ theway, and has a full bar. thesmaller body of waterthat rests- ings,striking your senses like the twang Asfar as I'm concerned, The lookout literally- betweenMud Island and the of a steelguitar or a crashof drums. isthe perfect lunch spot in town,a place edgeof DowntownMemphis. It hap­ Theresonant energy seems to floaton whereyou can leave all your day-to-day pensto bean urbankayaker's delight. thewind, carrying history with it. problemsbehind, or at leastbelow. And Enterat the cobblestones {near Mud Aday trip to Beale{arguably the best gettingthat little bit closerto heavenwill Island'ssouth end) and paddle your There's a sort of magic that timeto enjoythe strip) should include brightenyour day , I promise.The restau­ waynorth, under the massive ramps to emanates from a stopat A. Schwab, which opened in rant isopen to thepublic 11 a.m. to 10 theHernando DeSoto Bridge and past 1876and is the only remaining original p.m.daily, and until 7 p.m.on Sundays. thePyramid. (On that subject, Bass Pro and dances between the businesson the street. Peruse the "dry Nexttime you have out-of-town visitors, will sellyou a kayak,should you prefer buildings. Above: the Beale goods"emporium's selection of novelty trustme: You'll be doing them a great to ownyour ride. If not,independent Street Flippers. items:tin toysand coin banks, vintage disserviceif youdon't take them straight businessesrent them on an afford­ gamesOacks, peg boards), oversized to thetop. - KennethNeill able,hourly basis.) pencils,gag gifts, and more. Adult-hu­ There'sa tranquility to paddlingin mor-themedkitchen accessories {like decorativehand towels printed with funnyphrases), flasks, and dr inkware, The Lookoutis the andof course Memphis and E lvismemo­ perfectlunch spot in rabilia,are also well-stocked. town, where you can Forthe kids - orthe kid-at-heart - choosefrom classic treats and candies, leave your day-to-day includingsalt-water taffy , MoonPies , problemsbehind, and lemondrops, and jelly beans. A wall linedwith jarred goods features South­ getting that little bit ernfavorites: preserves, fruit butters, closer to heaven will pickledokra, and chow chow. Pulla stoolup at the bar to enjoya brightenyour day. quicklunch; the menu is simple with a smallselection of sandwiches.And do gentlewater that can't be found on thehiking paths or expansive fields of Memphisparks. Silence tends to surroundyou, even on a tourist-heavy, mid-summerSaturday. The last time I triedto matchthe shape of a cloud with ananimal, I was kayaking in Wolf RiverHarbor. {It was a camel,though with a tinyhead.) Therehappens to bea smallshop at theHarbor Town marina (west side of thewater) where you can find snacks andcold beverages, depending on how muchof the day you'd like to surrender to thatdistinctive silence. Gaze up at the notskip out on an old-fashioned foun­ fairly recent addition to the iconic BluffCity's version of skyscrapersand tainsoda, with your choice of house­ BealeStreet store whose slogan countthe cars driving overhead, many madeflavored syrup, and a hand-spun has been, "If you can't find it ofthem leaving Memphis {feel for them). maltfor dessert. While it's not quite an here, you're better off without it." Thebustle of lifewill return;it's never far obligation,you may want to cooldown away. Butfor now, it's just you, a kayak, yourburnin' love with The Elvis shake, and,shall we say, the Gentle Miss. madewith vanilla ice cream, banana, - FrankMurtaugh andpeanut butter. - SharaOark

PHOTOCREDITS: BEALE ITREEl FLIPPERS BYMEMPHIS TOURISM I ALLEN GILLESPIE; KAYAK ACTION BY SHARON MURTAUGH; SIGHTSEERSBYMEMPHIS TOURISM I CRAIG THOMPSON; A. SCHWAB BYMEMPHIS TOURISM I ANOREA ZUCKER MAY 2019 • MEMPHISMAGAZINUOM • JI