About Us

Here at Backbeat Tours we tell people from all over the world about our unique city everyday. From Graceland to the Grizzlies, Beale St. to the Burbs we are passionate about Memphis. This blog is where we share quirky, behind-the-scenes tales of Memphis, past and present.
Showing posts with label Lists. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lists. Show all posts

Monday, January 13, 2014

The 901 Gift Guide

Giving Christmas gifts is always a little stressful. There’s the danger you may over or under reciprocate. We decided to put together a list of Memphis themed gifts even Santa would be jealous of. Here is a range of present ideas sure to please every Memphian.


1. For the Sports Fanatic


Picture
What’s better than combining Memphis’s two favorite sports teams on one shirt? That’s right, nothing. 


2. For Family that’s In Town

Picture


Tired of being cooped up inside? Come ride around the city on a heated bus listening to the sounds of some classic Memphis music. Bonus: We give you a break from entertaining your relatives. Click here to check out our website, theres a tour for everyone. 
Prices Vary, Gift Certificates Available http://www.zerve.com/Backbeat

3. For Those Who Appreciate a Good Skyline


Picture

This cityscape detail captures the unique skyline of everyone’s favorite hometown. They even have colors to match any room!
$29.99, American Decals

4. For the Hep Cat


Picture

Hal Lansky, son of clothier to the King Bernard Lansky, recommends Blue Suede Shoes… As long as no one steps on them of course.
$155, Lansky Brothers at The Peabody

5. For the Bookworm


Picture

Its cold outside, so let this book tell you all about Downtown, Memphis from the warmth of your couch. Bonus: You can even get a copy signed by author William Patton on December 19 from 5-7pm at the Southeast Memphis Costco located at 3775 Hacks Cross Road., Memphis, TN 38125.
$19.99, Amazon

6. For the New Musician
Picture

Every musician has to start somewhere. This Epiphone PR-4E Acoustic-Electric Guitar Player Pack makes a great starter guitar or a guitar that's going to get a fair bit of abuse. These are availible at the Gibson Guitar Factory Downtown, as well as at Guitar Center. It's a great deal for the guitar and amp!
$199, Guitar Center

8. For the Foodie


Picture

French macarons, chocolates, and madeleines all made right here in Memphis! Baker Erica Thewis brings a taste of Paris halfway around the world.
Prices Vary Depending on Quantity, Pisatche Pastry

10. For a Classier Way to Represent Your Area Code


Picture

Looking for a subtle way to show some love for your favorite area code? This necklace is perfect for 901 lovers anywhere in the U.S.
$53, PangaeaDesigns Etsy Store

11. For the Southern Gentleman


Picture

Mo’s Bow Ties was created by 9 year old with killer style. They come in literally every color and pattern, so you’ll never be underdressed this holiday season.
$45, Mo’s Bows Etsy Shop or at A. Schwab on Beale St.

12. For the Guitar Aficionado


Picture

The National Reso-Phonic guitars, suggested by our music guide Kathryn, weren't made in Memphis, but were played by several famous blues guitarists from the area. Folks like Son House and Bukka White, both from the Mississippi Delta, used National Reso-Phonic guitars. To read up on the history of these guitars click here.
Prices Vary, Vintage National Guitars 

13. For the Teenager (Or Anyone With Ears)


Picture

Justin Timberlake is the Elvis Presley of today. Who knew that the N’sync singer who bleached hair and cornrows would eventually turn into the purveyor of class.
$15 on iTunes

14. For Those Looking to Pay Homage to the Late, Great, Adventure River


Picture

For generations Adventure River was a mainstay for Memphians in the Summer. Relive your water park glory days with this t-shirt. 

15. For the Elvis Lover

Picture

The Wertheimer calendar with 16 months of Elvis? Be still my beating heart. Just go ahead and put a hunky 33 year old Elvis clad in leather on my Christmas list while your at it.
$14.99 shopelvis.com

16. For the Person Who Already Has Everything


Picture

You might be asking why would someone want a Memphis toilet seat, to which I simply reply: Why Not? 
$200, Memphis Music on Beale St.

7 Unique Things To Do In Memphis for Halloween

Experienced in everything haunted, scary or macabre, we couldn’t resist putting together a list of some of our favorite activities this Halloween season. Check out our suggestions (links to the event pages are in blue), bring us your ticket from the event, and well give you 15% off your Ghost Tour ticket! What’s your favorite Halloween activity this year? Let us know!

The Details: Our Backbeat Ghost Tours go out every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday at 8pm. We also offer Dark Side Tours, a haunted history walk, on Thursdays and Sundays at 8pm. On the 2-hour walking ghost tour ghost hunters will see the Orpheum Theater, South Memphis' old "Voodoo Fields," the John Alexander Austin House, and the notorious Ernestine & Hazel's. Can’t find time to go during Halloween season? No worries; we offer tours from February through November, so you can experience Halloween all year long! 
Picture

The Details: Located at the Agricenter, the Corn Maze and the Haunted Hayride are open Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 4-10pm, Saturday from 12-10pm and Sunday 12-8pm. The Haunted Hayride and the maze are haunted on Fridays and Saturdays starting at 7. For pricing check out their website.
Why We Love It: Why We Love It: If you love the anxiety of being lost with the added stress of a zombie jumping out of corn scaring the bejezus out of you, the Haunted Corn Maze is PERFECT! Not for the faint of heart, this is a sweaty palmed, heart pounding scarefest through and through! There’s an aerial shot of the maze on the website, so roll out your cartography skills to plan your way through.

The Details: This year The Memphis Zoo’s “Spooktacular” event is on October 18-20 and October 25-27 from 5:30 to 9:30. Tickets are $10 for members and $13 for nonmembers in advance. The prices go up $2 when you buy tickets the day of.

Why We Love It: It’s a family friendly event with crafts to entertain the little ones and haunted hayrides for the older, braver kids. And don’t miss the camel rides ($5) so you can tell all those hump day jokes we know you’ve been saving up!

The Details: Starting this Friday (October 11) and running through November 3, this comedy remakes Frankenstein into one hilarious show. Check out Theatre Memphis website for ticket information.

Why We Love It: A Mel Brook’s classic! “Walk this Way,” “Roll in zee Hay” and “Putting on the Ritz.” If you know what I’m talking about, Awesome! You know how amazing the play should be. If you have no idea what I’m talking about, then go see the play so that you can make inside jokes with other Mel Brooks lovers.





The Details: On November 2nd, the Brooks Museum celebrates the Mexican Day of the Dead holiday with this fiesta. Tickets are available through Oct. 31 for $45 / $40 for Brooks members. After Oct. 31, tickets are $55 / $50 for Brooks members. Dress is black and white to celebrate the occasion.

Why We Love It: The Brooks will have Catrinas, or opulently dressed skeleton figures based on José Luis Posada's icon of death. Sugar skull inspired face painting will be available for people wanting to go all out. There will also be dancing, food from your favorite Mexican restaurants and a tequila tasting. You’ve got to love an event that classes up the tequila shot!

The Details: The dates include: Friday, Oct 18, 2013 - Thursday, Oct 31, 2013, Friday 18th & 25th, Saturday 19th & 26th -dusk until midnight; Thursday Oct 31-dusk until 10:00pm. The address is Latimer Lakes Park, 5633 Tulane Road. Visit their Convention and Visitors Bureau’s website for more details.

Why We Love It: Sending a little suburbia love Horn Lake’s way! If you’ve been watching Sleepy Hollow, they’ve got their own headless horseman that haunts the “Spook Trail” at Fright Night. If you are no Ichabod Crane, there is a Disney Character Trail for you, I mean the kids. Because you’re not afraid of anything right? Right.


The Details: On Thursday, October 17, at 6:45 the South Main Association is offering a free showing Ghostbustersin the “Ghost Lot” between Earnestine & Hazel's and Sachë (rain location Memphis Farmer's Market Pavilion). After the movie, take a 1-hour ghost tour with Backbeat Tours for only $10. Tickets will be on sale at the Ghost Lot after the movie. 

Why We Love It: Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, and Rick Moranis, need I say more! This 1980s laugh riot will bring back memories of ectoplasm, proton packs, and Sumerian dog goddesses. Once the movie is over, come on our tour and give us your best Venkman, Eagon and Ray impressions. Bonus points if you make it through the entire tour without thinking of the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man