The Memphis Oddities Tour
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I am proud to say I was born and raised in Memphis, TN – home of Elvis, the Blues, and the best BBQ on the planet. (Sorry St. Louis, Kansas, and North Carolina – but it’s true. And Texas, Y’all are beef. We ain’t including you in a pork discussion.)
While Memphis is legendary for Beale Street…
and Graceland…
I feel like some of Memphis’s greatest landmarks have gone largely unrecognized. In an attempt to right this grievous injustice, and shine a light on these unique Memphis road-side stops, I bring you:
The Memphis Oddities Tour
- Want a unique day date around Memphis?
- Looking for something other than the typical Memphis landmarks to show family when they are in town visiting?
- Needing new ideas for Memphis Photo Scavenger Hunts?
This blog post is for you – my Memphis loving friend!
This tour will start in East Memphis and winds through several Memphis neighborhoods, before heading into Midtown, and wraps up on the East Memphis border. In total, it should take 1-2 hours to do this entire tour.
If you do try this, I would love to know! Let me know in the comments, or tag me on your Instagram pictures! @tspoon77 or use hashtag #MemphisOdditiesTour
Memphis Oddity #1- The Statue of Liberation
We will kick this tour off in Southeast Memphis.
On the corner of Winchester and Kirby, you will find what is affectionately known around town as “The Lord’s Lady Liberty”. The Statue of Liberation stands on the corner, overlooking what used to be my grandparent’s Buffalo wing restaurant in the ’90s, so I have a sweet spot for this gal.
She looks down on you from seven stories up and weighs over six tons (that doesn’t include the base).
In her hand, a cross replaces the torch. Her other hand carries the Ten Commandments. Her gold crown has the word JEHOVAH across it, and she sheds a single tear. She is chained on her left foot to the Empty Tomb. When unveiled in 2006, this was originally supposed to be a prayer chapel but has since been closed.
She stands on a corner overlooking a blighted parking lot, a CVS, and a gas station. Not really a touristy area, if you know what I mean. But she is absolutely worth driving to the Southeast corner of Memphis/Shelby County to get a look at.
Memphis Oddity #2 –Hickory Hill Buddha
Head west down Winchester, towards Parkway village. There on the corner of Mendenhall and Dargen Ave (on Mendenhall between Cottonwood and Knight Arnold), you will find one of Memphis’s favorite lawn statues.
The Hickory Hill Buddha sits facing a private home and on a very busy street corner. If you want to try and grab a picture, it is best to park on Dargen Ave. It’s not very easy to get a picture of his face (as you can see), but he is over ten feet tall so seeing his smiling face won’t be a problem.
In an otherwise normal suburban neighborhood, he sits and watches the traffic pass by. I can’t help but wonder if the daily commuters see him and take a moment to let the road rage go? If so, Siddartha would be so proud.
Memphis Oddity #3 – Antique Mr. Peanut Roaster
Now we head down to Summer Avenue, which is also known as Hwy 70. This stretch of Hwy 70 really should be renamed “Food Heaven” because the variety and number of restaurants that are on Summer Ave, from one end in Midtown to the other end all the way out to Arlington, is mind-boggling.
Seriously, y’all. If you are in the Memphis Metro area and are hungry, go to Summer Ave. You won’t be hungry long.
Though it isn’t a restaurant, our strange thing numero tres is attached to an ice cream shop and it sells mixed nuts and candy, so it’s what I’m calling an honorary restaurant.
The Peanut Shoppe, located on Summer Ave, has been a Memphis landmark since 1959. You smell the fresh-roasted nuts as soon as you park your car. Inside the store they fresh roast peanuts, and other exotic nuts, several times a day. They also sell one of the largest selections of old-fashioned, and hard to find, candies in Memphis.
It’s basically Heaven. With Peanuts.
The antique Mr. Peanut is made of steel and spends his days turning the nuts as they roast. He’s mesmerizing to watch for children. It’s really a small miracle he still looks as great as he does for his age and that he works so well!
Also inside you will find the city’s oldest mechanical horse. Though he no longer works, you can still get a fun picture on him. Stop by and find you a candy you haven’t seen since you were a kid. My kids loved trying the new (to them) candies, and I was just happy to stand there and sniff.
It smells so dang good in there. Roasted peanuts have to be one of my top five favorite smells.
Like I said, Heaven.
With Peanuts.
Update: It appears that the Peanut Shoppe on Summer Ave is closed. However, there is another location on Main Street. Hopefully, these oddities have been relocated there, but if not do yourself a favor and go there anyway. The owner is lovely, and the customer service is top-notch!
Memphis Oddity #4 –Four Cardinal Directions Street Sign
Head further down Summer, into Midtown next. Here, at the corner of Sam Cooper and East Parkway, you will find a sign that seems to be as confused as the Scarecrow when he was giving Dorothy directions.
This quirky little street sign seems confused. Pointing to all four cardinal directions, and three different highways, I feel like this sign wins the surprise award today on the blog!
Drum roll, please…
Sign, you are officially the Most Memphis AF of all the Memphis Oddities on this list!
If you’ve never been to Memphis before – this picture basically tells you what you’re in for.
Memphis Oddity #5- Overton Square Wind Chime
At the heart of Midtown, we find Overton Square. This is one of the trendiest places in Midtown to eat, drink, and just hang out. With corn-hole courts that are open to the public in the back, free music on the stage most nights, and some of the best restaurants in town, Overton Square is the place to see and be seen.
Tucked between the corn hole court and one of the cutest agriculturally themed restaurants you will ever find, is one of the more unique nods to Memphis and its Egyptian ties.
The Overton Square wind chime was once upon a time a bell tower. Two local Memphis artists transformed it into this beautiful wind chime.
The wind sail is made to look like the Eye of Horus. Memphis was named after the former ancient Egyptian capital city. Around town, you will find plenty of Egyptian references. From a Ramses II statue outside of the University of Memphis:
to an entire pyramid on the river that is now home to the world’s largest Bass Pro Shop.
This wind chime is not only the prettiest ancient Egyptian nod, but it sounds the loveliest.
Memphis Oddity #6 – Cooper-Young Railway Trestle
Next, we’re going a few blocks down the road into one of Memphis’s most eclectic neighborhoods: Cooper-Young. Located on one of the most charming streets in the city is where you will find this next oddity.
The Cooper-Young Railway Trestle located on Central Avenue is over 100 years old. In 2000, a local Memphis artist transformed it to look like the exact houses along Central Avenue.
This is a really lovely addition to such a beautiful neighborhood. While you’re here, take a minute to enjoy some of Memphis’s classic architecture and neighborhoods. As the saying goes – Midtown is Memphis.
Memphis Oddity #7 – Pangaean Disc
The last and final oddity will take you out of Midtown, towards the East Memphis border. Take Union Extended down until it splits and becomes Walnut Grove. Go under the bridge there in the curve, and you will find what I think is the strangest thing on this tour.
Pull into the parking lot at the car mechanic next door, and take a stroll over to take a good look at this public sculpture.
Installed in 1992, Pangaean Disc is a sun-dial/ globe hybrid. And that all seems well and good until you look into the steel drum that’s attached to the bottom.
It’s there you find the melted babies.
Repeat: Melted. Babies.
I gotta say – Art, you got me there. I didn’t see that one coming.
Ten points to the Scavenger Hunt group that gets a picture of this with a REAL (non-melted) baby!
And, that’s a wrap! Good times, Memphis, good times.
UPDATES FOR 2020
Due to popular demand, I am updating this list to include a notable honorary.
Memphis Oddity Honorary Member #1- Memorial Park Cemetary/ Crystal Shrine Grotto
I will be the very first person to admit that my tastes can lean towards the morbid. But, do not let that fact deter you! If you make ONLY ONE visit to any place on this list, THIS SHOULD BE IT.
Memorial Park Cemetary is one of the most lovely places you will ever visit. Acres and acres of beautifully manicured lawns hide tons of hidden secrets. Aa full man-made cave depicting the stations of the cross (which shows the life of Jesus) is tucked right in the middle of the cemetery. It is one of the coolest places in the city. There are celebrities buried near the Grotto and if you drive around you’ll find a lover’s wishing-well and thrones, beautiful lakes, as well as other secret little gems are hidden around.
I hope you enjoyed letting me be your tour guide to some of Memphis’s more unique, and overlooked landmarks. I love my hometown, and even though I am blissed out living in Paradise, I can say for sure that Memphis will always be “home” to me.
Now, who do I need to speak with to get some Central BBQ Fed Ex’ed to me?
Have you ever visited Memphis? What was your most favorite tourist spot? Let’s discuss our common love of smoked pork in the comments, shall we?
Thanks so much for stopping by! I’d love it if you’d Pin me!! Maybe this will help?
Great list! Don’t forget the giant viking at Hillcrest High School, the vinyl record welcome sign coming into Tennessee from Mississippi on Hwy 51 (Elvis Presley Blvd), or the 25-Foot-Tall Statue of Ramesses II at the University of Memphis!
I was going to include Ramses II, but couldn’t find my picture of it. I totally forgot about the Hillcrest Viking and the record. Great additions! Thank you!
When I lived in Memphis, we always liked going to the cemetery that was located just west of I 240 on Poplar, don’t remember the name. I think it was Poplar, it had grottos with depictions of bible stories in them. The grotto were made of stone and cut glass I think and as a child I thought they were cool.
Thanks for the comment and for reading the blog! I actually have updated the post to include the Crystal Shrine Grotto. I can’t believe I forgot it the first time!🤦🏽♀️
Toni and Tommy, I loved the Memphis tour!!! I’m always looking for unique sightings in Memphis. I also love your travel blog. I’ve been to 4 continents and look forward to visiting all. Im going to be following you all. You are having so much FUN!!!
Hey, Sally! So good to see you! We have been having a blast traveling. COVID might have us on lockdown, but even then we’ve managed to get some sightseeing in. Hope you are doing well!