Growing up in Memphis, I used to think everything here was normal and assumed Memphian qualities could be found in other cities as well. However, upon venturing outside of the 901, I have since realized that Memphis truly has much to offer that other places do not. We, as locals, often take these certain aspects of Memphis for granted and think of them as “normal”. However, what we see and do commonly as Memphians is a true luxury for tourists and outsiders.

For example, one classic item we assume is the “norm” is the magnificent barbecue us Memphians have at our disposal.  There’s the homey and urban Cozy Corner off of North Parkway along with the country-style Commissary in Germantown. Both are a staple for our community, and almost everything found on their menu is delicious comfort food. For those who have never left the community, it may come to a shock that these great restaurants are nowhere to be found anywhere else. Ask any Memphian and there is a good chance they will agree that our barbeque is amazing.

Simultaneously, great music is a principal quality for Memphians. There’s the obvious Graceland tourist destination devoted to the near-and-dear-to-our-hearts Elvis Presley along with the infamous Sun Studios where it all began for him. As for modern music, Beale Street is the center of downtown’s well-known Blues genre of music. It is often flooded with large crowds making their way to a bars or dance clubs, while sometimes hosting parades and musical acts for festivals. It is constantly buzzing with action and energy, which not all areas have to offer.

On the contrary, Memphis is also great for the silent and studious coffee-drinkers who choose not to go out. Numerous non-chain coffee shops can be found like Bluff City Coffee, Otherlands Coffee Bar, Republic Coffee, Square Beans, and the newly opened Muddy’s Grindhouse. These are stocked with delicious foods and great specialty drinks along with comfy chairs for just hanging out. These places truly capture the chill vibe of freelance writers and beanie-wearing coffee-lovers. The true coffee shop experience is something especially rare, and its presence is Memphis is something to be truly grateful for.

Among the noteworthy characteristics of Memphis are other things that make our community remarkably unique. Our zoo is among the top of the nation and is one of only thirteen zoos in the country that have pandas. Our well-reviewed Orpheum Theatre performs new shows all the time, including everything from famous Broadway musicals such as Wicked or The Lion King to symphony orchestras. The FedEx Forum is a fantastic venue that is available for hosting sold-out concerts and Memphis Grizzlies basketball games. There are so many more worth mentioning like Shelby Farms Park, which at 4,500 acres, the it is one of the largest urban parks in the country and is equipped with dozens of lakes for fishing and miles of trails through the woods. Museums are also not lacking for the Pink Palace Museum and the Brooks Museum of Art are excellent places to learn about history and admire artwork.

With all of these in mind, I hope we can realize the greatness our city has to offer and how there is still more to be discovered.