As a non-native Memphian, I constantly welcome family and friends to town. Even after two decades, we still haven’t run out of not-to-miss places in Memphis, especially since the city keeps making more! So my favorite way to plan a day is to pick an area in town and focus on two or three things in close proximity. This is an especially appealing strategy for holiday travelers who may already be road-weary, and it fills up the day without making a long-time commitment to any one activity. So as you welcome your own guests over the holidays, here are 11 multi-stop destinations that show off the spirit of Memphis.

Here’s a working list of places in Memphis that will be open on December 25, 2017. If you know of other spots, leave it in the comments and I’ll add it to the list!

The Attic, a women’s boutique in Overton Square, will close at the end of 2017 on an innovative note.

Owner Alexandra Scharff has dedicated the shop’s final month to boosting brand identity and sales for microenterprises that haven’t yet had access to physical space.

With only a few weeks until Christmas is here, that also means 2017 is nearing its conclusion. So, it’s time to start planning what you’re going to be doing this New Year’s Eve!

Say what you want about the kind of city Memphis is or isn’t for foodies who prefer originality to the chains and knockoffs that are so familiar a sight in suburbia. But let it be known that 2017 was another year of ascendancy for Memphis’ singular, distinctive food scene, with the constant arrival of new concepts and experiences that in turn also says something about the city that patronizes those establishments.

We know you’re already thinking about New Year’s Eve. Why not ring in the world’s partying-est holiday in Memphis? The city that rocks year ’round rocks hardest on New Year’s Eve, when landmarks, attractions and local-favorite bars invite everybody in for a party. Get a jumpstart on your planning by reading up on these annual traditions, then check back in December or follow us on Facebook for a full list of parties and admission info. 

It’s time to leave 2017 behind. If you had a good year, come party! If you had a bad year, come party harder! Here’s a list of Memphis New Year’s Eve 2018 parties, shows, and food to get you started. Click on each event for more details and how to attend, and if you have any additions, submit them here.

The Winkle family’s move to Memphis was an abrupt one made out of necessity, but the community they have found since arriving has helped to make a difficult transition a little easier to bear.

The Winkles were living in China, but were in the states to finalize the adoption of their youngest child when nine-year-old Micah began to complain of leg pain. When the pain continued to progress, he was taken to his doctor and an X-ray revealed a tumor.

We are almost to 2018! Here’s a running list of places open on New Year’s Day. Some of these might have special brunch, some might just be open like usual.

Call ahead if you have questions and make reservations whenever possible! (Really, do this.)