Texas A&M stares down West Virginia in this year’s Liberty Bowl (Dec. 29, 2 p.m. ET).

The blue-collar, soulful Memphis is home to world-class barbecue, the beloved Grizzlies and the Mississippi River.

Like many Southern locales, Bluff City has been making a slow, steady renaissance in the last few years, with a more diverse food scene and a younger, energetic vibe.

WHERE TO STAY

  • You’ll find most of the lodging options downtown. If you want an experience, try the famous Peabody Hotel. The four-star venue features live ducks that take the elevator from the roof to the lobby and back daily. Speaking of the roof, it features spectacular views of the Memphis skyline and occasionally food and live music. Keep in mind you’re a 15-minute drive from the stadium assuming no traffic.
  • As an alternative, stay at the Holiday Inn on the University of Memphis campus. There are plenty of food options along nearby Poplar Avenue and you’ll be located closer to the stadium.
  • You can also stay further South in a cluster of hotels surrounding Graceland, especially if you plan to do the Elvis thing.

RESTAURANT SUGGESTIONS

  • Barbecue has to come first. The famous chains include Rendezvous ($$), Central BBQ ($) and Corky’s ($), probably in that order. But if you want a more local flavor with all of the taste, minus the corporate feel and the crowd, take the bridge across the Mississippi River and eat at The Station BBQ ($) in West Memphis. The pork barbecue nachos will be the best you’ve ever tasted, and Ken’s Oreo Balls (hint: they’re fried) with some ice cream is one sin worth committing.
  • Kelly English is one of the most famous chefs in the Southeast. He recently opened up The Second Line ($$), a more casual, traditional Cajun-food sibling of next-door neighbor Restaurant Iris ($$$$), perhaps the most decorated restaurant in town. You can’t go wrong either way, and both are located in burgeoning Overton Square in Midtown.
  • Want to sleep in and grab a delicious brunch? Owen Brennan’s ($$$) will have you salivating with made-to-order omelets, waffles, fried catfish and much more, all part of a buffet backed by live jazz music.
  • Memphis Mojo Cafe ($) is a bit of a drive, depending on where you stay, but this quirky, small eatery offers the best sliders in town, including candied bacon. And you can top off your meal with “Elvis Dippers” — deep-fried Nutter Butter stuffed with sliced banana and served with banana cream.
  • Other recommendations: Houston’s ($$$$), Muddy’s Bake Shop ($$), Soul Fish Cafe ($$), Whimsy Cookie Company ($$).

THINGS TO DO

  • The Memphis Zoo is world-class, the pride of the city and one of the best in the United States outside of San Diego. If you have kids, this is the perfect spot.
  • Graceland. Take a tour of the Elvis Presley estate and check out all things related to the king of Rock ‘n’ Roll.
  • Memphis offers two solid options if you want to enjoy some fresh air. The Mud Island Riverwalk offers a perfect spot to take a stroll next to the Mississippi River, while Shelby Farms offers 4,500 acres of green space and many miles of trails.
  • The Memphis Grizzlies are home against the Houston Rockets (Dec. 26) and San Antonio Spurs (Dec. 30), offering two prime chances to watch the blue-collar, tough-guy team with the second-best record in the NBA.

BARS

  • Local ($$) is a long-beloved gastropub with an extensive selection of equally-good beverages and bar food. The Overton Square location just opened in 2014, and the downtown location has won awards for years. The atmosphere is energetic, but tame, with a wide range of young people and middle-aged professionals.
  • Do you have a more high-minded taste? Alchemy ($$) in Midtown offers plenty of acclaimed specialty cocktails and martinis.
  • The Wiseacre Taproom ($$) is for beer enthusiasts, and offers a spacious patio and soothing décor.
  • Fox & Hound ($) is the best sports bar in Memphis. It’s East of the university, but offers plenty of pool tables and lots of TVs.

GETTING TO THE STADIUM

Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium is located in a centralized area East of downtown and in the middle of the I-40/240 loop that surrounds the city. It’s located in a somewhat rougher part of town. See if your hotel offers shuttles to the stadium. If not, plan on driving and parking near the stadium. The Tiger Lane tailgating area, located in the center of the property, offers a spacious lawn, so get there early and secure a spot.