"The Mississippi River Blues Ride."

[cbartz]

www.stlouisblues.com

[cbartz]

http://stlouis.metromix.com/ is pretty good for events in St Louis

http://www.stlblues.net/ Just found this site with a quick google search.  Sorry I don't know of any particular blues music related points of interest in St Louis.

[FJR1300]

 

Maybe I spent to much time in the bad parts of town, but I never really cared for the area.  Might just be me, but Memphis seems to have a high crime rate based on the population.

[traveler]

My last experience with Memphis was in the late '90s, but if I stayed near downtown and Beale St., where there is an abundance of music and food/drink, I never felt uneasy. That's their tourist mecca and the leos are visible.

St.Louis is about the same, but stay away from East St.Louis.

[2Pokey]

Maybe I spent to much time in the bad parts of town, but I never really cared for the area.  Might just be me, but Memphis seems to have a high crime rate based on the population.

I also felt unsecure in Memphis. Not on Beale street or downtown, but south of town where I stayed. Maybe it was because of the fences and barbed wire that surrounded everthing including the motels. Or it could have been the 3 car alarms that went off, or the fight between what looked like a dozen people or the 12 year-old(?) girl that knocked on my door wanting to know if I wanted someone to "party" with. All at my motel, All in one night. Was it worth it. Ever had ribs at Rendevous or pulled pork at Corkys ? Oh Yeah its worth it.

[protondecay123]

I second the Blue Chicago suggestion. Went there many times for the year I lived in the area and they always had great music and good fun!

If you decide to do Beale Street in Memphis stay at the Holiday Inn across the street from the Peabody. You can see the ducks if inclined and it's a safe walk from Beale Street.

IMHO YMMV

[traveler]

Why not the Peabody? I always stayed there and really enjoyed it. Ducks be cool.

[2Pokey]

Why not the Peabody? I always stayed there and really enjoyed it. Ducks be cool.

Peabody lists rates starting at $200+ per night!! That is more than my entire lodging bill for my eight day trip.
But Ducks are cool.

[traveler]

I must have been getting the "frequent guest" rate.

It's been a few years, but I don't remember spending that much.

But then, I had money to spend back then.