🇺🇸 Travel Journal / Half-Day Solo Trip in Memphis

I flew into Memphis to rent a car 🚗 and drive to a conference in Mississippi State, but since I arrived a day early, I decided to explore Memphis a bit. I’ve always heard that Memphis has one of the highest crime rates in the U.S. 🚨, and I have to admit—I was a little nervous this time. Almost everyone I encountered (except people from my school) was Black, but honestly, everyone was really nice. The guy at the car rental counter was super friendly and greeted me warmly when I left. They gave me a little Corolla! First stop: the famous Bass Pro Shop Pyramid 🏹. Apparently, it’s the largest pyramid in the U.S.! They have these in Florida too—it’s an outdoor lover’s and angler’s paradise 🎣. The place is enormous and seriously impressive, both inside and out. It feels more like a museum than a store! There are koi ponds, all kinds of fish, and even two alligators 🐊! The product selection is huge—I saw a cooler I liked, but it was too expensive. Lots of fun stuff though, and the prices seemed pretty reasonable. After that, I headed to downtown Memphis. It was around 2 PM, so the streets were pretty empty 🌆. The sky was overcast, the streets felt a bit run-down, there was some litter, and the neon signs weren’t very bright. I was the only girl walking around—just a few White tourists and Black locals here and there. Someone was playing with a remote-control truck, which was kinda fun 🚚. The overall vibe was lonely and slightly deserted, though I bet it gets livelier at night. I’ll be honest—walking alone felt a little unsafe. Memphis streets are so quiet, barely any people or cars around. I originally wanted to walk 13 minutes to a famous rib place, but ended up driving because I was nervous. Thankfully, the ribs were totally worth it! 🍖 I went to Central BBQ - Downtown, and oh my—crispy on the outside, tender and juicy inside. A bit pricey, but so delicious. Overall, I’d say Memphis was a bit boring—there isn’t a ton to do, and as a solo traveler (especially a woman), it didn’t feel very safe. Seeing the famous Beale Street so quiet made me a little sad 😔, but I can imagine how fun it must be at night with music and crowds! #AmericanStudentLife #StudyAbroad #TravelTheWorld #Memphis #SoloTravel #USATravel #GirlSoloTrip 🌎✈️👩🦰