Being a born + raised Memphian, a fun off day in the winter means finding comfort food with a twist while also spending the day doing a little shopping and supporting local businesses. With so many new developments happening in our Midtown and Downtown areas, you can’t go wrong spending a day hopping in between those two neighborhoods.

Find yourself day tripping to Memphis on a cold Winter’s day? Here are a few places to consider on your trip:

Start your day off with a warm latte from Broad Avenue’s City + State Coffee Shop (2625 Broad Avenue).  A craft coffee house with a focus on quality roasts and specialty drinks, the seasonal Love Struck Latte (with chocolate, cinnamon, and a hint of cayenne) has a sweet + spicy flavor that will warm your soul.

In addition to the café area, they also have a curated shop that carries home goods, men’s + women’s apparel and other accessories from indie brands like Paper & Clay, Peg & Awl, imogene + willie, Prospector Co, and Herbivore Botanicals.

After you’ve had your coffee fix, head down to Burke’s Bookstore (936 S. Cooper Street). They carry new releases, old tombs and rare finds with comfy seating throughout the store, so you can take a moment to skim through the classics while you figure out what’s for lunch.

There are so many options for lunch in midtown. You can head to Aldo’s Pizzeria (752 S. Cooper Street) for the best New York style slices, or shimmy on down to Overton Square and select from places like Babalu’s, Bosco’s, Local Gastro Pub, or Golden India.

After lunch, grab a sweet treat or gourmet popcorn from Sweet Noshing before stopping by Crazy Beautiful, The Attic, or The Square Olive for a little shopping.

If you find yourself in Overton Square at night, head over to Schweinehaus for one of their weekly trivia nights.

If Overton Square isn’t your thing, pop on down to the historic Peabody Hotel (149 Union Avenue) to relax in the lobby’s piano bar, or head upstairs to Chef Derek Smith’s Capriccio Grill to nosh on their yummy Fried Green Tomatoes or Crawfish + 3 Cheese Macaroni.

If you’re there around 5pm, stay and watch the March of the Ducks!

Ready for a cocktail? Stroll down S. Main Street to local gastro pup South of Beale (361 S. Main Street) for a delicious blood orange “sazerac” (bulleit rye, solerno blood orange liqueur, orange bitter) + fried chicken + waffle sliders (bourbon glazed chicken, sweet potato waffles, brown sugar syrup) while you watch the Memphis Grizzlies dominate the competition.

When you’re done, swing by Stock & Belle (387 S. Main Street) to check out some local artwork, home décor and clothing, and finally pick up a cheese box and other goodies inside 387Pantry, their boutique grocery store.

Filled with food, art, and musical happenings, there’s never a dull day in Memphis.

When you brave the cold (brrr!) what do you like to do in your city when it’s cold?

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