Lamar Ave, Memphis

Memphis is a strange city where you can be driving along in a perfectly safe part of town and then, all of a sudden, everything changes and you start fearing for your life. Lamar Ave is one of those places. There are some houses and business along the road, but nothing that you can't find a nicer, safer part of town. Also, most residents (and hotels for that matter) will tell you to avoid the area and find another way to get to where you are going.

We took a wrong turn one night and ended up on Lamar Avenue. Whatever you do, avoid this area, even in daylight. It looks like a bombed out Beirut. Scary. We were told at the hotel that this area was unsafe, and I believe it. It is really run down with a lot of unsavory types hanging around. I am from a city and am not easily intimidated, but I was really glad to get out of there.