$100–150

The Gen X Inn (1177 Madison Ave., 901/692-9136, www.genxinnhotel.com [1], $105) straddles downtown and midtown Memphis [2]. Located about two miles from the city center along the Madison Avenue trolley line, Gen Xers can get downtown on the trolley in about 15 minutes with a little luck. The hotel, which has free parking, is also accessible to the city’s expansive medical center and the attractions around Overton Park [3].

The Gen X Inn opened in 2006 in a converted medical office building. Its rooms are standard hotel-style, enhanced with bright colors, flat-panel plasma TVs, and a general aura of youthfulness. The whole hotel is non-smoking, and guests enjoy a good continental breakfast and a special partnership with the downtown YMCA for gym use. This is a good choice for travelers who want to be near downtown but are on a budget, especially those with a car.