A- Overview:
Put on your blue suede shoes and drop on in. Whether it is the strains of the Blues calling to your ears, the smell of old fashioned Southern barbecue calling to your nose, or the myriad sights that catch your eye, there is something unique about the city of Memphis. Visitors are welcomed to this heritage-rich city located on the banks of the mighty Mississippi River with typical Southern hospitality. If you stay for a week or two, you may never want to go home.
If it’s music that you are interested in, you won’t find any place with a richer heritage. Birthplace of both rock ‘n roll and the blues, Memphis lays greater claim to shaping the music of the 20th century than any other city in the nation. Memphis is home to blues notables such as B.B. King and the late W.C. Handy, as well as rock ‘n roll pioneer Elvis Presley.
Visitors to Memphis can drop in and see the home of Handy, located on famous Beale Street. From his humble home, now a museum dedicated to his life and career, you can take a short walk through the entire Beale Street Historic District. Various restaurants and nightclubs mix a bit of the old and new, serving the latest in both international and local cuisines, while live musicians often play music reminiscent of the great masters of the Blues.
Whether you are a music buff or not, no visit to Memphis would be complete without a visit to Graceland, the home of the late Elvis Presley, otherwise known as “The King”. While it is filled with memorabilia from his career, Graceland also houses items from Elvis’ personal life, including his famous pink Cadillac and his personal jet.
If your trip to Memphis includes some of the smaller members of your family, perhaps entertainment that is a little more active might be in order. If that’s the case, don’t forget to check out such sites as Libertyland, the Memphis Zoo, and the Children’s Museum of Memphis. Visitors to Libertyland can take a roller coaster ride such as the Kamikaze, or less daring rides such as the Sea Dragon or Log Flume. The Memphis Zoo offers visitors the chance to see hundreds of species represented by several thousand animals, while the Children’s Museum is focused entirely at entertaining and educating young minds.
Memphis also offers visitors the chance to delve into its rich cultural heritage. One can take a ride down the Mississippi River on a beautifully restored paddlewheel riverboat, tour early 19th century homes, or explore one of several museums. Visitors can relax by taking a stroll through the beautiful Memphis Botanic Gardens, then learn a little about the history of our country in the National Civil Rights Museum.
After a day of being out on the town, browsing through museums, or taking in the picturesque countryside nearby, a visit to the Beale Street Historic District or the Overton Square Entertainment District is probably in order. Relax and enjoy an incredible meal and take in a live music or comedy performance, then browse through the amazing array of stores, shops, and boutiques present at both locations.
As you can see, the city of Memphis offers a little of something for everyone. Whether your interest is in family fun, cultural history, or simply sitting back and enjoying a fine meal and incredible music, this bustling metropolis located right on the banks of the Mississippi River has it all.
B- City Information:
Time Zone: Central Time Zone
State: Tennessee
Country: United States
Population: 1,072,678
Average Temperatures:
Hi Lo
January – March 51 29
April – June 77 58
July – September 87 78
October – December 73 52
Average annual rainfall: 48.6″
Average annual snowfall: 5.3″
Average relative humidity: 69%
Best Time to Visit:
Either mid-August or late December offer the most seasonal activities for visitors to participate in. Late summer provides visitors with the opportunity to partake in outside activities, while late December offers a variety of holiday events.
Transportation:
Taxi Coverage:
Three taxicab companies serve Memphis 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Cab fare from the airport to downtown averages $15, and the trip takes about 15 minutes.
Memphis Area Transit Authority:
Phone: 901-722-7100
An efficient public transportation system allows visitors to easily find their destinations. Rider-friendly buses follow a route that links attractions, restaurants, hotel rooms, parks, and colleges. The standard fare is $1, $.65 for students, and $.50 for seniors with identification cards. During the summer tourist season, MATA offers a special tourist pass with unlimited rides for one low price.
Trolley Service:
The downtown trolley system runs a 5-mile loop route down Main Street Mall and Riverside Drive from Auction Street near The Pyramid to Calhoun Street and the National Civil Rights Museum. The route connects downtown hotels, restaurants, attractions, and shops with the Memphis Cook Convention Center. Fares are $.50 each way with a special daily lunch hour rate of $.25 from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
C- Attractions/Things To Do:
Art Museum of the University of Memphis
3750 Norriswood, Communications & Fine Arts Bldg
Memphis, TN 38101
Phone: 901-678-2224
Located on the campus of the University of Memphis, this museum features a permanent collection of Egyptian antiquities. Also featured is the Neil Nokes West African Art Collection. The main gallery displays a variety of exhibits throughout the year. Visitors wishing to discover which exhibit is currently being featured should call ahead.
Beale Street Historic District
203 Beale St., Ste. 300
Memphis, TN 38103
For any visitor to Memphis with even a casual interest in music, specifically the Blues, a visit to the Beale Street Historic District is a must. Whether your interest is purely for entertainment purposes or if you want to immerse yourself in the history of Blues in the South, you will find plenty to do here. Music history buffs may want to explore the rich heritage of Beale Street, where W.C. Handy, B.B. King, Albert King, and Bobby “Blue” Bland all have left their mark. Visitors can spend time viewing the street’s “Walk of Fame”, strolling through historic Church Park, or taking a peek at the statue dedicated to W.C. Handy. The district also features a variety of shops and boutiques, where visitors can browse for memorabilia and souvenirs. If all of that activity leaves you hungry, never fear. The District also features numerous restaurants treating patrons to a wide variety of food. Those who truly seek to find the heart and soul of the District can find it later in the evening, when the musical spirit of the area shows it is still alive and well. Various nightclubs and frequent outdoor concerts feature music ranging from Rock ‘n Roll, Jazz, or R&B to the ever present favorite: Blues. Needless to say, there is entertainment here for every kind of palate, musical or otherwise.
Graceland
3734 Elvis Presley Blvd
Memphis TN 38116
Phone: 901-332-3322 or 800-238-2000
TDD: 901-344-3146
With a nickname like “The King”, you know Elvis Presley had to do things in style. Here at Elvis’ southern mansion you can take a tour and see the lifestyle that the King lived. Tour the mansion itself, board his custom jet, the “Lisa Marie”, and see the King’s 1955 pink Cadillac in the Elvis Presley Automobile Museum. Visitors can see the collection of Elvis’ gold records, which just happens to be the largest private collection in the world. Memorabilia from the King’s performing days are also on display, including jewelry and costumes. Graceland also offers extensive shopping and fabulous restaurants. The combination of food, fun, and history promises to make a visit to Graceland a uniquely entertaining experience.
Libertyland
940 Early Maxwell Blvd
Memphis, TN 38104
Phone: 901-274-1776
Looking for entertainment that’s a little on the lighter side? Here’s an attraction that is suitable for the whole family. Roller coaster enthusiasts can take a ride on the Kamikaze, the Revolution, or the Zippin Pippin. If you’re not quite that daring, maybe the Sea Dragon, the Double Water Slide, or the Log Flume is your speed. For the younger kids in the crowd, perhaps a carousel might be in order. Whichever way you take your thrills, more than twenty exciting rides are guaranteed to make a day at Libertyland fun for the whole family.
Memphis Botanic Garden
750 Cherry Road
Memphis, TN 38117-4699
Phone: 901-685-1566
Featuring almost one hundred acres of beautiful outdoor greenery, the Memphis Botanic Garden includes such highlights as the Herb, Rose, Daylily, Sculpture, Azalea, and Perennial Gardens, as well as the Japanese Garden of Tranquility. Also located here is the Goldsmith Civic Garden Center, featuring a porcelain collection, art exhibits, and horticultural shows. More detailed information on the myriad of greenery within the gardens can be found within the horticultural library.
Memphis Music Hall of Fame
97 S. 2nd St
Memphis, TN 38103
Phone: 901-525-4007
If a visit to the Beale Street Historic District doesn’t satisfy your craving for musical history, drop into one of the best-developed museums devoted solely to music history. You will find displays and artifacts from over a century of Memphis Music. Extensive exhibits on blues, rock ‘n roll, R&B, and soul are on display.
The Memphis Zoo
2000 Galloway
Memphis, TN 38112
Phone: 901-276-WILD
There are more species of animals here than even Tarzan could handle. Housing over four hundred species and almost three thousand animals, a trip to this century old zoo is not exactly a walk in the park. Visitors can expect to see exotic and endangered animals, as well as exhibits such as Cat Country, Primate Canyon, Madagascar, and the Dragon’s Lair. Visitors will also find a wide variety of concessions and children’s rides, as well as a gift shop featuring replicas of the zoo residents that might be a bit safer to take home than the real thing. Most folks don’t realize that they are most likely familiar with this zoo’s most famous former resident: Volney, otherwise known as the MGM lion.
Memphis Queen Riverboats
45 South Riverside Drive
Memphis, TN 38103
Phone: 901-527-5694 or 901-527-BOAT
Take a sightseeing cruise on the Mississippi River the way it used to be done: via paddle wheeler. Trips include hour-long sightseeing tours or daylong tours. If you want something different, take a dinner cruise and see the sights and sample some delightful Southern cuisine at the same time. On weekends, the entertainment doubles, with moonlight cruises accompanied by live local bands.
Mud Island
125 N. Front St
Memphis TN 38103
Phone: 901-576-7241 or 800-507-6507
This 52-acre park includes Mississippi River Museum, a 5,000 seat amphitheater, and Tennessee’s largest swimming pool. The River Walk area is a scaled model of the Mississippi from its upper reaches all the way to the Mississippi Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. Visitors reach the park via monorail, leaving plenty of energy for browsing through the many shops or sampling the offerings of the various restaurants.
National Civil Rights Museum
450 Mulberry Street
Memphis, TN, 38103
Phone: 901-521-9699
Once the Lorraine Motel, the National Civil Rights Museum is located at the site where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in 1968. The Museum is the first museum of its type, dedicated solely to the American Civil Rights Movement. Various interactive exhibits and displays trace the history of the civil rights movement and its leaders and proponents, including Rosa Parks and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. himself.
The Pyramid
1 Auction Ave
Memphis, TN 38105
Phone: 901-521-9675
Standing 32 stories tall, this pyramid has the distinction of being the third largest pyramid in the world. Located on the banks of the Mississippi River, the base of the pyramid would cover six football fields. This amazing structure contains a sports and entertainment complex. Visitors can take a daily tour, partake of catered lunches, or arrange for private parties.
Celebration Station
5970 Macon Cove
Memphis, TN 38134
Phone: 901-377-6700
Located just off I-40, this may be Memphis’ number one entertainment center for family fun. With miniature golf, bumper boats, and over a hundred of the latest arcade games, there is no limit to the fun available for the whole family.
Union Planter’s IMAX Theater
3050 Central Ave
Memphis, TN 38111
Phone: 901-763-IMAX
Located within the Memphis Pink Palace Museum & Planetarium, the Union Planter’s Imax Theater is a facility all in itself. Featuring entertaining and educational movies that change every few months, the giant screens will serve as windows to entirely new worlds.
Memphis Pink Palace Museum & Planetarium
3050 Central Ave
Memphis, TN 38111
Phone: 901-320-6320
Originally built in 1923 for Clarence Saunders, founder of the Piggly Wiggly chain of grocery stores, the museum was reopened in 1996. The museum features exhibits on both cultural and natural history, a 165-seat planetarium featuring astronomy programs and laser light shows, and the Union Planters Imax Theater. Some of the permanent exhibits include the hand-carved Clyde Park Miniature Circus, dinosaur fossils, and a mineral collection. Visitors can view an array of Civil War memorabilia and artifacts, a museum on medical history, and a replica of the original Piggly Wiggly. Other exhibits change periodically throughout the year, as do the astronomy programs. Each August, visitors can view the special laser light show dedicated to Elvis.
Memphis Main Street Trolley
547 North Main Street
Memphis, TN 38105
Phone: 901-274-6282
For a small fee, visitors can enjoy a nostalgic ride aboard the Memphis Main Street Trolley. Serving as transportation to such downtown attractions as Beale Street, the National Civil Rights Museum, The Pyramid, and the Orpheum Theatre, these beautiful antique trolleys will let you ride the streets of Memphis in style.
Memphis Belle Pavilion
125 North Front Street
Memphis, TN 38103
Phone: 901-576-7241
Perhaps the most famous WWII airplane, the Memphis Belle was the first U.S. bomber to complete 25 missions against Nazi targets without suffering a casualty. Its fame has led it to be the subject of a 1943 documentary, as well as a more recent feature film sharing its name. Restored to perfect condition, the Belle can be found within a pavilion on Mud Island.
W.C. Handy House Museum
352 Beale Street
Memphis, TN 38103-3106
Phone: 901-522-1556
It is quite fitting that the home of the “Father of the Blues”, W.C. Handy, is on famous Beale Street. This well preserved small wood-frame house features displays of memorabilia and artifacts from the life and career of Handy. The humble turn of the century dwelling in which he lived and began his career serves to accentuate his successes in later years. Visitors can view the home or take a guided tour that includes other portions of historic Beale Street.
Overton Square Entertainment District
Madison and Cooper Streets
Phone: 901-272-1495
Located directly in the heart of Memphis and encompassing almost two full city blocks, this entertainment center features live music comedy shows as well as dancing and theater opportunities. Visitors to the area can find a variety of restaurants and nightclubs, as well as a variety of unique boutiques.
Hunt-Phelan Home
533 Beale Street
Memphis, TN 38103
Phone: 901-344-3166
TDD: 901-344-3146
Fully restored, this beautiful 160 year-old home has been in the same family for its entire existence. Visitors can take an audio tour that details the history of the home. The home is a perfect stop for antique lovers, since the family’s original antique furniture remains within the home.
D- Family Fun Attractions:
Graceland
3734 Elvis Presley Blvd
Memphis TN 38116
Phone: 901-332-3322 or 800-238-2000
TDD: 901-344-3146
With a nickname like “The King”, you know Elvis Presley had to do things in style. Here at Elvis’ southern mansion you can take a tour and see the lifestyle that the King lived. Tour the mansion itself, board his custom jet, the “Lisa Marie”, and see the King’s 1955 pink Cadillac in the Elvis Presley Automobile Museum. Visitors can see the collection of Elvis’ gold records, which just so happens to be the largest private collection in the world. Memorabilia from the King’s performing days are also on display, including jewelry and costumes. Graceland also offers extensive shopping and fabulous restaurants. The combination of food, fun, and history promises to make a visit to Graceland a uniquely entertaining experience.
Libertyland
940 Early Maxwell Blvd
Memphis, TN 38104
Phone: 901-274-1776
Looking for entertainment that’s a little on the lighter side? Here’s an attraction that is suitable for the whole family. Roller coaster enthusiasts can take a ride on the Kamikaze, the Revolution, or the Zippin Pippin. If you’re not quite that daring, maybe the Sea Dragon, the Double Water Slide, or the Log Flume is your speed. For the younger kids in the crowd, perhaps a carousel might be in order. Whichever way you take your thrills, more than twenty exciting rides are guaranteed to make a day at Libertyland fun for the whole family.
Memphis Music Hall of Fame
97 S. 2nd St
Memphis, TN 38103
Phone: 901-525-4007
If a visit to the Beale Street Historic District doesn’t satisfy your craving for musical history, drop into one of the best-developed museums devoted solely to music history. You will find displays and artifacts from over a century of Memphis Music. Extensive exhibits on blues, rock ‘n roll, R&B, and soul are on display.
The Memphis Zoo
2000 Galloway
Memphis, TN 38112
Phone: 901-276-WILD
There are more species of animals here than even Tarzan could handle. Housing over four hundred species and almost three thousand animals, a trip to this century old zoo is not exactly a walk in the park. Visitors can expect to see exotic and endangered animals, as well as exhibits such as Cat Country, Primate Canyon, Madagascar, and the Dragon’s Lair. Visitors will also find a wide variety of concessions and children’s rides, as well as a gift shop featuring replicas of the zoo residents that might be a bit safer to take home than the real thing. Most folks don’t realize that they are most likely familiar with this zoo’s most famous former resident: Volney, otherwise known as the MGM lion.
Memphis Queen Riverboats
45 South Riverside Drive
Memphis, TN 38103
Phone: 901-527-5694 or 901-527-BOAT
Take a sightseeing cruise on the Mississippi River the way it used to be done: via paddle wheeler. Trips include hour-long sightseeing tours or daylong tours. If you want something different, take a dinner cruise and see the sights and sample some delightful Southern cuisine at the same time. On weekends, the entertainment doubles, with moonlight cruises accompanied by live local bands.
Mud Island
125 N. Front St
Memphis TN 38103
Phone: 901-576-7241 or 800-507-6507
This 52-acre park includes Mississippi River Museum, a 5,000 seat amphitheater, and Tennessee’s largest swimming pool. The River Walk area is a scaled model of the Mississippi from its upper reaches all the way to the Mississippi Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. Visitors reach the park via monorail, leaving plenty of energy for browsing through the many shops or sampling the offerings of the various restaurants.
The Children’s Museum of Memphis
2525 Central Ave., TN 38104
Phone: 901-458-2678
Aimed at pleasing and entertaining the smaller museum-goers in the family, this museum is sized for kids. Within a kid-sized city, visitors will find a variety of interactive exhibits and programs. Take a shopping trip through a miniature grocery store or take a try at being a dentist by practicing on a puppet. With new exhibits every few months, this ever-changing museum is sure to keep the smaller family members happy.
The Pyramid
1 Auction Ave
Memphis, TN 38105
Phone: 901-521-9675
Standing 32 stories tall, this pyramid has the distinction of being the third largest pyramid in the world. Located on the banks of the Mississippi River, the base of the pyramid would cover six football fields. This amazing structure contains a sports and entertainment complex. Visitors can take a daily tour, partake of catered lunches, or arrange for private parties.
Celebration Station
5970 Macon Cove
Memphis, TN 38134
Phone: 901-377-6700
Located just off I-40, this may be Memphis’ number one entertainment center for family fun. With miniature golf, bumper boats, and over a hundred of the latest arcade games, there is no limit to the fun available for the whole family.
Union Planter’s IMAX Theater
3050 Central Ave
Memphis, TN 38111
Phone: 901-763-IMAX
Located within the Memphis Pink Palace Museum & Planetarium, the Union Planter’s Imax Theater is a facility all in itself. Featuring entertaining and educational movies that change every few months, the giant screens will serve as windows to entirely new worlds.
Memphis Pink Palace Museum & Planetarium
3050 Central Ave
Memphis, TN 38111
Phone: 901-320-6320
Originally built in 1923 for Clarence Saunders, founder of the Piggly Wiggly chain of grocery stores, the museum was reopened in 1996. The museum features exhibits on both cultural and natural history, a 165-seat planetarium featuring astronomy programs and laser light shows, and the Union Planters Imax Theater. Some of the permanent exhibits include the hand-carved Clyde Park Miniature Circus, dinosaur fossils, and a mineral collection. Visitors can view an array of Civil War memorabilia and artifacts, a museum on medical history, and a replica of the original Piggly Wiggly. Other exhibits change periodically throughout the year, as do the astronomy programs. Each August, visitors can view the special laser light show dedicated to Elvis.
Memphis Main Street Trolley
547 North Main Street
Memphis, TN 38105
Phone: 901-274-6282
For a small fee, visitors can enjoy a nostalgic ride aboard the Memphis Main Street Trolley. Serving as transportation to such downtown attractions as Beale Street, the National Civil Rights Museum, The Pyramid, and the Orpheum Theatre, these beautiful antique trolleys will let you ride the streets of Memphis in style.
E- Events & Entertainment:
Elvis Tribute Week
August 10-16
A city wide, weeklong celebration of the music and life of Elvis Presley. Graceland hosts special events during this time, including the highlight, the Candlelight Vigil on August 15.
Arts in the Park
October 20-22
A three-day fine arts festival featuring more than 800 visual and performing artists in the Memphis Botanic Garden. Includes continuous music, dance and theatre and the artist market with 150+ national artists
Christmas at Graceland
November 24-January 8
Beale Street New Year’s Eve Celebration
December 31
Everything that you might imagine Beale Street would be during the rest of the year culminates on New Year’s Eve. Every restaurant on Beale Street brings forth its best, accompanied by live music of all types and varieties. Definitely a celebration to be present for.
Liberty Bowl Football Classic
December
One of Football’s most tradition-rich Bowl games, which matches the champion of the Conference USA with the champion from the Mountain West Conference. The preceding week is filled with many activities.
Memphis Motorsports Park
901-358-7223
Located ten minutes from downtown Memphis, multipurpose motorsports complex featuring drag racing, road racing, and oval track competition. Special events include the NHRA Pennzoil Nationals in October.