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Memphis, Tennessee — Sightseeing and Attractions

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Beale Street in Memphis
Beale Street in Memphis

Sightseeing and activities in Memphis

Beale Street

Beale Street—The historic “Home of the Blues” is a must for all tourists interested in experiencing the rich musical heritage for which Memphis has long been known.

Located in the heart of downtown Memphis with three blocks of more than 30 nightclubs, restaurants and retail shops. Music includes traditional Blues, Rhythm and Blues, Jazz and Rock ‘n’ Roll. Catch a concert at Handy Park or attend one of the annual festivals or parades.

One of America’s most famous musical streets once the musical home of W.C. Handy, “ Father of the blues;” Furry Lewis; B.B. King; Albert king and Bobby “ Blue Bland; and others, continues its musical tradition enhanced by a fascinating collection of nightclubs, shops, restaurants, boutiques, and other special events.

Beale Street in Memphis
Beale Street in Memphis
Beale Street in Memphis
Beale Street in Memphis

Gibson Beale Street Showcase

Memphis has its very own Gibson Guitar factory located right next door to Beale Street in downtown Memphis.
The facility is an active manufacturing plant of Gibson’s world famous guitars, such as B.B.King’s ‘Lucille’, and accommodates docent-led tours.
Plus, the Gibson Memphis features an extensive collection of rare an exciting tours. Plus, the Gibson Memphis features an extensive collection of rare an exciting musical instruments, records, music art and memorabilia.

Graceland, Home of Elvis Presley

Graceland, Memphis
Graceland, Memphis
Graceland, Memphis
Graceland, Memphis
Graceland, Memphis: Lisa Marie was Elvis' plane
Graceland, Memphis: Lisa Marie was Elvis’ plane
Elvis Grave in Graceland, Memphis
Elvis Grave in Graceland, Memphis
Graceland in Memphis
Graceland in Memphis
Elvis Week at Graceland, Memphis, Tennessee
Elvis Week at Graceland, Memphis, Tennessee

See also our article: Elvis Presley — a brief biography

Approximately 10 miles south of Memphis sits atop a hill Elvis Presley’s Graceland at the 3764 Elvis Presley Boulevard.

Just outside the ticket office is a shuttle to take guests across Elvis Presley Boulevard to enter Elvis’ 14-acre estate. With the new digital audio guide featuring the voices of Lisa Marie and Elvis, guests enjoy a specially produced audio tour presentation and even more information on specific exhibits and items of interest.
The mansion tour consists of the living room, music room, Elvis’ parents’ bedroom, the dining room, kitchen, TV room, pool room, and “jungle” den in the main house, and, behind the house, Elvis’ racquetball building and his original business office. Recently opened was a section of the mansion that was previously closed to the public.
The tour now includes never-before-seen items like the desk from Elvis’ personal office and an extensive collection of his stage costumes.
The highlight of the mansion tour is Elvis’ trophy building, which houses his enormous collection of gold records and awards, along with an extensive display of career mementos, stage costumes, jewelry, photographs, and much more.
The tour ends with a quiet visit to the Meditation Garden, where Elvis and members of his family have been laid to rest.

Website: www.graceland.com

National Civil Rights Museum

Civil Rights Museum in Memphis
Civil Rights Museum in Memphis
Civil Rights Museum in Memphis
Civil Rights Museum in Memphis

The nation’s first museum dedicated to documenting the complete history of the American civil rights movement.

Constructed on the site of the Lorraine Motel, where civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther king jr., was assassinated, the center features an interpretive education center, audiovisual displays, interactive exhibits, and civil rights memorabilia.

Lorraine Motel, Memphis, Tennessee
Lorraine Motel, Memphis, Tennessee
Lorraine Motel, Memphis, Tennessee
Lorraine Motel, Memphis, Tennessee
Lorraine Motel, Memphis, Tennessee
Lorraine Motel, Memphis, Tennessee

The museum completed a $10 million expansion, involving the renovation of the Young Morrow Building where the fatal shot was fired. Exploring the Legacy showcases the ongoing contributions and success of the civil rights movement following the assassination.
Another great enhancement is its entrance on Main street making the museum visible from the Main St. Trolley Line.
Other additions include a perk-like walkway and exhibit featuring evidence from the State of Tennessee vs. ray investigation.

Website: www.civilrightsmuseum.org

 

The Stax Museum of American Soul Music

Stax Museum, Memphis
Stax Museum, Memphis

The Stax Museum of American Soul Music, located at the original site of the legendary Stax Records in the heart of Soulsville USA in Memphis, Tennessee, welcomes you to all things Stax.
This 17,000-square-foot facility with more than 2,000 cultural artifacts, music exhibits, video footage, and items of memorabilia is designed to preserve and promote the legacy of American soul music, particularly that of Stax Records.
With permanent Soul Music exhibits, like Soul Train, to changing exhibits, like Wattstax and Blaxploitation, the mission of the Stax Museum is to keep the memory of Stax soul music legends alive forever.

And because it is the only soul music museum in the world, you’ll also find programs, special events, concerts, exhibits and memorabilia dedicated to other soul music artists and labels, including that of Muscle Shoals, Motown, Atlantic, and Hi Records.

Website: www.staxmuseum.com

Sun Studio

Sun Studio, Memphis
Sun Studio, Memphis

Take a look at the roots of Rock’n’Roll in this tiny, unassuming space that is the birthplace of the genre. The first Rock record, “Rocket 88,” was recorded here as well as hits by superstars including Elvis, B.B. King, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, Muddy Waters, and Roy Orbison.
Address: Sun Studio, 706 Union Avenue, Memphis

Website: www.sunstudio.com

Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum

Rock'n Soul Museum, Memphis
Rock’n Soul Museum, Memphis

The Stax Museum of American Soul Music, located at the original site of the legendary Stax Records in the heart of Soulsville USA in Memphis, Tennessee, welcomes you to all things Stax.
This 17,000-square-foot facility with more than 2,000 cultural artifacts, music exhibits, video footage, and items of memorabilia is designed to preserve and promote the legacy of American soul music, particularly that of Stax Records.
Motown, Atlantic, and Hi Records.
With permanent Soul Music exhibits, like Soul Train, to changing exhibits, like Wattstax and Blaxploitation, the mission of the Stax Museum is to keep the memory of Stax soul music legends alive forever.

And because it is the only soul music museum in the world, you’ll also find programs, special events, concerts, exhibits and memorabilia dedicated to other soul music artists and labels, including that of Muscle Shoals.

Website: www.memphisrocknsoul.org

W.C. Handy House Museum

Recapture the flavor of ‘Old Beale Street’ at the home of the Father of the Blues, a small wood-frame house displaying artifacts and memoribilia.
This small shotgun house at 352 Beale Street is Memphis’s W.C. Handy house. Originally located at 659 Jennette Place, this house was Handy’s home when he wrote such classics as “Yellow Dog Blues” and “Beale Street Blues.”
Handy raised six children in this shotgun house before moving to New York. The house is open to the public. The house is now headquarters of the Blues Foundation.
W.C. Handy Performing Arts Park
Located in the heart of the Beale Street Historic District, Handy Park is a favorite spot for outdoor entertainment, festivals, and spontaneous jam session by local talent.
A statue in honor of W.C. Handy overlooks the street from the park. The park also features a Beale Street Visitor Center and gift shop.

Website: www.wchandymemphis.org

The Pink Palace Museum

Pink Palace, Memphis
Pink Palace, Memphis

The recently expanded and remodeled Pink Palace Museum is one of the largest facilities of its kind in the Southeast. You can walk through a replica of the first self-service grocery store in the country, Clarence Saunders’ Piggly Wiggly.
Explore the cultural and natural history of the Mid-South through exciting exhibits, dioramas and audio-visuals.
Trace Memphis’ development from the time of Spanish explorers through the Civil War and the yellow fever epidemics. Learn from the award-winning medical exhibit how health care grew to be Memphis’ largest industry.
The Pink Palace Mansion
Headquarters for the Pink Palace Family of Museums, the Pink Palace was originally designed to be the dream home of wealthy entrepreneur Clarence Saunders. The museum derives its name from the mansion’s ornate pink Georgian marble façade. Saunders, an entrepreneur and founder of Piggly Wiggly, began building the house in the early 1920’s, but due to a legal dispute with the New York Exchange, he had to declare bankruptcy and the unfinished building was eventually given to the city in the late 1920s for use as a museum.

Website: www.memphismuseums.org

More about Memphis:

Memphis, Tennessee, USA — Travel Guide and Tips

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