Travel Memphis, TN

Memphis is located in southwestern Tennessee on the Mississippi at the intersection of Interstates 40 and 55. There is no better destination to celebrate and explore the South’s; indeed America’s, musical heritage.

In 1909, W. C. Handy and his band moved to Memphis where they established their headquarters on the famous Beale Street and sparked the beginnings of what would later be called ‘the blues.’ With his 1912 publication of “Memphis Blues” Handy established Memphis as the true ‘birthplace of the blues’. So it’s fitting to begin our visit to Memphis on Beale Street. Located in the heart of downtown Memphis with three blocks of more than 30 nightclubs, restaurants and retail shops. Day and night, Beale Street is one of the must see streets in the country and a national historic landmark.

Within an easy walk from Beale Street, just around the corner from the famous Peabody Hotel, is the Memphis Music Hall of Fame located at 97 Second Street. You will find displays and artifacts that trace the development of over a century of Memphis blues, rock ’n roll, R&B, and soul music. The museum celebrates the diversity of Memphis Music. What would "Rock N' Roll" be without Sam Philips and his revolutionary Sun Records. Located at 706 Union Avenue, it is just off Beale and certainly worth a visit. Established in Memphis in 1952 Sun provided a non-critical, recording environment that invited creativity and vision. Philips hit paydirt in 1954 when Elvis Presley stopped in and joined Johnny Cash, the inimitable Jerry Lee Lewis, and Carl Perkins. Soon “Rockabilly” was born and Memphis again change the course of American music.

Since we're talking about Elvis, everyone knows that “The King” called Memphis home. And no visit is complete until you have toured Graceland. Here at Elvis’ southern mansion you can see the lifestyle that the King lived. Tour the mansion itself, board his custom jet, the ‘Lisa Marie’, and see his 1955 pink Cadillac in the Elvis Presley Automobile Museum.

In 1959 Stax Records, a name which is synonymous with Southern soul music, began as Satellite Records in Memphis. For over 15 years in the 1960s and 1970s Stax Records recorded and released song after song of the grooviest, most beautiful soul music in the world. The Stax Museum of American Soul Music, located at 926 East McLemore Avenue is a must visit. It's in a small neighborhood called Soulsville USA where, arguably, the greatest number of influential musicians in the world have lived or recorded. The list of Rock ’N Roll Hall of Famers who come from this neighborhood includes Maurice White (Earth, Wind, & Fire), Aretha Franklin, Elvis Presley (he went to church here!), Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, Booker T. & the MGs, Sam & Dave, Al Green, & the Staple Singers!

For a special treat get in touch with American Dream Safari. Cruise the town in a 1955 Cadillac and learn Memphis' musical heritage from an extraordinary, charming and well-educated tour guide.

There’s also a little river in Memphis called the Mississippi. The Memphis Queen Riverboats offers a variety of cruises on the Mississippi. From Sightseeing to Dinner Cruises, from Daylong trips to Private Charters, they have a cruise that will bring you to the river.

We've only scratch the surface of things to do and see in Memphis and know you’ll enjoy the visit.