Travel and Explore Memphis, TN!

Memphis, TN Despite its development Memphis has retained the slow unhurried approach to life characteristic of the South. The people of the Memphis always greet with a smile and an attitude to warm the soul on a cold day. In 1977 Congress honored the musical heritage of Memphis by declaring the city home "Home of the Blues." The distinct Southern flavor and history of Memphis are embodied in the blues. At the beginning of the 20th century music legend W.C. Handy developed this American art form in Pee Wee's saloon on gaudy Beale Street. "Memphis Blues" the first blues ever published along with "St. Louis Blues" earned Handy the title of "father of the blues." You can capture the flavor of "Old Beale Street" at the W.C. Handy House Museum, A small wood frame house displaying artifacts and memorabilia which give insight into Handy's life and music. Memphis is better known as the home of "the king of rock and roll Elvis Presley." Graceland Mansion takes you back in time to see how Elvis lived in the in the home he loved so much. You can have a tour to see the cool elegance of the all white living room to the play décor of his famous jungle room. Then you see the trophy building which houses his enormous collection of gold records and awards along with an extensive display of personal momentous, stage costumes, jewelry, and photographs. The tour ends with a quiet visit to the Meditation Garden where Elvis and member of his family have been laid to rest. Besides Elvis home there are a lot of other interesting area that make Memphis a city rich in tradition. The confederate Park on Front Street at Madison Ave. preserves the ramparts use in defense against Federal gunboats in 1862. Mudd Island park contains a five-story River center that contains the Mississippi river museum that has eighteen galleries are reproduction of 1870 steamboat, diesel towboat, Hall of River Music, American Indian artifacts and models of boat, bridges, and levees. The WWII bomber Memphis Belle is located at the park. Memphis is home for another King, Martin Luther King that tragically was shot on April 4, 1968 that cast a shadow on the city that is slow to fade away. Don't forget to take a cruise on the Mississippi River on a steamboat for sightseeing or dinner.  Center for Southern Folklore  209 Beale St.  Memphis  Tennessee  (901) 525-3655  The center provides you a "Southern experience" by books, films, and tours.  Children's Museum of Memphis, The  2525 Central Ave.  Memphis  Tennessee  (901) 458-2678  The museum provides children to explore a cityscape with hands-on exhibits.  Chucalissa Archaeological Museum  Mitchell Rd.  Memphis  Tennessee  (901) 785-3160  The museum offers exhibits and references of an Indian settlement founded about 1000 A.D.  Confederate Park  Front St. and Madison Ave.  Memphis  Tennessee    The park contains the ramparts used to defend against Federal gunboats in 1862.  Coors Brewery Tours  5151 E. Raines Rd.  Memphis  Tennessee  (901) 375-2100  The tour begins at the Coors Belle Hospitality Center where they describe the beer-making process.  Danny Thomas Alsac Pavilion, The  332 N. Lauderdale  Memphis  Tennessee  (901) 495-3327  This pavilion is dedicated to the hospital's founder Danny Thomas and ALSAC.  Dixon Gallery and Gardens  4339 Park Ave.  Memphis  Tennessee  (901) 761-2409  The art gallery displays various artworks and is surrounded by azaleas and dogwoods in its gardens.  Forrest Park  bound by Union Ave., Manassas St., Madison Ave., and Dunlap St.  Memphis  Tennessee    The park has a memorial dedicated to Gen. Nathan B. Forrest, a resident of Memphis and Confederate hero.  Graceland  3765 Elvis Presley Blvd.  Memphis  Tennessee  (901)332-3322 or (800)238-2000  The mansion gives you a one and half hour audio tour of Elvis Presley's mansion.  Hunt-Phelan Home  533 Beale St.  Memphis  Tennessee  (901)344-3166 or (800)350-9009  This restored Federal-style house was built from 1828 to 1832 belonging to wealthy Southern family.  Libertyland  E. Parkway  Memphis  Tennessee  (901) 274-1776  This amusement park provides the usual rides including a 1909 Dentzel carrousel.  Lichterman Nature Center  1680 Lynnfield Rd.  Memphis  Tennessee  (901) 767-7322  The center is on 65 acres of wildlife sanctuary and allowing you to view its grounds.  Magevney House  198 Adams Ave.  Memphis  Tennessee  (901) 526-4464  This is one of the oldest buildings in Memphis and was built in 1836, belonging to pioneer schoolmaster Eugene Magevney.  Mallory-Neely House  652 Adams Ave.  Memphis  Tennessee  (901)523-1484  This 1852 Italian villa contains most of its original furnishings in its three stories.  Memphis Botanical Garden and Goldsmith Civic Garden Center  750 Cherry Rd.  Memphis  Tennessee  (901) 685-1566  The gardens include irises, roses, wildflowers, and magnolias, along with some scenery.  Memphis Brooks Museum of Art  Poplar Ave.  Memphis  Tennessee  (901)722-3500 or 722-3515  The art museum contains over 7,000 works of art and houses a collection of Western art in the mid-South.  Memphis College of Art  1930 Poplar  Memphis  Tennessee  (901) 726-4085  The college displays changing works of art from students, children, faculty, and professionals.  Memphis Memorial Park  5665 Poplar Ave.  Memphis  Tennessee  (901) 767-8930  The park contains the Crystal Shrine Grotto in a suburban cemetery.  Memphis Pink Palace Museum  3050 Central Ave.  Memphis  Tennessee  (901)320-6320  The museum contains regional natural and cultural history.  Memphis Police Museum  159 Beale St.  Memphis  Tennessee  (901) 525-9800  The museum is in a working police station and contains some of the things associated with the police.  Memphis Zoo  2000 Galloway  Memphis  Tennessee  (901) 276-9453  The zoo houses over 2,800 animals respresenting about 400 species.  Mud Island    Memphis  Tennessee  (901) 576-7241  This 52-acre island is a river park featuring many thing about the history of the Mississippi River and its people.  National Civil Rights Museum, The  450 Mulberry St.  Memphis  Tennessee  (901) 521-9699  The museum shows exhibits of key events of civil rights movements of the 1950s and 60s.  National Ornamental Metal Museum  Meal Museum Dr.  Memphis  Tennessee  (901) 774-6380  The museum is dedicated to the preservation of fine metalwork.  Pyramid, The  1 Auction Ave.  Memphis  Tennessee  (901) 521-9675  This 32-story steel structure houses sports and entertainment events.  Sightseeing and Dinner Cruises Aboard the Memphis Queen Line  Monroe Ave.  Memphis  Tennessee  (901) 527-5694  The cruises offer sightseeing and dinner cruises.  Sincerely Elvis    Memphis  Tennessee    This small museum holds some of Elvis's personal items.  Sun Studio  706 Union Ave.  Memphis  Tennessee  (901) 521-0664  This recording facility is where many important music legends started their recording careers.  University of Memphis Art Museum, The  Norriswood Ave.  Memphis  Tennessee  (901) 678-2224  The museum specializes in Egyptian and West African art.  Wild Water and Wheels  6880 Whitten Bend Cove  Memphis  Tennessee  (901) 382-9283  The water park contains most of the usual water rides for you to enjoy.  Woodruff-Fontaine House  680 Adams Ave.  Memphis  Tennessee  (901)526-1469 or 525-2695  This restored 1870 French Victorian-style house is furnished in its period with antiques.