A city of enormous importance in the history of popular music, Tennessee’s Memphis is best known as the birthplace of blues and the location of Graceland, the opulent home of the king himself - Elvis Presley. The world famous Beale street is teeming with life and here you can see where the first blues song was recorded. A tour of Graceland is essential; immerse yourself in the lovingly preserved world of the world’s most famous hamburger lover.
Housed in the Lorraine Motel, where Martin Luther King was assassinated in 1968, the National Civil Rights Museum is fascinating. The tour of the legendary Sun Studios, where some of the most famous songs of all time were recorded, is also worthwhile, as is a visit to the Full Gospel Tabernacle where you can hear the effortlessly smooth sound of Revered Al Green preaching and singing every Sunday.
Memphis attractions
Graceland: once the lavish home of Elvis Presley for over 20 years, now a tourist filled shrine to the king of rock and roll.
Beale street: the vibrant center of downtown Memphis, Beale street is also the birthplace of the blues and where WC Handy made his first recording.
Cooper Young district: in the center of Midtown is teeming with cultural life, hip boutiques and coffee houses.
Sun Studios: see the birthplace of rock and roll where musical greats such as Elvis, BB King, Johnny Cash and Jerry Lee Lewis recorded their hits.
National Civil Rights Museum: situated in the Lorraine Motel where civil rights campaigner Martin Luther King was assassinated in 1968, this excellent museum tells the story of the civil rights movement superbly.
Full Gospel Tabernacle: just southwest of downtown, soul legend Reverend Al Green preaches and sings here every Sunday, aptly backed up by his boisterous choir.