As the home of the legendary King of Rock 'n' Roll, and the area that gave birth to the blues, Memphis, the largest city in Tennessee, has long been a Mecca for music-enthusiasts. Though there is no doubt that music drives the city, there is much more to this soul city than the surface suggests with some of the liveliest nightlife scenes in the USA, fantastic cuisine and plenty of cultural sights and natural wonders to explore. Temperatures peak in July and August at around 27°C and drop to about 5°C in January. There are no daily direct flights to Memphis from UK airports, with most airlines offering connecting flights in cities such as Chicago and Atlanta that can make the total flight-time around 14hrs.
Memphis gave birth to the blues and satisfies the young and old with its party vibe and remnants of a golden era…
For American music lovers, Memphis and its neighbouring city Nashville are the music capitals of the world. You simply can't go to Memphis and expect to avoid the drive of popular culture in a city that is constantly moving. It's an ideal destination for young travellers who want to party all day and night long, while older travellers will enjoy discovering the many remnants of Memphis's golden past, and with so many entertainment options there's no room for families to grow bored.
The number one attraction in Memphis, despite decades having passed since his death, is unquestionably Elvis Presley. Touring the Graceland Mansion is top of most visitors' agendas with thousands flocking to his home every year. In addition you can view the Elvis Presley Automobile Museum, featuring the world famous pink Cadillac, as well as an airport terminal that features his two private jets. Elsewhere in Memphis, the Sun Studio, which is where Elvis began recording songs, is now established as a historical landmark.
Of course Memphis wasn't just the home of Elvis, it spawned both blues and soul. Sun Studio also played host to Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison and more recent stars such as U2 and Sheryl Crow, while Beale Street in the downtown area has legendary status as the place where so many musical greats have walked. The Memphis Rock n Soul Museum contains some of the most rare and sought-after musical remnants in the world, with costumes from Elvis and BB King's 'Lucille' guitar.
To prove that Memphis has more than just music to offer, hop aboard the Ducks of Memphis, an amphibious vehicle that takes you around the streets of Memphis before plunging into the depths of the Mississippi River. While exploring the river you can also pick up a hire boat and head to Mud Island River Park. It is packed with sights including the Mississippi River Museum and an amphitheatre.
Back on dry land, history buffs should head to the National Civil Rights Museum and the Pink Palace Museum and Planetarium. The latter spans history with displays including fossils and the world's first self-service grocery store - the original Piggly Wiggly. It's also worth taking a stroll through the Memphis Botanic Garden, which has 22 gardens with a number of varied themes.
Most of the eateries follow the traditions of America's south, with meat, meat and more meat. Rendezvous serves some incredible ribs, while Sleep Out Louie's does offer a range of salads and is great for budget dining. BB King's is probably the best place to head if you want to eat and party, as it serves a number of Southern favourites, with a fabulous crowd and live music. Check out the Kudzu Café for some good comedy while the Daisy Theater features the rock 'n' roll stars of the future.
Day trips to Nashville, known as "music city USA" are also vastly popular. Nashville is home to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, the Grand Ole Opry, which is America's longest running radio show and takes studio audiences of more than 4,000, and the Parthenon, the world's only full-size replica of the Parthenon in Greece.
