Memphis holidays

This is a city that is sure to get your feet tapping and your adrenaline pumping...

Sitting proudly on the Mississippi River in America's Deep South state of Tennessee, the city of Memphis is draped in a cloak of musical glory.

The undisputed King of this destination is one Mr Elvis Presley, a humble boy from Mississippi who went on to achieve iconic status. But Memphis is not all about Elvis. The musical legacy of this city lives on and today's music scene is exciting and varied; a good night out in Memphis is always guaranteed.

Of course it's Elvis that most visitors flock here to get a piece of. Whether it's walking in his footsteps along Beale Street, checking out where he recorded his hits at the legendary Sun Studio, or touring the sprawling home he called Graceland, Elvis mania is still well and truly alive on Memphis holidays.

When you stroll along Beale Street in downtown Memphis, which is officially recognised as the Home of the Blues, you can get a feel for why BB King, Muddy Water and Louis Armstrong – plus many other musical legends – decided to fill this place with their distinctive sounds. These days you can soak up the atmosphere alongside bars, cafés, theatres and gift shops.

Then head to the birthplace of Rock and Roll, Sun Studio, where artists such as Elvis, Johnny Cash and Jerry Lee Lewis belted out their tunes.

When you've had your fill of musical Memphis, you can see nearly 3,000 animals at Memphis Zoo or take your pick from the Memphis Pink Palace Family of Museums, including a planetarium and the original Pink Palace Museum, which offers a fascinating glimpse into the past.

Many holidaymakers opt for a short break in Memphis and incorporate this into a road trip around the Deep South of the USA. This is an excellent idea. You've got Tupelo in Mississippi, the birthplace of Elvis, within easy reach, plus you can hit more holiday high notes in the country music capital of Nashville. If you explore a little further south you'll come across the birthplace of jazz: the eternally exciting city of New Orleans.

Tune up your vocal cords, pack your best dancing shoes, and make memories in musical Memphis. TravelSupermarket can help you to get there. Use our search tool to find your dream holiday to Memphis.

Humidity kicks in at the height of summer, making way for hot and dry holidays to Memphis in autumn...

Summer is sultry in Memphis, with high temperatures and sweat-inducing humidity. Expect daily averages around 30C in July. Autumn is still hot but drier, while winters can be mild with average daily temperatures of 5C.

Memphis is a truly buzzing place – rarely a week goes by without some sort of (usually music-related) event taking centre stage...

Memphis International Film Festival; April: Also known as On Location: Memphis, this film fest runs over four days and presents a variety of local and global films. The city is abuzz with movie news and you might spot famous faces such as Morgan Freeman.

Beale Street Music Festival; May: This three-day music extravaganza brings some of the biggest names of the music world together with local emerging artists. Thousands of people attend the events at Tom Lee Park to see the likes of Jerry Lee Lewis and Al Green, plus modern acts such as Snoop Dogg and Jason Mraz.

World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest; May: Thousands flock here to be a part of this al fresco cooking competition. From just 26 teams in the 1970s, the event now attracts more than 250 teams. Tuck into tasty bites as the event sizzles.

Carnival Memphis; June: Think of the Mardi Gras in New Orleans and you'll get an idea of what this event is about, though on a smaller scale. There are plenty of parties and festivities to witness during this exciting time.

Cooper-Young Festival; September: The outdoor events of this festival continue to draw crowds in excess of 100,000. Check out an array of music, arts and crafts.

Young and old alike are sure to find something that will keep them entertained...

Kids and teens: Memphis Zoo boasts one of the finest collections of animals in the USA.

Grown-up families: You can’t visit Memphis without a tour of Sun Studios – the veritable delivery suite of Rock n Roll. It’s been frequented by some of the greatest musical minds that ever stood behind a microphone.

Romance: Head out of the city centre to find some intimate and charming restaurants where you and yours can while away an evening for two.

Shopping: Spend a day in the city centre and you’ll find superb modern malls crammed with fashion outlets to suit all budgets.