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Memphis is a real gem of America’s south. Set in Tennessee along the great Mississippi River, the city is the birthplace of rock ‘n’ roll, the home of comforting soul food and the spot that welcomes millions of Elvis fans who flock here to pay tribute to the ‘King’ at his former home, Graceland.
Yet, you don’t have to be a music lover to appreciate the history and culture of this vibrant city. With its beautiful green parks, thought-provoking museums and lively nightlife, there’s something for everyone here, ensuring that Memphis is a worthwhile stopover for twin-centre holidays in the USA’s colourful south.
Welcome to Memphis, Uh huh huh.
Memphis Highlights
Let Memphis cradle you into its world of incredible food, rich musical heritage, unforgettable historical and cultural sites, and a natural splendour that can only be found in the heart of America’s southern states. This colourful city makes for a worthy stop on any USA holiday, and you’ll leave wishing you could stay much longer.
Music Mecca
Memphis has a rich musical heritage and is the place that elevated the careers of Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, B.B. King and Carl Perkins, to name a few. And whether or not you’re a fan of rock ‘n’ roll, soul, blues or jazz music, you’ll be blown away by the city’s many historic attractions and national landmarks.
Food for the Soul
Famed for its classic comforting southern ‘soul food’, including tangy, delicious hot wings, fried chicken and hearty breakfasts, Memphis has a vast and brilliant dining scene that’s sure to satiate your every whim. And if you appreciate a good barbecue, then you must try an unparalleled Memphis-style barbecue for a true taste of chargrilled heaven!
Explore Nature
In and around Memphis are plenty of wonderful green spaces to spend time outside enjoying the warm southern weather. See sculptures at the Botanic Garden, get up close to a world of animals at Memphis Zoo or simply wander the miles and miles of walking and cycling trails amid its scenic parks and recreation areas for a breather from city life.
History and Culture
Memphis was integral to the American Civil Rights Movement and holds a poignant place in the ongoing struggle for human rights in the United States. Visit the city’s excellent museums and notable sites for a deeper look into the role soul music played in voicing the stories of the African American community during this time.
Memphis Multi Centre Combinations
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Our Memphis Favourites
Graceland
Whether you’re on an Elvis pilgrimage or not, Graceland is the one stop to make on your multi-centre holidays to Memphis, as this wonderfully surreal site is the former mansion of the music star, which he lived (and died) in. Superbly kitsch and oh-so 70s in its flamboyant style, Graceland tours take you through various rooms in the house and outside buildings, finally ending up at Elvis’s grave in the Meditation Garden – a moving and reflective spot to pay your respects and have a little weep, if you feel so inclined.
And don’t miss the new $45-million entertainment complex within the 14-acre estate – Elvis Presley’s Memphis – comprising The King’s impressive automobile and motorcycle collections, as well as clothing and props from his movies and shows.
Sun Studio
From the street it’s hard to believe that this unassuming, red-bricked storefront is considered the birthplace of rock n roll, but Sun Studio is where the careers of Elvis and many others such as Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and B.B. King took off.
Start off in the cool front bar where you can buy tickets, grab a drink, put money in the jukebox and pick up paraphernalia like t-shirts and music. When it’s your turn, take the 45-minute tour of the small recording studio, listen to original tapes from legendary recording sessions and let your guide regale you with anecdotes about the many stars who walked through those studio doors.
National Civil Rights Museum
It’s not all music in Memphis, there is also an air of solemnity to the city as the place where Martin Luther King Jr was assassinated on 4th April 1968. Partly located at the Lorraine Motel – where Dr King was shot – is the stirring National Civil Rights Museum, which highlights and chronicles the struggle for African American freedom and equality throughout a series of enthralling exhibits.
This excellent museum features interactive elements, historic collections, and hosts special events with key speakers in its ongoing mission to educate visitors about the American Civil Rights Movement and its impact on life today. It’s a moving and worthwhile stop on your Memphis multi-centre holidays.
Stax Museum of American Soul Music
Memphis is also the birthplace of 1960s soul music, so get your groove on at this wonderful museum, which is located at the old Stax recording studio and nurtured some of the biggest names in soul like Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett and Carla Thomas.
The museum’s fabulous, immersive exhibits begin with an imitation church to highlight the gospel roots of soul, followed by the Soul Train-inspired ‘Express Yourself’ dancefloor to get funky and let loose. Step into an exact replica of the famously sloped Studio A to see recording equipment and instruments used to make this legendary music. And finish with a photo of Isaac Hayes’ 1972 Superfly Cadillac, complete with faux fur interior and gold-plated exterior.
Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum
This cracking Smithsonian Museum is located on the famous Beale Street – “Home of the Blues” – and offers visitors a chance to delve into the story of how rock and soul music was born. Discover how some of its biggest pioneers overcame obstacles around racial and socioeconomic backgrounds and how music shifted from the days of field calls, blues country and gospel and collided with urban jazz, rockabilly and rhythm and blues.
Meander at your own pace through the museum’s seven galleries showcasing instruments, costumes, audio-visual programmes and other musical paraphernalia. With more than 300 minutes of audio tour guide and over 100 songs to listen to, this is a music enthusiast’s dream to get lost in for hours and hours.
Beale Street
Known as the ‘Home of the Blues’, Beale Street is undoubtedly Memphis’ most iconic road – and is considered Tennessee’s most visited attraction – serving as the top dining, shopping and live music destination in the city. This three-block historic district is also the place where you’ll find many cultural attractions, but walking down its neon-lit cobblestone paths and absorbing the unique vibe is enough for many.
Beale Street is the place where jazz, soul, blues and rock collide, with music blaring from every doorway, street performers putting on a show and throngs of people enjoying the atmosphere altogether, you won’t want to miss it.
Memphis Pyramid
Perhaps the sort of building you’re likely to find in Las Vegas, the conspicuous Memphis Pyramid is a 32-storey glass structure that serves as one of the largest pyramids in the world, though with a slightly less fascinating history. Home to the Bass Pro Shops, you don’t need to be a fishing enthusiast to visit the pyramid and wander its incredible retail space, complete with two 100-foot cypress trees and its own aquarium.
There is also a huge hotel within the complex alongside a great range of restaurants and bars, in fact, there’s not much that isn’t inside this behemoth entertainment complex!
Overton Square
This colourful art and entertainment district offers a fun and casual place to shop, dine and experience live music and events in the heart of Midtown Memphis. Overton Square is actually spread over a few blocks and features a cluster of small, boutique shops selling clothing, accessories and hand-crafted gifts to suit all your holiday retail needs.
If you’re travelling with children, make sure to take them to The Art Project Memphis where they can while away a couple of hours in one of the kids’ workshops and let their imaginations run wild with glitter, paint, crayons and more!
Lansky Brothers
All the museums and places of interest in Memphis have their own souvenir shops but for the diehard fans, Lansky Brothers is the place to get all your Elvis Presley paraphernalia like shirts, jackets, hats, belts, and even blue suede shoes!
Now situated at the famous Peabody Hotel, this legendary clothing store is the self-proclaimed ‘Clothier to the King’ and is credited with styling the man himself as a teenager when he became enamoured with the one-of-a-kind clothes in the original Beale Street location. Lansky Brothers went on to style Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis in the 50s and 60s, helping to create their individual styles.
Broad Avenue
Once part of a small, annexed railroad town outside of Memphis called Binghampton, Broad Avenue has undergone a radical transformation in less than a decade. This former main street went from a run-down area of dusty, vacant storefronts to a vibrant, trendy arts district with local small businesses moving in, bringing the street back to life.
Now you can wander up and down the line of eclectic shops for souvenirs, handcrafted accessories and locally made wares, peruse the art galleries and sit down for food and drink at its many cafés, bars and restaurants – the perfect way to spend an afternoon on Memphis twin-centre holidays.
Saddle Creek
One of Memphis’s best open-air shopping centres, The Shops of Saddle Creek is in the Germantown area of the city and features an interesting mix of stores that are unique to Memphis, together with iconic international brands like Coach, Michael Kors and J. Crew.
Spread over three sections, this upscale mall also has plenty of dining options for breakfast, lunch, dinner and on-the-go snacks. Frequent live events, particularly over the holiday seasons make Saddle Creek a one-stop shop for entertainment on twin-centre holidays.
Memphis Zoo
If the kids aren’t huge Elvis fans, they’ll be pleased to know that the only ‘King’ at Memphis Zoo is Thabo the African Lion. This wonderful wildlife park is home to more than 3,500 animals and 500 different species and is one of only four zoos in the US to house giant pandas.
Loads of family-favourite habitats feature penguins, big cats, polar bears, elephants and giraffes, sea lions, primates, reptiles, tropical birds and there’s also a sweet farm animal exhibit. Conservation is big here, with excellent tours and behind-the-scenes programmes aimed at both educating and entertaining visitors. Train rides and a carousel add to the fun for the little ones, making it a great day out for all ages!
Shelby Farms Park
The expansive Shelby Farms Park is one of the largest urban parks in the country and covers more than 4,500 acres – five times the size of Central Park in New York – and is positioned just 20 minutes’ drive from Downtown Memphis. This glorious park has an abundance of energetic activities for the whole family to enjoy including horseback riding, paintball and laser tag, while its 40 miles of paved trails are perfect for cycling, walking and jogging.
Take to one of its many lakes on a paddleboard, canoe or kayak, or head for the treetops on the fun Go Ape! Experience. Hot summer days call for the jets and fountains of the Water Play Sprayground or the shade or the innovative Woodland Discovery Playground!
Memphis Botanic Garden
Spread over 96 glorious acres, Memphis Botanic Garden features 30 speciality gardens that are connected by various trails and walkways, as well as an arboretum with thousands of trees and more than 180 species. The park is split into seven distinctive gardens including the Japanese Garden, Formal Gardens, an Urban Home Garden and the family friendly My Big Backyard, which has mazes and tunnels, play areas and treetop adventures to keep the little ones immersed and engaged with the surrounding nature in a fun and educational setting.
Wander through the grounds and you will come across many wonderful permanent art installations and sculptures to view in various materials like glass, wood, bronze and mosaic tiles - it’s a beautiful place to spend a sunny day on Memphis multi-centre holidays!
Riverboat Cruise on the Mississippi River
Multi-centre holidays in Memphis wouldn’t be complete without an authentic riverboat tour on the mighty Mississippi River – one of the longest rivers in North America – and many consider this to be the quintessential activity to do while you’re in this part of Tennessee. Take the whole family on a scenic 90-minute tour, a whole day cruise or even an overnight stay with dinner, drinks and entertainment on board.
If your trip coincides with major US holidays and celebrations like the 4th of July or Christmas, book a paddlewheel steamboat cruise and you may witness an impressive firework event too!
Memphis Barbecue
Barbecue food is practically a religion in America’s south and in Memphis, the restaurant offerings are second to none. The typical Memphis-style barbecue comprises a charcoal-grilled pit for slow-cooking all types of meat (largely ribs and pulled pork), which are usually smothered in a tangy sauce that ranges from mild to ridiculously hot.
The award-winning Central BBQ has several locations around the city and is one of the most popular restaurants in Memphis, with chicken, pulled pork, beef briskets and even smoked portobello mushrooms on the menu together with its signature marinades, seasonings and rubs. Pay a visit here for a truly smokin’ Deep South barbecue experience!
Gibson’s Donuts
This well-known Memphis hotspot is open 24/7 so you can satisfy your sweet cravings at any time of day. Gibson’s Donuts is famed far and wide for its signature ‘maple bacon’ doughnut, which features a spot-on combination of sweetness and saltiness with its sticky maple glaze topped with crispy bacon pieces!
This celebrity-endorsed takeaway joint has perfected these fluffy, sugary treats, offering a wide range of handcrafted confections with dozens of flavour combinations like red velvet cupcake, New Orleans buttermilk and coconut cake doughnuts. Let the bright neon lights of this local institution draw you in on your Memphis twin-centre holidays for a taste of saccharine heaven.
Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken
If you’re after some good old-fashioned soul food, visit the award-winning Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken, which is widely regarded as the best in the city, probably in all of Tennessee. The small Downtown Memphis branch – one of 27 around the country – ensures that every piece of individually hand-battered chicken is fried to perfection, meaning you may get a different, delicious flavour sensation every time.
Tender, moist chicken pieces are encased in a crispy, golden batter that has been expertly seasoned with salt and a dash of cayenne pepper (or more depending on the batch). Hungry yet? Naturally it can get very busy here and the restaurant doesn’t accept reservations, so your best bet is to call ahead and get your order to go!
Brother Juniper’s College Inn
Breakfast is also a big deal in Memphis. The nationally acclaimed Brother Juniper’s has been one of the city’s favourite restaurants for breakfast and brunch since the 1960s, offering a warm and welcoming atmosphere to complement its delicious fare. This family-run joint is right next to the University of Memphis and prides itself on great service and excellent food.
The smell of freshly baked, homemade bread and warm roasted coffee invites you in, while the hearty menu of egg and potato dishes, as well as pancakes and waffles, will keep you here and thoroughly sated. Try the classic American ‘biscuits and gravy’ dishes, which are like savoury English scones with a white (sometimes meaty) sauce – don’t knock it until you’ve tried it!
Hot Wings
Memphis is the self-proclaimed ‘Hot Wing Capital of the World’ and if you thought that barbecue food here was king, you may be surprised to learn that there are more chicken wing eateries in the city – over 200 in fact! Putting their own twist on a classic hot wing, Memphians took it to the next level and created ‘honey gold’, the city’s signature wing flavour that’s sweet and spicy all at once with honey and a varying range of bold seasonings.
There are loads of excellent hot wing restaurants in Memphis serving their own takes on this distinctive dish, and notable establishments include The Wing Guru and Ching’s Hot Wings, both of which have perfected the famous ‘honey gold’ flavour.
Memphis FAQs
Memphis FAQs
Memphis FAQs
Generally, the best time to visit Memphis is between April and June as the weather is warm and bright, but not too hot. Plus, Memphis in May is a huge month-long festival that features loads of family-friendly events and activities.
If Elvis is your main reason for visiting Memphis, then January is a great time to come and celebrate his birthday with thousands of others – just make sure to pack plenty of layers for the colder weather!
Memphis is 6 hours behind the UK and like many US and Caribbean destinations, your flights will depart and arrive in the late afternoon to the early evening. While the return journey is usually an overnight flight that lands back into the UK the next morning.
There are frequent indirect flights to Memphis International Airport (MEM) from the UK, with most London departures featuring one stop in Chicago, Illinois or Charlotte, North Carolina. However, if you are planning a Memphis twin-centre holiday, you may also be flying internally from another US domestic airport like New York, Boston or Orlando.
Memphis is quite spread out as a city and if you want to explore beyond the Downtown area and have freedom to take the holiday at your own pace, then hiring a car is a very good idea. Likewise, if you are planning to include amazing US destinations such as Nashville (3 hours’ drive) or New Orleans (5-and-a-half hours’ drive) on a twin-centre holiday road trip, having your own vehicle is highly recommended.
Memphis is in the heart of America’s Deep South and many travellers like to combine several incredible destinations on one amazing trip. Music-lovers often twin Memphis with Tennessee’s other major music city, Nashville, while Atlanta and New Orleans offer a fantastic route for an epic tour of culture, food and quintessential Deep South experiences.
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