Travel Eye on Memphis (Tennessee, USA)

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Overview:

Few people alive today have not heard of Elvis Presley, legendary 'King of Rock n Roll', and most associate Memphis, largest city in Tennessee, with the iconic deceased singer. Hundreds of thousands of visitors flock to the city each year, particularly on Elvis' birthday, to make a pilgrimage to Graceland, the mansion where Presley lived and died.

Citing its famous singing sensation as the only draw card in Memphis, however, is failing to do this go-getter city in southwest Tennessee justice. Music makes Memphis special, for sure: not only rock 'n roll but also the fact that the city spawned the modern musical forms of blues and soul as well. Music fans from all over the world stroll down legendary Beale Street in the downtown area every day, happy to be walking where their heroes have walked and talked.

The nightlife is world-renowned; the cuisine, particularly barbecue, irresistible; and there are fascinating museums, great gardens, Mississippi river boats, amusement parks, and some quirky cultural and natural sights to explore.

The area boasts a mix of corporate clientele and lovers of soul, blues and rock 'n' roll. Vast numbers of international Presley pilgrims and tourists visiting the star's former home and grave at Graceland.

There is a large choice of accommodation, catering to all pockets and tastes. Downtown is dominated by the historic de luxe Peabody Hotel, a major focal point for social and business occasions. Dozens of cheap and cheerful motels, motor inns and B&Bs are concentrated around Graceland, several mls S of downtown.

Locality:

Memphis is in the east United States, in the upper part of the "American South", in the south west corner of the state of Tennessee where it borders the states of Arkansas and Mississippi (209 mls SW of the state capital, Nashville, 139 mls from Little Rock and 15 mls NW of airport).

Entertainment/Facilities/Attractions/Things to do:

There is a choice of large malls on the outskirts of town as well as the somewhat limited number of shops in Peabody Place complex in the city centre. Beale Street provides a wealth of cheap souvenirs and musical memorabilia from rock 'n' roll to the blues, dominated by myriad items from mugs to number plates sporting Elvis Presley's image.

During the daytime there are many attractions such as Graceland, cars, aircraft and record awards and the Sun Studios. There is the National Civil Rights Museum. Peabody Place Museum . Baseball games at AutoZone Park, home of Memphis Redbird, Mud Island River Park, incorporating River Walk, River Museum and "Memphis Belle" B17 WWII bomber. Horse-and-carriage tours. A couple of riverboat cruises. There is also the Annual Elvis Week in August.

The nightlife consists of many bars mainly music-orientated, from country to blues. Beale Street has several lively bars, including nightspot of blues guitarist BB King. Regular open-air performances in the pavilion off Beale Street. Sports and shows at the Pyramid Arena complex.

There is everything from fine dining at the Peabody Hotel to cheap all-day breakfasts, Southern-style barbecues, fried chicken and Creole seafood. Wealth of well-known fast-food chains.