Are you planning to visit the city of Memphis this weekend? Then we can help you get the most out of your trip. So, read on and find out what are some of the things you must do when you visit Memphis.
Tourists visit the United States in the number of millions every year. While some come seeking peace in its natural wonders, others come of adventure, delicious cuisines, rich history, diverse culture, and so on. Basically, the US has something or the other to provide for every type of tourist. Whether you are traveling to work, pleasure, education, vacation, family tour, getaway, or whatever—you will find that the country has something to offer for everyone.
What’s your jam? Do you like Blues, Rock ‘n’ Roll, jazz, R&B, rap, and/or soul? Would you like to know where and how these music forms emerged? Then you must visit the city of Memphis in Tennessee, USA.
While there can be many things to list, the city has given birth to some of the big names in the music and film industry like Morgan Freeman, Ginnifer Goodwin, Lisa Marie Presley, and so on.
Not sure how to get the best out of your trip to Memphis? Then don’t worry; we’re here to help. Hence, we have created a list of the best things you can do in Memphis.
Must-Do Things for your Visit to Memphis
? National Civil Rights Museum
If you are going to Memphis, visiting the National Civil Rights Museum is a place you must visit. In fact, many tourists believe that it should be on the top of your list. What makes this museum all the more significant is the fact that it is housed in the Lorraine Motel where Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated on April 4, 1968. The museum is home to many multimedia presentations on the civil rights movement. If you want to educate yourself on the subject of the civil rights movement in America, visiting this place is a must. As the visitors describe it, the museum is “surreal” and “incredibly moving.”
? Sun Studio
Sun Studio is famous as the birthplace of Rock ‘n’ Roll music. It has helped launch many famous music careers like Elvis, B.B. King, Roy Orbison, and Johnny Cash. Hence, if you are a music lover, your whole trip might go in vain if you don’t visit this place. It is best to take a guided tour. This way, you will get to learn about many legendary musicians who recorded here. And you might also get to listen to some unreleased tracks!
? Beale Street
To get the taste of the essence of all that Memphis stands for, you must visit Beale Street. Here, you will get to know the heart and soul of Memphis city. This is the birthplace of the Blues. B.B. King, Alberta Hunter, and Isaac Hayes are some of the famous musicians that got their start from here. In the daytime, you can enjoy a savory barbecue at restaurants and music memorabilia at many stores. In the nighttime, the place truly becomes alive, and the clubs open for all types of music fans. Orpheum Theatre, the W.C. Handy House Museum, the New Daisy Theatre, and so on are some of the major attractions of the city found on this street. Hence, you need to make sure to visit Beale Street on your trip to Memphis.
? Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum
If you are a Rock ‘n’ Roll or Soul music fan, then this is a place you must visit in Memphis. Your visit to this museum will help you understand the role of Memphis city in the making of both of these genres. Many visitors have said that their visit to Memphis Rock ‘n’ Roll Museum helped them put the history of music in context. And since it is located in Beale Street, you can also easily explore the street as well.
? Belz Museum of Asian & Judaic Art
Belz Museum has five permanent galleries that exhibit over 1,400 items. Out of these 5 galleries, 3 exhibits Asian art which can be dated as far as the Qing Dynasty of China of 1644 to 1912. For the rest, the fourth gallery exhibits Judaic pieces. And the last one serves as a Holocaust Memorial Gallery. Belz Museum of Asian & Judaic Art is famously known as a “hidden gem” of the city. Therefore, it is totally worth exploring these galleries on your visit to Memphis city.
? Memphis Zoo
Are you worried that your kids will get bored on your trip to Memphis? Well, you don’t have to worry. The city also has a great attraction for kids—Zoo. In the Memphis Zoo, you will find primates, bears, wolves, hippos, giant pandas, and big cats! In total, there are about 4,500 animals that you can find in the Memphis Zoo. The zoo spans 70 acres. You can also get interesting lectures about the animals at the zoo which will not only your little ones but you would enjoy too!
? Victorian Village
Visiting Victorian Village will make you feel as if you have traveled back into time. The place is famous since it homes 7 colorful 19th-century mansions. While some of the mansions here are private residences, the others have turned into museums and are open to the public. There, you can find many interesting historic artifacts. While Woodruff-Fontaine House is famous for being haunted, the Mallory-Neely House prides itself on its architectural beauty. You will find something or the other interesting about the mansions here that will make your visit to the Victorian Village totally worth it.
Overall
A large number of tourists travel to the city of Memphis every year. Is it on the list of your destinations too? Memphis is full of wonders and it is specifically great for music lovers. So, if you are interested in the music developed during the second half of the 20th century, then you must visit this place. Most of the places mentioned above are linked to musical history. Hence, make sure to check these places out to get the best out of your city trip.