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| Carol Richardson, Memphis resident and associate pastor at First Baptist Church Memphis, offers her list of 'must-sees' in Memphis. |
Welcome to our city of Memphis, a lovely city of a thousand trees, a city where the Blues was birthed, the city of Elvis, a city that sits high on the bluffs of Ole Man River, the Mighty Mississippi!
We think Memphis is a charming city, so come with me as I introduce you to some of its charm and places worth visiting before you leave.
Since the Convention Center is near the Mississippi River, let’s begin here:
- Ride the monorail across to Mud Island River Park. Experience the Mississippi River at a unique recreational and educational facility dedicated to showcasing the mighty river. Let your children splash in the waters of a replica of the river on the riverwalk; enjoy the Mississippi River Museum and a 4,000-gallon aquarium.
- Enjoy the Memphis Riverboats and barges that pass along the riverfront from a bench in Jefferson Davis Park or take your family on a riverboat cruise. Discover the history, humor and heroes of the legendary town and cruise our harbor, too.
- Don’t forget to visit our famous Peabody Hotel , home of the famous Peabody ducks, who parade to and from their pool on a red carpet at 11:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. daily.
- Ride the Main Street Trolley! This delightful mode of transportation also provides a scenic riverfront tour. Fun for all.
Music - Since music is the heart and soul of this city, don’t leave without a...
- Tour of Graceland, home of Elvis. I never fail to take my Memphis guests here…a true cultural and retro experience!
- At the Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum in Downtown Memphis, you’ll discover the roots of American music as the Smithsonian Institution has created this gem of a museum, guiding one through the birth, migration and evolution of the blues, rockabilly, rock ’n roll, and soul.
- Beale Street, one of America’s most famous musical streets, is close by, located in the heart of Downtown Memphis. At the close of the day, treat yourself to a stroll.
Not far from the downtown, have fun with a guided tour through the “Birthplace of Rock ‘n Roll, SUN Studio, the most famous recording studio in the world.
History
- For a slice of our rich history, a must see for adults and children is the National Civil Rights Museum, a powerfully moving exhibit that brings to life the most significant moments of civil and human rights struggles and victories. Housed in the Lorraine Motel, site of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Don’t miss this one!
- Memphis Pink Palace Museum, Tennessee’s most visited museum, located in the heart of Memphis, offers a delightful afternoon for families, including a regional history, an IMAX theater and Planetarium. This was a favorite place of my childhood.
Medicine - ALSAC Pavilion & St. Jude Children’s Hospital is located close to the convention center. Founded by Danny Thomas, this is the largest cancer research hospital for children in the world. Daily tours are offered.
Art musuems and galleries
- Memphis Brooks Museum of Art collections of fine art from antiquity to the present as well as international traveling exhibitions. Located very near our fabulous Memphis Zoo!
- Dixon Gallery & Gardens, set amid 17 acres of formal and informal garden, this former private estate features Impressionist and post-Impressionist paintings.
- Belz Museum of Asian & Judaic Art, one of the country’s largest collection of Chinese 19th Century art…a splendid collection of jade of immense proportions.
Especially for families, places my grandchild and I go often!
- Families don’t miss the Memphis Zoo! Get nose-to none with polar bears, venture into the dark with night creatures, and get plashed by sea lions. The Memphis Zoo is interactive family fun with naturalistic exhibits, underwater viewing features and daily shows. This zoo is one of only four zoos in North America to feature great pandas from china—Ya Ya and Le Le.
- Experience hands-on excitement at our magical Children’s Museum of Memphis. Sit in a flight simulator and real airplane cockpit, explore the Mississippi River, climb through the arteries of a giant heart, ride a bicycle on Mars, be a “star on stage, paint and sculpt in the art studio, board a real fire engine, shop for groceries and more!
And finally, as you explore the wonderful treasures of Memphis, you’ll pass many beautiful churches along the way. At one time Memphis was known to have more churches than gas stations!
We’re glad that you have come our way. May your sojourn here be a good experience in some of my favorite places as we fellowship, worship and play together!
Carol Richardson, Local arrangements committee member and associate pastor at First Baptist Church of Memphis
Other things to see and do in Memphis
Music
Graceland – Experience Elvis at his home, Graceland. You’ll discover exciting videos, displays of authentic clothing, artifacts, personal mementos, an amazing showcase of Elvis’ gold and platinum awards and more. [901-332-3322]
SUN Studio– Take a guided tour through the “Birthplace of Rock’n’Roll.” Learn the history of the most famous recording studio in the world. Experience outtakes from sessions, touch Elvis’ first microphone and hear the real history of the studio that launched Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, B.B. King and more. [901-521-0664]
STAX Museum of American Soul Music – Celebrating great Memphis soul music made famous by Otis Redding, Booker T & the MGs, Isaac Hayes, the Bar-Kays, Al Green, Aretha Franklin, Earth, Wind & Fire and others. Soulsville USA – where it all happened in the 60s and 70s. [901-942-7685]
Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum – “In the quest to identify the roots of America’s music, all roads led to Memphis.” Created by the Smithsonian Institution, the museum features seven galleries and a digital audio guide covering the birth, migration and evolution of America’s music (blue, rockabilly, rock’n’roll, soul) from the agricultural Delta to the working environment of the urban areas of the south cities and further to the north up the Mississippi River. [901-205-2533]
Gibson Guitar Factory Tour – Tour the floor of the Memphis manufacturing plant and learn how talented craftspeople combine their skills with the latest in guitar technology to hand shape a silent block of wood into a beautiful musical instrument with a voice all its own. [901-543-0800]
Beale Street – One of America’s most famous musical streets! Located in the heart of Downtown Memphis with three blocks of more than thirty nightclubs, restaurants and retail shops. Music includes traditional blues, rhythm & blues, jazz and rock’n’roll. [901-526-0110]
Center For Southern Folklore – Located on the Trolley system in Downtown Memphis, the Center’s galleries, performance spaces and Folklore Store bring the South to you. Performances vary from blues, jazz, gospel, rockabilly and soul music on most weekends. Changing exhibitions of photography, folk art and Southern crafts. [901-525-3655]
River
Mud Island River Park – Experience the Mississippi River at a unique recreational and educational facility dedicated to showcasing the mighty river. Features 18-galler Mississippi River Museum and 5-block-long Riverwalk model. Canoe, kayak, pedal boat and bicycle rentals. Unique urban camping experience available. [901-576-7241]
Mississippi River Museum – 18-gallery museum of the natural and cultural history of the Lower Mississippi River Valley. Over 5,000 artifacts tell the story of river transportation, the U.S. Civil War and music of the delta. Includes temporary exhibits and a 4,000 gallon aquarium. [901-576-7230]
Memphis Riverboats – The only riverboat adventure in Memphis. Fun cruises on America’s greatest river. Large paddlewheel and showboats. Located on the historic cobblestones in Downtown Memphis.
[901-527-BOAT]
History
Memphis Pink Palace Museum – Tennessee’s most visited museum is located in the heart of Memphis. A regional history museum, Crew Training International IMAX Theatre, Sharpe Planetarium, and restaurant all under one roof. Favorites include the original 1920s mansion, the shrunken head, a replica of the first Piggly Wiggly grocery store and a hand-carved miniature circus. [901-320-6320]
National Civil Rights Museum – Interpretive exhibits and audio/visual displays bring to life the most significant moments of civil and human rights struggles and victories. Displayed to educate and inspire adults and children. Housed in the Lorraine Motel, site of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. [901-521-9699]
Cotton Museum – The story of cotton: natural history of this valuable crop, and the business of cotton: producing, farming, ginning, compress, and warehousing, merchandising and futures, banking, transportation, spinning and textile mills, and after-product uses of cotton oil, seed and lint. Cultural contributions of cotton are reflected in music, art, literature and society of the region. [901-531-7826]
Fire Museum of Memphis – A comprehensive collection of artifacts including stories and photos of Memphis’ most devastating fires. Features an animated “talking” horse and interactive games that teach fire safety. [901-320-5650]
Art Museums & Galleries
Memphis Brooks Museum of Art – Collections of fine art from antiquity to the present as well as international traveling exhibitions. Permanent collection includes Renaissance and Baroque paintings and sculpture, European and American paintings. [901-544-6200]
Dixon Gallery & Gardens – Set amid 17 acres of formal and informal gardens, this former private estate features Impressionist and post-Impressionist paintings, the Stout Collection of 18th Century porcelain, and changing exhibitions. [901-761-5250]
Belz Museum of Asian & Judaic Art – One of the country’s largest collection of Chinese 19th Century art. The permanent exhibit includes objects created for the Chinese nobility during the Qing Dynasty
(1644-1911). [901-523-2787]
Art Museum at the University of Memphis – Offers changing exhibitions of contemporary art and permanent displays of Egyptian antiquities and West African artifacts. [901-678-2224]
Outdoor & Nature
Memphis Zoo – Get nose-to-nose with polar bears, venture into the dark with night creatures, and get splashed by sea lions. The Memphis Zoo is interactive family fun with naturalistic exhibits, underwater viewing features and daily shows. One of only four zoos in North America to feature great pandas from China – Ya Ya and Le Le. [901-276-WILD]
Memphis Botanic Garden – The Garden encompasses 96 acres and offers natural areas with native flowers as well as 23 unique gardens. Featuring special events, art exhibits, educational events and monthly wine tastings. [901-576-4100]
Lichterman Nature Center – First accredited nature center in the United States. New state-of-the-art facilities including Visitors Center, nature store, special events pavilion, greenhouse, boardwalks and trails in 62 acres of land in east Memphis. [901-767-7322]
Other Points of Interest
The Peabody Hotel (Daily Duck Walk) - In the Lobby of the South’s Grand Hotel, join the internationally famous Peabody Ducks as they parade twice daily to and from their rooftop penthouse to lobby fountain. [901-529-4000]
ALSAC Pavilion & St. Jude Children’s Hospital – The Danny Thomas/ALSAC Pavilion serves as a historical record of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital; the American, Lebanese and Syrian Associated Charities; and the hospital founder, Danny Thomas; and the Board of Governors and Directors who made Danny’s dream of building St. Jude a reality. [901-495-4414]
Ride The Ducks of Memphis Tours – See Memphis by land and water aboard one amazing vehicle. Discover the history, humor and heroes of the legendary town and cruise the harbor, too. Entertaining and informative captains narrate this musical and fun expedition. [901-5251-DUCK]
Carriage Tours of Memphis – Horse-drawn carriage tours of Downtown Memphis. Walk-up service at The Peabody Hotel and Beale Street, or call for pick-up. [901-527-7542]
Backbeat Tours – Sightseeing tours led by Memphis musicians performing live aboard a 1950s era bus! A unique and entertaining insider’s view of the city’s rich musical heritage. Laugh, sing – even play along – on this “backstage pass” to the best of Memphis music history. [901-272-BEAT]
Main Street Trolley – Antique trolleys serve the Main Street artery of Downtown Memphis, a scenic riverfront loop and warehouse district route and a medical district line. [901274-6282]
Autozone Park (Memphis Redbirds) - Opened in 2000, the finest ball park below the major league level houses the Memphis Redbirds, AAA franchise of the St. Louis Cardinals. [901-721-6000]
Children’s Museum of Memphis – Experience hands-on excitement. Sit in a flight simulator and real airplane cockpit, explore the Mississippi River, climb through arteries of a giant heart, ride a bicycle on Mars, be a “star” on stage, paint and sculpt in the art studio, board a real fire engine, shop for groceries and more. [901-458-2678]
A. Schwab’s General Store – Located on historic Beale Street, the oldest family-owned general store in the Mid-South, established in 1876. Home of the “A. Schwab Beale St. Museum” and features all sorts of sundries and dry goods from top hats, 44 kinds of suspenders, detachable collars, oil lamps, graniteware, long johns, etc. “If you can’t find it at A. Schwab’s, your better off without it.” [90-1523-9782]
National Ornamental Metal Museum – The only institution in the Americas devoted exclusively to the preservation and promotion of fine metalwork. Changing exhibits of historic and contemporary metal art. Working blacksmith shop. Shaded sculpture garden overlooking the Mississippi River. [901-774-6380]
Kemmons Wilson Gallery – Housed at the Holiday Inn-University of Memphis, the museum features memorabilia from the career of Kemmons Wilson, the founder and developer of Holiday Inns.
[901-678-8021]
Tourism listings courtesy of Memphis resident Jimmy Ogle