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Guide to Memphis, USA - Tennessee
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MemphisThe place where Elvis lived, the civil rights movement began, and the blues originated, Memphis, Tennessee is a wholesome tribute to music and history. Walk down Beale St and you wont be able to escape the infectious atmosphere of pumping venues and thriving bars and restaurants. The old-town charm that once was a staple has faded significantly behind the neon signs and swanky clubs. But the undeniable recognition of past occurrences here, and the contributions Memphis has made not only to the country, but the world makes this city worthy of its ancient title.
When to go:
The most beautiful times of year to visit Memphis are spring and autumn. You can opt for blooming gardens, or colorful collage of the woodlands around the city. Summers and winters are both extremes in terms of weather patterns, and you wont want to miss the spectacular festivals that occur in the high seasons. The Beale St Music Festival, which brings countless known and unknown performers to the outdoor stages, takes place in the middle of May. The spring Powwow, a commemorative gathering for the influence of Native Americans on Memphiss history, lasts from late-May to early-June. And one of the most visited events in the region, the International Blues Talent Competition, happens in autumn, throughout the month of October.
Getting there and around:
Memphis International Airport is a far distance from the excitement of the city. However, freeways connect the airport to Memphis so its a fast ride by shuttle, taxi, or car to your hotel. If you book accommodations with one of the pricier hotels, youre sure to get free transportation to and from the airport. If not, you can rent a car for a reasonable price (recommended for travel outside of downtown), or just meet one of the many cabs outside the terminals.
There are numerous ways of getting around Memphis, some of which are: trolleys, buses, taxis, rented vehicle, or rented bicycle. But youll enjoy the city more if you just stick with its taxis. Theyre not too hard on your funds, and you can enjoy expedient travel with drivers who know the streets well. A car is good if youre staying for an extended period of time. A bicycle, though a great means of transportation and/or recreation, is hard to find and is not very practical the city being without many designated pathways for cyclists.
Attractions:
Beale Street is where most of the citys happenings take place. Its always busy day or night and youre bound to encounter a famous musician, even if you dont realize it until after the fact. What used to be a legendary strip of smoky bars lined with classic cars, the street is now home to state-of-the-art clubs, attractive (and pricey) restaurants, and neon signs for everything from movie theatres to pharmacies. Despite its lack of sentimentality, Beale Street does reserve a place for the legendary folk that have traversed the grounds here. From 2^nd to 3^rd sts, youll find the Walk of Fame, where embedded carved stones in the form of musical notes honor both living and passed musicians. The Gibson Guitar Plant can be found off of Beale Street, where theyre world-renowned guitars have been made for more than 50 years. Part of the plant, is the Smithsonian Rock n Soul Museum, which strives to preserve the social and cultural history of Memphis. You can visit the WC Handy Park, where a statue of the founder of the blues stands.
Graceland, Elvis Presleys home for much of his life, during and after his career as a recording and performing artist, is a walk-through shrine-like museum which is way over-the-top (decoratively speaking). Multimedia displays are found throughout the site, and a tour takes you through much of the house, including a showing of a 22 minute film and a visit to his car and airplane collection. Note: Do not try to visit Graceland on August 15^th , Elvis Presley Day, when hoards of fans descend upon the property.
The National Civil Rights Museum, housed in the Lorraine Motel (where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated), shows a number of exhibits depicting the chronological history of the civil rights movement.
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