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Memphis
The world famous Elvis Presley was from Memphis Tennessee and the legendary King of Rock and Roll still draws in the crowds, despite being deceased 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.
Music is one of the special elements of Memphis and not just rock and roll; Memphis is also the city that 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 Ducks of Memphis
The Ducks of Memphis are a unique marine attraction, where you can see the city over land and water in the amphibious D.U.K.W vehicles, which were designed originally to transport troops in World War II. The history, humour, and heroes of the town can be discovered through the entertaining and informative narration on board the Ducks of Memphis, which cruise the streets of downtown as well as the waterways of the Mississippi. The unique sightseeing attraction offers a fun and fascinating expedition of downtown Memphis.
Address: Ticketing and departure: Third Street and Union Avenue, downtown Memphis; Telephone: (901) 521 3825; Website: www.memphisducks.com; Opening time: Daily tours depart frequently from April to November; Admission: $16.95 (adults), $10.95 (children 3-12)
Graceland
The biggest attraction in Memphis is Graceland, the most visited house in America after the White House, is the home of the legendary Elvis Presley. The Graceland Mansion and its attendant buildings and attractions were home to the 'King of Rock 'n Roll', Elvis Presley, who died in 1977. Thousands of fans of all ages still make pilgrimages here to tour the house, grounds and visit his grave. Mansion tours are offered with audio players describing the rooms and memorabilia. Also open for viewing is the Elvis Presley Automobile Museum housing the stars renowned 1955 pink Cadillac, a collection of Elvis' personal belongings, and a re-creation of an airport terminal where the singer's two private jets are on display.
Address: Elvis Presley Boulevard; Telephone: Reservations office: (800) 238 2000; Website: www.elvis.com; Opening time: Open daily. Ticket office open Monday to Saturday 8.30am to 5pm, and Sunday 9.30am to 4pm (From November to February hours are daily 9.30am to 4pm). The mansion tour is closed on Tuesdays (November to February). All operations are closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas; Admission: Mansion tour: $18 (adults), $16.20 (seniors and students), $7 (children 7-12)
Sun Studio
Sun Studio is the place where Elvis first began his journey to superstardom and visitors can visit the historic recording studio on Union Avenue and pay homage to the King of Rock and Roll. The story is that Elvis first walked into the Sun Studio in the early 1950s to record a song as a birthday present for his mother. The rest is musical history, now enshrined in the studio that also launched the likes of Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison and Jerry Lee Lewis on the road to stardom. Visitors to the studio can hear outtakes from recording sessions, touch Elvis' first microphone, view a great deal of memorabilia and listen to anecdotes. Alongside the studio is the Sun Studio Café, a diner that retains its 1950s style and is still a favourite musician's hangout.
Address: 706 Union Avenue; Telephone: (901) 521 0664; Website: www.sunstudio.com; Opening time: Daily 10am to 6pm, with public tours starting every hour on the half-hour
Mud Island River Park
Mud Island is home to some excellent attractions for both educational and entertainment purposes, situated in the Mississippi River it also offers a unique experience to visitors. The island emerged in the river in 1900 and was turned into a 52-acre park. Main attractions on the island are the Mississippi River Museum, an amphitheatre where touring acts perform during summer, a huge swimming pool and a display of the Memphis Belle, a famous B-17 bomber from World War II. The highlight of a visit to Mud Island, however, is the unique and fascinating River Walk, a scaled down replica of the lower Mississippi River from Cairo, Illinois to New Orleans in Louisiana. The River walk is five blocks long and represents a journey of 1,000 miles.
Address: 125 North Front Street; Telephone: (800) 507 6507 or (901) 576 7241; Website: www.mudisland.com; Transport: Monorail from Front Street; Opening time: Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 5pm (10 April to 28 May and 7 September to 31 October); Monday to Sunday 10am to 8pm (29 May to 6 September. Last admission is one hour before closing; Admission: $8 (adults), $5 (children 5-12), includes museum admission, monorail ride and guided river walk tour. General park admission is free
Memphis Botanic Garden
The vibrant colours and lush landscapes of the Memphis Botanic Gardens are a tranquil delight for visitors to explore. The 96-acre site at Audobon Park, in the east of the city comprises 22 formal gardens each focussing on a theme or species, ranging from a tranquil Japanese garden to the magnificent Municipal Rose Garden, an organic vegetable garden and a tropical conservatory. Highlights are the Ketchum Memorial Iris Garden, at its best in April and May, and a Sensory Garden designed to be enjoyed by the disabled.
Address: 750 Cherry Road; Telephone: (901) 685 1566; Website: www.memphisbotanicgarden.com; Opening time: Monday to Saturday 9am to 6pm, Sunday 11am to 6pm (March to October); Monday to Saturday 9am to 4.30pm, Sunday 11am to 4.30pm (November to February); Admission: $5 (adults), $3 (children 3-12)
