Walkin’ In Memphis…
I was in the car driving with my hubby this past Sunday when the radio began playing the song “Walkin’ in Memphis.” Do you remember this hit? The lyrics describe the songwriter’s experience once his plane touched down in this city.
A flood of memories from my family’s visit to Memphis came rushing in. Graceland, Beale Street, Stax Museum and more… these places all illustrate the importance of music in this city. After all, Memphis is the “Home of the Blues” and “Birthplace of Rock and Roll.” But it is so much more!
So come with me on my family’s “Walk in Memphis” and enjoy the stroll!
MUSIC…
probably defines this city more than anything. Most famously it is home to…
Graceland
the home of the King, Elvis Presley. He lived and recorded here and no visit is complete without spending time touring his mansion, gardens, car museum and more.
I have to say I was surprised by Graceland’s size and location. Don’t get me wrong here. His home IS large but in comparison to the mansions owned by celebrities nowadays, it was modest. The home is set back from a road that is quite busy. I assume that it was much quieter when he lived here in the 1970’s. And the kitchen reminded me of the one in the house I grew up in!
I found out some interesting facts about Graceland:
- It’s the second most visited house in the U.S. after the White House
- It’s the most visited privately owned home in the U.S.
- It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 2006, the first for this type of site.
- It was listed as on National Register of Historic Places in 1991, the first rock and roll site to get this distinguished honor.
The memorial and grave site for Elvis and his family overflowed with flowers, stuffed animals, notes and other items that his die hard fans leave behind.
We also toured his airplane collection — one named for his daughter — and his vast car collection.
My family’s visit happened to coincide with the tail end of “Elvis Week.” Memphis is flooded with impersonators and is a host to a week full of events honoring the King. What an experience!
Music History Museums
offer a look into soul, gospel, rhythm and blues, rock ‘n’ roll, and other genres of music that have their roots in the city.
The Blues Hall of Fame is for serious blues fans. Through its extensive galleries, it highlights the 400 inductees.
Sun Studios is know as the Birthplace of Rock N’ Roll. Legends like Elvis, Johnny Cash and Jerry Lee Lewis all recorded here. Take a tour and stand in front of the mic where Elvis made his first recording.
Rock and Soul Museum highlights the musical pioneers who overcame racial and socio-economic obstacles that changed the cultural complexion of the world. It originally started as a research project of the Smithsonian Institution and is the first permanent exhibition outside of New York and Washington. (en.m.wikipedia.org)
Stax Museum of American Soul Music is the world’s only museum dedicated to preserving and promoting the legacy of Stax Records and American soul music.
Located on the original site of the Stax Records studio, this museum pays special tribute to the artists who recorded there, as well as other American soul legends.
The museum contains an amazing and rare collection of artifacts and memorabilia. You can spend hours here viewing, films, stage costumes, musical instruments, vintage recording equipment and more.
Right near by was the dilapidated home of Memphis Slim.
Beale Street
is one of America’s most iconic streets and no visit is complete without taking a walk down its “neon row.”
Full of restaurants, nightclubs and shops, there is something for everyone.
This National Historic Landmark was declared the Home of the Blues by an act of Congress. Through the years, many legendary performers graced its many clubs including Muddy Waters, B.B. King, Louis Armstrong to name just a few.
My family spent a couple of hours here. Dinner at the Blues City Cafe and channeling our inner Elvis topped off our evening!
FOOD…
always plays an important part in my family’s travels. And Memphis certainly didn’t disappoint.
There are, of course, many amazing places to eat in Memphis. My highlights include those places that I feel are unique to this Southern city:
Gus’s Fried Chicken — The Original
our first “taste” of Memphis. But it actually didn’t happen IN Memphis. It was on our way there. We stopped at the original Gus’ in Mason, Tennessee and it didn’t disappoint!
Honestly, for me, this was the best fried chicken that I ever ate!
Charlie Vergos’ Renedezvous
was a stop after a morning of sightseeing.
Located in a basement, this quintessential Memphis ribs place is really where Memphis “dry rub” ribs began. And no visit to Memphis is complete without eating here.
Arcade Diner
was a breakfast stop on our way to visit the National Civil Rights Museum.
This nostalgic diner, opened in 1919, is famous for Elvis’ peanut butter and banana sandwich. My family passed on this and ordered a typical breakfast!
HISTORY…
is not only of the musical kind in this city. A highlight of our trip was a visit to the
National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel
Visiting this museum was really moving and memorable for my family.
This museum is actually a complex of different museums and historic buildings tracing the history of civil rights in our country. But what makes this museum so moving is that it is built around the Lorraine Motel, the site of Martin Luther King’s assassination.
The wreath marks the approximate place at the time of his assassination.
C. H. Nash Museum, Chucalissa…
is a perfect example of the benefits of delving deeper into your destination and finding an unexpected and memorable tourist site.
This museum is located on the archaelogical site know as Chucalissa which means “abandoned house” in Choctaw. It is what is called a “Walls Phase” mound that was occupied, abandoned and reoccupied several times throughout its history. This museum contains all the artifacts recovered over 40 years of excavation. (Source info (en.m.wikipedia.org)
While exploring the mound complex and nature trails, my family met a photographer from a local paper who took pictures of our kids and ran a story on the local front page!
BASEBALL…
is something my family loves. And when we can attend a game while traveling, either minor league or major league, we jump at the chance.
We attended a game at AutoZone park and watched the Memphis Redbirds.
And finally no visit to Memphis is complete without seeing…
The Peabody Ducks
Daily, these little famous birds strut down the red carpet at The Peabody, Memphis with an adoring audience. Once they strut down the carpet, they enter an elevator that takes them to their special home on the roof! No Joke!
