Memphis, Tennessee City Guide
For over 20 years, Pamela Lanier's Memphis, Tennessee Travel Guide has been your connection to Memphis's tourism community with invaluable details on local attractions, restaurants, shopping, museums, history, outdoor recreation and more.
The Music that Runs Through Us
What do Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash and B. B. King have in common other than being the “kings” of their musical genres? They all started in Memphis. Memphis is the founding city of Rock n’ Roll, Blues, Gospel and even helped shape Country music along with Nashville. Both Johnny Cash and Elvis got their start in Sun Studio along with other Rock and Roll Hall of Famers like Jerry Lee Lewis. Many others including B. B. King recorded albums at Sun Studio later in their careers leading Sun Studio to claim the title of the birthplace of Rock and Roll. Now music still echoes through the city as live bands set the tone for everything and make every gathering seem like a festival.
The Stax Museum of American Soul Music dubbed “Soulsville, USA” holds more than 2,000 exhibits of artists who contributed to the rise of the soul movement. All of the original records from the artists who recorded there adorn the walls of the museum including major artists such as Aretha Franklin and Ike & Tina Turner. From glitzy stage costumes and legendary instruments to the restored, peacock-blue 1972 Superfly Cadillac El Dorado of Isaac Hayes, The Stax Museum of American Soul Music has something to grab the attention of everyone in the family. Hundreds of thousands of fans flock to visit the home of Elvis Presley each year. Graceland is on both the National Register of Historic Places as well as a National Historic Landmark and it simply wouldn’t be a trip to Memphis without stopping by to see the home that’s almost as celebrated as Elvis himself. Whether you take a guided tour through the mansion or just snap a picture in front of the famous musical gates, Graceland is a must see for any bed and breakfast traveler.
