Memphis

Memphis is a city on the Mississippi River in southwest Tennessee, famous for the influential strains of blues, soul, and rock 'n'roll that originated there. Elvis Presley, B.B. King, and Johnny Cash recorded albums at the legendary Sun Studio, and Presley’s Graceland mansion is a popular attraction. Other music landmarks include the Rock 'n' Soul Museum, the Blues Hall of Fame, and the Stax Museum of American Soul Music.

Memphis is always grooving, whether to Elvis Presley's melodies reverberating across the city or to the tunes of up-and-coming singers on Beale Street. For many, Graceland is the main attraction. Yet, audiophiles who come just for Elvis will be thrilled to discover that Memphis has much more to offer. In Memphis clubs and recording studios, Johnny Cash, Isaac Hayes, and B.B. King honed their distinct sounds. Along with its significance in music history, Memphis serves as a heartbreaking reminder of the civil rights fight. In 1968, Martin Luther King Jr. petitioned for equal rights for black sanitation employees here. After leading a peaceful protest in March, King returned to the city on April 3 only to be assassinated a day later at the Lorraine Motel, now the site of the National Civil Rights Museum.

There's a third, often neglected, incentive to visit Memphis. The "Cradle of American Music" serves you wonderful food, nice sounds, and solid historical lectures. Consider a vacation in the spring or fall (the summer heat here is unbearable) to sample a few gastronomic (and decidedly Southern) specialties. Any wannabe foodie's list should include the region's finger-lickin' BBQ and buttery grits. Sign up for one of the top Memphis tours to learn more about the city's history, gastronomy, and music.

Best Hotels in Memphis

• The Peabody, Memphis
• The River Inn of Harbor Town
• The Guest House at Graceland

The Best Things to Do in Memphis:

• National Civil Rights Museum-Loretta Motel
• The Stax Museum of American Soul Music
• Sun Studio

Rankings:

• 2 in Best Places to Visit in Tennessee
  19 in Best Weekend Getaways in the South
  

Rating:

• 19 in Best Weekend Getaways in the South