Memphis and Graceland seem to go hand in hand; you cannot see one without seeing the other. Graceland is the city’s most popular tourist attraction and the second most visited house in the whole country, just behind the White House. As of 2006, Graceland was designated a National Historic Landmark which is the United States’ highest honour for historic properties and attractions. Every year, hundreds of thousands of fans come to tour the home of the King of Rock and Roll. Audio tours are available through the mansion providing information on the rooms, memorabilia and the famous former occupants. Also on display are the Elvis Presley Automobile Museum which houses a collection of Elvis’ cars including his infamous pink Cadillac, a re-created airport terminal where the star’s private jets are on display and much more. For diehard Elvis fans, you will want to make the pilgrimage to Graceland during Elvis Week. Every year, thousands of fans from around the world make the journey to Graceland to mark the anniversary of Elvis’ death in August 1977. The week is full of scheduled events including the Candlelight Vigil, live music and entertainment, a 50’s style party and more.

Rock n’ Roll to Blues, Soul to Zydeco, Memphis is a city dedicated to the music. Sun Studio on Union Avenue is a music industry shrine founded in the early 1950’s by Sam Phillips. This is the place that launched the careers of so many great performers including Elvis, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Roy Orbison. Take the opportunity to explore, touch Elvis’ microphone, listen to recording session outtakes and stories from the studio’s glory days and view the memorabilia of days gone by. Another great place for a little rock ‘n roll history is the Memphis Rock n’ Roll Museum. Audio tours are available detailing rock ‘n roll’s influence on cultures and lifestyles during the 20th century. Some of the most special notable exhibits housed here include some of Elvis’ costumes and guitars, Ike Turner’s piano and ‘Lucille,’ B.B. King’s prized guitar. For fans of the smooth sounds of the Blues, there is no place like Beale Street, the birthplace of the Blues. The first published blues song, Memphis Blues, was written by W. C. Handy while performing on Beale Street. Some of the most famous musicians to ever sing the Blues got their start on Beale Street including Blue’s king himself B.B. King, Isaac Hayes, Muddy Waters and Rufus Thomas. Beale Street continues to be a mecca for aspiring musicians and legends with a plethora of bars and clubs playing live music day and night. Of the many, be sure to try out, B.B. King’s Blue’s Club, Isaac Hayes Club, King’s Palace Café, Rum Boogie’s Café and Mr. Handy’s Blues Hall. Beale Street is also a stage for the accordion-driven Cajun sounds of Zydeco music. Every February, Beale Street plays host to the Zydeco Festival when musicians unite to put on performances and jam sessions. Definitely a must see and hear!

In Memphis, they are all about their barbeque. It is possible there is nothing better than a good southern barbequed pulled pork sandwich dripping with sweet sauce or succulent barbequed dry ribs. Luckily, Memphis is famous for both. There are all kinds of restaurants, every one of them claiming to have the best barbeque. That will be something you need to decide for yourself. Corky’s is perhaps the most well known and you will see tourists lining up to try their famous fare. However, the smaller, family run places often have superior food. Some of the best places to test Memphis’ barbeque for yourself include Payne’s, the Bar-B-Q Shop and Gridley’s. Memphis is also home to the World Championship Barbeque Cooking Contest which attracts more than 200 teams from across America. Good food, good music and good people mean you can’t beat Memphis for a great vacation. Memphis enjoys four distinct seasons, however it is known for its hot, sticky summers. During the summer months Memphis’ average high is around 25˚C to 27˚C. The humidity is a huge factor though and can make it feel much hotter. The winters are typically mild by North American standards with highs around 5˚C. And believe it or not, Memphis enjoys more sunshine than Miami does.