MEMPHIS
Area: Cities
Country: United States of America
Location:
In the E United States, in the upper part of the "American South", in the SW corner of the state of Tennessee where it borders the states of Arkansas and Mississippi. 209 mls SW of the state capital, Nashville. 139 mls from Little Rock, Arkansas. 15 mls NW of airport.
Telephone code from UK:
1 901
Website:
http://www.memphistravel.com
Position:
On bluffs on the E bank of the Mississippi River, parallel to the long, narrow Mud Island. This lofty position has helped the city remain immune to the regular flooding suffered by other Mississippi River communities.
Description:
Memphis is an old Confederate city that has experienced glory as well as tragedy during its turbulent history. To the world, however, it will forever remain synonymous with Elvis Presley, rock 'n' roll and blues music. Thousands of emotional pilgrims and look-alike fans as well as millions of simply curious tourists flock to Elvis's Graceland estate, which has been developed into a multimillion-dollar attraction. At the other end of the spectrum from this circus is the former Lorraine Hotel, where Dr Martin Luther King Jr was assassinated in 1968; it is now a memorial and museum. The city centre experienced a sharp decline during the 1970s, when much of the population moved out to the suburbs; misguided demolition of many fine old buildings in favour of car parks and bland concrete high-rises has left downtown bereft of a genuine focal point. Revitalisation around Peabody Place and the historic Beale Street district are the only notable exceptions. Like most American cities, Memphis has a sprawling metropolitan area (roughly 22 mls by 18 in this case), though its downtown covers an area measuring about 2 mls by 2.
Suitability:
A mix of corporate clientele and lovers of soul, blues and rock 'n' roll. Vast numbers of international Presley pilgrims and tourists visiting the star's former home and grave at Graceland.
Accommodation:
Large choice, catering to all pockets and tastes. Downtown is dominated by the historic de luxe Peabody Hotel, a major focal point for social and business occasions. Dozens of cheap and cheerful motels, motor inns and B&Bs are concentrated around Graceland, several miles S of downtown.
Shopping:
Choice of large malls on the outskirts of town as well as the somewhat limited number of shops in Peabody Place complex in the city centre. Beale Street provides a wealth of cheap souvenirs and musical memorabilia from rock 'n' roll to the blues, dominated by myriad items from mugs to number plates sporting Elvis Presley's image.
Entertainments:
Daytime: Graceland, including Elvis Presley's home, cars, aircraft and record awards; Sun Studios (where Elvis first recorded). National Civil Rights Museum (site of Martin Luther King Jr's assassination). Peabody Place Museum (Chinese art). Baseball games at AutoZone Park, home of Memphis Redbirds; Mud Island River Park, incorporating River Walk (a 5-block replica of the Mississippi), River Museum and "Memphis Belle" B17 WWII bomber. Horse-and-carriage tours. A couple of riverboat cruises. Annual Elvis Week in August. Nightlife: music-orientated, from country to blues. Beale Street has several lively bars, including nightspot of blues guitarist BB King. Regular open-air performances in the pavilion off Beale Street. Sports and shows at the Pyramid Arena complex.
Eating:
Everything from fine dining at the Peabody Hotel to cheap all-day breakfasts, Southern-style barbecues, fried chicken and Creole seafood. Wealth of well-known fast-food chains.
Public-transport:
Efficient Transit Authority buses in downtown, augmented by the Riverfront Loop vintage trolleys and the Main Street trolleys between the striking Pyramid Arena complex and past Beale Street. Regular buses out to Graceland and airport. Abundant metered taxis. Long-distance Greyhound buses.
Local-excursions:
Half day: historic city bus tours. Memphis Zoo. Libertyland Amusement Park. Chucalissa archaeological museum (partially reconstructed native American village). Full day: casinos in Tunica County (in state of Mississippi). Shiloh National Military Park _ Civil War battlefields; Jack Daniel's Distillery in Lynchburg. 2 days: Nashville.