M E M P H I S ,   T E N N E S S E E

Wednesday, November 10, 2004

Community: #11

Visitors Center: 3205 Elvis Presley Boulevard, Memphis, TN 38116

Hours: 9am-6pm, Nov-Mar and 9am-7pm, Apr-Oct. The center is open 24 x 7.

Phone: (888) 633-9099 or (901) 543-5333

Link: Official Website

Population: 627,802 (2004 US Census)

Gender: 47.6% male, 52.4% female

Race: 62.3% African American, 34.8% White, 2.9% Other

Median Income: $32,399

Rating:

(5 max)

I spend a full day and evening touring Memphis, TN. Click here if you're interested in the complete skinny on my visit to Memphis. It'll take you to the start of it all, as I break camp and head into the city. Otherwise, herein you'll find a worthwhile summary of my day's tourist activities, comprised of visits to Graceland and Beale Street.

Graceland was purchased by Elvis in 1957 for $100,000 during the start of his ascent to stardom. He lived in the mansion for 20 years until his untimely death in 1977 at the age of 42. Graceland is now a museum that strives to chronical Elvis' life, from his poor beginnings in Mississippi in the 40s to his rise to fame and fortune in the 50s, 60s, and 70s.

Click here for more detail and pictures of my interesting tour of Graceland.

To some folks, Beale Street is just another street in downtown Memphis, but to others, it's a significant historical location that played an important role in fostering the musical artform and style called the blues. One of the most visited attractions in Tennessee, Beale Street is lined with a variety of blues clubs, restaurants, and interesting shops. As I walk the street, the air is filled with musical sounds. Musicians play their music from an outdoor courtyard, sharing with the public the joy of their soulful craft.

Click here for more details and pictures of my tour of Beale Street in Memphis, TN.

My visit to Memphis was short but sweet. Having only a day to spend in this great southern city, I was wise to choose Graceland and Beale Street as my sightseeing venues. There's a reason why these two sights are so popular. It's because they're really, really good! I wish I had a little more time to investigate the city. However, I was fortunate to have enough time between venues to visit the Mississippi River where I took in the sights of the river as well as 4 really nice riverboats.

I give my tour of Memphis 4.5 thumbs-up out of a possible 5 thumbs.