Beale Street Memphis
Memphis, Tennessee - the notoriously colorful “River City” - was once the largest spot cotton, hardwood lumber and mule market in the world. Taking its seat at the center of the Civil Rights Movement, Memphis is also the landmark birthplace of Rock and Roll and is famous for its contributions to the popular identity of the American South. Continuing on its credentials, Memphis is also known as the BBQ capital of the world, hosting “The World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest,” the largest pork barbecue contest on the planet.
Owning so many world-records, firsts, and bests, present-day Memphis has a right to be proud of its diverse heritage, hard-bought by centuries of shakers, movers and over-comers. Memphis is so proud, in fact, that the warmer months kick off an exciting series of festivals celebrating all things Memphis – food, culture, music, art. You’d be hard-pressed to find a more diverse array of events anywhere else in the States and legendary historic landmark/entertainment district Beale Street, local hangout, tourist mecca and birthplace of the Blues, finds itself right at the heart of its share of goings-on!
The City of Memphis clutches the beautiful banks of the mighty Mississippi and offers visitors nearly five miles of sensational riverfront parks to enjoy. A variety of riverboat cruise options treat guests to that legendary Southern hospitality in the grandest paddlewheel tradition. Every Memphis itinerary must include stops at Elvis' Graceland, Stax Museum, the Memphis Rock and Soul Museum, and landmark Sun Studio where Elvis, Johhny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and a host of other legends got their start. Animal lovers will enjoy whiling away an afternoon at the acclaimed Memphis Zoo or stopping by to witness the Peabody Hotel’s wacky, quacky celebrities – the Peabody Ducks, as they make their twice-daily walk through the halls of the hotel to their palace on the roof.
