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Overview
Anyone who's visited Memphis will never forget the pride that a city with such a rich history exudes. Rising up from the black Mississippi River soil, Memphis is a sprawling metropolis with a unique, comforting Southern flair. The city played an important role in the Civil War and in the Civil Rights Movement, yet it's most famous for its love of the good life. Most important, according to many Memphians, are blues and barbecue. The two have become synonymous with the city, and it claims to produce the best of both. While they're at the heart of Memphis culture, there's still much more to see and do, from exploring blossoming art scenes to cheering for its many professional sports teams.
Due to rich delta soil, the 'King of Cotton,' as the city came to be called, developed a profitable economy in the early 1800s but one that was, unfortunately, reliant on slavery. From these beginnings, the city spent many years struggling towards racial equality and eventually became a focal point of the Civil Rights Movement. In 1968, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. came to Memphis to speak and was tragically assassinated at the Lorraine Motel. The city has come a long way since those days, and today you can visit the National Civil Rights Museum at the site of Dr. King's assassination.
But Memphis's greatest claim to fame rests in its contribution to the identity of the American South, most notably in music and food. Both rock n' roll and the blues had their beginnings in Memphis. Sun Studio recorded the first hits of greats like Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, B.B. King and Johnny Cash. The Father of the Blues, Mr. W.C. Handy, wrote the first blues song on Memphis's famed Beale Street, which is still a hub of traditional and new music. Much of the American South's musical heritage can be viewed at sites in Memphis. Just to name a few: Elvis's Graceland, B.B. King's guitar 'ES Lucille' and the Smithsonian's Rock n' Soul Museum are all here.
In addition to its musical contributions, Memphis is famous for rich, delicious Southern fare, dominated by barbecue (namely pork barbecue). Locals boast "If it isn't Memphis barbecue, it isn't barbecue." With close to 100 barbecue joints scattered across the city, Memphis offers visitors no excuse not to get at least one sample of the local delicacy. However, dining in Memphis has become more diverse and is no longer limited to traditional Southern fare. Anything from Indian to Mediterranean to Asian can be found within the city limits.
Leisure fun is also a top priority among Memphians. Nightlife is dominated by live music, leaving little differentiation between bars and clubs. Almost any night of the week, on any major strip in town, folks can hear the sweet reminders of the city's love affair with music. Shopping is another great pastime, and countless indoor malls and shopping centers can be found on the east side of town. More recently, a few downtown areas have blossomed into hip, artsy neighborhoods spotted with designer boutiques, local art galleries, and trendy coffee houses.
Sports events are another top draw. Memphis is home to the college athletics program of the University of Memphis, as well as professional teams, including the NBA's Memphis Grizzlies. The Grizzlies and the University of Memphis men's basketball team once played at the most unique feature on the city's skyline, the Pyramid, but they now hold court at the impressive FedExForum.
The great Mississippi River provides many other points of interest. Walking along the bluffs overlooking the river affords fantastic views, and Mud Island River Park and the Mississippi River Museum on North Front Street let visitors learn about the river's role in Memphis's culture and history. Here you can enjoy the river by canoe, kayak, pedal boat, or river barge.
First and foremost, Memphis is known for its musical heritage and barbecue, but aside from these recognized attractions, the vibrant city has much more to offer. Its economy is booming with Fortune 500 companies and an international airport that's the busiest air cargo port in the world. The people of Memphis have always had a deep respect for the accomplishments of generations past, but they also harbor the foresight necessary to prosper in an ever-changing global marketplace. As the 18th-largest city in the nation, Memphis has managed to maintain its distinctive Southern friendliness and charm while continuing to offer the most modern luxuries.
Due to rich delta soil, the 'King of Cotton,' as the city came to be called, developed a profitable economy in the early 1800s but one that was, unfortunately, reliant on slavery. From these beginnings, the city spent many years struggling towards racial equality and eventually became a focal point of the Civil Rights Movement. In 1968, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. came to Memphis to speak and was tragically assassinated at the Lorraine Motel. The city has come a long way since those days, and today you can visit the National Civil Rights Museum at the site of Dr. King's assassination.
But Memphis's greatest claim to fame rests in its contribution to the identity of the American South, most notably in music and food. Both rock n' roll and the blues had their beginnings in Memphis. Sun Studio recorded the first hits of greats like Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, B.B. King and Johnny Cash. The Father of the Blues, Mr. W.C. Handy, wrote the first blues song on Memphis's famed Beale Street, which is still a hub of traditional and new music. Much of the American South's musical heritage can be viewed at sites in Memphis. Just to name a few: Elvis's Graceland, B.B. King's guitar 'ES Lucille' and the Smithsonian's Rock n' Soul Museum are all here.
In addition to its musical contributions, Memphis is famous for rich, delicious Southern fare, dominated by barbecue (namely pork barbecue). Locals boast "If it isn't Memphis barbecue, it isn't barbecue." With close to 100 barbecue joints scattered across the city, Memphis offers visitors no excuse not to get at least one sample of the local delicacy. However, dining in Memphis has become more diverse and is no longer limited to traditional Southern fare. Anything from Indian to Mediterranean to Asian can be found within the city limits.
Leisure fun is also a top priority among Memphians. Nightlife is dominated by live music, leaving little differentiation between bars and clubs. Almost any night of the week, on any major strip in town, folks can hear the sweet reminders of the city's love affair with music. Shopping is another great pastime, and countless indoor malls and shopping centers can be found on the east side of town. More recently, a few downtown areas have blossomed into hip, artsy neighborhoods spotted with designer boutiques, local art galleries, and trendy coffee houses.
Sports events are another top draw. Memphis is home to the college athletics program of the University of Memphis, as well as professional teams, including the NBA's Memphis Grizzlies. The Grizzlies and the University of Memphis men's basketball team once played at the most unique feature on the city's skyline, the Pyramid, but they now hold court at the impressive FedExForum.
The great Mississippi River provides many other points of interest. Walking along the bluffs overlooking the river affords fantastic views, and Mud Island River Park and the Mississippi River Museum on North Front Street let visitors learn about the river's role in Memphis's culture and history. Here you can enjoy the river by canoe, kayak, pedal boat, or river barge.
First and foremost, Memphis is known for its musical heritage and barbecue, but aside from these recognized attractions, the vibrant city has much more to offer. Its economy is booming with Fortune 500 companies and an international airport that's the busiest air cargo port in the world. The people of Memphis have always had a deep respect for the accomplishments of generations past, but they also harbor the foresight necessary to prosper in an ever-changing global marketplace. As the 18th-largest city in the nation, Memphis has managed to maintain its distinctive Southern friendliness and charm while continuing to offer the most modern luxuries.
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