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Memphis Holidays, Hotels & Travel Guide
Travel guide to hotels & holidays in Memphis
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Memphis Holidays Overview
A guide to holidays in Memphis - Few people alive today have not heard of Elvis
Presley, legendary 'King of Rock n Roll', and most associate
Memphis, largest city in Tennessee, with the iconic deceased
singer. Hundreds of thousands of visitors flock to the city each
year, particularly on Elvis' birthday, to make a pilgrimage to
Graceland, the mansion where Presley lived and died.
Citing its famous singing sensation as the only draw card
in Memphis, however, is failing to do this go-getter city in
southwest Tennessee justice. But music makes Memphis special, for
sure: not only rock 'n roll but also the fact that the city spawned
the modern musical forms of blues and soul as well. Music fans from
all over the world stroll down legendary Beale Street in the
downtown area every day, happy to be walking where their heroes
have walked and talked. Aside from touring
Graceland there are several other music-related attractions to grab
the attention, and a whole lot of other things to see and do in
Memphis. The nightlife is world-renowned; the cuisine, particularly
barbecue, irresistible; and there are fascinating museums, great
gardens, Mississippi river boats, amusement parks, and some quirky
cultural and natural sights to explore.
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Memphis
holidays - Top Places To Go
1. Ride The Ducks
Ticketing and departure: Third Street and Union Avenue,
downtown Memphis
www.memphisducks.com |
What is it? See Memphis by land and water aboard one
amazing vehicle, an amphibious D.U.K.W. Ducks are vehicles that
were designed for use during WWII to transport troops and supplies
from ship to shore. The history, humour, and heroes of the town can
be discovered through the entertaining and informative narration on
board Ride The Ducks, which cruise the streets of downtown as well
as the waterways of the Mississippi. The unique sightseeing
attraction offers a fun and fascinating expedition of downtown
Memphis.
Hours of Operation: Daily tours depart frequently from April to
November
Phone:(901) 521 3825, or toll-free 1877 88 78225 |
2. Graceland
Elvis Presley Boulevard
www.elvis.com |
What is it? Memphis' biggest attraction is the
second-most visited house in the United States after the White
House. The Graceland Mansion and its attendant buildings and
attractions were home to the 'King of Rock 'n Roll', Elvis Presley,
who died in 1977. Thousands of fans of all ages still make
pilgrimages here to tour the house, grounds and visit his grave.
Mansion tours are offered with audio players describing the rooms
and memorabilia. Also open for viewing is the Elvis Presley
Automobile Museum housing the star's renowned 1955 pink Cadillac, a
collection of Elvis' personal belongings, and a re-creation of an
airport terminal where the singer's two private jets are on
display. As of March 2006, Graceland joins the White House, Mount
Vernon and Monticello as a National Historic Landmark, the USA's
highest designation for historic properties, usually accorded to
the homes of American presidents. Long live the
King.
Hours of Operation: Open daily. Ticket office open Monday to Saturday
8.30am to 5pm, and Sunday 9.30am to 4pm (From November to February
hours are daily 9.30am to 4pm). The mansion tour is closed on
Tuesdays (November to February). All operations are closed on
Thanksgiving Day and Christmas
Phone:Reservations office: (800) 238 2000 |
3. Sun Studio
706 Union Avenue
www.sunstudio.com |
What is it? Visitors who come to Memphis to pay homage to
Elvis Presley inevitably are also keen to visit the legendary
recording studio in Union Avenue where the King of rock 'n roll's
career, and that of numerous other stars, began. The story is that
Elvis first walked into the Sun Studio in the early 1950s to record
a song as a birthday present for his mother. The rest is musical
history, now enshrined in the studio that also launched the likes
of Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison and Jerry Lee Lewis on the road to
stardom. Visitors to the studio can hear outtakes from recording
sessions, touch Elvis' first microphone, view a great deal of
memorabilia and listen to anecdotes. Alongside the studio is the
Sun Studio Café, a diner that retains its 1950s style and is still
a favourite musician's hangout.
Hours of Operation: Daily 10am to 6pm, with public tours starting every
hour on the half-hour, beginning at 10.30am
Phone:(901) 521 0664 |
Memphis
holidays - Top Events
1. Beale Street Zydeco Festival
From 2007-02-23
To 2007-02-24
|
What is it? Not only is the famous Beale Street in
Memphis the home of Blues and rock 'n roll, but it is also a centre
for devotees of Zydeco music - accordion-driven Cajun sounds. On
two days each year top zydeco artists converge on the local clubs
and pubs, and offer street performances and jam
sessions.
Where is it? Various in Beale Street |
2. Memphis in May
From 2007-05-04
To 2007-05-26
|
What is it? May is the month with the most celebrations
in Memphis, when the city celebrates with a clutch of festivals
designed not only to highlight the indigenous charms of Tennessee
but also as a cultural exchange exercise, honouring a different
'guest' country each year (Spain in 2007). Kicking off the merry
month is the Beale Street Music Festival, billed as 'one outrageous
party' taking place over three days, with four stages on 13
hectares (33 acres) alongside the mighty Mississippi. This is
followed up by the Desti-Nations International Festival featuring
activities, displays and cultural exhibitions relating to the
chosen guest country. The other two main events of Memphis in May
are the World Championship Barbecue Contest and the Great Southern
Food Festival combined with the Sunset Symphony concert on the
riverbank. For more information, call (901) 525
4611.
Where is it? Beale Street Music Festival at Tom Lee Park, downtown
Memphis; Desti-Nations Festival at Memphis Botanic Garden, Cherry
Road, Audubon Park; Barbecue Contest at Tom Lee Park; Sunset
Symphony and Food Festival on the river bank downtown |
3. Carnival Memphis
From 2007-05-01
To 2007-06-30
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What is it? A charitable tradition since 1931, Carnival
Memphis strives each year to raise as much as possible in support
of causes for underprivileged children. The Carnival is filled with
a round of social events, including luncheons and balls, presided
over by the annually elected Carnival King and Queen. A highlight
is a three-mile (5km) children's fun run and carnival at the Park
Vista Hotel.
Where is it? Various |
4. Elvis Week
From 0000-00-00
To 0000-00-00
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What is it? Memphis boasts the most famous and most
visited tourist attraction in the United States, Graceland, former
home of rock 'n roll legend, Elvis Presley. Each year on the
anniversary of Presley's death hundreds of thousands of avid fans
flock to Graceland for a week of scheduled events, most of them
having become traditional like the Candlelight Vigil, a 1950s style
dance party, and a fun run in aid of charity. Live music and
singing is provided all week.
Where is it? Graceland mansion, Elvis Presley Boulevard |
5. Pink Palace Crafts Fair
From 2007-10-05
To 2007-09-08
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What is it? A great outing for avid shoppers, the annual
craft fair in aid of Memphis' Pink Palace Museum attracts tens of
thousands of visitors. The event includes a juried show and the
sale of works by about 300 artists, live music and ethnic food. For
more information, call (901) 320 6408.
Where is it? Audubon Park |
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