Memphis Cruise & Stay

The National Civil Rights Museum is a renowned educational and cultural institution located in Memphis, Tennessee. It is built around the former Lorraine Motel, which is a significant site in American history as it was the location of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination in 1968.

The museum offers a comprehensive chronicle of the American Civil Rights Movement through compelling presentations of iconic exhibits, oral histories of lesser-known civil rights foot soldiers, and visceral, in-the-moment experiences. Visitors can learn through emotionally charged, multi-user, multi-touch interactives, and a visually engaging, contemporary exhibit design that guides you through five centuries of history.

The museum is steadfast in its mission to share the culture and lessons from the American Civil Rights Movement and explore how this significant era continues to shape equality and freedom globally. It serves as a catalyst to inspire action to create positive social change.

The museum underwent a significant renovation in 2013 and 2014, adding more than 40 new films, oral histories, and interactive media to the already robust galleries. The result is a one-of-a-kind experience that has been featured on the History Channel and CNN, in USA Today, and as the focus for the Academy Award-nominated documentary The Witness: From the Balcony of Room 306.

Graceland is a mansion located on a 13.8-acre estate in Memphis, Tennessee, United States. It was once owned by the legendary American singer Elvis Presley. The mansion is not just a home, but a place where Elvis, his parents, his paternal grandmother, his grandson, and his daughter are buried.

Graceland is a major tourist attraction in Memphis, attracting more than 650,000 visitors annually. It was opened to the public as a house museum in 1982. The mansion and its estate became an essential part of the singer’s identity. The Colonial Revival style mansion was built in 1939 and was named after Grace Toof, the aunt of the original owner’s wife, whose ancestors had purchased the land in the 19th century.

Elvis Presley purchased the white-columned property and the surrounding land in 1957. He moved in along with his parents, Vernon and Gladys Presley. His mother died the following year and is buried at Graceland. Two years later, Vernon remarried and moved his new wife, Dee Stanley, into the home. Eventually, Elvis moved them out and into an adjacent property.

Graceland was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1991, becoming the first site recognized for significance related to rock music. It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 2006, also a first for such a site.

Today, visitors can experience 120 acres dedicated to the life and career of Elvis Presley. They can see his mansion, the gold records, the jeweled jumpsuits, the classic cars, and interactive exhibits that let them experience Elvis like never before. Visitors can also stay at Graceland’s AAA Four-Diamond resort hotel, The Guest House at Graceland.

Beale Street is a historic street located in Downtown Memphis, Tennessee. It runs from the Mississippi River to East Street, covering a distance of approximately 1.8 miles. Beale Street holds a significant place in the city’s history and in the history of blues music.

In the early 1900s, Beale Street was the thoroughfare that divided South Memphis from Memphis. A diverse mix of Black-owned businesses developed, and by the 1920s, Beale Street had reached a level of high prominence. Beale Street flourished musically and commercially, especially from 1900 to 1949, and again beginning in 2000.

Today, Beale Street stands as one of Memphis’s biggest cultural and tourist attractions. The street is lined with an eclectic mix of commercial businesses, bars, churches, and music venues, including the Orpheum Theatre, Clayborn Temple, and the FedEx Forum. The street is also lined with Beale Street Brass Notes honoring more than 170 talented people who “put Memphis Music and Beale Street on the world map.”

Festivals and outdoor concerts frequently bring large crowds to the street and its surrounding areas. Whether you’re a fan of blues music, a foodie, or just someone looking for a vibrant nightlife, Beale Street has something to offer. It’s a place where you can feel the pulse of Memphis and experience the city’s rich musical history firsthand. Enjoy your visit!

The Memphis Zoo is a prominent zoo located in Midtown, Memphis, Tennessee, United States. It is home to more than 3,500 animals representing over 500 different species. The zoo was established in April 1906 and has been a major tenant of Overton Park for more than 100 years.

The zoo is set on 76 acres, of which approximately 55 acres are developed. It is one of the oldest exhibits at the Memphis Zoo. The zoo’s animal inhabitants reside in three zones with 19 exhibits, such as Teton Trek, Northwest Passage, and China, home to giant pandas.

The Memphis Zoo is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). It has been recognized for its conservation efforts and is involved in various conservation programs around the globe.