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ATTRACTIONS IN MEMPHIS
Beale Street
Beale Street has been playing the blues for more than half a century. Named after an unknown military hero in 1841, it acted as General Ulysses S. Grant’s headquarters during the Civil War. But, Beale Street’s heyday was in the 1920's, when the area took on a carnival atmosphere and gambling, drinking, prostitution, murder and voodoo thrived alongside the booming nightclubs, theaters, restaurants, stores, pawnshops and hot music. In 1983, the first club reopened on Beale, and one by one, clubs and businesses moved into renovated spaces, producing the most vibrant streetscape and activity center in downtown Memphis and the Mid-South. What was once all vacant property has turned into one of the hottest entertainment districts in the country. Over the past 20 years, the street has gone from the epitome of urban decay to the number one tourist attraction in the State of Tennessee. With over 25 clubs and shops to choose from Beale Street has something to offer almost everyone. You could slip into Wet Willies and get some of the best daiquiris on the street or you could mosey on down to Blues City Cafe and sample some of the best ribs in the world. Art galleries, t-shirts, good music, getting your fortune told, strange cargo, you name and Beale St. probably has it.
Cotton Museum at the Memphis Cotton Exchange
65 Union Avenue
901/531-7826
www.memphiscottonmuseum.org
Memphis was and is the world's center for "spot cotton" or cash crop trading. The cotton economy completely defined 150 years of the city's history. The mission of the Cotton Museum at the Memphis Cotton Exchange is to share the story of the cotton industry and its many influences on daily life, the arts and the development of this region. Hours Monday – Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and Sunday Noon – 5:00 p.m. Admission $5.00.
Davies Manor Plantation
9336 Davies Plantation Road
901/386-0715
www.daviesmanorplantation.org
The first mention of the Davies family in the Shelby County area is in 1838; a locator’s deed showing the purchase of land by William E. Davies. However, the 1850 census of lists William E. Davies as living with his family in Fayette County. His sons, Logan Early and James Baxter Davies, probably came back and forth on the Stage Road to oversee this farm, but lived with their father in Fayette County. In 1851, Logan and James bought the acreage with the log house from Joel W. Royster (who was moving his family into a plank house). Adjoining acreage was purchased in the following years and Davies Plantation eventually totaled approximately 2,000 acres. It is unknown when or who built the original one room log cabin (parlor). Between 1831 and 1837, Joel W. Royster made additions to the house, including the addition of a dogtrot, full extension of the loft above the "parlor" and the two story bedroom area on the east side. In the 1860's, the present dining room was added to house. The present kitchen was added after 1950. Hours Tuesday – Saturday Noon – 4:00 p.m. Admission $5.00.
The Dixon Gallery and Gardens
4339 Park Avenue
901/761-5250
www.dixon.org
The Dixon Gallery and Gardens, one of Memphis' premier art museums since 1976, specializes in impressionist and Post-Impressionist paintings and decorative arts. Over the years, and through generous gifts, bequests and museum purchases, the collection has grown to over 2,000 paintings, works on paper, sculptures and decorative arts objects. With the addition of the Warda Stevens Stout Collection of 18th century German Porcelain, The Adler Pewter Collection, The Armand Hammer Collection of Daumier Prints, The Noufflard Collection, The Forain Acquisition, The Ritchie Collection and the Millennium Gift of Sara Lee Corporation. Hours Tuesday – Friday 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.; Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; Sunday 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Admission $7.00.
Graceland
3765 Elvis Presley Boulevard
800/238-2000
www.elvis.com/graceland
Mansion: Enjoy a self-guided audio tour, with stories by Elvis and his daughter Lisa Marie, as you journey through Elvis’ life and career. Located on a 140-acre estate, the Mansion features exhibits of authentic clothing, artifacts, personal mementos and an amazing display of Elvis’ gold and platinum awards.
Elvis’ Automobile Museum: Cruise through the car museum featuring vehicles owned by Elvis. Highlights include Elvis’ 1955 pink Cadillac, 1956 purple Cadillac, 1973 Stutz Blackhawk, the red MG he drove in Blue Hawaii and his Harley Davidsons.
Elvis’ Custom Jets: Peek inside the small Lockheed JetStar before walking aboard Elvis’ custom Lisa Marie jet.
Elvis’ Jumpsuits: This special exhibit features 56 of Elvis’ stage outfits from the major concert era of his career.
Hours Monday – Saturday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; Sunday 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Ticket prices $68.00 for Graceland Elvis Entourage VIP Tour; $32.00 for Graceland Platinum Tour; and $27.00 for Graceland Mansion Tour.
Main Street Collierville
125 North Rowlett, Collierville
901/853-1666http://www.collierville.com/mainstreet/documents/233486Inside.pdf
Main Street Collierville has printed an excellent Walking Tour of historic Collierville that was originally produced as an Eagle Scout project by Greg Baumgartner in 1992. This Tour is designed to give a panoramic view of historic Collierville, linking its past with today. In addition to the places you will see, the tour recalls people and events long gone, buildings lost or replaced in the changes of time, sites and sights that can live again only in the imagination.
Memphis Botanic Garden
750 Cherry Road
901/576-4100
www.memphisbotanicgarden.com
If you're looking for that perfect place to stop and smell the roses, perhaps it's time you stopped by the Memphis Botanic Garden. It's your chance to experience the quiet tranquility of one of the Mid-South's finest horticultural attractions. Memphis Botanic Garden encompasses over 96 acres of sweeping vistas, lakes and woodlands, display gardens and the renowned Japanese Garden of Tranquility, the Sensory Garden and much more. Hours Monday – Saturday 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.; Sunday 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Memphis in May International Festival, Inc.
memphisinmay.org
Beale Street Music Festival = May 2 – 4
To the world, Memphis means great music. Music lovers from around the globe gather at the Beale Street Music Festival to celebrate this vital heritage, this deep river of sound. Three magical days. Four big stages. Thirty-three acres overlooking the Mighty Mississippi, right on the heels of historic Beale Street. More than sixty top artists. Blues, rock, gospel, R&B, alternative, and soul a spine-tingling musical variety guaranteed to shake your soul. Friday, May 2 – 5:00 p.m. – 12:30 a.m.; Saturday, May 3 – 1:00 p.m. – 12:30 a.m.; Sunday, May 4 – 1:00 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. Single Day tickets are $25.00 in advance or $30.00 at the gate. A pass for all three days is $59.50 until April 30th.
Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum
191 Beale Street
901/205-2533
www.memphisrocknsoul.org
The Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum’s exhibition about the birth of rock and soul music, created by the Smithsonian Institution, tells the story of musical pioneers who, for the love of music, overcame racial and socio-economic barriers to create the music that shook the entire world.
Located at 191 Beale, on the corner of legendary Highway 61 at the FedExForum sports and entertainment complex, the museum offers a comprehensive Memphis music experience from the rural field hollers and sharecroppers of the 1930’s, through the explosion of Sun, Stax and Hi Records and Memphis’ musical heyday in the 70’s, to its global musical influence. The museum’s digital audio tour guide is packed with over 300 minutes of information, including over 100 songs, and takes visitors at their own pace through seven galleries featuring 3 audio visual programs, more than 30 instruments, 40 costumes and other musical treasures. Open daily 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Admission $10.00.
Memphis Zoo
2000 Prentiss Place
901/276-9453
www.memphiszoo.org
One of the country's best zoos is in Memphis. The Memphis Zoo is open daily and features more than 3,500 animals representing 500 species. It's one of four U.S. zoos to exhibit giant pandas, and new exhibits feature polar bears, sea lions, large cats, primates and farm animals. Hours 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Admission $12.00 - $13.00.
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