If you’re looking for a spot in the south with lots of charm, look no further than Memphis. Located on the Mississippi River, Memphis is a great place for an inexpensive getaway. From bar-b-que to grand hotels to museums, you can find it all in Memphis.
It’s no secret that Memphis offers outstanding bar-b-que. A favorite of mine is Corkey’s. Located at 5259 Poplar Avenue, Corkey’s is worth the wait you’ll probably experience. It’s a small place with wooden barn walls and servers who don bow ties. Obviously, when Don Pelts opened in 1984, he didn’t expect the huge crowds that gather on any given day. All meat is slow cooked over charcoal and hickory wood, which gives it a distinct flavor. It’s also smoked for 18 hours. You’ll have the choice of their special dry shake or their famous bbq sauce. Rest assured, you’ll love anything you order at Corkey’s.
You can’t go to Memphis without experiencing the grandeur of the Peabody Hotel. This luxury hotel is famous for the “Peabody Ducks” that live on the rooftop. Every day at 11:00, the ducks leave their penthouse on the roof, take the elevator to the lobby, and waddle down the red carpet to their fountain. This parade is fondly referred to as “March of Ducks.” A great lobby bar as well as trendy shops and eateries can also be found at the Peabody.
Top on everyone’s list of Memphis places to visit is Graceland. This 13-acre estate is home to the late Elvis Presley. Tours are offered daily, and you can see some of the famous rooms just as they were in Elvis’s day. The Jungle Room seems to be a favorite and really shows Elvis’s unique style. During your tour, you can wear headsets that narrate events in Elvis’s life and explain the décor of many of the rooms. On the grounds, there is a museum that contains old costumes, gold records, and Elvis’s large car collection. People have been known to swear to a sighing of the King while taking one of the tours.
Another great tour in Memphis is The National Civil Rights Museum, which is located at the site of the Lorraine Motel where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated in 1968. Through its collections, exhibits, and research, the museum explains the lessons of the Civil Rights Movement and how those lessons impacted human rights. You can’t help but feel the strength of Dr. King while touring the museum.
There are many more things to do and see in Memphis. Be sure and check it out soon!