Memphis offers plenty of places to dance, party or enjoy live music. The most notable nightspot in Memphis is Beale Street, a two-block-long strip of bars, clubs and restaurants. As you make your way along Beale, expect to see street musicians along the way, belting out the blues. There are also a few shops scattered up and down the street offering Memphis memorabilia, souvenirs and other merchandise.
Memphis is home to an impressive number of museums. Among the must-see museums are the National Civil Rights Museum and the Pink Palace Museum. The National Civil Rights Museum features exhibits that tell the story of the struggle for civil rights in America. It is housed in the Lorraine Motel where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., was assassinated in 1968. The Pink Palace Museum is located on the grounds of an estate that once belonged to a wealthy entrepreneur. A pink granite mansion on the estate is full of local history exhibits and provides deep insight into the natural and cultural history of the region.
If you are a sports fan, Memphis has teams of all types, playing all year long. If basketball is your sport, Memphis is home to the NBA Grizzlies who play home games at the FedEx Forum. In baseball, Memphis is home to the minor league Redbirds who play in the award-winning AutoZone Park. Just north of Memphis is the Memphis Motorsports Park, which hosts numerous racing events including NASCAR races.
If you have kids (or even if you don't), you will not want to miss the Memphis Zoo. One of the highest ranked zoos in the country, the Memphis Zoo has had ongoing renovations since the 1980s, providing modern enclosures for the animals. Another can't-miss family attraction is the Children's Museum of Memphis. This totally hands-on museum has exhibits and learning activities for children of all ages. Finally, head downtown to the Peabody Hotel to see the daily procession of mallard ducks from the roof of the hotel down the elevator and into the fountain in the lobby. Kids and adults alike enjoy this unique and free attraction.
If you enjoy the great outdoors, there are a couple of spots in Memphis that you won't want to miss. First is the mighty Mississippi that is the western border of the city. You can enjoy scenic views, riverside parks or rides on authentic riverboats. If you enjoy hiking, biking, fishing, boating, horseback riding, kite flying or any number of other outdoor activities, head over to Shelby Farms, the largest urban park in the United States. In fact, Shelby Farms is nearly five times bigger than New York's Central Park.
