Stop by the Civil Rights Museum on Mulberry Street, housed in the former Lorraine Motel where Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in 1968. This tribute to the struggle for equality showcases intriguing exhibitions paying homage to the landmark Brown vs. Board of Education decision, and Rosa Parks' courageous stand on an Alabama bus, among many others.
Head to Graceland, where you'll get to see Elvis' former home as well as his grave, an automobile museum featuring several classic cars and two of the King's private jets.
Zoom to the zoo, one of the best in the South, with its grand Egyptian-style entryway and many amazing exhibits inside. A wonderful old aquarium, Penguin Rock, massive polar bears, and an extensive showcase of spiders are just a sampling of this extensive display of animals from all over the world.
The Rock 'n Soul Museum, Memphis' version of Cleveland's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, offers a nifty array of exhibitions illustrating the city's remarkable musical history. Created by the Smithsonian Institution, the museum provides a self-guided digital audio tour featuring more than 100 songs.
Visit legendary Beale Street, home to the famous Sun Studio, several superb clubs, cafés featuring live music and some funky restaurants and galleries. This festive avenue represents the heart of Memphis.
For a taste of sumptuous luxury, consider staying or dining at the Peabody Hotel. At the very least, stop by the attractive lobby at 10am-when the surreal sight of a host of ducks exiting the elevator and heading for the fabulous fountain will make you pinch yourself.
Take the monorail to Mud Island River Park, where the marina, the Mississippi River Museum, and The Memphis Belle-a historic World War Two aircraft-are part of the fun. Be sure to visit the five-block-long River Walk, a scaled-down re-creation of the Mississippi that traces the mighty river from Illinois to Louisiana; you can even rent a pedal-boat for a jaunt on the "Gulf of Mexico," a one-acre reservoir holding more than a million gallons of water.
