Pictured above: Autozone Park Stadium home of minor league baseball team Memphis Redbirds located in downtown Memphis.
Destination Memphis Tennessee
My husband and I visited Memphis, Tennessee last March. Our tour took us to three different historical sites in the city. Memphis is located in the southern west area of the state meeting with Arkansas and Mississippi state lines. Receiving its statehood in 1819, the city of Memphis sits on the Chickasaw bluffs above the Mississippi River.
The Peabody
We heard so much about the Peabody, prior to our visit, we decided to stay there. The Peabody is the epitome of grandeur in the south, with its elegance and charm, giving it the name: “South’s Grand Hotel.” This historic hotel was built in 1869 but was rebuilt at its current location in 1925. The hotel has had many famous visitors including presidents Andrew Johnson and William McKinley and confederate general Robert E. Lee., not to mention many other celebrities such as Elvis Presley, Joe DiMaggio, Oprah and more. However, the celebrities that get the most attention are the Peabody Ducks!
Pictured: The Grand Ballroom
The Peabody Ducks
The Peabody Ducks were introduced in 1933 and are the hotels main attraction still. The ducks were originally brought into the lobby’s fountain to enjoy the water. Now, Peabody Ducks walk down the red carpet in the morning, then hang out at the fountain, then exit through the elevators and brought back upstairs to their retreat for the evening. Each day the grand marshal shares the history of the hotel and the ducks. We were fortunate to see the show upon our arrival to the hotel.
Pictured above: the Fountain in the Lobby. Pictured below: the ducks marching
Even if you are not lodging at the hotel, one can visit and see the show, explore the small history room upstairs or purchase from the gift shop.
The Civil Rights Museum
The next day we visited the Civil Rights Museum in downtown Memphis. The museum gives an extensive display of the civil rights movement throughout history. Exhibits, movies and interactive media guide the visitor along the two-hour tour, which also includes the Rosa Park “stand” or “sit” from the Montgomery Bus Boycott. The tour ends at the Lorraine Motel, in the room where Martin Luther King prepared and presented his last speech prior to being shot and killed in 1968.
Pictured above is a monumental plaque, in front of the balcony of the Lorrain Motel, where MLK was assassinated.
After our tour we enjoyed some Memphis BBQ at Central BBQ just across the street from the museum. The restaurant is pictured below.
Music History
Music has a rich history in Memphis. There are multiple choices when it comes to music museums to visit, not to mention all the music establishments. Original music halls are also open to the public to see where perhaps Elvis Presley or one of your favorites recorded their music. We opted for the Memphis Rock & Soul Museum which was just a few blocks away from The Civil Rights Museum.
All music lovers will find something they will enjoy in this museum. Radio and the artifacts from the 1930’s to present day are on display. Most of the exhibits have recordings of the artists songs during their time; the museum boasts over 1,000 songs! The self-guided audio tour gives you the freedom to listen more intentionally to the items you enjoy and the ability to skip the items which are less interesting to you.
Pictured above is the Memphis Rock & Soul Museum from the street view. Below is a picture of an exhibit inside the museum.
Hidden Treasures
Memphis is full of historical buildings and sites as well as a bustling contemporary city. Whether you are looking to be indulged at the Peabody, learning about history or taking a tour through yesteryear or enjoying the contemporary nightlife venues, Memphis holds all of these treasures.
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