Walking In Memphis

Yelitza Aliotty Brito

Walking through Memphis it is easy to remember and even hum the “Night Train to Memphis” by Dean Martin or “Last Train for Memphis”, particularly Cher’s interpretation dedicated to the memory of Elvis Presley. Another song that comes to mind is “Elvis está vivo” by Andrés Calamaro, as well as the success of the 1960s Venezuelan group, The Memphis. Well along the banks of the Mississippi River the harmonica accords of Howlin' Wolf and its Blues How Many More Years as well as the smooth voice of Bessie Tucker singing Better Boot That Thing, which made us fall deeper in love with this warm and serene city.

Countless, pleasant and dreamy hours can be spent from one end to the other of Tennessee’s largest city. There are so many musical, historical, gastronomic and human places that every minute is to be enjoyed. The Sun Studio, the National Civil Rights Museum, Beale Street, The Mud Island River Park, Memphis Central Station and The A. Schwab's Dry Goods Store, open since 1876, just to name a few. When you pass by Beale Street, give a smile to the statue that pays homage to the father of blues, W.C. Handy, then close your eyes and for an instant feel the chords of the Yellow Dog Blues, where it was written.

Room 306, Motel Lorraine

Motel Lorraine, where Martin Luther King was assassinated, houses and exhibits the history of the civil rights movement in the United States. Thousands of visitors come to the Motel Lorraine now transformed into the National Civil Rights Museum and are able to enjoy an account of the most significant events of the Civil Rights Movement and its fight for justice and equality.

The visit through the museum can last up to two hours or if you prefer, you can choose a 1 hour audio visit. The National Civil Rights Museum is appropriate for all ages and as all tourist destinations, has a gift shop. Take all necessary precautions, as cameras are allowed only in the patio and lobby but not inside the museum. Avoid food, drinks and chewing gum as these items are not allowed inside the museum.

Graceland

Graceland is the second most visited house in the U.S. behind the White House. Fans and onlookers from all around come to pay tribute to the King of Rock, visit his mansion and relive his legend. A guided tour in the language of your preference will give you every detail of a house filled with his personal objects, his family pictures, his gold records, guitars and majestic outfits.

The Graceland grounds include a museum containing Elvis’s auto collection, his private planes and jumpsuit collection, All Access and the Private Presley exhibit, showing memorabilia of Elvis’s’ pass though the military.

The visitor will also be able to watch videos, see pictures, memories and personal objects, other Elvis movies related objects, clothing used in concerts and many other items that will take you on the incredible journey of Elvis to stardom.

To honor King Elvis, a group of visitors whispers Amazing Grace around the tomb where his remains are buried in the Graceland gardens. Others take pictures, cry or leave poems or any other gifts. 

If you wish to spend more than a day close to the Elvis Mansion, you can stay at the Heartbreak Hotel and buy all kinds of souvenirs and gifts in remembrance of the King of Rock.

Tennessee in your hands

The Tennessee Welcome Center offers a map to easily locate all the places you may be willing to visit. If you are driving, parking here is free and you can take Main Street Trolley to Peabody Place in the south, for a visit to the Center for Southern Folklore, exhibiting the picturesque past of this region.

The city center is a contrasting view of urban development and classic architecture of the Southern cities. The principal Peabody Hotel located at 2nd Street and Union Avenue, is surrounded by offices, stores, restaurants and apartments.

The trolley system covers the north-south route through Main Street and connects the principal attractions. A new circuit close to Riverside Drive completes the 5 mile circuit to take you from one end to the other.

Walk towards south Beale Street and visit the Orpheum Theatre, then turn east and go shopping at A. Schwab Dry Goods Store. You could also visit the Hunt Phelan Home and the Memphis Music Hall of Fame Museum.

Also, the Memphis Tourism Office recommends taking the Main Street trolley going north up to Adams Avenue and then walking west to Mud Island until reaching the Mississippi River Park and Museum. On the way back, the Pyramid is several blocks from Mud Island’s parking lot and can be visited by trolley. Then drive your car east of Adams, make a first stop on the Fire Museum of Memphis ad then at the Victorian Village Historic District to visit the Magevney, Mallory Neely and Woodruff-Fontaine houses. When you leave the city center, stop at Sun Studio for a dose of Memphis music history.

Climate

During the winter, temperatures usually stay between 0 and 12 to 13ºC, but in the summer, which is generally humid, it goes up to stay around 20 to 35ºC. Rain is common during the winter, and sometimes comes as snow. The best dates to visit are spring and fall, when temperatures are milder.

Gastronomy

Southern cuisine is richer, more varied and healthier than northern food. English, French and black influence made it much tastier. Corn bread and chicken, prepared in many different ways, are the basics of all meals. Beef or pig barbecues marinated in vinegar and burgoo sauces, a complete pig, veal, beef, chicken, corn and potato stew. Typical of Louisville is the hot brown, a turkey and bacon sandwich with cheese sauce. In Tennessee, the "meat and three", a plate of beef combined with three plates based on a selected vegetable is very common. The Alabama and Mississippi coasts of the Gulf of Mexico are rich in fish and shellfish, very popular here. To drink, there is bourbon such as Jack Daniel's, distilled in Tennessee.

Safety

Southern cities are generally safer than those of the north. There is less crime and social differences, but as usual, it is advisable to be careful.

Southern people