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The City
The guide was updated:
Memphis sits on the Mississippi River at the crossroads of Tennessee, Arkansas, and Mississippi, a city with deep roots in music, history, and grit. It started as a major cotton trading hub, but its real legacy comes from the blues, rock ‘n’ roll, and soul music that shaped it. Beale Street was the heart of the blues scene, where legends like B.B. King got their start, while Sun Studio cranked out early rock hits from Elvis, Johnny Cash, and Jerry Lee Lewis.
But Memphis isn’t just about music—it was also a key battleground in the civil rights movement. The Lorraine Motel, where Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated, is now the National Civil Rights Museum, one of the most powerful places to visit in the city.
These days, Memphis is a mix of old and new. Beale Street still hums with live music, but there’s also a growing food scene, revitalized neighborhoods, and a creative energy that keeps things moving forward.
But Memphis isn’t just about music—it was also a key battleground in the civil rights movement. The Lorraine Motel, where Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated, is now the National Civil Rights Museum, one of the most powerful places to visit in the city.
These days, Memphis is a mix of old and new. Beale Street still hums with live music, but there’s also a growing food scene, revitalized neighborhoods, and a creative energy that keeps things moving forward.