Page 8 - CONF 2016 Vol 34 No 4
P. 8
By Molly Gilbert
Memphis: The Soulful South
A DAY WITH THE KING
Of course you have to visit Graceland…you can’t come to Memphis and not see the home of the King of Rock
‘n Roll! The interactive multimedia iPad tour of the house and grounds gives a great history and the impact Elvis
Presley had on the music industry. The automobile museum and private planes cost a little extra, but are well
worth the visit. Take a break with ice cream, and everyone will enjoy looking at the various gift shops.
3734 Elvis Presley Blvd., (901) 332-3322, Daily: 9 a.m.- 4 p.m., $80 per person (6 and under are free)
NATIONAL CIVIL RIGHTS MUSEUM
Noted as one of the nation’s premier heritage and cultural museums, the National Civil Rights Museum is located
at the former Lorraine Motel, where civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated on April 4,
1968. Personally seeing this historic site is lesson enough, but additionally the museum offers hundreds of
artifacts documenting slavery, the Civil War, the rise of Jim Crow and the paradigm-shifting events that still
inspire people around the world to stand up for equality. (901) 521-9699, Mon., Wed.-Sun.: 9 a.m.- 6 p.m., Tues.:
Closed, $15 Adult, $14 Seniors & Students with ID, $12 Children (4-17 years), (3 and under are free)
COTTON MUSEUM
From the field songs sung by slaves that gave birth to today’s Blues, to the cotton tycoons who made millions,
to the steamboats carrying bales on the Mississippi River, this museum tells the story of “white gold” and its
impact on the South’s culture and economy. 65 Union Ave., Memphis, TN 38103, (901) 531-7826
Mon. - Sat.: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Sun.: 12 - 5 p.m.
ROCK ‘N SOUL MUSEUM
This gem of a museum gives a great overview of the history of how rock and soul music have shaped American
culture. The introductory video is extremely well done and is a must to put everything about the music industry
in Memphis into perspective. The headphone tour allows everyone to go at his/her own pace. Pay particular
attention to the first section about farm life and the importance of church, because it is a repeated theme in
other Memphis museums, but best represented here. 191 Beale St., (901) 205-2533, Daily: 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. (Last
tour at 6:15 p.m.), $12 Adults, $9 Children (Ages 5-17), (4 and under are free)
STAX MUSEUM OF AMERICAN SOUL MUSIC
Home to soul legends like Otis Redding, Isaac Hayes, the Staples Singers, Wilson Pickett and Rufus Thomas, to
name just a few, this museum experience literally takes visitors through a living timeline of Southern music, from
the small country church to Isaac Hayes’ Gold Cadillac Eldorado. Again, the introductory video is tremendous and
can’t be missed! This museum highlights more of the cultural changes affected by the Civil Rights Movement
and reinforces the important role of music. 926 E McLemore Ave., (901) 946-2535, Mon.: Closed
Tues.- Sat.: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Sun.: 1 - 5 p.m., $13 Adults, $12 Seniors 62+, Active Military, Students with ID,
$10 Children (Ages 9-12), (8 and under are free)
SUN STUDIO
The significant role Sam Phillips played in the birth of Rock and Roll is preserved in this small studio that has
not been touched, updated or renovated in all these years. Did you know that Sam Phillips didn’t like the slow
ballads Elvis Presley first sang but loved the more soulful songs that eventually turned him into the King of
Rock and Roll? Listen for the detail about how the wire in the amplifier was shaken loose and created a new and
different sound that led to a technology innovation that made Sun Studio famous. 106 Union Ave., (800) 441-
6249, Daily: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Tours are given at the bottom half of every hour from 10:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., $12
Adults, Free for children ages 5-11. (Children under 5 are not permitted.)
BASS PRO SHOP IN THE PYRAMID
Even if you are not the outdoorsy type, this giant Pyramid is worth a visit. When you arrive, check on the
availability of bowling and the estimated wait time for dinner, and plan your store exploration around your wait
time. 1 Bass Pro Dr., (901) 291-8200, Mon. - Sat.: 8 a.m. - 10 p.m., Sun.: 8 a.m. - 7 p.m.
MEMPHIS ZOO
Visit giant pandas Ya Ya and Le Le in an awe-inspiring Asian-inspired exhibit. One of only four places in the
U.S. to see giant pandas, the Memphis Zoo also offers a wide variety of habitats including the Teton Trek exhibit,
featuring grizzly bears, elk, timber wolves and trumpeter swans and the Northwest Passage showcasing polar
bears and sea lions. With about two miles of walking and over 3,500 animals to see, allow a whole day. However,
little legs wear out quickly, so be sure to pay the nominal extra fee for the tram. 2000 Prentiss Pl., (901) 333-
6500, Daily: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., $15 Adults (Ages 12-59), $14 Seniors (Age 60+), $10 Children (Ages 2-11).
Looking for free things to do in Memphis? Visit the Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau website: www.memphistravel.com/free-things-to-do-in-memphis.
8 TPW Conference 2016
Memphis: The Soulful South
A DAY WITH THE KING
Of course you have to visit Graceland…you can’t come to Memphis and not see the home of the King of Rock
‘n Roll! The interactive multimedia iPad tour of the house and grounds gives a great history and the impact Elvis
Presley had on the music industry. The automobile museum and private planes cost a little extra, but are well
worth the visit. Take a break with ice cream, and everyone will enjoy looking at the various gift shops.
3734 Elvis Presley Blvd., (901) 332-3322, Daily: 9 a.m.- 4 p.m., $80 per person (6 and under are free)
NATIONAL CIVIL RIGHTS MUSEUM
Noted as one of the nation’s premier heritage and cultural museums, the National Civil Rights Museum is located
at the former Lorraine Motel, where civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated on April 4,
1968. Personally seeing this historic site is lesson enough, but additionally the museum offers hundreds of
artifacts documenting slavery, the Civil War, the rise of Jim Crow and the paradigm-shifting events that still
inspire people around the world to stand up for equality. (901) 521-9699, Mon., Wed.-Sun.: 9 a.m.- 6 p.m., Tues.:
Closed, $15 Adult, $14 Seniors & Students with ID, $12 Children (4-17 years), (3 and under are free)
COTTON MUSEUM
From the field songs sung by slaves that gave birth to today’s Blues, to the cotton tycoons who made millions,
to the steamboats carrying bales on the Mississippi River, this museum tells the story of “white gold” and its
impact on the South’s culture and economy. 65 Union Ave., Memphis, TN 38103, (901) 531-7826
Mon. - Sat.: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Sun.: 12 - 5 p.m.
ROCK ‘N SOUL MUSEUM
This gem of a museum gives a great overview of the history of how rock and soul music have shaped American
culture. The introductory video is extremely well done and is a must to put everything about the music industry
in Memphis into perspective. The headphone tour allows everyone to go at his/her own pace. Pay particular
attention to the first section about farm life and the importance of church, because it is a repeated theme in
other Memphis museums, but best represented here. 191 Beale St., (901) 205-2533, Daily: 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. (Last
tour at 6:15 p.m.), $12 Adults, $9 Children (Ages 5-17), (4 and under are free)
STAX MUSEUM OF AMERICAN SOUL MUSIC
Home to soul legends like Otis Redding, Isaac Hayes, the Staples Singers, Wilson Pickett and Rufus Thomas, to
name just a few, this museum experience literally takes visitors through a living timeline of Southern music, from
the small country church to Isaac Hayes’ Gold Cadillac Eldorado. Again, the introductory video is tremendous and
can’t be missed! This museum highlights more of the cultural changes affected by the Civil Rights Movement
and reinforces the important role of music. 926 E McLemore Ave., (901) 946-2535, Mon.: Closed
Tues.- Sat.: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Sun.: 1 - 5 p.m., $13 Adults, $12 Seniors 62+, Active Military, Students with ID,
$10 Children (Ages 9-12), (8 and under are free)
SUN STUDIO
The significant role Sam Phillips played in the birth of Rock and Roll is preserved in this small studio that has
not been touched, updated or renovated in all these years. Did you know that Sam Phillips didn’t like the slow
ballads Elvis Presley first sang but loved the more soulful songs that eventually turned him into the King of
Rock and Roll? Listen for the detail about how the wire in the amplifier was shaken loose and created a new and
different sound that led to a technology innovation that made Sun Studio famous. 106 Union Ave., (800) 441-
6249, Daily: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Tours are given at the bottom half of every hour from 10:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., $12
Adults, Free for children ages 5-11. (Children under 5 are not permitted.)
BASS PRO SHOP IN THE PYRAMID
Even if you are not the outdoorsy type, this giant Pyramid is worth a visit. When you arrive, check on the
availability of bowling and the estimated wait time for dinner, and plan your store exploration around your wait
time. 1 Bass Pro Dr., (901) 291-8200, Mon. - Sat.: 8 a.m. - 10 p.m., Sun.: 8 a.m. - 7 p.m.
MEMPHIS ZOO
Visit giant pandas Ya Ya and Le Le in an awe-inspiring Asian-inspired exhibit. One of only four places in the
U.S. to see giant pandas, the Memphis Zoo also offers a wide variety of habitats including the Teton Trek exhibit,
featuring grizzly bears, elk, timber wolves and trumpeter swans and the Northwest Passage showcasing polar
bears and sea lions. With about two miles of walking and over 3,500 animals to see, allow a whole day. However,
little legs wear out quickly, so be sure to pay the nominal extra fee for the tram. 2000 Prentiss Pl., (901) 333-
6500, Daily: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., $15 Adults (Ages 12-59), $14 Seniors (Age 60+), $10 Children (Ages 2-11).
Looking for free things to do in Memphis? Visit the Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau website: www.memphistravel.com/free-things-to-do-in-memphis.
8 TPW Conference 2016
