Walking in Memphis

This trip had an extra special meaning to me as it took me back to my senior year of high school! The song that I danced to during my last recital with my dance company was "Walking in Memphis" by Marc Cohn. When I was brainstorming safe day trips to take from Nashville, TN, I was beyond thrilled to discover that I could walk in Memphis after driving just a few hours.

So, my roommate and I hopped into the car, filled up the gas tank, and headed down to Memphis for a fun-filled day!

Highlights

Beale Street: The first stop on our trip to Memphis was Beale Street! We came here in the morning to avoid the crowds but were still blown away by how lively this street was! The street is filled with bars, restaurants, and shops all covered in murals and neon signs! There are also informational posts scattered throughout the street with information about important figures that have a connection to Memphis, such as Ida B. Wells!

The Peabody Hotel Ducks: After strolling down Beale street, we headed over to the Peabody Hotel to see the world famous Peabody ducks. I have to say, this was probably the highlight of my day! Every day at 11am, these ducks (led by the Duck Master) march from the Duck Palace on the top floor, to the elevator and ride down to the lobby where they then march across a red carpet to the fountain in the middle of the lobby and hangout there all day until 5pm. When the end of the day comes, they march back up to the Duck Palace for a good night's sleep. The story behind the Peabody Ducks is a fascinating one. I will save that for the Duck Master to share with you if you visit.

The Lorraine Motel: The Lorraine Motel, now converted into the National Civil Rights Museum, is the very spot where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated. This motel is kept in immaculate condition, featuring informational videos and a whole civil rights museum. This is a must-see! I had chills the entire time I was here as I was transported back to the 1960s.

Graceland: Graceland, the home of Elvis Presley, is another Memphis favorite! While we didn't actually get the chance to go inside of Graceland, we got to stop by, get a look at Elvis' private jets, and take some photos with the official sign! If I ever go back again, I will definitely do a tour of the mansion. Be prepared ... it's quite pricey!

Sun Studio: This was another one of my favorite stops in Memphis! Sun Studio is the home of famous artists like Johnny Cash and Carl Perkins. It is also where Elvis Presley began his career! The 45-minute tour of the studio is only $15 and you get to see priceless items and stand in the same spots that some of the greats have stood in! Everyone who works here is super friendly and passionate about music which made our experience 10x better!

Eats

Sunrise Memphis: Just outside of downtown is "Sunrise Memphis," a great spot for brunch! You order at the counter, receive a number, and then your food is brought to you in just a short period of time! The employees were lovely and you can tell that this is a favorite spot for the locals.

Jerry's Sno-Cones: We didn't actually get to go to Jerry's but were told that this was the place to go for dessert in Memphis! They're closed on Sundays so if you are a snow cone lover, be sure to make sure you're visiting on a day that they're open!

Added Fun!

Elvis Statue: Right off of Beale street stands this statue of Elvis! You can walk right up and even take a picture next to the King!

Memphis Pyramid: This pyramid is not what you think it is. It's a Bass Pro Shops. Yup, you heard me. This giant pyramid that sits right along the Mississippi River is essentially a giant shop. Whether you want to go shopping, ride up the glass elevator to the observation deck, or just do a drive-by, the Memphis Pyramid will definitely spice up your day.

Arkansas: Talk about spicing up the day ... take a ride over the Mississippi River into Arkansas. I will be honest, there is not much to do in the area of Arkansas near Memphis. A lot of the land around the area is private farmland. However, if you're someone like me who likes to take advantage of every opportunity that they get, then the 10-minute drive over the river to put your feet down over state lines is totally worth it!

Our trip to Memphis was such a fun day trip! We saw things (like the Peabody Ducks!) that I never would have expected to see and I am beyond glad that I was able to do this! Especially if you're in Nashville, I hope that you find yourself walking in Memphis one day!