Memphis: Music, History and Nature

Memphis offers you a range of themes to consider when planning your trip: music history, civil rights, metalworking and nature. The city offers distinct points of interest for each—from music at the Stax Museum and live music on Beale Street to exhibitions, wildlife watching and outdoor trails.

Music history at the Stax Museum and on Beale Street

The tour of the Stax Museum begins in an actual church from the Mississippi Delta, dating to around 1906; the church was rebuilt inside the museum building. In Studio A, visitors can stand in a faithful replica of the converted movie theater where Stax artists recorded music. The Hall of Records displays every album and single released by Stax and its subsidiary labels between 1957 and 1975. The exhibits span the history of a rebuilt building and a clearly defined period of music releases.

Beale Street offers a different focus: it is a National Historic Landmark. Three blocks in the downtown area are home to nightclubs, restaurants, museums and shops, with live music playing continuously. This gives you a clear distinction to consider when planning your trip: the Hall of Records brings together releases from a specific period, while Beale Street offers a different musical focus, with live music and a range of venues.

Civil rights and historical perspectives

The National Civil Rights Museum focuses on the American civil rights movement. It is located in the Lorraine Motel, where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated. The museum covers a span from slavery in the 17th century to current issues of civil and human rights. Interactive displays and exhibitions convey the history of civil rights and its ongoing influence. The museum thus connects a specific historical site with a perspective that reaches into the present day.

Metalworking, animals and outdoor trails

The Metal Museum presents exhibitions on historic and contemporary metalworking. The grounds include a blacksmith shop. This focus differs from music and civil rights history and offers you a distinct way to explore craftsmanship.

At the Memphis Zoo’s Tropical Bird House, visitors can walk through the central free-flight area while birds fly overhead. This offers a specific form of wildlife watching and a different travel focus from the museum offerings. If you would like to include nature and animals in your plans, this experience is a clearly defined option.

Parkland and a trail are also two different ways to plan time outdoors. Shelby Farms Park covers 4,500 acres. The Shelby Farms Greenline is a 10.65-mile paved bike and pedestrian trail that connects downtown Memphis with downtown Cordova through the park. The park is described by its area, while the Greenline offers a named route with a specified length, surface, uses and endpoints. This lets you distinguish between a large park and a specifically measured biking and walking connection as interests for your trip.

Discover more destinations: Bartlett, Millington, Brunswick, Fisherville, Collierville.

For the broader travel overview: Shelby.