Memphis is a charming western Tennessee metropolis set along the banks of the impressive Mississippi River, best known as the birthplace of some of the 20th century's most iconic American music genres. Visitors can explore the city's famed Graceland estate, which once belonged to rock and roll legend Elvis Presley and is preserved today as a living history museum.
Lively Beale Street district is home to the legendary Sun Studio, known for launching the careers of internationally-renowned soul, blues, and rock musicians in the mid-2oth century. Historic blues clubs within the district still present live music performances today, while delicious restaurants serve up signature Southern-style cuisine. A plethora of cultural museums dot the city's landscape, including the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, the Blues Hall of Fame and Stax Museum, and the Belz Museum of Asian and Judaic Art. Unique outdoor attractions include the acclaimed Memphis Zoo, home to one of North America's only panda exhibits, and Mud Island River Park, which recreates a miniature-scale 1,000-mile stretch of the Lower Mississippi River Valley.