Introducing Memphis…
Known as the birthplace of rock'n'roll, the cradle of soul, the home of the blues and the final resting place of Elvis Presley, Memphis packs more musical history into Tennessee's largest city than just about any place in the world. If you're more into today’s music scene, head over to Beale Street to browse the smoky jazz, blues and country joints lining this famous avenue. When it comes to dining, Memphis’s restaurants are all about Southern comfort, from slow-cooked, pulled-pork barbecue to fried chicken, catfish and grits.
No matter what you'd like to see or experience during your Memphis adventure, the Big Cypress Lodge concierge can help with recommendations and tour arrangements.
Big Cypress Lodge is located in the heart of downtown Memphis, just moments away from the city’s most popular attractions and things to do.
Below, you’ll find a few of our favorites. Please visit the concierge for more recommendations or assistance with arranging tours, transportation and more.
At 4,500 acres, Shelby Farms Park is one of the largest urban parks in the country. The Park features more than 40 miles of trails, both paved and unpaved, that are popular for walking, biking, running and hiking, and 20 bodies of water for fishing. The Park's trail network includes Shelby Farms Greenline, an iconic 10.65 mile paved cycling and pedestrian trail.
Located on 13.8 perfectly manicured acres in the heart of Memphis, Graceland was home to rock-n-roll king Elvis Presley. The mansion is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and was declared a National Historical Landmark; it’s the second-most visited private home in the United States (just behind the White House). It’s worth the trip just to see the front gate, which is shaped like a book of sheet music with colored notes and a silhouette of Elvis himself.
Lions and tigers and bears (and giraffes and elephants) are just some of the more than 3,500 animals on display at the Memphis Zoo. Visitors have ranked this the “#1 Zoo in the U.S.” and report that it’s clean and well-organized. Kids love how close you get to the animals; they also love running through the fountains on hot summer days.
The Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum’s exhibition about the birth of rock and soul music was created by the Smithsonian Institution. It tells the story of musical pioneers who, for the love of music, overcame racial and socio-economic barriers to create the music that shook the entire world.
Stax Museum of American Soul Music
Stax is the only soul music museum in the world and has been named by TIME magazine as "The Most Authentic American Experience in Tennessee." Located at the original site of Stax Records, its interactive exhibits and vast collection of memorabilia tells the uniquely Memphis story of the record label that launched the careers of Otis Redding, Isaac Hayes, Booker T. & the MGs, and dozens of others. The Stax Museum part of the Soulsville Foundation, which also operates the Stax Music Academy and The Soulsville Charter School.
Dubbed "America's Most Iconic Street," Beale Street is almost two miles of blues clubs and restaurants. A stroll down this historic street surrounds you with live music, vibrant lights and colors, regional food specialties and an atmosphere reminiscent of Las Vegas.
The National Civil Rights Museum
The site of Martin Luther King’s assassination is a fitting cornerstone to this complex of museums and historic buildings that follow the history of the civil rights movement. Actual artifacts and eyewitness stories paint a vivid picture of a dark time in our history, and visitors leave with a deeper understanding of the fight for equality in America.
If you want to hold Elvis’ microphone or stand in the spot where the very first rock-n-roll single was recorded, you can’t miss a tour at Sun Studio. This recording studio has been home to greats like Johnny Cash, Elvis, Carl Perkins, B.B. King and Jerry Lee Lewis. It claims to be the birthplace of rock-n-roll; regardless, it’s a must-see stop on any serious musical pilgrimage.
Located near the famed Beale Street, FedEx Forum is the sports arena where you can catch the Memphis Grizzlies in an NBA game or the NCAA Division I men’s basketball team from the University of Memphis. You can also cheer at ice hockey games, concerts and family shows.
Email: concierge@big-cypress.com
