Home of “The King of Rock and Roll”, Elvis Presley, music fans will no doubt literally find themselves rocking and rolling in Memphis, Tennessee.
At the same time, there is clearly more to Memphis than just a renowned musical legacy.
Accordingly, in this post, we share some of the best things you can do while in Memphis, Tennessee.
Trip to Memphis Zoo
Memphis Zoo is one of the largest in this area with a truly wide and exotic range of animals housed within it. You will especially enjoy visiting Memphis Zoo with friends and family, particularly kids who are sure to have an absolutely rollicking time there.
A major highlight of Memphis Zoo is the China exhibit where you can actually get to see Giant Pandas, a rare spectacle anywhere outside of China.
Visit Dixon Gallery and Gardens
One of the most prominent art museums not just in Memphis but across Tennessee, you will find collections spanning Renoir, Bonnard, Monet, Rodin, Morisot, and Sisley to only name a select few.
A prominent collection here is that of tableware, especially German porcelain that dates back to the 18th century. Further, once here, besides the collections housed inside, you will equally enjoy strolling through the sprawling gardens outside.
Visit National Civil Rights Museum
While in Memphis, a trip to National Civil Rights Museum should certainly be on your itinerary. Once here, you will gain excellent insight into the background behind the Civil Rights Movement that took place in the United States. Alongside, you will also see Lorraine Motel which is where Martin Luther King Jr., famed civil rights activist, was assassinated back in 1968.
Visit Graceland
Can any trip to Memphis really be complete if you do not visit Graceland, home of Rock and Roll legend, Elvis Presley? A National Historic Landmark of the United States since 2006, Graceland has the distinction of being the second most visited house in the United States, surpassed only by the White House in Washington DC.
A trip to Graceland is a unique, unsurpassable experience where you can get amazing insights into the way Elvis Presley lived, i.e. his overall lifestyle, take a look at all his fancied worldly possessions, and much more.
Traveling to Memphis as a Foreigner without a prior Visa
Now, most folks will tell you that obtaining a prior visa is a must to visit the United States, whether Memphis or anywhere else.
Well, that is where we would like to possibly surprise you since U.S. Customs and Border Protection runs a unique ESTA program wherein if you happen to be a citizen or eligible national of a select few countries, then you can travel to the United States without having to obtain a visa in advance. The ESTA or Electronic System for Travel Authorization which it stands for would alone suffice.
The fee to obtain an ESTA is just around $19, payable online along with your application. Confirmation on your ESTA status is typically received fairly quickly such that you do not need to place repeated ESTA application check requests.
Till date, millions of travelers have comfortably traveled to the United States, visiting Memphis and many other places, on an ESTA.
As long as you happen to be from one of the eligible nations and intend to travel to the US on business or leisure for 90 days or less, you should face no issues obtaining an ESTA yourself.
Visit Pink Palace
Coming back to some of the stellar attractions that dot the landscape of Memphis, Tennessee, the Pink Palace should surely be on your agenda as well. This is a really unique, eclectic property that holds its own charm for various reasons including having its own IMAX Theater, a planetarium, and more. Kids will especially enjoy specialties like a true copy of Piggly Wiggly, unique animatronic dinosaurs, and more.
Trip to Memphis Botanic Garden
As with a lot of other major cities in the US, Memphis too has its own quaint and charming botanical garden. Spread over an enormous 96 acres, special attractions include a teaching pond, a huge birdhouse, as well as a truly special Japanese Garden of Tranquility.
Stroll down Beale Street
When it comes to Memphis nightlife, we do recommend taking a stroll down Beale Street. There are plenty of clubs and bars on this street where you can easily enjoy drinks pretty much throughout the night, especially since the street is closed to vehicles at this time. Combined with music, fun and frolic along this street is virtually guaranteed!
Conclusion
Clearly, there is a lot to do in Memphis.
If you are a foreigner from an eligible country, then we strongly recommend looking up ESTA travel for yourself and your family.
Once you go through the requisite process, a quick ESTA application check will confirm your travel authorization status.