Memphis Holidays & Coach Tours – Tennessee, USA
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Think Memphis, and you think Elvis! Although of course, this is a fantastic reason to visit Memphis, where you can venture the halls of Graceland, gaze at Elvis's awards and memorabilia or laze in a club to the beat of his music, Memphis also offers great shopping, attractions and eating establishments.
Enjoy a shopping spree with a difference at the Hickory Ridge Mall, with its eccentric atrium, stream and fountains inviting you in, then relax at the world famous B. B. King's Blues Club, where you can enjoy a traditional succulent barbecued steak whilst being soothed by the sounds of local Jazz, Soul, Blues and Rock and Roll musicians, keeping the music of such legends as B.B. King and Elvis Presley alive.
To summarise, Memphis offers its guests legendary music, unforgettable dining experiences and welcoming people whichever way you turn – enjoy your jovial time in Memphis!
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Memphis Holidays & Coach Tours - Where Is Memphis?
Memphis is situated in USA, in the state of Tennessee, lying directly along the Mississippi River, at an average altitude of 331 feet above sea level. Specifically, it is in Southwest Tennessee.
Memphis population is estimated at around 650,100 residents.
Memphis Holidays & Coach Tours - Local History
Memphis was originally founded by John Overton, James Winchester and Andrew "Old Hickory" Jackson in 1819 atop of the fourth Chickasaw bluff, a naturally secure location on high land, well protected from periodic flooding from the Mississippi River, having previously served as a fort for early French and Spanish explorers.
Memphis's fertile cotton fields and land and its ideal location between New Orleans and Ohio ensured that economic growth was rapid; by the mid 1840's, flatboats loaded with trade goods, furs and cotton lined the riverbank.
Tragically, In 1872, and again in 1878, yellow fever epidemics devastated the city, killing more than 5,000 people, whilst over 25,000 fled the city for safety. This led to land values falling drastically, while crops wilted and died. In fact, things got so bad, local newspapers suggested that the town should cut its losses (as it had gone into bankruptcy) and be burnt to the ground, a notion that thankfully never came to pass.
In order to drag itself back up from these depths, the city sold bonds to finance a new drainage system, improve sanitation, and pave the muddy streets. A merchants exchange was formed to seek ways of diversifying the local economy, to ensure that Memphis's economy did not rely so heavily on cotton picking and trading.
The 1900's saw Memphis become a big player in the lumber wood industry, with local factories turning out all kinds of goods – from furniture to farm tools. As a result, people began to settle in Memphis again, and the population post yellow fever rose to over 100,000.
Around this time, a wandering African musician and composer by the name of W. C. Handy was composing a mix of field hollers, gospel songs, cotton-baling calls, and African tribal songs on the now legendary Beale Street. Little did he know that forty years later, those same rhythms would come to infect a young, aspiring musician named Elvis Aaron Presley, who would go down in history as possibly the most influential musician ever in the history of American popular music.
As a result of their contributions, Memphis came to be known as the "Home of the Blues" and the "Birthplace of Rock and Roll."
From the early 1910's to the mid 1950's, Memphis became a centre for high-paying industrial jobs, putting Memphis on a firm financial footing, and significantly increasing the number and quality of city services.
This trend has continued into the present day; Memphis now has outstanding medical, travel and public services, and is somewhat a hub for International commerce.
Memphis Holidays & Coach Tours - Attractions & Sightseeing
For those of you that want to soak up the industrial and music history of Memphis all in one swoop, a trip down the Mississippi River to Mud Island presents a tour of culturally important venues and an insight into the cotton trade on the river. Stop off at the famous World War Two bomber, the Memphis Belle, and listen to the summer sounds that protrude from its surrounding amphitheatre.
Of course, a visit to Memphis simply wouldn't be complete without a visit to the perfectly preserved home of the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley - Graceland. If you should visit on August the 16 th , you will witness a candlelit vigil on the anniversary of his death, attended by millions. Whilst here, tour the grounds, gaze at the amazing trophy room (filled with thousands of awards accumulated over the King's career) and view eccentric items, such as jewel encrusted stage suits.
Memphis Holidays & Coach Tours - Shopping
Essential shopping for fans of Memphis's musical heritage, the Rock and Soul Museum houses a permanent collection of milestone memorabilia, including several Elvis costumes, B.B. King's guitar (affectionately called "Lucille" by the legendary bluesman), and Dick Clark's American Bandstand podium.
However, for a more usual yet exemplary shopping experience, an excursion to the Wolfchase Galleria is a must. Opened only a few years ago, this shopping complex has a plethora of stores, many of which specialise – you certainly will be hard pushed to find another shopping centre with four stores selling anchors! Altogether, the Wolfchase welcomes it's customers, and is surprisingly good value for money.
For a truly romantic jaunt, the three main corridors of the Hickory Ridge Mall offers its visitors a dream like scenario; with its enchanting restored carousel from Italy, an atrium with fountains and a stream, and an amphitheatre surrounded by water with a moat, there's a good chance you will forget that you have come to shop in one of their exquisite stores!
Memphis Holidays & Coach Tours - Restaurants
No matter where you choose to eat in Memphis, you will find it hard to avoid their speciality – mouth-watering barbecue!
Why not rendezvous to, well, Rendezvous – well known for its enormous platters of ribs, dry rubbed with a blend of traditional spices and then char-grilled, you will be hard pushed to find an eatery that is as welcoming and good value for money.
When was the last time you were asked to actually leave your mark on the walls of a restaurant? Believe it or not, Huey's Restaurant positively encourages it's customers to let loose and graffiti it's walls, in order to create an ever changing memorial of all those that have visited its famous premise. Onion rings are a must to accompany juicy steaks and freshly cut chips.
Memphis Holidays & Coach Tours - Cuisine
As mentioned, there is simply one word that comes to mind when you think of Memphis cuisine – barbecue!
For a priceless example of this most southern of cuisine, the world famous Corky's BBQ restaurant takes barbecued meats to an art -form. Keeping to traditional cooking methods, Corky's bastes its meats in tangy sauces, then cooks slowly over a long time frame to ensure flavour is sealed in – around 7 hours for ribs, and up to 22 hours for pork shoulder. Dishes are cooked on hickory chips and charcoal to give them a tasty burnt glaze, then served piping hot to allow buttery juices to be released in the mouth. A truly wonderful experience – well worth the 22 hours cooking process, believe us!
Memphis Holidays & Coach Tours - Bars & Clubs
For those of you that want to immerse your selves in the soulful sound of Memphis, a voyage to B. B. King's Blues Club is highly recommended. This night-club, owned by legendary blues god B.B. King, often hosts live music; do not be surprised to drop by to find recognisable musicians playing Rock and Roll, Jazz or the Blues. Should you choose to eat, the food is exemplary, with a wide range of barbecued meats, southern dishes and side platters on offer.
For a sophisticated night on the tiles, The Corner Bar (149 Union Avenue, Memphis) is a small wine and cigar type bar with an alluring atmosphere of smokey blues and smooth jazz. Expect to find live evening acts, great bass players and a good wine list selection, to help you choose a beverage to sup while you whilst the time away tranquilly.
Memphis Holidays & Coach Tours - Weather
The average monthly humidity in Memphis is 69%, with an average annual rainfall of 48.6 inches per year, and 5.3 inches of snow a year.
Average temperature through the year is 61.9 ° F, with lows of 42.2 ° F and highs of 81.2 ° F.
Archers Direct Holidays in Memphis & Tennessee, USA
For a world of holidays that won't cost you the earth, you've come to the right place. From escorted coach tours and train tours to resort-based beach holidays to cruises and short breaks. From Europe to the USA & USA to Australia, we have getaways to suit everyone – all featuring the amazing value that only direct booking can offer. Year round holidays (summer holidays, winter holidays, Christmas holidays & Xmas holidays, half term holidays, Easter holidays) include January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November & December. We fly from the following UK airports: London airports – Heathrow airport, Gatwick airport, Luton airport & Stansted airport as well as Birmingham airport, Bristol airport, East Midlands airport, Edinburgh airport, Glasgow airport, Manchester airport & Newcastle airport.
