10 Interesting Non-Tourist Sites to See in Memphis, Tennessee

From June 1993 to June 1995, my husband and I lived in Memphis, Tennessee. He was attending preaching school while I worked for a local optometrist's office. During our time spent there in Memphis, we found several interesting places other than well-known tourist attractions to go and see. Here are ten of the best sites that I would recommend to visit while you are in the Memphis area.

Memphis School of Preaching

This is the school that my husband attended in order to become a minister. Launched in September 1966, this academic establishment offers a two-year intensive study of the Bible and related subjects in order to prepare young men to become Gospel preachers.

Memphis School of Preaching holds an annual lectureship which features many wonderful speakers who talk on various Biblical subjects and is under the oversight of the elders of the Forest Hill Church of Christ. This school is located at 3950 Forest Hill-Irene Road, Memphis, TN 38125, and the office staff can be reached by phone at 901-751-2242 or by e-mail at office@msop.org.

If you decide to visit this institution, please call to make an appointment. If you would like to visit the Forest Hill congregation and enjoy warm fellowship and sound Biblical teaching, the hours of services are 9:30am for Sunday morning Bible study, 10:30am for Sunday morning worship, 5pm for Sunday evening worship, and 7pm for Wednesday evening Bible study.

Memphis Riverboat, Incorporated

This riverboat company offers a host of different cruises, but if you are looking for a short cruise of the Mississippi River as well as historical information about the area, the sightseeing choice is a good one. The sightseeing cruise is 90 minutes long and approximately 7-10 miles round trip. A speaker that is very knowledgeable about the history of the area offers a narrative of past and present life on the Mississippi. This type of boat ride is available at 2:30pm Monday through Friday and at 5pm on Saturday and Sunday from March through the end of November. The cost of tickets to ride on one of the riverboats is free for children ages 0-3, $10.93 for children ages 4-12, $18.57 for seniors, students, military, and youth ages 13-17, and $21.85 for adults ages 18-59.

Memphis Riverboat, Incorporated is located at 145 Riverside Drive at the foot of Monroe in Memphis and is right on the riverfront. Check out http://www.memphisriverboats.net/faq.html for information on making reservations to ride one of their riverboats as well as the other types of cruises that can be taken.

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

Started by Danny Thomas, this facility provides pediatric treatment and is an oncology research institute as well. This hospital provides free care and treatment for those children whose families do not have insurance and does not make families who have insurance pay for any co-pays or deductibles that are not covered by their insurance.

This benevolent institution is located at 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105-3678, and members of the staff can be reached by phone at 901-595-3300 or by e-mail at info@stjude.org. If you need directions on how to reach the St. Jude facility, check out http://www.stjude.org/stjude/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=39cc69d0fb453110VgnVCM1000001e0215acRCRD&vgnextchannel=9a2313c016118010VgnVCM1000000e2015acRCRD. If you will be living in Memphis and would like to volunteer at this hospital, see http://www.stjude.org/stjude/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=f1b46f9523e70110VgnVCM1000001e0215acRCRD&vgnextchannel=e4687ff0be118010VgnVCM1000000e2015acRCRD.

The Peabody Hotel

Built by Colonel Robert C. Brinkley in 1869 and named in honor of his dear friend George Peabody, this gorgeous 13-story example of Italian Renaissance Revival architecture has a reputation of providing Southern hospitality as well as Delta style. The cost of a room or suite at this beautiful hotel ranges from $189 to $479 for two adults for one evening.

The Peabody is also known for its marching ducks that make their appearances at 11am and 5pm each day as they waddle to the marble fountain located in the hotel lobby. They are quite a sight to see.

In addition to the precious ducks, the Peabody offers an array of delicious dining from their in-house establishments of Chez Philippe, Capriccio Grill, and the Peabody Deli and Desserts. A Sunday brunch is served at Capriccio Grill from 11am-2pm every Sunday, and the Peabody Afternoon Tea is available at Chez Philippe on Wednesday through Saturday from 2pm-3:30pm. If you are staying at the Peabody and decide that you just have to have that midnight snack, you can order room service at any time of day.

The Peabody Hotel is located at 149 Union Avenue in downtown Memphis. To make reservations, you can call 901-529-4000 or visit https://register.peabodyhotels.com/listHotels.do?action=ShowList&cid=718230001 to check room rates and availability. To view pictures of the various rooms and suites as well as other areas of the Peabody Hotel, check out http://www.peabodymemphis.com/accommodations.

The Orpheum Theatre

Nicknamed the "South's Finest Theatre," the Orpheum Theatre is a remarkable success story in that it has endured a number of difficulties (i.e. several bankruptcies, a devastating fire, threat of being demolished to make way for an office complex, etc.) and still remains open and in good condition. This establishment offers a host of wonderful performances that would suit a wide array of audiences and even has its own resident ghost named Mary who has been sighted a number of times for almost 80 years.

The Orpheum Theatre is located at 203 S. Main Street, Memphis, TN 38103 (at the corner of Main Street and Beale Street in the historic district), and the staff can be reached by phone at 901-525-3000. Tickets to the various shows at the Orpheum Theatre range in price from $14.50 to $70 depending on the show and the chosen seating and can be ordered from http://www.orpheum-memphis.com.

National Civil Rights Museum

This museum is located at 450 Mulberry Street, Memphis, TN 38103 and can be found within the Lorraine Motel, the place where the civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated. This site provides collections, exhibitions, and educational programs that provide history on the civil rights movement as well as encourage people to continue participating in civil and human rights efforts globally.

The museum is open from 9am to 5pm Monday and Wednesday through Saturday and 1pm-5pm on Sundays. During the summer (from June to August), this establishment is open until 6pm.

The prices for admission to this facility are free for children ages 0-3, $9.50 for children 4-17, $11 for seniors and college students with ids, and $13 for adults. From 3pm to 6pm on Mondays, Tennessee residents with a state issued identification can get in free.

To contact a member of the staff at the museum, call 901-521-9699, or send an e-mail to tray@civilrightsmuseum.org. For directions on how to get to this historical establishment, visit http://www.civilrightsmuseum.org/directionsparketing.htm.

C.H. Nash Chucalissa Museum and Archaeological Site

This museum and archaeological site is operated by the University of Memphis and provides insight into the prehistory of the Mid-South and contemporary Southeastern Native American cultures. This place makes for a wonderful field trip for your children to help educate them on the ancient ways of Native American culture.

Chucalissa's hours of operation are 1pm-5pm on Sundays (although from December until March, the site is closed on Sundays), closed on Mondays, and 9am-5pm on Tuesdays through Saturdays. The cost of admission for children under 4 is free while children ages 4-11 and seniors are $3. Children ages 12-17 and adults 18-59 must pay $5. The gift shop offers a host of beautiful authentic Native American artwork and books, CD's, and DVD's on Native American culture.

This museum is located at 1987 Indian Village Drive, Memphis, TN 38109, and you can contact a member of the staff at 901-785-3160. For directions to Chucalissa, check out http://www.memphis.edu/chucalissa/contact.htm.

The Pyramid Area

Also known as "the Great American Pyramid," this Memphis landmark is located at 1 Auction Avenue in downtown Memphis on the banks of the Mississippi River. It is 321 feet tall and is the sixth largest pyramid in the world. It can seat up to 21,000 people and has a 20-foot statue of Ramses that stands guard at the entrance. While this structure is no longer being utilized and has come under scrutiny due to its lack of being earthquake safe, this architectural structure is still a sight to be seen.

T.O. Fuller State Park

This beautiful, spacious park stretches over 1,138 acres of land with a diverse collection of wildlife. Originally known as Shelby Bluffs, this state park was the first east of the Mississippi River to be open to African Americans and was renamed in honor of Dr. Thomas O. Fuller, an advocate and educator of African Americans.

This gorgeous place offers a golf course, six miles of hiking trails, a nature center, picnic facilities, a swimming pool, an RV campground, and tennis, softball, and basketball courts. The hours of operation for this state park are 8am to sunset daily, and the park office is open from 8:15am-4:15am daily. The campground is accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, year round.

T.O. Fuller State Park is located at 1500 Mitchell Road, Memphis, TN 38109, and you can reach a member of the park's staff at 901-543-7581. For directions to the park, visit http://www.state.tn.us/environment/parks/TOFuller/index.shtml.

Wolfchase Galleria

If you are looking for a glorious shopping experience in Memphis, check out the Wolfchase Galleria. Located at the intersection of Germantown Parkway and I-40 at 2760 N. Germantown Parkway, this extraordinary mall features Dillard's, JC Penney, Sears, and Macy's plus 130 other exciting stores. The galleria has a carousel that you can ride with your family in addition to a Food Court, two restaurants, and a movie theatre.

The hours of operation for this shopping center are 10am-9pm Monday through Saturday and 12pm-6pm on Sunday. Please note that store hours may differ from the mall hours. I

Be sure and bring money to shop and enjoy a tasty meal. If you need to reach a member of the mall staff, you can call 901-381-2769.

Sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyramid_Arena#References

http://memphis.about.com/od/historyandfacts/qt/pyramid.htm

http://memphisriverboats.net/cart/

https://register.peabodyhotels.com/listHotels.do?action=ShowList&cid=718230001

http://www.civilrightsmuseum.org/directionsparketing.htm

http://www.civilrightsmuseum.org/home.htm

http://www.civilrightsmuseum.org/mission.htm

http://www.memphis.edu/chucalissa/about.htm

http://www.memphis.edu/chucalissa/contact.htm

http://www.memphisriverboats.net/faq.html

http://www.msop.org

http://www.orpheum-memphis.com/

http://www.orpheum-memphis.com/index.cfm?section=theatreinfo

http://www.peabodymemphis.com/about_us/history.cfm

http://www.peabodymemphis.com/accommodations/

http://www.peabodymemphis.com/map_and_directions/

http://www.peabodymemphis.com/dining/

http://www.simon.com/mall/default.aspx?ID=840

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http://www.stjude.org/stjude/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=39cc69d0fb453110VgnVCM1000001e0215acRCRD&vgnextchannel=9a2313c016118010VgnVCM1000000e2015acRCRD

http://www.stjude.org/stjude/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=f1b46f9523e70110VgnVCM1000001e0215acRCRD&vgnextchannel=e4687ff0be118010VgnVCM1000000e2015acRCRD