Vacation Destination: Memphis, Tennessee

Memphis, Tennessee. Home of the Blues and Birthplace of Rock and Roll. Even if you aren't into music, you'll find plenty of reasons to vacation in Tennessee. In addition to Graceland, Elvis Presley's estate, there's the zoo, museums, restaurants, Beale Street, the Peabody Hotel and more. Vacation in Memphis in May and you'll find yourself deluged with opportunities to see and do.

Graceland, the fourteen-acre Elvis Presley estate, is at the top of many Memphis visitors' lists. Elvis's celebrity mansion tour features authentic clothing, personal mementos and more. Rooms featured in the self-guided audio tour include the living room, music room, dining room, kitchen and "jungle" den.

Vacation visitors to Graceland can take the Mansion Tour, the Elvis After Dark Exhibit tour, Elvis's Automobile Museum tour, and Elvis's Custom Jets tour. Tickets for the tours can be purchased individually or as part of an inclusive package. Different packages are available, making it easy to customize your Graceland visit to your interests, budget and vacation plans.

The Memphis Zoo, in Overton Park, is home to more than 3500 animals representing more than 500 species. Watch the penguins. Stop by the Panda exhibit. Feed the goats. Enjoy the Memphis weather. The zoo is open year round. Visit the zoo's website and click on web cams to see what the animals are up to. Check upcoming and current events to see what coincides with your vacation plans.

The Gibson Guitar Beale Street Showcase is open daily. Tour the museum and see some of the world's finest guitars being crafted. See and hear how Gibson has helped shape the world of music for more than 100 years and continues to do so.

Barbecue is one of Memphis' s claims to fame. B.B. King's Blues Club Restaurant is famous for barbecue and catfish. The restaurant, on Beale Street, is open late into the night. Stop in and you'll likely see famous top blues musicians dropping in to jam. Enjoy world famous barbecue, great music and a terrific atmosphere. Beale Street is what vacations are all about - good food and fun.

Named after an unknown military hero in 1841, Beale Street was Ulysses S. Grant's headquarters during the Civil War. Now the number one tourist attraction in Tennessee, Beale Street's checkered history is almost as exciting as its modern rebirth. With over 25 clubs and shops, including art galleries, restaurants, fortune telling and more, visiting Beale Street is a vacation in itself.

Built in 1925 and now on the National Register of Historic Places, the luxurious Peabody Hotel is known as the "South's Grand Hotel." The Peabody Hotel is home to the Peabody Ducks, a tradition dating back to the 1930's. Twice a day, at 11 AM and 5 PM, the Peabody Ducks march to and from the Grand Lobby. Even if you don't stay at the Peabody while on vacation, drop by and see the Peabody Ducks.

Memphis in May is an annual International Festival of Music, Food and Fun. One highlight is the World Championship Barbecue Cooking contest. More than 90,000 pork devotees gather to discuss ribs, rubs and special sauces. Competition is stiff for over $61,000 in prizes.

Running from May 17-19th, the barbecue contest brings out crews from all of the major television networks and correspondents from Gourmet Magazine, Food & Wine and other well-known publications. There's enough going on to plan an entire vacation just around Memphis in May.

The Memphis in May Music Festival 2007 features more than 60 bands. The Regions Sunset Symphony will feature The Temptations. The Symphony is the only event that has been part of Memphis in May from the very beginning.

This year, the Commemorative Air Force Show will feature more than 30 historical, experimental and military airplanes flying above the mighty Mississippi. After the air show and the Temptations, the evening will conclude with Back Yard Burger's Fireworks display.

Memphis is a vacation destination with something for everyone. Couples, families, friends. Tour Elvis's celebrity Graceland Mansion. See the panda, the penguins, the polar bears and more at the Memphis Zoo. Visit the Gibson Guitar museum and see how fine guitars are crafted. Spend some time on Beale Street, home of the blues. Enjoy world famous barbecue.

Stop by the elegant and luxurious Peabody Hotel and watch the Peabody Ducks parade. Party at the Memphis in May celebration. Three days of hot bands, an international barbecue contest and an evening with the symphony topped off with fireworks. All the ingredients for a great vacation in one place - Memphis, Tennessee.