Sun Studio
Daily

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There can be few places with a more tangible atmosphere than the recording studio where rock 'n' roll began, and which saw Elvis Presley's first (shaky) steps towards rock stardom, let alone recordings by B B King, Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison and Johnny Cash. Sun Studio is the place: a Mecca in Memphis for music lovers.

The cotton industry was the biggest single industry in the south until the Second World War. The Memphis Cotton Museum aims to preserve its history in all its grime and glory. Located in the old Memphis Cotton Exchange, which has been restored to as it was in 1939, it tells the story of the social impact of the industry, including its influence on music. It brings the tale right up to date, outlining the modern-day industry and its technological innovations.

National Civil Rights Museum
Daily; not Tue

As a permanent memorial to the leading light of the African-American Civil Rights Movement, Dr Martin Luther King Jr, the site of his assassination is now a museum devoted to the long, hard road towards the gaining of civil rights, not only in the US, but how that struggle influenced civil rights issues and campaigns the world over. The National Civil Rights Museum is both ground-breaking and award-winning.

The Dixon Gallery and Gardens
Daily; not Mon

Since the collection started in 1976 with a bequest of 26 impressionistic and post-impressionistic paintings, the Dixon Gallery and Gardens has grown into an outstanding accumulation of over 2000 paintings, sculptures and decorative objects. The 17-acre gardens reflect the gallery's English heritage and a number of open vistas adjacent to smaller, intimate formal spaces make for a relaxing escape from the city.

Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum
Daily

Created and by the Smithsonian, the Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum charts the birth of rock and soul music. The museum commemorates the great power of music to cross racial and socio-economic boundaries and unite people. From the cotton fields of the 1930s to the heyday of Memphis in the 1970s when labels like Sun, Stax and Hi Records dominated world music, the Rock 'n' Soul museum tells the story of this rich cultural heritage.

Full Gospel Tabernacle
Sun only

The Reverand Al Green presents Memphis's definitive Gospel showcase twice each Sunday when he presents the Full Gospel Tabernacle. Gospel music was borne out of African-American church music in the 1930s and is notoriously joyous so get your glad rags on and clap those hands with the authentic deep-south gospel experience.

Center for Southern Folklore
Daily; not Sun

The Center for Southern Folklore is charged with preserving the unique and distinctive culture of the southern states. The music, culture, arts, and rhythms of the south have expanded way beyond that single region but this centre aims to make sure it is not diluted as it travels beyond its original birthplace; party spaces, concert halls, a massive multimedia archive and store selling the best regional music, books and art works make sure of that.

Memphis Zoo
Daily

Memphis Zoo was founded in 1906 and contains more than 3,500 animals representing around 500 species, including two giant pandas. The zoo has a number of state of the art exhibitions that mimic the natural habitats of the animals and runs a number of educational programs. The newest exhibition is the Northwest Passage Zoo Snooze, a chance to spend the night at the zoo and observe the behaviour of the nocturnal animals that would be asleep during normal visiting hours.

Mud Island River Park
Daily

Not actually an island but a peninsular, Mud Island is a popular getaway for Memphis locals. As well as a number of bike trails, it is possible to hire a pedal boat or raft. There is also a scale model of the mighty Mississippi that marks the major towns along its route and empties into a children's swimming pool.

The Racquet Club
Feb 2008 (annual)

The Regions Morgan Keegan Championships tennis tournament combines ladies' WTA and men's ATP tour competitions on the hard indoor courts of the Racquet Club, Memphis.