Top Student Destinations: Memphis

The birthplace of blues and rock n' roll is the perfect stop for any music enthusiast, history buff or cultural connoisseur. A vibrant and growing metropolitan area, you'll be smitten with the southern hospitality and one-of-a-kind experiences.

Start off on the right foot down Beale Street, where a variety of restaurants, music, history, local BBQ, shops, fortune tellers and artists of all sorts await. Home to Backbeat Tours and Heritage Tours, you'll get a full dose of professional touring on this historic cobblestone walk. If you're visiting in the Spring, catch the Beale Street Music Festival, one of the top music fests in the nation.

Embark on a Backbeat Tour, where you can see historical and cultural attractions like the hotel where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated, or a nighttime ghost tour through "The Dark Side of Memphis." For specialized Backbeat Tours, try the Memphis Hound Dog Tour!

To hang where the King called home, visit the infamous Graceland. 14-acres of Elvis history, artifacts and souvenirs await, and you can catch a lunch break at the Heartbreak Hotel across the street. To see where he got his foot in the musical door, take a tour at the legendary Sun Studios, where Elvis along with Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis and more recorded their first albums.

To get a taste of Memphis' civil rights background, make a stop at the National Civil Rights Museum, located at the site of the MLK assassination. The Burkle Estate Tour will take you through the home rumored to be a safe haven on the Underground Railroad.

For a silly stop that's worth the time for the sight, visit the Peabody Hotel to watch the famous Peabody ducks ride the elevator down to the lobby, and waddle their way over for a swim in the main fountain. After, enjoy a Memphis Riverboat Dinner Cruise to celebrate a busy, fun-filled day.

Follow the link for more information on our Memphis Student Tours!