Discover Memphis, Tennessee

Memphis was named after the capital of Aneb-Hetch in Egypt, so when you see the pyramid alongside the Mississippi River, it isn't as ridiculous as it seems. But that's the limit of Egyptian inspiration; the rest of the city is about fun, food, soul music and rock 'n' roll.   

Packed full of nostalgia, guitars, jumpsuits, planes, fried chicken and root beer floats, Elvis's home Graceland is an absolute must-see, however there's much more to Memphis when you dig a little deeper. It's also the home of duelling pianos, beer-guzzling goats, hotel ducks that take the elevator, heart attacks on a plate and boogying until the wee hours.

Blues, soul and rock 'n' roll

Memphis has music flowing in its veins. From back when Beale Street was the social hub of the city, a huge range of musicians have flooded into the city. They've shaped and influenced musical culture - not just for Memphis, but for the world.

Visit the Rock 'n' Soul Museum, which tells the story of local music from the 1930s until today and how it reached the world. A newcomer on the Memphis museum scene is the Blues Hall of Fame, showcasing R L Burnside, Otis Spann, Mavis Staples, Aretha Franklin and BB King. And be sure to call into the Stax Museum of American Soul Music – it's almost impossible to listen to the music without moving your feet, which is why there's a dance floor where you can shake your groove thing.

While museums are good, there's nothing quite like a real gig, so slip into your blue suede shoes and head to B.B. King's Blues Club for some cool twelve-bar blues. Layfaette's Music Room is where Billy Joel, Barry Manilow and KISS found fame; maybe you'll see the Next Big Thing there before they get famous. For some fresh air with your music, catch a free concert at Levitt Shell in Overton Park. This is where Elvis performed his first professional concert and these days people come from all over the world to follow in his footsteps.

All the Elvis you can eat

Possibly the most iconic Memphis sightseeing revolves around Elvis. He and his family moved there in 1948 when he was 13 years old. His teen years were spent as a student of the Memphis music scene - attending all-night gospel events and watching rhythm and blues on Beale Street. 

In Memphis, you can follow Elvis's journey to super-stardom, from humble beginnings at Sun Records where he did his first recording of 'Blue Moon Of Kentucky'. From there he started his climb to becoming one of the most successful entertainers of all time.

Spend a day (or more if you're a big fan) at Graceland and immerse yourself in Elvismania. There's a museum with a huge range of memorabilia, from jumpsuits to guitars, and you can check out his pink Cadillac in the auto museum. The 'Lisa Marie: Growing Up Presley' exhibit is one of the newest at Graceland.

Sun Records is the birthplace of rock 'n' roll, where greats such as Johnny Cash and BB King got their start in life, as well as Elvis. You can stand in the exact spot that Elvis recorded his first song, hear the voices of the musicians that made this studio famous and listen to behind-the-scenes out-takes that give you insight into 'The King'.

Dig into southern hospitality

Memphis cuisine is fried chicken, BBQ everything, bacon, fried green tomatoes, strong coffee and soul food to the max. It's not for the health-obsessed or faint-of-heart, so strap in your cholesterol and prepare for taste overload.

Begin your food tour with breakfast at Brother Juniper's. A menu highlight is the San Diegan – a bed of home-style fries topped with mushrooms, feta, cheddar, bacon and tomatoes. Apparently it's Rachael Ray's favourite.

The mid-morning craving for extra coffee can lead you to Tamp & Tap, one of the only places in Memphis that serves a pour-over brew, a very gentle way of brewing coffee that's highly respected by caffeine connoisseurs.

Lunch is fried chicken time. Head for Gus's World-Famous Fried Chicken, which is hot, spicy, crispy and handmade with love. Have fried pickles with ranch and mac & cheese on the side for the true Southern experience. For something sweet to finish, find your way to Muddy's Bake Shop. The Prozac cupcake is famous here, because it's guaranteed to put you in a good mood.

Dinner is time to get a bit fancy at somewhere like Restaurant Iris, where the bold flavours of the Louisiana Gulf meet Memphis decadence. Another option is breakfast for dinner. At Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen they play with Southern morning food to win you over with creamy polenta topped with crispy pork belly, a soft poached egg and crackling.

Memphis is also known for its alcohol, so tour one of the local distilleries. Old Dominick Distillery offers a tour and tastings that will leave you with a warm glow of satisfaction.

Strange sights of Memphis

Memphis is more than Elvis (although you can't escape him when you're there). Beale Street is famous for food, dancing, music, and alcohol. It started as a street for young black musicians and quickly become The Place To Be. These days it's a lively precinct with plenty to do. Be sure to call into Silky O'Sullivan's and meet the beer-swilling goats that live on the patio.  If you're brave, follow the cheering crowds to find the Beale Street Flippers and let them flip all over you.

For one of the weirdest things you've ever seen, head to the Peabody hotel at 11am to see the ducks make their way along the red carpet from their rooftop lodgings to the marble fountain. If cats are more your thing, find the House of Mews, where you can make all your crazy cat person dreams come true for free. The Pink Palace Museum has an assortment of interesting things, including a real shrunken head.