Memphis Pictures

Are you looking for the heart and soul of Memphis culture? Head over to Beale Street. Dan Ball Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau

Housed in the Lorraine Motel where Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated, the National Civil Rights Museum features multimedia presentations on the civil rights movement. Brand USA Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau

The site of Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination, the Lorraine Motel has become a present-day museum that chronicles the civil rights movement. cwwycoff1 Flickr

Graceland is one of the most-visited private homes in America. Clay Larsen Flickr

Prepare to see some extravagent interiors at Graceland. Andrea Zucker Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau

Since it opened in 1950, Sun Studio has welcomed such notable musicians as Elvis Presley, B.B. King, Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison, Ringo Starr, U2 and John Mellencamp. Brand USA Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau

Guided tours of the factory allow you to watch the transformation from a solid block of wood to a world-renowned guitar. Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau

Memphis' barbecue vies for the title of the nation's best. If you're visiting in May, consider stopping by the city's annual World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest.  Craig Thompson Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau

These well-loved ducks parade proudly through the lobby of The Peabody Memphis. You can watch them strut around the lobby fountain at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily.  Courtesy of The Peabody Memphis

Polar Bears are part of the zoo's Northwest Passage exhibit. Blacks bears, sea lions, ravens and bald eagles also call this habitat home. Troy Glasgow Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau

A tiger beats the Memphis heat in his enclosure. Bears, wolves and more can also be seen at the Memphis Zoo.  Gert-Jan Mes Getty Images

Visitors of the Memphis Zoo can view approximately 3,500 animals across 70 acres. Gert-Jan Mes Getty Images

The historic, 80-acre Elmwood Cemetery is on the National Register of Historic Places. Established in 1852, the cemetery is the final resting place for mayors, governors, madams, blues singers, suffragists, civil rights leaders, outlaws and millionaires. Andrea Zucker Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau

Head to the FedExForum to watch the NBA's Memphis Grizzlies.  Marvin Garcia Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau

AutoZone Park is home turf for the city's minor league baseball team, the Memphis Redbirds. During the season, locals and travelers recommend catching a game here. Craig Thompson Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau

If you're looking for an activity to do with your kids, consider stopping by the Memphis Botanic Garden. The 96-acre property boasts 28 specialty gardens, including the Hyde & Seek Prehistoric Plant Trail, a favorite for children. Allen Gillespie Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau

This museum commemorates the musicians who recorded at the legendary Stax Records studio, as well as other American soul legends. Ronnie Booze Stax Museum of American Soul Music

The true birthplace of soul music? A modest country church. Start your Stax tour in a real 1906 Mississippi Delta church that's been reassembled in the space.  Ronnie Booze Stax Museum of American Soul Music

Walls are lined from floor to ceiling with albums and singles released by Stax and its subsidiary labels from 1957 to 1975. Visitors can view album art and hear their favorites at the listening station.  Ronnie Booze Stax Museum of American Soul Music

Dancing at the Stax Museum is encouraged, thanks to the "Express Yourself" dance floor.  Ronnie Booze Stax Museum of American Soul Music

Check out Studio A, an exact replica of the legendary studio where Stax artists cut records.  Ronnie Booze Stax Museum of American Soul Music

For great live music, food and bars, look no further than Beale Street.  Tetra Images Getty Images

Though the best way to traverse Memphis is by car, trolleys do a great job of dropping visitors within walking distance of some of the city's top things to do.  Tetra Images Getty Images

A visit to electrifying Beale Street is a must on your trip to Memphis.  Benedek Getty Images

Home to many of the city's top things to do, downtown Memphis offers something for everyone.  Westend61 Getty Images

Stunning aerial views of downtown Memphis and the Mississippi River by day.  Westend61 Getty Images

Even before nightfall, Beale Street draws crowds with a variety of festivals, delicious barbecue and music-themed storefronts.  FangXiaNuo Getty Images

Memphis' picturesque Hernando de Soto Bridge extends across the Mississippi River between West Memphis and nearby Arkansas.  Sean Pavone Getty Images

Legendary Beale Street can be seen from above.  Sean Pavone Getty Images

The Pyramid is no ordinary Bass Pro Shops store. Visitors will be greeted by a massive cypress swamp with alligators, a wilderness hotel called Big Cypress Lodge, an underwater-themed bowling alley and a restaurant with a glass-floored, 32-story observation deck overlooking downtown Memphis and the Mississippi River. Bass Pro Shops Media Center

The cypress swamp at the Pyramid boasts nearly 600,000 gallons of water features, as well as alligator ponds and 100-foot-tall trees.   Bass Pro Shops Media Center

If you're looking for a quirky trip off the beaten path, consider a visit to the Crystal Shrine Grotto. This 1930s-era manmade crystal cavern is located in the Memorial Park Cemetery and features a series of biblical scenes and psychadelic stonework.  Victor Chapa Flickr

Dragon on display at the Belz Museum.  Steve Roberts Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau

Fans of Asian and Judaic art will love the Belz Museum.  Steve Roberts Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau

The Belz Museum is known for its impressive collection of jade artifacts, like the jade ship pictured above.  Steve Roberts Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau

The Jungle Room at Graceland, which was designed to mimic Elvis' favorite vacation spot (Hawaii), was a highlight for recent visitors.  Alex Shansky Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau

Every room of Graceland tells a story of Elvis' life and musical history.  Alex Shansky Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau

Elvis' world-renowned performance outfits can be viewed at Graceland.  Alex Shansky Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau

The Memphis Zoo's "China" exhibit – which houses the zoo's two giant pandas, Ya Ya and Le Le – is a must-see. It's one of only a few zoos in the U.S. to house giant pandas. Matthew Craig Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau

The National Civil Rights Museum gives important context to the history of Memphis.  Andrea Zucker Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau

The Peabody Duck March is a favorite among the young and the young at heart.  The Peabody Memphis Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau

Sun Studio is a must-see for music fans visiting Memphis.  Alex Shansky Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau

No matter the weather, the Peabody Ducks make their daily march across the lobby of the Peabody Memphis.  Lance Murphey Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau

The Slave Haven Underground Railroad Museum features tunnels, trap doors and artifacts used in the Underground Railroad.  Baxter Buck Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau

You can see recording devices of all kinds at the legendary Sun Studio. Sun Studio

A trip to Sun Studio is a must if you are a music fan.  Sun Studio