Memphis, a city filled with history, culture and diversity. Photo Credit: Rita Cook

By Rita Cook.

Memphis history, diversity, & culture abound. No other destination than Memphis has the Ornamental Metal Museum with dinner menus that rival anywhere in the country, and is the home of none other than Elvis Presley and Graceland. Memphis is the “home of the blues and the birthplace of rock ‘n’ roll.”

With many things to do and see in Memphis, visiting Graceland, the Stax Museum, and the National Civil Rights Museum, the city offers many other surprises. Some of which include the best restaurants in the country. At the Lunchbox Eats, the concept is like ordering in a school type atmosphere. It’s fun, but even better, the food is good with choices like kale chips, broken rib bones, graduation burger, or the after the school Scooby snack and homemade desserts.

The Beauty Shop is the original location where Priscilla Presley used to have her hair done, these days it’s a great place to eat where the motto is “Look good. Eat good” and you will with a menu as diverse as grilled peaches, pan roasted barramundi, pork and peach or pork carnitas. Another dinner destination is Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen, which has standing room only, so it is hard to get a table, but worth every minute. Order the Maw Maw’s Ravioli, and request a pint of popcorn gelato with the chocolate peanut butter torte.

The last two top five restaurants include Mollie Fontaine, which is possibly  haunted, but definitely a good place for a blend of spirits in this lounge atmosphere where several floors house different entertainment. And last, but not least, check out Flight, where the food and drink options, which include flights of salad, soup, seafood, tenderloin, dessert, and even wine.

Other attractions in Memphis include the National Ornamental Metal Museum, where you learn all there is to know about making metal as well as seeing some wonderful works of art on display. The Stax Museum is a real standout that offers a nostalgic with a blast from the past from your childhood like Gladys Knight, BB King, Ray Charles, and Aretha Franklin. Before taking the tour enjoy an excellent short film where one musician says “No color came through that door until King was shot here.”

And finally, a visit to the National Civil Rights Museum, located at the Lorraine Motel, which chronicles the assassination site of Martin Luther King, Jr. and the key episodes in the Civil Rights Movement.

In my opinion, the best place to stay is the Peabody, located in the heart of the downtown area near Beale Street, which provides the time honored tradition of the Peabody ducks in the hotel lobby with the Peabody duck march taking place daily.

Memphis is a city where history, diversity, & culture abound. For more information and to visit Memphis, Tenn. check out www.MemphisTravel.com

Article reprinted with permission of USAonRace.com