Summer Sounds of Soul in the Home of the Blues

From Graceland to Beale Street, Memphis, Tennessee, may be synonymous with music in the minds of many. But it has much more to offer. In part two of our Vacation on a Budget summer series, here are five low-cost things to do in Memphis.

1. Pay respects at the National Civil Rights Museum

No visit to Memphis is complete without making a pilgrimage to the National Civil Rights Museum, located off South Main at the former Lorraine Motel. To enter and tour the museum, visitors are normally charged a fee, but visitors can access the exterior balcony where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. spent his final moments for free. As a bonus, Tennessee residents with a state-issued ID may visit the full museum for free on Mondays from 3 p.m. until closing, except holidays and special occasions.

2. Listen to the blues at Handy Park

Named for composer W.C. Handy, “the Father of the Blues,” this plaza at the eastern end of Memphis’ famous Beale Street features musicians that play live music beside the statue of Handy on weekend nights.

3. Ride a bike on the Greenline

Shelby Farms Greenline is a 10.6 mile rails-to-trails patch that connects Midtown to rolling pastures, cypress swamps and numerous local watering holes. You might even see buffalo grazing as you pass Shelby Farms. The Greenline runs from Tillman Street at Walnut Grove Road in Midtown to B Street at Macon Road in Cordova with multiple access points throughout the city.

4. University of Memphis Art Museum

This college happens to house a respected Egyptian art and archaeology program. Its art museum is home to a permanent collection from ancient Egypt that includes antiquities from thousands of years ago. And the best part? Admission to the Art Museum is always free!

5. Tour Elmwood Cemetery

Historic Elmwood Cemetery is the final resting place of numerous prominent figures in western Tennessee history. Free self-guided tours give you access to admire beautiful Victorian-era monuments, impressive mausoleums and life-size figures of angels, saints and the dearly departed.

Memphis has something for every budget. To learn more about low-cost attractions, visit http://memphistravel.com. If you need to locate a Memphis branch of Cadence Bank, use our handy tool. And don’t forget: The points you can earn with normal use of your Cadence Bank Credit Card may be used for travel—but not if you’re not enrolled! Make sure you’re enrolled in our rewards program today.

Sources:

https://www.memphistravel.com/trip-ideas/free-things-to-do-in-memphis

https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/top-free-things-to-do-in-memphis

https://www.memphis.edu/amum/about/visitmuseum.php

https://www.elmwoodcemetery.org/

This article is provided as a free service to you and is for general informational purposes only. Cadence Bank makes no representations or warranties as to the accuracy, completeness or timeliness of the content in the article. The article is not intended to provide legal, accounting or tax advice and should not be relied upon for such purposes.