birthplace of < rock ‘n roll Considered the “Home of the Blues” and the “Birthplace of Rock ‘n Roll,” the city of Memphis’ musical roots run deep. However, music is just a chapter in the history as well as the future of the city located in the heart of Mid-America. Beale Street, located in the heart of downtown, has rapidly become the entertainment center of Memphis and visitors and locals alike enjoy the food and music offered in the various establishments. Where Beale Street meets the Mississippi River is Tom Lee Park, site of the annual Beale Street Music Festival. The weekend-long event is just a part of the month-long Memphis in May International Festival which also includes the World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest and the Sunset Symphony.Elvis Presley’s Graceland is one of the five most visited home tours in America and is the most famous home in the United States after the White House. In 1991, Graceland was placed on the National Register of Historical Places. Over 600,000 visitors tour Graceland each year. The city also boasts other historical and entertainment options as: the National Civil Rights Museum, Mud Island River Park, the Memphis Botanic Garden, the Brooks Museum, the Pink Palace, the Orpheum and the Stax Museum to name a few.
