3-Night Trip to Memphis by Air
This program offers a comprehensive look at Memphis’s rich musical heritage, civil rights history, and unique local culture.
Program Summary
Tour Number: 0225-195961
You’ll explore the soul of Memphis through guided visits to iconic music landmarks including Graceland, Sun Studios, the Stax Museum, Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum, and the Memphis Music Hall of Fame. The journey continues with powerful insights into American history at the National Civil Rights Museum, the Cotton Museum, and the Slave Haven Underground Railroad Museum. Rounding out the experience are fun local highlights like the Duck March at the Peabody Hotel, free time on Beale Street and at the Memphis Pyramid, and a guided city tour showcasing Memphis’s vibrant character.
Program Highlights & Inclusions
- Round trip flights to your destination
- Professional tour manager with your group throughout the tour
- Private Motor coach transportation throughout your tour
- Three nights Accommodations in Memphis
- Guided tour of Memphis
- Visit to Graceland with Elvis Experience Tour and Airplanes
- Tour of Sun Studios
- Admission to Stax Museum
- Free Time on Beale Street
- Admission to the National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel
- Admission to the Cotton Museum
- Admission to the Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum
- Admission to the Memphis Music Hall of Fame
- Free Time at Memphis Pyramid (Bass Pro Shop)
- Duck March at the Peabody Hotel
- Admission to the Slave Haven Underground Railroad Museum
Daily Itinerary
You’ll depart on your flight. When you arrive in Memphis, you’ll meet your tour manager. Your bus will pick you up and you’ll continue your trip.
Enjoy a city tour of Memphis and high-energy fun on this musical journey featuring Memphis’ greatest attractions from history and music to comedy and bongos – it doesn’t get any better than this!
You’ll head over to the Peabody Hotel where you’ll view the famous Duck March. How did the tradition of the ducks in The Peabody fountain begin? Back in the 1930s Frank Schutt, General Manager of The Peabody, and a friend, Chip Barwick, returned from a weekend hunting trip to Arkansas. The men thought it would be funny to place some of their live duck decoys in the beautiful Peabody fountain. Three small English call ducks were selected as “guinea pigs,” and the reaction was nothing short of enthusiastic. Thus began a Peabody tradition which was to become internationally famous. In 1940, Bellman Edward Pembroke, a former circus animal trainer, offered to help with delivering the ducks to the fountain each day and taught them the now-famous Peabody Duck March. Nearly 90 years after the inaugural march, ducks still visit the lobby fountain at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. each day.
After dinner, you will check into your Memphis area hotel.
After breakfast, you’ll board your bus and depart the hotel for the day.
Take an unforgettable journey through the most famous rock ‘n’ roll residence in the world, Graceland, the home of Elvis Presley. You’ll experience the Graceland Mansion Audio-Guided Tour, see Elvis’ two custom airplanes and car museum, and visit Elvis: The Entertainer Career Showcase Museum and Discovery Exhibits.
After lunch, you’ll take a tour of Sun Studios. Reputedly the first rock-and-roll single, Jackie Brenston and his Delta Cats’ “Rocket 88” was recorded there in 1951 with song composer Ike Turner on keyboards, leading the studio to claim status as the birthplace of rock & roll.
You’ll visit the Stax Museum. The Stax Museum of American Soul Music, located at the original site of Stax Records, pays tribute to all of the artists who recorded there with a rare and amazing collection of more than 2,000 interactive exhibits, films, artifacts, items of memorabilia, and galleries designed to keep Stax alive forever.
You’ll have free time to explore the exciting downtown Memphis area, Beale Street.
After dinner, you’ll return to the hotel.
After breakfast, you’ll board your bus and depart the hotel for the day.
You’ll visit The National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel, a very special experience that will take you through centuries of history. You’ll begin your visit within the original Lorraine Motel structure. The Lorraine Motel is forever etched in America’s collective memory with the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. in 1968, but even before that fateful day, the property at 450 Mulberry Street had a fascinating history in its own right. Before it was the Lorraine, it was the Marquette Hotel that catered to black clientele in segregated Memphis. You’ll continue through the Legacy exhibits within the Young & Morrow and Boarding House buildings across Mulberry Street. The museum offers 260 artifacts, more than 40 new films, oral histories, interactive media and external listening posts that guide visitors through five centuries of history — from the beginning of the resistance during slavery, through the Civil War and Reconstruction, the rise of Jim Crow, and the seminal events of the late 20th century that inspired people around the world to stand up for equality.
After lunch, you’ll visit the Cotton Museum. This spectacular room is open to the public, and is devoted to sharing the story of cotton-the crop that created empires and the people that transformed American culture and changed the history of a nation and the world.
You’ll visit the Memphis Rock & Soul Museum. The Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum’s exhibition about the birth of rock and soul music, created by the Smithsonian Institution, tells the story of musical pioneers who, for the love of music, overcame racial and socio-economic barriers to create the music that shook the entire world.
You’ll take a ride down the Mississippi River on a dinner and music cruise. The dinner cruise is 2 hours and includes a BBQ meal and a live request band.
After your dinner cruise, you’ll return to the hotel.
After breakfast, you’ll check out of your hotel room and depart the hotel for the day.
You’ll visit the Memphis Music Hall of Fame museum and exhibition which introduces guests to some of the greatest musicians of all time – each responsible for shaping modern music and changing the world forever right here in Memphis!
After lunch, you’ll have free time to explore the Memphis Pyramid Bass Pro Shop. Located in downtown Memphis, this massive iconic structure offers something for everyone .
You’ll visit the Slave Haven Underground Railroad Museum. When you enter the white clapboard house you will see displays of ads, auctions and artifacts that help tell the story of slavery and the Underground Railroad. The Burkle Estate was built in 1849 by Jacob Burkle, livestock trader and bakery owner, who opened his home to help slaves escape to freedom.
You’ll head to the airport for your return trip home.
