The Music Museums of Memphis, Tennessee

The Rock and Soul Museum is, well, the soul of Memphis. Situated on Beale on the corner of Highway 61, the museum was created by the Smithsonian Institution. Visitors are given a full breakdown of the history, from the field hollers and sharecroppers of the 1930s right through to Memphis’s musical heyday in the ’70s. It also highlights the racial and socio-economic barriers faced by many performers.

Founded by the iconic Satellite Records, the Stax Museum should not be missed. The label has released records by the likes of Tina Turner, Booker T and the MGs, and Otis Redding. The shop itself was often regarded as a second home to the artists under the label. Exhibits include Isaac Hayes’s car and Tina Turner’s iconic and very tiny gold sequined dress. It’s just on the corner of the Medical District, and the 57 bus takes you there.

Birthplace of rock ‘n’ roll and home to the “Million Dollar Quartet,” this is a must-see for any music lover’s itinerary. Sun Studio was the first label to record stars like Elvis, B.B. King, Johnny Cash and Jerry Lee Lewis, and the walls of the building are littered with memories of these legends. The musical energy is palpable, and you can stand in the very spot that Elvis first recorded. It’s also a sort-of mecca for modern artists, with Def Leppard and U2 all heading to the studio to record their music. It’s in the middle of the Medical District and around the corner from Beale Street.

It might not be a traditional museum, but this is the place where Beale Street developer John Elkington first recruited B.B. King to open the original blues club. It also serves the best ribs in town. They’re legendary, much like King himself. You can also listen to live bands while enjoying your food with a few drinks. It’s definitely worth the small fee to get inside.

Home of Elvis Presley, need we say more. This sprawling estate is full of relics that will turn any fanatic’s head. It’s so good that if you aren’t a fan on arrival, you’ll definitely be one when you leave. Still owned by his daughter Lisa Marie Presley, a part of the grounds has been turned into a museum. From his outfits, guitars, cars and rings, you’ll be blown away by what you see.

If you’re a serious blues fan, then this is the place for you. Think Koko Taylor’s dress, Otis Spann’s piano and Charlie Musselwhite’s harmonica. Yes, it’s all kept here. The Blues Foundation started its archives in 1980 but didn’t actually open the building until 2015, and since then it’s been one of the best attractions for those keen to learn more. There are 10 individual galleries and interactive touchscreens to help take you through the history of the blues.