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Memphis, Tennesse is one of those places in America where a little piece of history lies on almost every corner. The Blues and Rock n Roll have their roots in Memphis, along with a long list of famous musicians including Elvis Presley, BB King, Johnny Cash, and the more recent, Justin Timberlake.

A visit to the lively city isn’t complete without checking off these 10 must-see places in Memphis.

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Graceland

The Graceland estate was the home of Elvis Presley and his family. He purchased the 14-acre estate at just 22 years old. Inside the mansion, you’ll be able to see the jungle room, tv room, the yellow room, kitchen, racquetball court, and stables. Tour the 200,000 square foot complex museum of Elvis Presley’s Memphis which houses all of his famous jumpsuits and automobiles as well as his personal airplane. You’ll be able to see countless artifacts and memorabilia of The King himself.

At the end of the mansion tour, you’ll be able to pay your respects to Elvis and his family as they are buried in the gardens.

Sun Studio

Sun Studio is the recording studio where many Blues musicians first recorded their songs. It is known as the “Birthplace of Rock ‘n Roll.”

Started by Sam Phillips in the 1950s, Sun Studio developed the careers of Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and BB King. Visitors can tour the facilities that made these musicians famous and stand in the same places where they stood to record their songs.

If you want to record your own song, studio time is available after hours starting at $200 per hour.

Beale St

This famous street located in downtown Memphis features live Blues music every night. Numerous bars and shops line the street and there’s always a party going on. Beale Street’s beginning started in the Roaring ’20s and hasn’t stopped since.

The Stax Museum

Stax was an independent record label started by Jim Stewart in 1957. Though the label had successful beginnings with the help of Atlantic Records, turbulent times in the ’60s took a turn for the worst. When Atlantic Records was sold to Warner Bros in the late 1960s, Stax was left with very little to work with. A restructuring of the company took place and consumer tastes changed in the 1970s. In order to reach more people, Stax participated in the Watts Summer Festival. This festival turned the company around, however, it caught the eye of the IRS. Forced to file bankruptcy in 1975, Stax was sold to Fantasy Records.

The Stax Museum is all about Soul music. Find your groove as you tour the facilities and the modest beginnings of the record label.

National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel

The Civil Rights Movement led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. had an unfortunate turn of events at the Lorraine Motel. Shot from across the street, Dr. King has a memorial and white wreath where he was standing on the second floor of the Lorraine Motel outside room 306.

After a recent multi-million-dollar renovation in 2013-2014, the museum offers an extensive and in-depth history of the Civil Rights Movement. Visitors can tour the building across the street where the shooter was positioned. As well as see the room where Dr. King spent his final moments.

Arcade Restaurant

This famous family-run diner was visited by guests such as Elvis himself and is still popular today for their delicious all-day breakfast. The Arcade Restaurant is located in the historic southern district of Memphis. It is within walking distance to the Lorraine Motel, National Civil Rights Museum, art galleries, Farmer’s Market, and a trolley stop along Main St.

Started in 1919 by a Greek immigrant by the name of Speros Zepatos, the diner has withstood the test of time. From the thriving downtown Memphis atmosphere in the 1960s, and the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. just a few blocks away in the 1970s, the restaurant has turned itself around to be a must-visit, or rather must-dine, destination while in Memphis.

The Peabody Hotel

There are two things you have to do at the Peabody Hotel. One is watching the ducks and the other is the sunset from the rooftop.

The Peabody Ducks have been a tradition of the hotel since the 1930s. It started as a drunken joke made from 2 men, Frank Schuett and Chip Barwick. They got back from a hunting trip and thought it would be funny to put some ducks in the fountain. The response was nothing short of encouragement and enthusiasm, and so, the tradition was born.

In 1940, one of the hotel’s Bellmen, by the name of Edward Pembroke, offered to help with the ducks. He was a former circus trainer and soon lead the ducks in the now-famous Peabody Duck March. The March occurs at the Peabody every day at 11 am and 5 pm.

The Rooftop of the Peabody is open to guests for sunset only on the weekends. Starting at 4:30 pm, take a cocktail up to the roof and watch the scenery unfold.

Memphis Zoo

The Memphis Zoo is home to 3,500 animals and is one of only three zoos in the United States that have pandas from China. The others are the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington, D.C. and the Atlanta Zoo. The Memphis Zoo is open year-round and holds many yearly events including Zoo Boo and Zoo Rendevous.

Tickets are $18 for adults and $13 for children.

Haunted Memphis Tour

If you’re into ghosts and paranormal activity, you’ll be surprised by what Memphis has to offer. Known as one of the most haunted buildings, Earnestines and Hazel’s is a bar that used to be a brothel. It has developed a reputation for visitors claiming to be tapped on the shoulder and a jukebox that randomly plays music. The Orpheum Theatre is said to be haunted by a little girl who was killed by a trolley outside the theatre in the 1920s. Seat C5 is forever reserved for her. The John Alexander Austin House is said to be haunted by star-crossed lovers.

Even Graceland is said to be haunted, but no one knows by who.

Mud Island

Mud Island is a short walk from downtown and across a bridge. It is an island in the Mississippi River that is free to wander around. On the island, you’ll find a scale model of the lower Mississippi River that is inlaid to the ground, a museum, and a 5,000-seat amphitheater. Walk around the park and have a picnic while enjoying the scenery.