We love receiving feedback! You’ve told us how much you value destination education—and we’ve been listening. Throughout 2026, we’ll be spotlighting a different destination each month through reports designed to inform and inspire. And when it comes to sharing real insight, there’s no better source than our own community of travel professionals!
Because this is the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, we will be sharing many tips for U.S. travel all year. If you would like to bolster your knowledge of the United States to stay ahead of the booming domestic travel trends, check out our North America Destination Specialist Course and the many other courses included as a benefit for our Education Hub subscribers.
This month’s Hot Tip was written by your colleague, Helen Prochilo Maley, owner of Promal Vacations, who generously shares her firsthand knowledge and expertise about a vibrant and historic American city.
Here is what Helen has to say:
Hernando de Soto Bridge at dusk – Sean Pavone – shutterstock_1506161678
Domestic travel is increasing in the U.S., and there are many fascinating cities to visit. One city with some hidden gems is Memphis, Tennessee—especially if you are a music lover. When thinking about Memphis, the first thing that comes to mind usually is Graceland, which is a must-see!
In addition to this most famous landmark, here are a few unexpected treasures to put on your list to visit in Memphis:
- The National Civil Rights Museum. Located at the Lorraine Motel, where Martin Luther King was assassinated, this is a moving exhibit of the history of the Civil Rights movement in our country. Plan two to three hours here to understand how brave so many people were in their search for equality.
- The food and music! You can’t have a bad meal here with the best ribs and fabulous hospitality. Walking down Beale Street, you’ll find a myriad of clubs with music and food.
- Street art. It is everywhere. Wherever you go, you’ll find stunning art on buildings.
- Music history. It was made here. Sun City Records was where Elvis was discovered by Marion Keisker. You can hear the history of Sun Studios, visit the studio with the microphone the musicians used and see the exact spot they stood to record. Another gem to visit is the Rock and Soul Museum. The history of blues and rock and roll is documented here with many interesting artifacts. The Stax Museum of American Soul Music features episodes of Soul Train and encourages you to dance. You’ll also see the Wall of Sound, featuring every album released by Stax.
- The March of the Ducks at the Peabody Hotel. This tradition began in 1933 as a prank by the hotel manager who put live duck decoys from a hunting trip in the hotel fountain on the first floor. Management found hotel guests enjoyed the ducks, so they kept them. In 1940, a Peabody bellman—a former animal trainer—trained the ducks for their twice-daily red-carpet march from their penthouse coop to the fountain and back at night. It’s a fun ceremony to watch. Best viewing is on the second floor directly across from the elevators, overlooking the fountain.
- Graceland. It encompasses more than only Elvis’ home. The museum across the street from the house has amazing exhibitions of his cars, golf carts, planes, gold records, clothes, and more. You most likely will spend more time in the museums than in the house. Stop at Gladys’ Diner for a fried peanut butter and banana sandwich.
- A Memphis Grizzlies basketball game. The FedEx Forum is walkable from most hotels, and we had no problem buying last-minute tickets.
Memphis is a fascinating place to visit for music and history buffs and has much more to offer than you might imagine. For those clients who are Baby Boomers, seeing how rock and roll and the blues brought people together in historical music sessions and touching the instruments and microphones is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
The ideal time to visit is during the fall, specifically October and November. The southern heat and humidity are gone (bring a jacket!), and you’ll find smaller crowds on Beale Street and at Graceland. This means more time to enjoy the museums and to secure desirable dining reservations.
It’s easy to add Nashville or New Orleans to a visit to Memphis, and many tour operators package a tour of all three cities.
Thank you, Helen!
