Things to See in Memphis

In the spring of 1957, at age 22, Elvis spent around 100,000 on this house and 13.8 acres, called Graceland. He lived here until his death in 1977, and he's buried next to the swimming pool with his closest relatives. Priscilla Presley (who divorced Elvis in 1973) opened Graceland to tours in 1982, and now millions come here to pay homage to the King.

At the giant Gibson Beale Street Showcase take the fascinating 45-minute tour of the guitar factory, where solid blocks of wood are transformed into legendary Gibson guitars. No kids under 5 admitted.

Housed in the Lorraine Motel, where the Reverend Dr Martin Luther King Jr was fatally shot on April 4, 1968, is the excellent National Civil Rights Museum. Five blocks south of Beale St, this museum's extensive exhibits, detailed timeline and accompanying audio tour chronicle the ongoing struggles for African American freedom and equality in the US.