What's New in 2009
Memphis has loads of old favorites for you to visit and revisit, but some of those old favorites are expanding and improving. Take a look below to see what all you haven't already experienced in some of Memphis' first-class attractions.
Graceland invites you to enjoy four new exhibits for 2009
www.elvis.com
Graceland’s 70th Anniversary Celebration/VIP Tour Exhibit
The colonial style mansion was built in 1939 by a prominent Memphis family that later sold the historic home and surrounding 13 acres to Elvis Presley in 1957. The 70th Anniversary exhibit, included as part of the VIP Tour package, features the original architectural drawings of Graceland, a signed check from Elvis for the down payment ($102,000) on the home, the deed to Graceland and a video presentation that includes memories from those who lived there, including the first family to call Graceland home.
Elvis in Hollywood
With 31 films to his name and box office smashes such as Love Me Tender, Jailhouse Rock, this new exhibit focuses on Elvis’ years in Tinsel Town and his success on the big screen. The exhibit tells the story of how Elvis transitioned from singer to on screen star and how he took Hollywood by storm to become its highest paid actor. Also part of the exhibit will be memorabilia from his career on the silver screen including his wardrobe (from Viva Las Vegas, Charro and Jailhouse Rock), personal scripts (featuring his own handwritten notes), rare behind the scenes photos, personal copies of his own feature films, original movies and a variety of other Elvis movie memorabilia.
Elvis Lives: The King and Pop Culture
This interactive exhibit showcases Elvis in action as he entertains crowds in a stunning video presentation. Visitors can also retrace Elvis’ impact on pop culture by taking a trip down an Elvis time line, test their knowledge at an Elvis trivia kiosk and explore Elvis’ music through listening stations that features classics from the King of Rock ‘N’ Roll. Also included is a display of Elvis collectibles from the 50s to some of today’s must have memorabilia.
Elvis Presley Automobile Museum
This Graceland exhibit celebrates new additions with a special display featuring both of Elvis' Rolls Royce sedans and his 6-door Mercedes Benz limousine featured in the movie Elvis on Tour.
My Big Backyard
www.memphisbotanicgarden.com
Bring to life the best of every backyard adventure you ever dreamed of.This $5.8 million project, called My Big Backyard, features 16 unique educational and imagination-inspiring areas for children to learn, explore, play, and dream.
Every child deserves to spend time with nature in an imaginative, safe environment...My Big Backyard will do just that! With spaces catering to toddlers, children with special needs, a water feature, and more, there will be something for everyone, especially visitors who are kids at heart!
From a tree top adventure that ventures into the tree line, to a tunneling excursion that lets kids live and see the world as a worm sees it; from the excitement of a sudden rainstorm complete with thunder, to a creek full of critters; from a place to learn how to garden, to a place to just run and play, My Big Backyard offers engaging adventures for children of all ages.
A centerpiece to My Big Backyard is the Guest House, a permanent structure with a large porch, restrooms, and a classroom large enough to accommodate 45 children. Education is a core undertaking for Memphis Botanic Garden. In the past year, the Children's Education department hosted 27,000 children for formal programs and conducted outreach programs for another 9,000. The total of 36,000 children served represents 3.5 times the national average for large U.S. public gardens. With My Big Backyard, Memphis Botanic Garden will have an even larger impact on the children of the Memphis and Mid-South community.
"This is a significant addition to the Memphis Botanic Garden and to our city in that it will provide a wonderful, engaging resource and will be a major tourist attraction for our area," said Jim Duncan, Executive Director of the Memphis Botanic Garden. "Our objective is to provide a safe, educational, fun, and inexpensive destination for children and their families, and one they will want to visit often. In a world of video games and heavily orchestrated schedules, escaping to the imagination of a big backyard is a part of growing up that so many children miss. We hope to fill that void."
Memphis Zoo’s Teton Trek
www.memphiszoo.org
Rated the number one zoo by TripAdvisor in 2008 and just minutes from downtown, the Memphis Zoo continues to get better and better. The Zoo's newest exhibit, The Fred and Diane Smith Family Teton Trek is a stunning 4 acre exhibit and a thrilling journey out west giving visitors the chance to see grizzly bears, elk, Timber wolves, arctic waterfowl, sandhill cranes and trumpeter swans. Embark on a hike through the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and learn about the wildlife, history, and culture of this fascinating part of the United States.
Children’s Museum of Memphis
www.cmom.com
With a museum chock full of original, child-friendly options, it’s hard to believe that there is more excitement on the way. 2009 offers a variety of new permanent and traveling exhibits to satisfy even the most curious children. A brand-new Kroger Kids’ Market grocery store opened in March. This larger modern store features a flower shop, deli and four check-out lanes. In June, a Train Safety exhibit will open featuring talking robotic animals and railroad tracks with crossing arms to teach children the importance of stopping when a train is coming. Also on the drawing board to open soon are a Reading Library and a Children’s Television Station.
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Shelby Farms Park enhancement plan
www.shelbyfarmspark.org
The invaluable Shelby Farms Park will be updated and expanded throughout 2009. Already larger than New York City’s famed Central Park and home to a wide variety of species from birds to buffalo and everything in between, Shelby Park will receive new trails, new and updated playgrounds and enhancement of Patriot Lake. A special focus will be placed on the ecology the economy and the very fabric of the neighborhoods, the city and the region. Hurry up and walk, run, or bike over to Shelby Farms and take advantage of what the new and improved park has to offer.
Peabody Hotel Expansion and Anniversary
www.peabodymemphis.com
Celebrating its 140th anniversary in 2009, The Peabody Hotel continues to grow. Hailed as the South’s Grand Hotel, it will be adding 163 upscale suites – 2 office suites, 152 standard suites, 7 upgraded suites and 7 presidential-type suites – on the second and third levels of the entertainment complex at 150 Peabody Place. This much-anticipated addition will give the already magnificent Peabody Hotel over 600 hotel rooms.
Beale Street Landing
www.memphisriverfront.org
Construction is under way in making the Mississippi river accessible for everyone from downtown Memphis. The Beale Street Landing project will feature five different park spaces on different elevations that will have seating areas and water features. It will also include a 480 foot long floating dock for the classic Memphis riverboats, a grass covered ramp under which will be a 13,000 square foot glass-walled building for ticket sales, gift shop and small restaurant as well as an underground parking garage with space seventy cars. So wander down to the Beale Street Landing and marvel at the size of the river or just relax and take in the beauty of a sunset over the water.
Levitt Shell
www.levittshell.org
Located just minutes from downtown, Levitt Shell is nestled in the heart of Overton Park in midtown Memphis. The talented performers coupled with its picturesque surroundings, make this the most enchanting place to take in an outdoor concert or show. With an exciting line-up of performances scheduled for 2009, there are endless reasons to head to the venue that has hosted local acts, Elvis and everything in between.
Orpheum Theatre
www.orpheum-memphis.com
The historic grandeur of the Orpheum Theatre is truly unparalleled. Come see one of today’s most popular shows and find out what makes the Orpheum so special.
2009-2010 Season:
November 17-22, 2009: Cirque Dreams Holidaze
December 15-20, 2009: Wizard of Oz
January 27-February 14, 2010: Jersey Boys
March 23-28, 2010: South Pacific
June 25-27, 2010: Chicago
B. B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center
http://www.bbkingmuseum.org/
B. B. King has shaped the Memphis Blues to be what it is today and influenced musicians all over the world. He is, no doubt, a fixture in Memphis history and culture. But before there was Memphis for this music legend, there was Mississippi. Venture over to Indianola, Mississippi and explore the fascinating story of the rise of the King of Blues. The museum also explores the intriguing blues culture and the recipe for creating the sultry sound of the heartbeat of American music.