There's a whole lotta shakin' goin' on

Built in 1909, the original Grand Carousel classic merry-go-round with ornate horses was hand-carved by Gustav Dentzel. In 1923 the carousel made is debut at the Memphis Fairgrounds until 1976 when it was showcased as Liberty Land's centerpiece and named to the National Register of Historic Places. Saved from being sold when Liberty Land closed in 2005, the now beautifully restored Grand Carousel returns to service in an all-new facility located next to The Children's Museum.

The fifth generation of family-owned D. Canale & Co. has brought back the Old Dominick brand, which was driven away by Prohibition in 1920. The new distillery opened just steps away from the original building where the 100-year-old story began. Take a full tour, a taste and a toast of the new spirits that are brewing in downtown Memphis. 

Take a self-guided tour on the new Memphis Heritage Trail, and celebrate the rich business, cultural and musical heritage of African-American achievement in Memphis. The Memphis Heritage Trail project brings historical tourism, urban redevelopment, and citywide pride to important public spaces.

With a state-of-the-art entertainment complex and a AAA Four-Diamond awarded 450-room luxury resort, this is not your mama's Graceland. The new expansions offer you an opportunity to explore the Memphis that inspired Elvis. Tour the new Elvis Presley Automobile Museum, a new  20,000 sq. ft. career museum that celebrates Elvis’ super stardom and the fully restored racquet ball court on the mansion grounds.

Experience a cynosure of entertainment, diversity and community with the mixed-use redevelopment of a former Sears building. The largest building in Memphis at 650,000 square feet, you'll find new restaurants, a juice bar, a nail salon, ice cream parlor, special events and more in this urban village. Look for Crosstown Brewery and a 500-seat theater to be added to the building's directory coming soon. 

Ballet Memphis has opened modern studio in Overton Square that has enough room for Peter Pan to fly and a two-way view of  the ballerinas demonstrating their skills. The Orpheum and Playhouse on the Square will remain the setting main-stage shows, but informal performances and events will be held in the new 200-seat studio. Stop by to marvel at the beautiful new space that also includes Mama Gaia, a delicious local vegan café. 

South Main Arts District will be home Memphis’ very first food hall. Stop by the market in the morning for a local cup of coffee and bagel before exploring the National Civil Rights Museum and the Blues Hall of Fame. Then return to the historic building for a drink at the bar (open until midnight) and to browse the 10-12 vendors that includes a florist, vintage finds, orginal artwork and more. 

You'll find The Edge neighborhood anchored by the historic Sun Studios to the east and the Redbird’s AutoZone Park to the west. Many of its industrial buildingss have been converted to studios and craft spaces including the new Edge Alley. A new spot for breakfast, brunch, lunch and cocktails, you'll also find local pop-up retail shops with vintage finds and Memphis shops for souvenirs. Explore the area with Freewheel Slow Rides, a series of free, casual, slow-paced bicycle rides for all ages with a focus on community and neighborhoods. 

Discover Memphis on two wheels with Explore Bike Share. With approximately 600 bikes and 60 stations, it's easy to discover the city. The state-of-the-art B-Cycle bikes will be equipped with a touch-screen GPS that offers route recommendations and directions to make it easy to navigate the city and you'll be able to drop off your bike at any of the stations so you can worry about your next destination instead of the round trip. 

Clayborn Temple was designated a National Treasure by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Less than 100 sites have ever received this designation, with only 1 other site located in TN. The space served as headquarters for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the Sanitation Strikes of 1968, and will be open and hosting events during it's renovation and leading to its grand opening in 2018. From concerts to poetry slams, something is always happening there, reaching people from all backgrounds to promote solidarity and diversity.

The vintage trolleys are back on track in Downtown Memphis. Hop aboard an authentic, vintage trolley car and glide through historic Downtown Memphis for only $1 a ride and $3.50 for a day pass. The clickety-clack of the track is just like going back in time.