Did You Know?

Memphis has the energy and excitement of a big city, full of fun and unique things to do, see, taste and experience.

Memphis trivia, facts & talking Points

Facts, Trivia Talking Points 1
  • Memphis is home to 60+ attractions including many one-of-a-kind treasures such as Graceland, Sun Studio, W.C. Handy House, the National Civil Rights Museum, and more
  • Beale Street is an alluring entertainment district built on an astoundingly rich musical tradition – a rite of passage for any true music lover
  • Memphis is home of professional sports such as the Memphis Grizzlies (NBA), Memphis Redbirds (AAA baseball) and the Mississippi RiverKings (hockey)
  • Memphis offers unique sporting events including the The Memphis Open, AutoZone Liberty Bowl, Southern Heritage Classic, Germantown Charity Horse Show, FedEx St. Jude Classic and many more
  • Warmer months in Memphis welcomes street musicians and outdoor concerts plus the world-famous Beale Street Flippers
  • Foodies enjoy the many restaurants in Memphis that offer anything from soul food and slow-smoked barbecue to upscale specialties and fine dining inspired by James Beard Award-winning chefs
  • The clubs on Beale let you mix and mingle and you will begin to understand why Memphis music made such an impact on the world
  • Memphis is headquarters for Federal Express, AutoZone, International Paper, Morgan-Keegan, Sharp Manufacturing, Ducks Unlimited and dozens of other major and international companies
  • Memphis is home to some of the country’s finest examples of paintings and sculpture housed at the Dixon Gallery & Gardens, Memphis Botanic Gardens and Memphis Brooks Museum of Art – just to name a few
  • Graceland is the second most visited private home in the United States next to the 
Bass Pro Shops at Pyramid in Memphis
Grizz waving Memphis Grizzlies flag
Memphis Grizzlies
Riverboat rides in Memphis
Wally Joe at ACRE - Justin Fox Burks

Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid, Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum, Memphis Riverboats, Memphis Fine Dining

Facts, Trivia Talking Points 2
  • Beale Street is the second most popular entertainment street in the United States following Bourbon Street in New Orleans. Home to more than 25 clubs, restaurants and retail shops.
  • Tourism in Memphis garners 3.2 billion dollars annually.
  • Memphis International Airport (MEM) is the largest cargo airport in North America and second in the world. 
  • Life books listed Memphis among its top 100 Dream Destinations in 2008. 
  • Memphis is the 18th largest city in the United States.
  • Each year during the annual Memphis in May Festival, Memphis hosts the World Championship Barbeque Cooking Contest.
  • Memphis was founded in 1819 by John Overton, Andrew Jackson, and James Winchester.
  • The name Memphis means Established and Beautiful.
  • Memphis is known as the Home of the Blues and the Birthplace of Rock ‘n’ Roll.
  • Prior to its official founding, the Bluffs of Memphis were occupied by a succession of Native Americans, traders and forts.
  • Memphis was the world’s largest artesian well water system which first became available to the city in 1887.
  • Memphis is situated on the edge of the widest part of the Mississippi River.
  • Memphis is the only city in the nation to win the award for the nation’s cleanest city five times.
  • Memphis is the pork barbeque capital of the world.
  • Volney, the lion who roared at the beginning of all the old MGM movies, lived at the Memphis Zoo until his death in 1944.
  • Tom Lee Park was named after a great citizen who saved 32 people from drowning in the Mississippi River when the steamship Norman sank despite his inability to swim.