A gorgeous river city established atop the bluffs, Memphis caters to the needs of any student trip. The city’s rich history and deep musical focus create numerous attractions worth visiting. Art and entertainment thrive on the streets, while grills smoke away with the smell of barbeque. Student travelers will feel welcome in Memphis, a truly humble abode.

Student Travelers Get in the Groove at Top Memphis Attractions

Memphis, Tennessee

There is no denying the rhythm that permeates the streets of Memphis. With a musical background that includes the birth of rock and blues, it’s no wonder Memphis attracts thousands of student tours every year. What student doesn’t love listening to music, dancing to the beat, singing along to the lyrics? In Memphis, the music can be found everywhere. One of the best places to start is the home of “The King” himself: Graceland. This mansion was the home of Elvis Presley, one of the most influential people in the music industry. Student tours can wander through the rooms where Elvis relaxed and spent time with friends and family. The tour also includes a look at Vernon Presley’s office, Elvis’ racquetball building, the trophy building and Meditation Garden, where members of Elvis’ family are laid to rest. Student tour groups can test their Elvis knowledge for free at the King and Pop Culture Exhibit, an interactive display with a trivia kiosk, videos and listening stations.

While Graceland continues to be a frequented tourist attraction, the real heart and soul of Memphis beats at Beale Street. The hustle and bustle of countless blues joints, barbeque locales and music shops makes Beale Street a major part of the entertainment scene. Student tour groups venture here to see the place where blues was born, thanks to a famous musician, William Christopher Handy, who wrote “Memphis Blues” back in 1909. Through the years, more musical legends walked this street, and now it has become a shrine to the kings of rhythm and blues.

Rock and Soul Museum

Rock and Soul Museum

The Memphis Rock n’ Soul Museum offers an educational student tour experience. The museum tells the story of the musical pioneers who created the sounds that would change the world. It houses seven galleries of audio visual programs, instruments, costumes and more. For a real treat, take your student tour to some of the original recording studios where rock n’ roll and soul first started. Stax Museum of American Soul Music honors all the famous artists who recorded there, showcasing a collection of over 2,000 artifacts, exhibits, memorabilia and galleries. Sun Studios is credited with the birth of rock n’ roll, and student tours will have the privilege of hearing the history of this famous studio where Elvis, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and many others launched their careers.

Obviously, music is a large part of the Memphis culture, but there is even more for student tour groups to see in this artistic and historical city. Belz Museum of Asian and Judaic Art holds the largest collection of Asian art in the South. The Judaica collection of literal and historical pieces shows the passion and talent of Israel artists. The Mississippi River Museum is where school field trips can learn about the nature and culture surrounding the Lower Mississippi River Valley. The museum houses over 5,000 artifacts that document river transportation, the Civil War influence and wildlife around the area.

While museums are abundant in Memphis, student travelers also can enjoy the wonderful scenery of the Mississippi River and the bluffs. Mud Island River Park is dedicated to educating student tours about the wonders of the river, offering walking and biking tours along the shores. Your crew can really experience the water by taking a canoeing or kayaking trip at the Mud Island Adventure Center. For something truly unique, sign up your student tour group for a sleepover on the Mississippi, where kids can sleep under the stars, nestled next to the rushing rapids. Dinner is provided as well as live entertainment, recreational activities, a bonfire with marshmallows and breakfast in the morning. – See more at: https://studenttravelplanningguide.com/student-tour-groups-feel-the-rhythm-in-memphis/#sthash.dY2x1cEV.dpuf

Top Student Sightseeing Tours in Memphis

For student tour groups looking for true Memphis culture, the “American Dream Safari” is the perfect sightseeing tour. Seated in the back of a 1955 Cadillac, riders will get to see some of the most fascinating parts of Memphis. Unfortunately, the car is too small to fit a large school field trip, but the owner also offers larger groups a special 90-minute walking tour and trolley ride through the streets and neighborhoods of Memphis.

The river is one of the best places to view the city, and the Memphis Riverboats are a great option for student tours. These traditional paddlewheelers chug down the Mississippi on a sightseeing adventure, with a “riverlorian” happily narrating at the wheel.

Students Perform in the City of Blues

Levitt Shell

Levitt Shell

Memphis puts a strong emphasis on its arts and entertainment, so of course there are a number of different venues around the city for students to perform. Standing in Elvis’ shoes is the dream of any young performer, and at Levitt Shell at Overton Park, students can do just that. This was the stage where Elvis played his first paid concert. Martin Luther King Park and Mud Island River Park both offer performance pavilions for student tour groups to rent. The W.C. Handy Performance Arts Park plays host to festivals, concerts and events where student performers can belt out tunes in honor of the park’s namesake.

Top Student Dining in Memphis

Memphis is known for barbeque. Your student trip won’t be complete without sampling the smoky, sweet tenderness of finely grilled barbeque. The Bar-B-Q Shop is famous for their barbeque sandwich on Texas toast as well as their barbeque spaghetti. Corky’s BBQ cooks up their food the old- fashioned way, placing meat in barbeque pits with hickory chips and charcoal. The fall-off-the-bone tenderness will have student tour groups licking their lips and begging for more.

Marlowe’s Restaurant is every Elvis fan’s favorite place to eat. Not only do they have fantastic ribs and wings, but the place is loaded with Elvis memorabilia and a pink Cadillac parked out front.

Popular Student Accommodations in Memphis

Memphis has a wide array of hotel choices, including a ’70s-style boutique hotel fashioned after the lifestyle of Elvis. Yes, the famous Heartbreak Hotel is a popular location, but probably not the most appropriate for a group of student travelers. With nearly 175 hotels in the Memphis area, there are a number well-suited to house your student tour group. The Econo Lodge Memphis is decently priced and conveniently located right in the heart of the city, but unfortunately doesn’t offer any complimentary breakfast services. The Vista Inn and Suites Downtown has a slightly higher rate, but includes more student-friendly amenities with their price. The Comfort Inn and Holiday Inn both offer great student group rates and have ideal locations close to many area attractions.

It seems difficult to pinpoint one specific attraction student tour groups need to see in Memphis. There is far too much to explore, so perhaps it’s best for student travelers to sit back, relax and let the rhythm move them.