THE ANSWER TO MY POP QUIZ IS: MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE.
More about this pyramid later. But for now, you may be wondering what I was doing in Memphis and why you should put it on your list of American cities to experience.
In Memphis is St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Over the weekend, I celebrated its 50thanniversary along with my family, fellow fundraisers, doctors, clinicians, and patients! It was a momentous occasion.
When my grandfather, Danny Thomas, founded St. Jude in 1962 he hoped to create an institution that would save lives of children worldwide because he believed that no child should die in the dawn of life.
And from its humble roots 50 years ago, St. Jude has become an internationally renowned hospital and research center finding cures for pediatric cancer and sickle cell as well as developing vaccines for deadly pneumonia’s and influenza. And that’s not all – not even close.
Please visit our site to find out more about the hospital at StJude.org. And if you are visiting Memphis, St. Jude is a worthwhile stop on your trip. Prepare to be floored by what an outstanding place it is. Here is a link to all the information you’ll need for a visit.
But of course, if you want more to draw you to The River City, here is a little more of what else Memphis has to offer:
1. Graceland
Need I say more? Well, ok, here’s their site: www.elvis.com/graceland/
2. Beale Street
A ruckus, party street where you can listen to fantastic blues music in it’s very birthplace. Stroll up and down Beale St. weaving in and out of bars, clubs and restaurants where you’ll get great crawfish, barbeque and an earful. I’ll be posting a video about Beale St. tomorrow.
3. The National Civil Rights Museum
Built around the Lorraine Motel where Martin Luther King, Jr was assassinated, the museum details the history of the civil rights movement from the 17th Century to present. Here is their site.
4. Memphis Rock ‘n Soul Museum
Here you can learn about the roots of rock ‘n roll, of soul music and the blues in their very birthplace. This museum is recommended to help give context to your experience on Beale Street and at Graceland. Here’s their site.
5. The march of the ducks at the Peabody Hotel
This is a unique tradition that started over 75 years ago. You can see a group of trained ducks waddling in-line out of the elevators and into the fountain in the middle of the hotel’s lobby daily at 11am and 5pm. Find out more here.
6. Listening to a Gospel Choir
The vocals of a gospel choir in Memphis will rock you to your soul. I watched a choir sing over the weekend at an event and it was very touching.
Oh and that pyramid is The Great American Pyramid, built in 1991 as a sports and live events arena where the Memphis Grizzlies once played.
But since, it has closed down and is now being refurbished by Bass Pro Shops into a mall to house their main store, other retail stores, restaurants, and a Mississippi River museum. The land around the Pyramid is being developed as well. So soon that area will be an attraction all on its own.
There are many interesting reasons to visit Memphis. These are just a few. Go to http://www.memphistravel.com to get more inside scoop.
