Memphis, the largest city in Tennessee and the seat of Shelby County, is situated on the eastern bank of a bend in the Mississippi River. The city's name, which means "place of good abode," came from the ancient Egyptian capital of Memphis, and was inspired by the Mississippi's nickname, "Nile of the New World."
Set high on the eastern bank of the mighty Mississippi River, in the southwestern corner of Tennessee, Memphis is known the world over as an immensely musical city – the cradle of the ‘blues’, the birthplace of rock ’n’ roll and the location of Graceland, Elvis Presley’s flamboyant mansion.
Memphis offers some of the most advanced infrastructure for moving goods and information available anywhere in the world. In addition, businesses all over the nation and, indeed, all over the world, are discovering that Memphis has a workforce that offers a wide array of important skills, a supportive government, and the initiative to make it a leading city in the 21st century.
With 50 unique Memphis attractions including music museums, art galleries, pro-sports arenas, Mississippi riverboat tours, the Memphis Zoo, voodoo shops and even downtown fortune tellers and palm readers, you don't have to look hard for quirky, fun, exciting things to do in Memphis.
The Memphis in May Festival attracts people from around the world to compete in the International BBQ cooking contest. This festival draws thousands to the banks of the Mississippi for live concerts and the Sunset Symphony. We’re also home of the Peabody – queen of Southern hotels, Mud Island – the final resting place of the Memphis Belle and the National Civil Rights Museum, which is the only one of its kind in the world.
Memphis’ taste buds abide by no rules. This kind of reckless abandon for flavor is why Memphis dining is not just the tag line on the day’s adventures. It’s a soulful experience. Locals’ favorite hole-in-the-wall barbeque joints, Beale Street bars and grills, five-star steakhouses and award-winning signature chef and international cuisine restaurants . . .
Historic Downtown Memphis, Beale St.
A historic area of downtown Memphis, TN, Beale Street is lined with restaurants, clubs, and shops. Including the famous B.B. King's Blues Club, where people from all over the country come to hear the very best in blues. For nearly as long as Memphis has been around, Beale Street has been a place where people have gathered for food and music. Every year, Memphis In May puts on the Beale Street Music Festival; a three day music concert event right next to Beale Street, to celebrate the music. Memphis is a one of a kind city for blues music, from W.C. Handy to B.B. King.
Downtown Memphis is your night time destination. Whether you are out for dinner and a movie, or shopping, or even looking for a place to hang out a while, Beale Street is your place. There are so many different things to see and do you will have to come back just to get to everything.
Housing Cost
Today Memphis has one of the lowest costs of living of any major U.S. city, is within a day's drive of two-thirds of the nation's population.
Estimated median house/condo value in 2005: $86,200
Demographics
Estimated population in July 2006: 670,902. Memphis covers 279.3 square miles. It sits at an elevation of 254 feet above sea level.
Area code: 901
Weather
Memphis, TN climate is hot during summer when temperatures tend to be in the 80's and cold during winter when temperatures tend to be in the 40's.
The warmest month of the year is July with an average maximum temperature of 92.10 degrees Fahrenheit, while the coldest month of the year is January with an average minimum temperature of 31.30 degrees Fahrenheit.
Temperature variations between night and day tend to be moderate during summer with a difference that can reach 20 degrees Fahrenheit, and fairly limited during winter with an average difference of 18 degrees Fahrenheit.
The annual average precipitation at Memphis is 54.65 Inches. Rainfall in is fairly evenly distributed throughout the year. The wettest month of the year is April with an average rainfall of 5.79 Inches.
Information provided by idcide.com and city data.com
