Things to see in Memphis

The home of Elvis Presley, Graceland is the most famous attraction in Memphis. Elvis purchased the mansion in 1957 and lived there until his death in 1977. His rags to riches story embodies the American Dream and Graceland has plenty to interest the casual visitor as well as the devoted fan. A tour of the mansion includes the gloriously tasteless 'jungle room', with its floor-to-ceiling carpets that Elvis designed himself. In the Meditation Garden , visitors can see Elvis' grave, which is always covered with bouquets and wreaths, sent by sobbing and adoring fans from all over the world. At Graceland Plaza, opposite the mansion, are a number of exhibitions dedicated to different areas of the singer's life and obsessions. These include an Automobile Museum , containing his famous pink Cadillac.

This small recording studio fully deserves its title as 'the birthplace of rock 'n' roll', for it was here that Elvis Presley made his very first recording, 'My Happiness'. Sun Studio looks much as it did in the 1950s and contains musical memorabilia, such as a microphone used by Elvis. The tour includes outtakes of recordings made there by the King and other Sun artists, such as Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins. It is still a working studio and artists like Billy Bob Thornton, the Judds, Maroon 5 and Vertical Horizon have recently made recordings here. The adjacent Sun Studio cafe has an old-fashioned fountain where sodas and milkshakes are served.

Mud Island is just what its name says it is - an island made from the mud and silt from the Mississippi River. It first appeared in 1900, was washed away and then reappeared as a permanent feature in 1913. Attractions include a scale model of the Mississippi River, which is filled with flowing water. The main draw for visitors is the Mississippi River Museum, which covers 10,000 years of river history. Canoe, kayak, bike and pedal-boat hire is also available.

Possibly the city's most unusual attraction, the Peabody Ducks live on the roof of the elegant Peabody Hotel. Every morning at 1100, the birds leave their enclosure and are led into a lift (elevator) by the hotel's Duckmaster. With great fanfare, they emerge downstairs and waddle across a red carpet to the marble fountain in the lobby, where they spend the day. In the evening, at 1700 precisely, the performance is repeated when they return to the roof. Ducks parade at 1100 and 1700.

Established in 1912, the Brooks holds an astonishing world-class collection of art and often showcases exhibitions from major museums and private collections around the world. Highly regarded for its medieval and Renaissance works, the museum also offers tours and creative workshops to over 20,000 students a year.