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Signature City Memphis: Magic on the Mississippi

Program Number: 12347RJ
Start and End Dates:
5/20/2012 - 5/25/2012; 10/20/2013 - 10/25/2013;
Duration: 5 nights
Location: Memphis, Tennessee
Price starting at: $951.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city
Program Type: Signature Cities Activity Level: t (see description)
Meals: 12; 5 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 4 Dinners    
Meal Options: Low Fat; Low Salt; Vegetarian    

Memphis — home of the blues, birthplace of rock ’n’ roll — beckons you to experience its panorama of history, heritage and culture and discover what makes it special from the local experts who really know the city’s soul. Trace the transformation of the Old South into the New from King Cotton to the National Civil Rights Museum. Experience Memphis’s outstanding museums, beautiful parks and botanical gardens and the distinctive architecture of its churches and old mansions. Take field trips to iconic places like Beale Street, Graceland and Sun Studios and hear the music that reflects Memphis.




Highlights

• Learn the story of Memphis blues and delve into the lives of legends from the “Father of the Blues” W. C. Handy to “The King” Elvis Presley.
• Study the mighty Mississippi River’s environmental influence at Mud Island River Park.
• Enjoy some good eatin’ at Memphis institutions like Paulette’s Restaurant.



Activity Particulars

Walking up to 3-4 city blocks. City trolley available but is a 2 block walk from hotel.




Date Specific Information

10-20-2013

Enjoy the latest in hearing technology — listening devices — on this date.



Coordinated by Center for Educational Adventure.




Memphis

On the banks of the Mississippi, Memphis gave rise to some of the biggest music genres of the 20th century. Blues, rock ‘n’ roll and soul started here, and the list of musicians who broke new ground in Memphis include Johnny Cash, B.B. King and Elvis Presley. Graceland, Beale Street and the Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum celebrate this heritage.
Accommodations
Comfortable hotel a half-block from Beale Street with indoor pool and fitness center.

Road Scholar Instructors
These instructors are participating on at least one date of this program. Please note that changes may occur.
Richard Raichelson
An authority of the history of Beale Street and its importance to music, Richard Raichelson is the author of "Beale Street Talks: A Walking Tour Down the Home of the Blues.” He is past president of the International Association of Jazz Record Collectors and is a voting member of the Grammy Awards Academy of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Richard frequently presents programs and performs with the Last Chance Jug Band of Memphis.
 
Meals and Lodgings
   Hampton Inn and Suites
  Memphis, TN 5 nights
 Hampton Inn and Suites
Type: Hotel
  Description: Number One ranked Hampton Inn in the world! The award-winning Hampton Inn and Suites at Peabody Place is located in the heart of downtown Memphis, just 1/2 block off Beale Street (the city's entertainment district). Most downtown attractions and businesses are a short trolley ride or within walking distance. This hotel is beautifully decorated to fit in with the downtown atmosphere.
  Contact info: 175 Peabody Place
Memphis, TN 38103 USA
phone: 901-260-4000
web: www.hamptoninn.com
  Room amenities: Coffee maker, iron and ironing board in each room, free local calls, complimentary breakfast and USA Today.
  Facility amenities: An indoor pool, whirlpool, state of the art exercise facility, and business center.
  Smoking allowed: No
  Elevators available: Yes
  Additional nights prior: expensive Call program provider at 601-446-1208 for information on booking additional nights.
  Check in time: 3:00 PM
  Additional nights after: expensive Call program provider at 601-446-1208 for information on booking additional nights.
  Check out time: 9:00 AM


Travel Details
  Start of Program:
5 p.m. You will be staying at Hampton Inn and Suites that night.
  End of Program:
11 a.m. You will be staying at Hampton Inn and Suites the night before.
  Required documents:
The Road Scholar Health & Safety Form is required.
  Parking availability:
Parking for participants staying at the Hampton Inn & Suites is $17 per day. Drivers of vehicles over 7 feet in height must make arrangements to park at a nearby lot at a slightly higher rate.
Transportation
To Start of Program
  Location:  Memphis, TN
  Nearest highway: I-40 & I-55
  Nearest airport:  Memphis International (airport code MEM)
  From End of Program
  Location: Memphis, TN
    (Additional transportation information same as above)
Travel Details
 

Memphis, TN

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Taxi

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

$25
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

one-half hour 
 

Distance:

 

15 miles
   

Taxi rate is slightly more for two people
 

Memphis, TN

 

From Train Station

 
 

Service:

 

Taxi

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

$5
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

one-tenth of an hour 
 

Distance:

 

one mile
 

Memphis hotel

 

To Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Taxi

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

$25
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

one-half hour 
 

Distance:

 

15 miles
   

Price increases slightly for second person in taxi.
 

Memphis hotel

 

To Train Station

 
 

Service:

 

Taxi

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

$8
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

one-tenth of an hour 
 

Distance:

 

one mile
   

Price increases slightly for second passenger in taxi.
 
Driving Directions
  From East (Nashville, TN) Take I-40 West to Memphis. Exit at US 51 South/Danny Thomas Blvd. (exit 1C.) Turn right onto Gayoso Avenue. Turn left onto South 4th Street. Turn right onto Peabody Place.
  From North (St. Louis, MO) Take I-55 South to Memphis, then I-40 East toward Memphis/Nashville. Take the Riverside Drive/Front Street exit (exit number 1) and the Riverside Drive ramp. Continue south on Riverside Drive North. Turn left on Union Avenue. Turn right onto South 4th Street. Turn right on Peabody Place.
  From South (Jackson, MS) Take I-55 toward Grenada/Memphis. At Memphis merge onto I-240 North. Take the Union Avenue exit (exit number 30) and the Union Avenue West ramp. Take a slight right onto Union Avenue/US Highway 70/Tennessee Highway 3. Follow Union Avenue/Tennessee Highway 3. Turn left onto South 4th Street. Turn right onto Peabody Place.
  From West (Little Rock, Arkansas) Take I-40 East. At Memphis take Riverside Drive/Front Street exit (exit number 1) and the Riverside Drive ramp. Continue south on Riverside Drive North. Turn left on Union Avenue. Turn right onto South 4th Street. Turn right on Peabody Place.
  Memphis International Airport (airport code MEM) Exit parking lot toward Winchester Road. Turn left onto Airport Exit. Turn slight left to take ramp toward I-240. Merge onto Plough Blvd. Merge onto I-240 West toward Little Rock/downtown. Merge on I-240 North. Take the Union Avenue exit (number 30) and the Union Avenue West ramp. Take a slight right onto Union Avenue/US Highway 70/Tennessee Highway 3. Follow Union Avenue/Tennessee Highway 3. Turn left onto South 4th Street. Turn right onto Peabody Place.
The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


Daily Schedule

Day 1: Arrival in Memphis. Orientation session/dinner on nearby Beale Street/live music at Beale Street club
(Sunday, May 20)
   
 Afternoon: 4 PM: Check in at hotel. Meet on-site coordinator in hotel lobby for welcome/orientation session at 5 p.m.
 Dinner: Stroll to a famous nearby restaurant for informal barbeque dinner and live blues music.
 Evening: Explore Beale Street's clubs for live blues and more.
   
Accommodations: Hampton Inn and Suites
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2: Guided field trip of Memphis with stops at Memphis Botanic Garden; Lunch at Fratelli's at the garden/Sun Studio and Stax Museum of American Soul Music/Dinner at restaurant near the hotel.
(Monday, May 21)
   
 Breakfast: 7-8:15 AM: Hot and cold breakfast buffet in hotel lobby.
 Morning: 9 AM to 11:30 AM: Guided motor coach tour of Memphis by local historian with guided tour of Memphis Botanic Garden
 Lunch: Noon: Lunch at Fratelli's at the Botanic Garden
 Afternoon: Tour Sun Studio, made famous by Elvis. Tour Stax Museum of American Soul Music.
 Dinner: Dine in a restaurant near the hotel
 Evening: Screening of film at the hotel
   
Accommodations: Hampton Inn and Suites
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Lecture on Memphis music/exploration of Smithsonian Rock 'n' Soul Museum/Lunch on your own/interactive exploration of Cotton Museum/Trolley ride along the Mississippi Riverfront/Dinner near the hotel/Screening of Elvis film
(Tuesday, May 22)
   
 Breakfast: 7-8:15 AM: Hot and cold buffet in hotel lobby.
 Morning: 9 AM: Overview of Memphis music and Beale street by a musician/historian. 10:30 AM: Tour of Smithsonian's Rock 'n' Soul Museum.
 Lunch: Lunch on your own from a list of restaurants given you.
 Afternoon: Tour of Cotton Museum at Memphis Cotton Exchange/ Trolley ride with commentary along the riverfront
 Dinner: Dinner at restaurant near the hotel.
 Evening: Screening of film of area interest
   
Accommodations: Hampton Inn and Suites
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 4: Guided field trip of Memphis Brooks Museum of Art/Lunch at Paulette's near the river/exploration of Graceland/"duck march" at Peabody Hotel lobby/Dinner on your own/after-dinner film
(Wednesday, May 23)
   
 Breakfast: 7-8:30 AM: Buffet breakfast in hotel lobby.
 Morning: By motor coach to Brooks Museum of Art for guided tour.
 Lunch: Lunch at Paulette's, a longtime Memphis favorite near the Mississippi River
 Afternoon: Tour of Graceland mansion, once home to Elvis Presley. At 5 p.m., witness the "duck march" in the Peabody Hotel lobby.
 Dinner: Dinner on your own at a restaurant of your choice, from a list given you.
 Evening: Screening of a film about Memphis
   
Accommodations: Hampton Inn and Suites
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 5: National Civil Rights Museum/Belz Museum of Asian and Judaic Art/Free time/Dinner at Ground Zero
(Thursday, May 24)
   
 Breakfast: Buffet in hotel lobby.
 Morning: Tour the National Civil Rights Museum. Ride the downtown trolley to see the river front.
 Lunch: Lunch at restaurant near the hotel
 Afternoon: Tour Belz Museum of Asian and Judaic Art/Free time
 Dinner: Farewell dinner with blues music at Morgan Freeman's Ground Zero Club near Beale St.
   
Accommodations: Hampton Inn and Suites
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Buffet breakfast/wrap-up session; check out and departure
(Friday, May 25)
   
 Breakfast: Hot and cold buffet breakfast at the hotel
 Morning: Check out of hotel by 11 a.m.; departure.
   
Meals Included: Breakfast
Important information about your itinerary: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date. The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


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