Pyramids, Graceland, rock 'n' roll

If you're into rock 'n' roll, live music and having a good time, Memphis is the place to be this summer. Not only is Memphis the home of Elvis, but also that of Sun Studio, the most famous recording studio in the world and the "birthplace of rock n' roll." This studio launched the careers of recording artists such as Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and the king himself, Elvis Presley. \nMemphis has everything you could need, from numerous hotel accommodations, fabulous restaurants to a great nightlife scene. Dance clubs such as Alfred's, Backstreet Memphis and Denim and Diamonds are known to keep things moving until early morning. But don't stay out too late on your first night -- you have a big day ahead of you. \nThe Pyramid Arena also belongs to Memphis. This 32-story arena is the third largest pyramid in the world and is taller than the Statue of Liberty and Taj Mahal. This pyramid is not there to just look at; sound artists such as The Eagles, Dixie Chicks, Christina Aguilera, Justin Timberlake and the American Idol Concert Tour are headed there during the summer months. There are also tours available to view "The Gallery of Stars," "The Riverside Club," backstage and the dressing rooms.\nIf you have more educational pursuits in mind, Memphis offers plenty of museums and nature centers. The Lichterman Nature Center is one of America's newest and most innovative ones. It includes 65 acres of forest, a 10-acre lake and many wildlife resources. There are forest walks, a lookout tower, a greenhouse and -- of course -- a gift shop to buy Lichterman Nature Center mugs and T-shirts. \nWildlife preservation is also the goal of the Memphis Zoo. Many special events are planned throughout the summer, such as the "Wild World of Wines Benefit" and "Pandas, Paintings and Pagodas." The Memphis Zoo provides tours, classes and programs for learning and fun. It also has a new research and conservation department to "expedite conservation, research and sustainable development, in order to preserve our natural world," according to its Web site. \nThe Pink Palace Museum and Mansion is one of Memphis' largest. This mansion of pink-colored stone was once owned by Clarence Saunders. He pioneered the first self-service grocery store in Memphis and named it Piggly Wiggly. However, before Saunders could ever live in the mansion, he lost his fortune to the stock market and the house was soon bought and donated to the City of Memphis, which later turned it into a museum. A replica of the first Piggly Wiggly supermarket still stands in the museum, but Pink Palace Mansion also has a new IMAX theater and the Sharpe Planetarium. \nSpeaking of mansions -- you knew I would get to it -- Elvis Presley's Graceland Mansion offers tours daily. The tour of this 14-acre estate includes highlights such as a music room, Elvis' parents' bedroom, the "jungle" den, a racquetball building and Elvis' trophy building, which has his gold records, awards, costumes and photographs, among many other invaluable items of Elvis memorabilia. \nThe city of Memphis, with a population of 650,000, continues to grow residentially, as well as economically and socially. If you're looking for a short vacation full of excitement and new experiences, Memphis is only a state and a tank of gas away.