Location: West Memphis
Top Things to do in West Memphis
- 1. Southland Park Gaming and Racing
- 2. Sultana Disaster Museum
- 3. National Civil Rights Museum - Lorraine Motel
- 4. West Memphis Welcome Center
- 5. Sun Studio
- 6. Belz Museum of Asian & Judaic Art
- 7. Withers Collection Museum & Gallery
- 8. Stax Museum of American Soul Music
- 9. AutoZone Park
- 10. Slave Haven / Burkle Estate Museum
Countries
Top 10 Things to do in West Memphis, United States
West Memphis is the largest city in Crittenden County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 26,245 at the 2010 census, ranking it as the state's 18th largest city, behind Bella Vista. It is part of the Memphis metropolitan area, and is located directly across the Mississippi River from Memphis.
Restaurants in West Memphis
1. Southland Park Gaming and Racing
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Dog Track and Casino in West Memphis, Arkansas
Reviewed By Cavydad - Camarillo, California
Offers the flavor of Arkansas and Tennessee. Interesting place with dog racing and slots. Smokey in spots and occasionally clear air. Actually a must do for a visitor. Lots of fun. A bit seedy and tacky. Along with music and barbecue in Memphis you can watch the dogs run.
2. Sultana Disaster Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 18 reviews
Reviewed By RiverCityGirl_12 - Memphis, Tennessee
We live in Memphis TN and had heard a little about the Sultana Disaster but not much. I took my parents to visit and we watched a short, informative film about what happened and then the very kind and knowledgeable museum guide a answered our many questions and we looked at all the displays and learned a lot. The museum looks very small from the outside but has a lot to see on the inside. Very enjoyable.
3. National Civil Rights Museum - Lorraine Motel
Overall Ratings
5 based on 6 reviews
At the place of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'S death in 1968 in Memphis, TN, the National Civil Rights Museum is a renowned educational and cultural institution. The Museum chronicles the American Civil Rights Movement with compelling presentations of iconic exhibits, oral histories of lesser-known civil rights foot soldiers, and visceral, in-the-moment experiences. Visitors will learn through emotionally charged, multi-user, multi-touch interactives, and a visually engaging, contemporary exhibit design that guides you through five centuries of history. Bring the whole family.
Reviewed By Tiffany L - Portland, Oregon, United States
Every year my kids learn about and celebrate MLK, but really only touch the surface of what he and so many others did for more equality in this country. This is a fabulous museum with a monumental amount of information available at your own pace and depth. There is so much to read and learn, but at the same time so much to see and listen to that younger ones can absorb the movement without the details on the placards. I would recommend this museum for ages 10 and up. Lots to talk about and discuss afterwards.
Go early as it was a bit crowded at midday on a Wednesday, but it was spring break and only a week before the 50th anniversary of his death so crowds may have been heavier than usual.
4. West Memphis Welcome Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 17 reviews
Reviewed By LianaBeth - Saint Louis, Missouri
Bravo to Arkansas for the awesome welcome centers! great, clean bathrooms, informative displays (I can now tell you 6 famous people from Arkansas) cute kids area, welcome puzzles to take a break from the road and friendly folks... I genuinely cannot remember a reststop that I've ever been to that is half this nice.
5. Sun Studio
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8 reviews
Sun Studio - The place where an 18 year old Elvis Presley recorded his first song. It’s well-known in the music industry as "The Birthplace of Rock 'N' Roll" and the most famous recording studio in the world. Opened by rock pioneer Sam Phillips in 1950, this national Historic Landmark is where superstar musicians like Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, B.B. King, Howlin' Wolf, Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison and countless others started their recording careers. Today, Sun Studio still serves as a recording studio in the evenings while hosting public tours during the daytime hours.
Reviewed By Gma4198 - Fishers, Indiana
The Sun Studio was on our list of must see in Memphis. We had an exceptional tour guide, Graham, who was personable, knowledgeable, and also talented! Learned more history of Sun other than what I knew of Elvis and Johnny Cash recording there. Would definitely recommend for any music lover.
6. Belz Museum of Asian & Judaic Art
Overall Ratings
5 based on 224 reviews
Admission prices: $6 adult, $5 senior, $4 student. Free if 5 years old or under.
Reviewed By Paulette V
One of the highlights of my week in Memphis. Great small Museum, almost hidden away on Main St with an extensive private collection of Chinese/Japanese art, mostly Jade. Learned a lot about the different types/colors of Jade that I never knew existed. Also a moving exhibit of Judaic Art and Holocaust stories by local residents.
7. Withers Collection Museum & Gallery
Overall Ratings
5 based on 105 reviews
The Withers Collection Museum and Gallery houses and displays the collection of photographs taken by Ernest C. Withers, a prolific photojournalist who captured Memphis history for over 60 years.
Reviewed By evasmia - Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Walking around on Beale Street, we wandered into the Withers Collection Museum.
Dr. Ernest Withers as the photojournalist who visually launched the civil rights movement with his coverage of a 1955 trial having his photos published nation and world wide.
He helped bring public awareness of Dr. Martin Luther King during the Montgomery Bus Boycott.
The museum contains an historic photo tour of the civil rights movement with depictions of MLK, Medgar Evers, Muhammad Ali. Very moving.
Also included are photos of an early Elvis Presley and the King of the Blues, B.B. King.
In the back hallway is a picture of Dr. King composed of hundreds of King photos.
Withers chronicled 60+ years of history of music stars, early Beale Street days, sports heroes and was the personal photographer of Dr. King.
Adult admission is $10, seniors are $7 as are students / children under age 18.
This was a pretty long review but this was an amazing stop and I really wanted to share.
8. Stax Museum of American Soul Music
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
The Stax Museum of American Soul Music, is a 17,000 square-foot museum offering interactive exhibits, videos, vintage musical instruments used to create the Stax sound, stage costumes, photographs, records, and approximately 3,000 other items of memorabilia that tell the unique story, from beginning to present, of American soul music, particularly that of Stax Records and the Memphis Sound.Artists highlighted include Isaac Hayes, Otis Redding, the Staple Singers, the Bar-Kays, Booker T. & the MGs, Johnnie Taylor, Little Milton, Sam & Dave, Eddie Floyd, Rufus and Carla Thomas, Al Green, Aretha Franklin, Ike & Tina Turner, James Brown, Ray Charles, Sam Cooke, and hundreds of others.
Reviewed By Diane B - Arlington Heights, Illinois
Went with my young adult children and we all enjoyed everything about it! Easy parking, inexpensive (even without the student discounts) and very cool! Around every corner was an exciting new exhibit. I got really excited about seeing the Soul Train exhibit since I spent my Saturday mornings watching it and practicing my dance moves! My son who has always had a passion for music could not get enough, and I believe we spent about 2 1/2 hours there, but you could probably do it in under 2.
Also want to give a shout out to those who were working! I'm sorry I didn't catch any of your names, but thank you for giving us great food suggestions for us to find afterwards, we ended up at Central BBQ (Although I wanted Gus's and my daughter wanted Soul Fish!) Always ask a local where they would go eat, can't go wrong!
9. AutoZone Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 610 reviews
Reviewed By David J - Marietta, Georgia
My family and I attended a game here
Parking around ball park was in parking deck and walk a short distance. We had excellent seats and the overall look of the ball park was great. The food at the ball park was very good and we all had a great time. The ball park is also located close to hotels and restaurants. Within a few blocks of Beale St.
10. Slave Haven / Burkle Estate Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 509 reviews
Visitors can tour the tunnels used by runaway slaves who stopped at this plantation, one of the stations of the Underground Railroad.
Reviewed By pjw330 - Memphis, Tennessee, United States
Be sure to include this on any trip you make to Memphis. It is well presented in the original home owned by a prominent Memphian in the 1800's. The house was used as an underground railroad stopping point for slaves escaping to the north and Canada. The tour guides are passionate and well informed and make the story come alive. Everything in the house is from the period and the house has been beautifully preserved. The two oldest Magnolia trees in Memphis still stand in front of the meager house.
It is a bit off the beaten path, but well worth the time, effort and $12 ticket.
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