A Rundown on Mud Island Attractions

Hearing the name Mud Island might give you an impression of a place that is muddy and icky. However, before you have any misconceptions about the place, Mud Island is actually a small peninsula surrounded by the infamous Mississippi River and the Wolf Harbour. In fact, Mud Island is not even actually an island! Accessible by the Memphis Suspension Railway, by foot, by ferry, or by charter bus, this place is home to a museum, an amphitheater and a multitude of restaurants.

One of the most popular place to visit on Mud Island is the Mississippi River Park & Museum. At the park, you can enjoy the outdoors on bike trails, pedal boats and rafts. There is even a hydraulic scale model of the lower Mississippi River called the River Walk at the park where you can experience the history and facts about the river, even down to the major cities and small towns marked in this scale model. The River Walk is one of the most unique representations of the Mississippi River in the world. This journey ends at the Gulf of Mexico, which is actually a one-acre enclosure that holds 1.3 million gallons of water. Here is where you can enjoy your pedal boat rides as you enjoy the beautiful Memphis skyline on the background.

At the Mississippi River Museum, you can learn more about the history of the river’s lower valley. The main attraction here is the steamboat which is an exact scaled down replica of your typical steamboat found cruising along the Mississippi in history. There is also 18 galleries at the museum that showcases the long 10,000 years of Lower Mississippi River history. There are more than 5,000 artifacts here and you can even explore the two full size replicas of the boats. On top of that, you will also find an amphitheater on Mud Island, which is usually used for summer concerts for more than two decades now.

At the northern part of Mud Island, you can visit the Harbour Town. Here is where you will find an upscale modern neighbourhood that caters to a younger crowd. Most of the residences here consists of single family homes and apartment complexes. There is also a grassy section in Harbour Town that is sectioned as a park called the Mississippi Trail, with running tracks and resting benches overlooking the scenic Mississippi River landscape. The Mississippi Trail starts from the headwaters at Lake Itasca up to near the mouth of the river in Venice Louisiana. This trail is like a heaven for cyclists, with Itasca Park having more than 20 miles of paved biking trails that goes past beautiful lush pines and birch of Minnesota’s North Woods.

Graceland's Dedication To the Life of Elvis Presley

For Elvis Presley fans, Graceland would be the perfect place for them to visit to be near and remember their idol. And if you are one who have yet to make a trip to Graceland in a Memphis charter bus, it is about time you do so – but don’t just go there on your own, grab a couple of your friends to join you as well. Better yet, get friends who are diehard fans of Elvis Presley and you will absolutely enjoy the trip.

Graceland is a place that allow visitors to have a glimpse into the life of the ever loved Elvis Presley. For some, they may find the decorations and interior of the place a little “too old fashioned”, but don’t forget, this place was decorated in the 70s and the whole place was decorated and furnished to the taste and liking of Elvis Presley himself, so one should not compare the lifestyle back in the 70s with the present times. Hence, do keep an open mind if you are going to Graceland for the first time in your life in a Memphis charter bus. That is why it is always a good idea to bring along with you on this trip friends who are diehard fans of Elvis Presley – just in case you find some of the things you see a little too “tacky” for your taste, they will be able to help you understand what it is all about.

As soon as you get off the Memphis charter bus with your friends, you will notice that the grounds of the home are rather calm and serene and would almost seem like you have just walked onto an old fashion estate that is complete with a beautiful garden as well as walkways from the main house to other smaller buildings on the grounds that houses Elvis’ trophies, albums and awards. With the mansion tour, you will have the opportunity to listen to an audio recording that tells of the life story of Elvis Presley. The Platinum tour would also include admission to the car museum, private planes as well as some other smaller museums. At the car museum, you will enjoy the interesting collection of cars that Elvis owned – with stories for each vehicle; such as the one he bought from Frank Sinatra, or the pink jeep that he would use to drive around the Graceland grounds. There is almost a gift shop at every entrance or exit on the grounds of Graceland, so you can always stop by one of them to make your purchases of souvenirs to bring home with you as your own keepsake or to be given away to some of your friends who also love Elvis but couldn’t make it for this trip with you.

Really Big Deal on Beale Street

For those who are heading over to Memphis in their rented charter bus, coach charter, shuttle bus or party bus for a quick vacation with family and friends this summer, here is something we can all do, have fun with, without busting the budget. Beale Street of Memphis is pretty much like many other large downtown metropolis district in other larger cities like New York, New Jersey, Los Angeles, San Antonio, Las Vegas and Boston....only with a smaller price tags. Shopping, eating out and admission fees for tourist attractions in Memphis, naturally is cheaper than it is actually is in the larger cities. So, with a smaller budget, you get to experience pretty much the same thing.

Especially when you are faced with the incredible number of options on Beale Street. It is comprised of more than three blocks of endless night clubs, dining outlets, quaint never-seen-before shops and also an amazing array of entertainment. Many people like our bus charter Memphis customers come to this district to celebrate their wedding anniversaries, have their after-prom parties, bachelor or bachelorette parties, business gatherings and also not to mention, the melting pot of nightclubs makes it the perfect place to have a bar crawl too!

And the best thing about using the party bus, charter bus, shuttle bus or limousine rental services from a reliable charter bus company like Bus Charter Memphis means that you will leave all the driving woes to the bus charter driver. With that said, nobody has to restrain from partying on the night and EVERYONE gets to let their hair down and paint the town red.

Rewind a couple of decades back, Beale Street was the home to some conventional business owners and merchants who have clearly chosen this district because of its proximity to Mississippi River. It was also during the 1860s that many musicians who found this corner of the world lacks musical entertainment (a far cry from what it is now, we have to say) and therefore, they were found traveling in and around Beale, regularly performing to large crowds. This is how the entertainment scene in Memphis’ Beale Street began...and they have not looked back since.

Since then, they have started the Orpheum Theatre which is one of the oldest and most established entertainment outlet in Memphis. From there, it blossomed into having more options along Church Park which was turned into a social center. Today, Memphis is not just known for its massive Beale Street but also as the home of jazz legends like Louis Armstrong, memphis Minnie, Muddy Waters, B.B. King and also Albert King.

Don’t forget that every May, bring your friends and family with you for a short bus charter rental Memphis vacation and join in on the Beale Street Music Festival.

Sun Studio Gets The Rock and Roll Mood Right On

Mention “rock and roll” and almost immediately, you can list out legends like Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, “Rockin’ Robin” Roberts, and yes, even the forever loved, “The King” – Elvis Presley too! Memphis bus charter passengers who also are diehard fans of the Rock and Roll era will never fail to make a visit to the Sun Studio in Memphis to tour the place where it all began for Elvis Presley as well as many other popularly knows rock and roll singers those days.

Originally known as the Memphis Recording Service and later its name was changed to the Sun Studio, the building was a recording studio that was founded by Sam Phillips in 1950 and at that same time, Sun Studio also shared the building with the Sun Records label. When you arrive at the main entrance of the Sun Studio in the Memphis charter bus, you will quickly notice that it looks like a rather old building with colorful neon lights signage on the glass windows. Having been around since 1950, surely the building can’t look any “newer” than it did then.

The rather “old” looking building makes it even more authentic and definitely will bring back lots of nostalgic memories of the diehard fans of rock and roll. Don’t be surprised if you see Memphis bus charter passengers bringing out their cameras and start snapping away as soon as they get down from the bus. Nothing beats bringing home memories in the cameras to keep for many years to come and share the memories with others.

Upon entering the Sun Studio, be prepared to be taken back to the era of rock and roll with all the displays and exhibits there. Stand on the very same spot where Elvis did when he was recording, check out the piano where Jerry Lee Louis made a burnt cigar mark, and hold the microphones that the super stars used to pose for photos. When you are inside the studio, unless you don’t mind waiting, you may want to stand up further at the front if you intend to take some good photo shots of the place. The whole guided tour in the Sun Studio would take about an hour and after that, guests are welcomed to visit their gift shop to bring home with them some items for keepsakes before they climb back onto their waiting Memphis chartered bus.

Best Bars In Memphis

When it comes down to finding the best bars there is in Memphis, there is definitely no shortage. While the up-and-coming and most energetic bars and nightclubs can easily be found in the downtown bar strips, there are some quaint ones located at a short distance away. They are usually quieter and less packed - the perfect place for making a new friend, getting connected to the locals, and relax after a hard day at work, or traveling all around Memphis in a charter bus from one tourist attraction to another. Traveling might be fun but it can take a toll on you at the end of the day.

A place that will give you the ‘blues’ is a nice little nook called Beale Street Tap Room located on, well...Beale Street, of course! The bar is often visited by the locals so, if you want to have some insider knowledge or is interested in making friends with the locals, Beale Street Tap Room is most definitely the place to be on an impromptu visit. No admission fee, no frills, no queues....just a quiet, quaint and relaxing place to unwind and relax. However, the bar has been said to get rather crowded on Friday and Saturday nights so, head over early to grab the best seats and enjoy the Happy Hour rates. For those who do not drink, there is a wide range of non-alcoholic beverages being served too.

Another good option to go for would be Rafe’s Deli and Beer Garden located on Poplar Ave. What is unique about Rafe’s is the style of the ‘bar’. It has a very ‘convenience store’ feel to it because you get to do a little shopping (limited selection, mind you, because the focus here is on serving you your drinks) and bring home some of your favorite selection with you. There is clearly a focus on quality and variety instead of simply giving you a whole host of drink choices which often waters down the quality service you might get from the people manning the place. Rafe’s have a good selection of imports and American craft beers which means you get to decide which ones you prefer to have here or take home with you. If you have never tried Pumpkin Beer, then here you go, this is the perfect place to get it. And on a side note, if the owner of the store is there when you are visiting, try striking a conversation with her as she is known for her quick wit and sense of humor.

Dining in Memphis

As the largest city in the state of Tennessee, Memphis is a progressive and active region that offers historic landmarks, museums, art galleries and parks. Among outdoor enthusiasts, Memphis is highly regarded due to locations like T.O. Fuller State Park and Shelby Farms Park Conservancy for hiking, camping and horseback riding. Memphis has a multicultural community, so various dining options are available in the area. If you plan a charter bus visit and would like to enjoy a true southern culinary experience, Memphis offers several options. Visit Memphis with a bus, coach bus, party bus, mini bus, passenger coach or school bus chartered from Bus Charter Memphis and travel through the city in style and comfort.

Napa Cafe is an inviting restaurant located in Sanderlin Centre. Serving the community since 1998, this award-winning restaurant has been singled out by charter bus diners for its atmosphere, wine list, service, and salads. Dishes served at Napa Cafe include first courses like chilled swanki shrimp, short rib sliders and crispy artichokes and main courses such as lamb loin, yellow fin tuna, caramelized diver scallops and pork roulade. Napa Cafe also offers a private room and a wine cellar for Memphis charter bus groups wanting a little private dining.

Serving Memphis for more than 30 years, Paulette's is a coveted dining destination among locals and charter bus visitors due to its fine cuisine, old European-style setting and ambiance. Also popular among couples for its award-winning romantic feel, Paulette’s hosts piano weekend evenings. Paulette's menu features dishes like crab meat and spinach crepe, trout paschal, filet mignon, chicken Sicilian, Louisiana crab cakes and the filet Paulette. This restaurant also features a dessert menu, full bar and banquet facilities suitable for large charter bus groups.

Tsunami restaurant is in the midtown section of Memphis. Charter bus diners can enjoy fresh seafood dishes which are made with salmon, sea bass, tuna, sea scallops, shrimp, calamari, mussels and oysters. The restaurant also serves beef, lamb, soups, salads, pasta, sandwiches and desserts. Tsunami is open for lunch Mondays through Fridays and for dinner Mondays through Saturdays. Tsunami is affiliated with Project Green Fork, a Memphis organization helping restaurants operate in a more environmentally friendly manner by reducing waste and lowering overhead. Tsunami is a short charter bus ride away near Mud Island River Park on Front Street.

Coletta's is the oldest restaurant in Memphis and has been in business since 1923. All of the items on the menu, such as lasagna, manicotti, ravioli and sauces, are homemade. There are two locations of Coletta's in Memphis. At Coletta's, charter bus diners can begin with appetizers such as toasted ravioli or a mini barbecue pizza. Some of the specialty dishes include seafood scampi, chicken Parmesan, and eggplant Parmesan. A selection of pizza is available, including barbecue and vegetarian pizzas. Coletta's offers shipping of its barbecue pizza to charter bus visitors who live out of town.

A visit to Memphis for a sampling of its culinary delights is sure to be fun filled and memorable when you use the services of a charter bus from Bus Charter Memphis’ fleet of charter buses, and take advantage of their friendly, personalized service.

Down in the Jungle Room

A visit to Memphis is always special, especially in a charter bus, coach bus, party bus, mini bus, passenger coaches or school bus chartered from Bus Charter Memphis. Providing a variety of vehicles of various types to cater to any size group, Bus Charter Memphis makes it easy for you to visit that shrine to the King of Rock and Roll, Graceland.
Graceland was Elvis Presley’s residence until his death in 1977. This 13.8 acre estate was purchased by Elvis in 1957, when he gave his parents money to buy him a “farmhouse type” property. Elvis lived in Graceland with his parents, then with his wife Priscilla and their daughter Lisa Marie. In 1982, Priscilla Presley decided to open Graceland to the public, in order to raise funds to avoid defaulting on taxes owed on the mansion. This proved to be a major success with Elvis fans, and today more than half a million Presley fans visit Graceland each year.
A good way to visit Graceland is with a charter bus. The neighborhood around Graceland is described as “sketchy”, and chartering a bus from Bus Charter Memphis is a good way to travel safely and avoid any unfortunate incidents.
Graceland is constructed from tan limestone. This 10,266 square foot mansion as originally built was enlarged over the years to 17,552 square feet. It has 23 rooms spread across 3 levels.  Graceland today is very much a shrine to Elvis’ life. It contains all the furniture and fittings in the house as it was at the time of his death. The house has been variously described as “tacky and kitsch” and “white trash”. However, as a insight into the life of Elvis, it is an incalculable treasure.
Taking a tour of Graceland, the visitor will be led by an audio commentary with narration, comments and stories by Elvis and his daughter Lisa Marie. The Graceland Mansion tour includes Elvis’ living room, music room, parents' bedroom, dining room, kitchen, TV room, pool room and the famous Jungle Room. Visitors will be able to see the rooms where he lived, relaxed and played with friends and family.
Outside, visitors can step inside both of Elvis’ jets. The first is a Convair 880 which Elvis bought and christened “Lisa Marie”. Inside the aircraft, Elvis spent $800,000 remodeling the interior, installing a living room, conference room, sitting room and private bedroom. The second jet is a Lockheed Jet Star named “Hound Dog II”. This smaller plane was used to transport Elvis’ manager and crew to various venues when he was on tour.
The Elvis Presley Car Museum is next on the list. Here you can view Elvis’ automobile and motorcycle collection. Aside from his favorite pink Cadillac, also on display are his Harley Davidson motorcycles, the MG from “Blue Hawaii”, a 1975 Dino, Rolls Royce, a six door 600 Grosser Mercedes Benz and the John Deere tractor he used on his land.
A visit to Graceland will be unforgettable, especially if you are an Elvis fan. Call Bus Charter Memphis today to find out how we can help arrange your group’s trip to Graceland with our choice of vehicles and friendly, personalized service.