Like Mark Twain, you can ride on a paddlewheel boat and relive a romantic era in American history. Afternoon cruises include a narration of the sights on the Tennessee and Arkansas sides of the river, while dinner cruises include a bountiful buffet, music and dancing. Try the moonlight music cruise with someone you love. There are daily and moonlight cruises in the warmer monthes, and the riverboats hosts special events in the winter months.

Memphis got its name from ancient Egypt. As a modern symbol of that heritage, this 32-story stainless-steel pyramid rises from the banks of the Mississippi River. Completed in 1991 at a total cost of USD65 million, the Pyramid serves as a sports and concert arena, with 22,500 seats. It also serves the University of Memphis, housing the Tigers' basketball games and university graduations. The history of the Pyramid's construction is loaded with scandal, controversy and danger, take a tour and learn the whole story. Tour admission varies.

The survival rate for victims of childhood leukemia has risen dramatically over the past few decades, due largely to the research conducted at St. Jude Hospital. Entertainer Danny Thomas, the driving force behind St. Jude, is buried here in honor of his work. The star-shaped pavilion "symbolizes the far-reaching scope of the American Lebanese Syrian Associated Charities and the work of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital." Self-guided tours reveal the stunning architecture of the pavilion, memorabilia from Danny Thomas' career, and the lovely Danny Thomas Memorial Garden.

Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, B.B. King-they all recorded here at Sun Studio. Founded by Sam Phillips in 1950, this studio became the heart of the Memphis sound. It is still a functioning studio, and modern musicians still record here to try to acquire a little of the magic. Take a tour and see exhibits relating to the artists who recorded here, including Carl Perkins, Howlin' Wolf, Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison and, of course, Elvis. Many visitors to Memphis cite this tour as the highlight of their stay.

Not so much a museum as an educational indoor playground, this place is full of interactive activities for kids. Youngsters can climb a skyscraper, explore a fire engine or "ride" a police motorcycle. Children especially love the miniature grocery store, where they can push their own carts and "shop" for staples, and the play bank, where they can write checks. Special exhibits and activities are also offered every month, including puppet shows and live music.

The C.H. Nash Museum at Chucalissa is a prehistoric American Indian archaeological site dating back to the 15th Century.  The site was occupied, abandoned and reoccupied several times throughout its history, spanning from 1000 to 1550 A.D. The museum, named after its founding director, curates an extensive collection of artifacts recovered during a 40-year period of systematic excavations.  The site features a Mississippian mound complex, nature trail and arboretum, hands-on archaeology lab, and exhibits that explore the history and life-ways of Native Americans of the historic and prehistoric southeastern United States.

This is it-the second most visited house in the United States-preserved exactly as when Elvis Presley lived here, complete with the Jungle Room and shag carpeting. Elvis' grave is also here and can be viewed free. Additionally, you can tour the auto museum, see the Lisa Marie and Jetstar airplanes, and view the Sincerely Elvis exhibit, all of which are across the street from the mansion, along with the ticket office. On August 16, the anniversary of Elvis' death, a candlelight vigil draws fans worldwide.

Raccoons wander freely around this nature preserve and educational facility. The Lichterman family after whom the center is named willed their land to the city years ago, and portions of the block have since been developed into a shopping center, St. Francis Hospital and an apartment building. However, this 65-acre park still provides sanctuary for local wildlife. Children can see here how injured animals are treated and prepared for return to the wild. While the original Lichterman home that housed exhibits and administrative offices burned down a few years ago, most of the facility has been restored.

This museum is housed in the Georgian marble home built in the 1920s by Clarence Sanders, founder of the Piggly Wiggly grocery store chain. Sanders never got to live here, and the city transformed the site into a complex of attractions, including the Sharpe Planetarium and an IMAX theater. The Pink Palace's exhibits cover topics ranging from dinosaurs to the Civil War, and from the early Spanish explorers to the evolution of medical research in Memphis.

Tired of putting people, especially kids, to sleep with droning lectures in a dark room and trying to compete with the IMAX theater next door? This planetarium has spiced up its shows with laser lights and music from bands such as the Grateful Dead, Pearl Jam and Pink Floyd. There is even an Elvis show during Elvis Week in August. During special meteorological events, such as meteor showers, the planetarium staff sets up telescopes on the front lawn and encourages visitors to bring their families as well as a picnic dinner.