Memphis, TN

Rock, Blues, and BBQ

Yes, Elvis is still alive in this proud southern city. You can't go anywhere around town without seeing -- or hearing -- the King. (He has even appeared in concert here, albeit posthumously on video.) From Graceland to hotels and restaurants that bear his name, expect to eat and breathe Elvis in Memphis -- the "Birthplace of Rock and Roll" (and home of the blues, too).

Rock music aside, Memphis is a good place to teach kids about civil rights; the nation's first museum on the subject is located here. The city's also home to some world-famous ducks who waddle through the lobby of the Peabody Hotel twice daily.

Nearly all the top attractions are conveniently located downtown; Graceland is the only exception -- it's a 20-minute ride from downtown.