Welcome to Memphis
Billed as the birthplace of the blues, Memphis is an intersection of music history that gives visitors a high dosage of unique southern culture. The River City, the largest city on the Mississippi River, is located in the southwestern corner of Tennessee and has a metropolitan population of roughly 1.3 million, making it the second-largest metropolitan in the state behind Nashville. Despite being situated in the south, Memphis has a four-season climate. Temperatures in the winter average in the 40s with a snowfall of about 5 inches, while highs reach the 90s.
Business travelers might find it useful to know that Memphis is home to not only FedEx, but also two other Fortune 500 companies - AutoZone and International Paper Co. These big businesses have cultivated a large manufacturing industry. A pointer: A resident of Memphis is referred to as a Memphian.
Downtown Memphis is located on the banks of the Mississippi River. East of downtown lies an area called Midtown, where you'll find Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, Sun Studio, Memphis Brooks Museum of Art and other attractions. Getting around is not difficult, especially if you have a rental car. The two major streets to know are Poplar and Union, which run east and west through the city.