The historic city of St. Augustine is the site of the oldest navigational aid in the United States; the original, a Spanish watchtower, was converted into Florida’s first lighthouse in 1824. A second lighthouse was completed in 1874 to replace its predecessor, taken by the sea after a long battle with erosion in 1880. Constructed of Alabama brick and Philadelphia iron, it rises an impressive, candy-striped 165 feet above sea level and contains 219 steps; its massive lens consists of 370 hand-cut glass prisms arranged in a beehive shape 12 feet tall and six feet wide. Visitors to the Old City are invited on self-guided tours of the Lighthouse, Museum and Shipyard Playground, with a variety of fabulous, fun and informative guided tours offered to enhance an already fascinating experience. Climb to the top and enjoy stunning 360 degree views of St. Augustine, St. Augustine Beach, the Intracoastal Waterway and the Atlantic Ocean; be regaled with the colorful stories of lightkeepers, sailors and fishermen who’ve shaped and protected the coast of Florida for more than 500 years and ponder centuries of maritime history and trivia as you marvel at three stories of intriguing exhibits and authentic artifacts, many from the sites of old shipwrecks.

Groups out and about enjoying a rockin’ Blues City holiday may want to enlist the talents of the good, capable folk at Backbeat Tours in providing a unique specialty entertainment excursion with that “personal touch” – their fantastic outings have been featured on CNN and Fox 13 News, and in Forbes, USA Today, Southern Living, Memphis Magazine, and newspapers around the country and treat guests to an extraordinary Memphis sightseeing extravaganza! They offer something for every age, interest and adventure appetite, and promise to leave you with a smile on your face and a song in your head – with a Memphis memory you’re certain to cherish. Memphis owns a compelling and influential history which has helped shaped popular culture to a degree far beyond imagining; Backbeat Tours’ knowledgeable and talented guides bring that history to life on immersive, creative, interactive, informational and truly entertaining forays into the very heart of the home of the Delta Blues. The Memphis Discovery Tour tenders guests the ultimate Memphis dining and shopping experience; Memphis Mojo combines live music and killer comedy on a wild musical heritage discovery, while Elvis fans exploring the area during Elvis Week trip over their blue suede shoes running to the acclaimed and ever-popular Hound Dog Tour. Ghost hunters of all ages will enjoy tiptoeing through the city’s dark history of voodoo, ghosts and lost souls as guides regale them with terrifying tales of eerie local misadventures, and traditionalists traveling the Delta will be tickled “Pink-Cadillac” to visit Graceland, Backbeat- style!

This landmark Historic District in downtown Memphis, created in 1841 by developer Robertson Topp and named after a forgotten military hero saw its notorious heyday in the roaring 20s in a thriving boom of nightclubs, theaters, restaurants, stores, pawnshops, hot music, gambling, drinking, murder, mayhem, and other, unmentionable vice in a red light district rivalling New Orleans’ Storyville. Energetic Beale Street, official home of the rockin’ blues , important center of riverfront trade to the West and burgeoning affluent suburbia to the East, has survived a hurricane of of feast, famine, renovation and renewal, growth and change to arrive where it is today: THE most visited attraction in all of Tennessee, acclaimed entertainment venue, local hangout and important Memphis cultural hotspot. Today, Beale’s gritty and wild atmosphere is tempered, considerably, by a strong, tourism-driven economy, and the area is a virtual 2-mile beacon of incredible cafes, BBQ joints and restaurants, noisy clubs and smoky bars, live music, street performers, an array of novelty and specialty shops, music stores, houses of worship, theaters, pool halls, museums and historic points of interest with a distinctly Southern-fried crunch steeped in a richly authentic, smooth and moving Blues culture and vibe. Anything goes on Beale Street; come as you are – see the sights and sounds of this quintessentially Memphis neighborhood: follow the walk of brass notes, stop in at A. Schwab’s dry goods store, check out the cool sounds of Memphis Jams on Beale at Handy Park, come to town for the International Blues Challenge, pop by the Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum or just hang out and revel in that “catfish on the table, gospel in the air” feel of this most iconic street in America!

More than 600,000 adoring fans annually make the big-daddy of all celebrity pilgrimages to 3764 Elvis Presley Boulevard, passing through those hallowed, music-booked-shaped gates onto the perfectly preserved and maintained 13.8 acre estate at Graceland, favorite tourist attraction in all of Memphis and place the legendary humanitarian, movie star and King of Rock and Roll loved and called home for more than 20 years; a stop by Graceland is an absolute must on any Blues City getaway! Guests enjoy audio-guided tours of the mansion featuring commentary and stories by Elvis and his daughter Lisa Marie; they see where Elvis relaxed, played, ate, slept and spent time with his cherished friends and family on a very personal look inside the home of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, with peeks into each lovingly, elaborately decorated room, furnished in Elvis’ signature flamboyant style. You’ll love seeing the collection of vehicles Elvis owned at the time of his passing – especially the Pink Cadillac he bought for his precious Mama, as well as his purple Caddy Convertible, his Stutz Blackhawk and the Red MG he drove in 1961’s romantic musical comedy, “Blue Hawaii.” The final stop on every Graceland Tour is the Meditation Garden, rumored to have been Elvis’ favorite place on the Estate, where he would go in troubled times to seek peaceful refuge, and where he and several family members have been laid to rest; yearly processions on the eve of his death have attracted as many as 40,000 visitors, showing up to pay special homage as they file through the Garden and past the grave of the beloved, undisputed King of Rock and Roll. Graceland receives you with open arms into the world of the Elvis: the man, the movie star and the musical legend.

“If music was a religion, then Memphis would be Jerusalem, and Sun Studio its most Holy Shrine.” Visitors to iconic Beale Street must NOT miss an opportunity to stop into this landmark historic attraction, springboard for some of the most important careers in the history of music and comfort food for established modern talent looking to tradition for occasional inspiration. Rock pioneer Sam Phillips opened the doors to his childhood dream and brand new Blues City studio with the slogan, “we record anything, anywhere, anytime” in an effort to drum up business and generate some fast cash. Jackie Brenston and his Delta Cats’ “Rocket 88″ was recorded there in 1951 with Ike Turner on keyboards – reputedly the first single ever – earning the studio its golden status as the “birthplace” of Rock ‘n’ Roll. Fast forward through a series of ups, downs, changes big and small, sweet successes and the usual setbacks to the day 18-and-a-half year old Elvis Aaron Presley walked through the doors and recorded his first number, EVER. The rest, as they say, is history. Phillip’s studio ultimately garnered the reputation as the place that nurtured fledgling talent and encouraged it to expand with bigger labels, and heavy hitters that cut their teeth at Sun would move back through those doors, time and again – legends like Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, B.B. King, Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison – and of course, Elvis Presley, the undisputed King of Rock ‘n’ Roll . It’s been said Sun Studio oozes grit, blue collar resolve, and unadulterated Americana. The table where The King signed his very first contract sits right at the studio entrance. Tours happen on the half hour, and treat guests to an unforgettable hit of pure nostalgia; if you’re waiting your turn, check out the killer memorabilia on display, browse souvenirs, or pop a squat at the counter, order up a malt and imagine Elvis next to you. It’s not that hard to do.

This beloved Music City landmark attraction and live venue with the “best sound in town” was built by riverboat captain and Nashville businessman Thomas Ryman to celebrate his new-found salvation, and debuted in 1892 as the Union Gospel Tabernacle; it was renamed after his death in his honor. The Ryman Auditorium was the home of the Grand Ole Opry from 1943 until 1974, when a larger venue was built at the Opryland USA theme park; a five-foot diameter circle was removed from the old stage floor and inlaid into the center of the new one in an effort to maintain continuity with the Opry’s colorful, storied past. Designated a National Historic Landmark in 2001 and christened Theatre of the Year four times in one decade, the Ryman has appeared in memorable movie scenes over the years and hosted scores of events from community gatherings, political rallies, ballets and operas to popular televised music shows and dazzling theatrical productions; legends like Johnny Cash, Hank Williams and Patsy Cline, distinguished guests like Helen Keller and President Teddy Roosevelt and world-class performers from the Zac Brown Band to ZZ Top have taken the stage at this grand old auditorium, the “Mother Church of Country Music” and “the Birthplace of Bluegrass.”

No quintessential Music City tour would be complete without a visit to the Country Music Hall of Fame! This premier Tennessee institution and ever-popular attraction, where Country Music’s cream of the crop are honored in grandest Nashville fashion, recently revealed an ambitious 210,000 square foot expansion nearly doubling the iconic Museum’s size, including 10,000 square feet of additional exhibit space and a beautiful new Event Hall affording guests breathtaking views of Nashville’s stunning skyline. The Museum’s permanent exhibition has been updated as well, to include over a 100 new artifacts from some of today’s hottest Country talents. Browse hundreds of incredible stage costumes and fine musical instruments, explore extensive archives of captivating oral interviews, photographs and moving images, and enjoy a comprehensive multi-media history of Country Music and its brightest stars, beginning with the touching “Sing Me Back Home” exhibit. The Hall of Fame Store tenders guests a wonderful array of exhibition-related merchandise featuring Nashville-made gifts and food items, clothing, jewelry and accessories , ensuring no one goes home without that perfect memento!

Groups exploring the best of Music City won’t want to miss a visit to the most popular attraction in all of Tennessee, “The Home of Country Music” and “Country’s Most Famous Stage;” hundreds of thousands of fans annually make the trip to see the show live. “The Grand Ole Opry celebrates the diversity of all the musical styles under the country music umbrella. In addition, the Opry presents the many generations of artists who have formed country music’s rich legacy and continues to forge its future course,” says Opry General Manager, Pete Fisher. The show that made Country Music famous regularly features a fabulously dynamic line-up of superstars, rising stars and legends and showcases no less than eight artists per show, treating enthusiastic audiences to a vibrant sampling of each performer’s signature style; a variety of backstage tours get you a fabulously exclusive look at what makes the show tick. Years ago the Opry outgrew its home at the Ryman and moved to a brand new multi-million dollar venue a few miles outside Nashville; at the heart of its stage lies a six- foot inlaid circle of well-worn oak cut from the very center of the Ryman’s old stage – a hallowed portion of magic and memories lovingly carried into the Opry’s future, where new generations of Country Musicians, honored to be standing on the very spot that Johnny Cash, Hank Williams or Patsy Cline may have stood on so many years before, take the stage in that solid circle of welcome and give fans their all.

 
It’s quite possible one could design a complete San Francisco getaway agenda around the marvelous sights, sounds and smells of this charming old fishing neighborhood, home of the Wharf’s famous fishing fleet. One of the busiest popular attractions in the Western United States, if the laughter of sociable sea birds, the spicy-sweet steam of boiling crab cauldrons and heavenly aroma of freshly baked, crusty sourdough bread is twining through your daydreams, or the contrast of sturdy piers against ever-changing waters and tidy rows of vibrantly colorful fishing vessels tucked neatly into their slips embodies your idea of the perfect view, enchanting Fisherman’s Wharf is for you! Visitor favorites Pier 39, Ghirardelli Square, Ripley’s Believe it or Not, The Wax Museum , The Aquarium of the Bay, The Musee Mechanique and The San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park are all located in this bustling center richly seasoned with a diverse and hearty culture rooted in the early days of local fishing industry history. Additional crowd pullers sure to appeal to sightseers of all ages and walks are the Hyde Street Pier, home to one of the world’s largest collection of historic ships, the USS Pampanito, a decommissioned WWII era submarine preserved as a museum ship, and 19th century full-rigged ship Balclutha. Pause for a moment, and quietly envision perfect storm scenarios as you pay your respects at “ The Fishermen’s and Seamen’s Memorial Chapel,” a touching memorial tribute constructed in memory of “The Lost Fishermen” of San Francisco and Northern California . Colonies of lumbering and vocal sea lions congregate on docks, cavorting, feeding and basking in the California sunshine-you can’t help but be amused by their antics! The Fourth of July brings world class fireworks to the Wharf, and some of the best views of the Fleet Week air shows can be enjoyed right here. A veritable foodie’s haven, the Wharf boasts some of the finest feasting in the world, offering ravenous sea dogs and landlubbers alike hungry for a taste of Old San Francisco a fabulously eclectic mix of local seafood and international cuisine-served full service or open-air, crab-stand style! Grab your group and get your steamy fresh crab or bubbly-hot and fresh clam chowder sourdough bowl fix at venerable landmark Fisherman’s Wharf- don’t forget to save a few crusts for the seagulls.

Exploring America > U.S. Cities > San Francisco Tours
 

The legendary San Francisco Chinatown is the largest outside of Asia as well as the oldest in North America and consistently a top draw to die-hard local culture hounds and intrepid traversers of the globe; covering 24 square city blocks and overlapping 5 postal codes, it encompasses an area roughly a mile long and 1.34 miles wide. Rumor has it there are two distinct Chinatown experiences: One for the locals, and one for tourists. Pass through visitor-oriented Grant Avenue’s intricately beautiful dragon gate and wander lamp-lined and vibrantly colorful streets filled with restaurants, shops and mini malls-all with a more commercial vibe than traditional offerings over on Stockton Street, where you will find a more authentic presentation, reminiscent of Hong Kong, with its open air produce and fresh fish markets, mom and pop stores and restaurants. Stop by bustling Portsmouth Square, a one-acre park dubbed the “Heart of Chinatown” and steeped in important early California history; be sure to pop into Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory-the only place in the city where these familiar treats are still made by hand-watch, sample and buy a bag of 40 of these delightfully quintessential Chinese cookies for just $3.00! Experience the exotic temples of Waverly Place; explore authentic galleries and shop and feast to your heart’s content; immerse yourselves in an exotic world of sensory extravagance beyond your wildest dreams. No itinerary necessary here: best to wander aimlessly, and steep awhile in the vivid yet surreal mystique of Chinese architecture and culture-toss preconceived notions out the window while you’re there and discover your own interpretation of Chinatown!

Exploring America > U.S. Cities > San Francisco Tours