Cynthia Ellis, The Telegraph 

The land of blues, barbecue and Beale Street is the music Mecca of the Mississippi River -- and great for a weekend getaway.

It's easier to take a trip with a toddler in tow than a teenager -- especially a boy -- however, Memphis is a city that will offer adolescents something for their "soul." The city that gave birth to rock 'n' roll is less than a five-hour drive from Alton, and is a fine destination to travel for a family vacation.

Many know that Elvis Presley got his start in the legendary Sun Studios with Sam Phillips, but many are not aware of the other musical legends that kicked off their careers in "Blues City."

There are stories to be heard about blues legend B.B. King, soul icon Isaac Hayes and rock idol Jerry Lee Lewis. Other notable artists who made a mark in Memphis include Otis Redding, Booker T. Jones, Steve Cropper, Ann Peebles, Al Green, Sam the Sham, Carl Perkins and the "Man in Black," Johnny Cash.

Although there is an abundance of things for families to do the best part about taking a music-loving teen is they will get an upbeat history lesson.

No city has been more influential on the world of music than Memphis. The music is a magical stew of people from different backgrounds, cultures and beliefs, blended together in an unmistakable sound that is still simmering almost a century later.

The sounds of the Mississippi Delta and the neighborhoods of Memphis collaborated for many tuneful years and country and gospel came together and formed the foundation for soul and rock.

The best way to stay close to the action is to book a room in one of the city's downtown hotels. You'll be able to travel by walking (most venues are only blocks away), taking the trolley or catching a carriage ride at night.

Wherever you stay or whatever you decide to do, here is a list of musical venues to hit:

Smithsonian Rock 'n' Soul Museum
191 Beale St.
Enjoy watching and listening to an introductory movie that tells the story of Memphis' musical history. Then take a walk through the seven-gallery museum while listening to an audio tour.
Cost: $10 adult, $7 for children ages 5 to 17
www.memphisrocknsoul.org

Beale Street
It's a neon tunnel of lights and live music. You'll hear blues, R&B, jazz and rock nightly in one of the two dozen venues along the two cobblestone blocks east of Main Street. There are also a dozen places to grab some grub like Blues City Cafe, King's Palace, B.B. King's, Miss Polly's and Hard Rock Cafe. It's a one-of-kind entertainment district.
Cost: varies for food from $5 to $50

Sun Studio
706 Union Ave.
This famous recording studio is ground zero for rock 'n' roll's explosion onto the world stage. Literally packed with memories and memorabilia, it's the "Birthplace of Rock and Roll." Visitors get a chance to hear historical outtakes and even touch Elvis' first microphone. Experience the stories that put legends like Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins and more on the map, and see why artists like U2, Tom Petty, Maroon 5 and 3 Doors Down continue to flock to the town.
Cost: $10 per person
www.sunstudio.com

Soulsville: Stax museum of American Soul Music
926 East McLemore Ave.
This 17,000-square-foot museum -- on the original site of Stax Records -- houses more than 2,000 cultural artifacts, celebrating the music made famous by Otis Redding, Booker T. and the MGs, the Bar-kays, Al Green, Aretha Franklin, Earth, Wind & Fire and more. Made up of black and white musicians, Stax broke the color barrier long before it was the norm. In addition to Stax music and memorabilia, you'll also find exhibits dedicated to the artists of Muscle Shoals, Motown, Atlantic and Memphis' own Hi Records.
Cost: $10 Adults; $9 for seniors 62 and above, active duty military and students with valid identification; $7 children ages 9 to 12; and free to children 8 and younger
www.soulsvilleusa.com

Graceland
3765 Elvis Presley Blvd.
No musical pilgrimage is complete without a trip down Elvis Presley Boulevard to the second most visited home in America. The King's legendary empire -- now a historical landmark -- allows visitors to step back in time to see how Elvis lived, tour his private jets, personal automobile collection, the legendary Jungle Room and the Meditation Garden. Two new exhibits opened this year: Private Presley, which is in honor of the 50th anniversary of Elvis' induction into the Army and '68 Special, the 40th anniversary exhibit of Elvis' landmark television event, the "'68 Special."
Cost varies depending on tour from $68 to $10 (ages 7 to 12); 6 years and younger are free
www.elvis.com/graceland

Gibson Guitar Factory
145 Lt. George W. Lee Ave.
Arguably the most famous guitar brand in music offers tours daily starting at 11 a.m. The state-of-the-art factory opened eight years ago where craftsman carve the revered ES series guitars, which are played by some of the best musicians in the business.
Cost: $10, no children under 5 allowed
www.gibsonmemphis.com

Other recording studios
Sun and Stax may get all the props, but Memphis is home to more than a few other hit factories as well. They include: Ardent Studios (Bob Dylan, R.E.M., Big Star, Stevie Ray Vaughan, The Replacements and 3 Doors Down); Hi/Royal Recording (Al Green, Willie Mitchell, Ike and Tina Turner, Ace Cannon, O.V. Wright and Ann Peebles) and Cotton Row (Three 6 Mafia, Al Kapone, Kingpin Skinny Pimp, Ruby Wilson and Egypt Central).

Backbeat Tours
Second and Beale streets
"Shake, rattle and roll" through Memhis with Backbeat Tours. Sightseers get to ride around on a 1950s era bus and learn about the city's musical heritage from real musicians during a live performance. Tours include Mojo music, Hounddog, Graceland, ghost and a historical walking visit through the city's downtown.
Cost varies depending on the tour
www.backbeatmusic.com

Center for Southern Folklore
119 S. Main
This local outfit showcases and celebrates the wonders, lifestyles, people, history and cultures of the South. The facilities here include the Folklore Store, which showcases original music, books and works by local artists, as well as an entertainment hall that features live jazz, blues, rockabilly, soul and gospel performances.
Cost vary depending upon event
www.southernfolklore.com

W.C. Handy House/Museum
352 Beale St.
A composer, teacher, publisher, bandleader and businessman, William Christopher Handy is credited as the first musician to document the raw, emotional lyricism of the blues. His modest Beale Street home-turned-museum may be small, but it is the axis upon which Memphis music turns, and quietly captures the flavor and spirit of the cobblestone street.
Cost $3 adults, $2 children