The birth of the blues happened on Beale Street when W.C. Handy wrote the first blues song ever in 1909 and since then it's been home to many famous blues musicians. One of the best known streets in Memphis, Beale Street encompasses the heart and soul of old Memphis. The cotton trade along the banks of Front Street is the only landmark in Memphis history that grabs ahold of people and manages to maintain an element of awe, intrigue and infamy for many years. Beale Street became a prosperous suburb of Memphis in the 1840's.

Running westward from the Mississippi River Beale Street carries on for 1.5 miles and has network of shops, restaurants, theaters, clubs and hotels along it today and remains a major tourist attraction to date. Beale Street is an extremely significant point of interest in African American history and the history of blues music. The soul of old Memphis continues to live on Beale Street where music still drifts from the many blues clubs and restaurants that line the street.

Beale Street Music Festival is an exciting element of the Memphis in May Festival. Beale Street Music Festival has an incredible line up of musicians in an eclectic mix of blues, rock, soul that hit the stage at Tom Lee Park in downtown Memphis over 3 fantastic days filled with great music. Single-day tickets start at $25.00 in advance and the 3 day passes go for $59.50 in advance. It's best to get early-bird tickets to the Beale Street Music Festival and confirm rates before purchasing tickets. There is no age restriction for the Beale Street Music Festival so the entire family can enjoy the weekend.

There are many Beale Street hotels to consider if visitors choose to stay where most of the action is. Beale Street hotels are also close to other Memphis attractions such as the Rock 'N' Soul Museum, Sun Studios and Mud Island. The Hampton Inn and Suites is right around the corner from Beale Street at the heart of the entertainment district. The suites are comfortable and nicely decorated with clean lines and modern art. Amenities to enjoy at the Hampton Inn include high speed internet, 24-hour front desk service, the Hampton bed experience of Cloud Nine and complimentary local calls.

An additional choice in Beale Street hotels offering a little more affluence is The Westin Memphis Beale Street which offers a welcome retreat from days spent sightseeing. The beautifully appointed guestrooms provide a fabulous place to relax for guests. There is an extensive list of in-room amenities at the Westin as well as other hotel amenities including laundry/valet service, nearby golf course, concierge and limousine services and 24-hour front desk service plus much more.

There are plenty of other very affordable Beale Street hotels such as the Comfort Inn Downtown, Red Roof Inn Memphis Downtown, Holiday Inn Express and the Best Western West Memphis just to name a few. Each hotel's features differ yet these hotels provide standard room amenities at affordable rates and are all close to the action of Beale Street itself.

Beale Street Memphis is not to be missed when visiting the city. The Blues can be heard from anywhere in the area and leaves a celebratory feeling drifting in the air. Shopping on Beale Street Memphis is excellent with all kinds of shops offering limitless treasures. Dining is also fantastic on Beale Street Memphis and visitors can find a wide array of cuisine to choose from. Beale Street Memphis is possibly the most appealing attraction in the city, especially for music lovers who come from far and wide to get a feel for what the exciting early days of Beale Street were like.