Six places to visit during your stay in Whitehaven
Each year, Graceland welcomes thousands of visitors to Whitehaven for Elvis Week and while the big-name attractions are usually on the agenda, there are several off-the-beaten-path spots worth visiting throughout South Memphis and Whitehaven.
Here are five hidden gems in the neighborhood Elvis called home.
Al Green’s Full Gospel Tabernacle Center Church
Where: 787 Hale Road Memphis, TN 38116
What: R&B legend. Rock and Roll Hall of Famer. Reverend. As a man of many titles, Al Green continues to spread the word in Memphis. Since he opened it in 1976, Reverend Green has been presiding over services at his church. This year, Al Green’s Full Gospel Tabernacle Center is celebrating its 45th year. Stop by to worship at their Sunday service at 11:30 a.m.
Royal Studios
Where: 1320 Willie Mitchell Blvd, Memphis, TN 38106
What: Experience Memphis’ rich musical history by visiting one of the oldest continuously used recording studios in the world. The studio went from a small rockabilly studio to earning GRAMMY awards as a major producer of soul music. Originally established as Shamrock Theater, the studio is now home to owned and operated by Willie Mitchell and Lawrence “Boo” Mitchell. Notable recordings have been made at the famed Royal Studios in South Memphis including “Uptown Funk” by Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars and “Have a Good Time” by Al Green. Book a tour by emailing info@royalstudios.com.
More:South Memphis’ Royal Studios gets Grammy exhibit in Mississippi
Pose 901
Where: 1247 Southbrook Mall, Memphis, TN 38116
What: Want to ensure your visit to Memphis is picture-perfect? Stop by Pose 901, a Black-owned, culturally-curated selfie studio highlighting aspects of Black culture in Memphis. It including a set decorated with Memphis slang and a set built to look like a Waffle House. The new Instagram-worthy spot Located at the Southbrook Mall, Pose 901 is open from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays and from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Tickets are available here. Walk-ups are also available.
The Links at Whitehaven
Where: 750 E Holmes Rd, Memphis, TN 38109
What: Golfers in town might want to hit a few balls in between Elvis events and the neighborhood is home to a local jewel in the 9-hole Links at Whitehaven. Before opening to the public in 1993, it operated as a private course and has been a fixture in Whitehaven since the 1960s. The Links at Whitehaven is open from 7 am to 6 p.m., Tuesday-Sunday and features a driving range, large putting green, short game practice area as well as snack bar and pro shop.
Southland Mall
Where: 1215 Southland Mall, Memphis, TN 38116
What: The Southland Mall, built in 1966, was the first enclosed mall in the Mid-South. Southland Mall is home to more than 60 stores including Rainbow, City Gear, Foot Locker and Southern Sweets. Pay a visit to a symbol of Whitehaven’s commercial history and even if you choose not to shop, it’s still a nice place to take an early morning stroll.
Nike Clearance Store
Where: 4099 S Plaza Dr, Memphis, TN 38116
What: Opened in 2007, this Nike Clearance Store has served the Whitehaven community sweet deals on Nike shoes and apparel. The store occupies a 26,000-square-foot space at South Plaza and is open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. from Monday through Saturday and from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.