my roommate and i are taking our mothers to memphis, plan to stay at the radisson(downtown)and visit graceland, sun studios, mud island, beale street, mlk civil rights museum, which is easier to rent a car or use taxis? is parking downtown on weekends a problem? which is cheaper taxis or parking/rental? which is most convenient?
thanks for the help.

You definitely need a rental car if you plan on venturing out of the downtown area.

Michele
You do need a car. Check with Radisson to see if they have parking. Graceland and Sun Studios is more than a hop, skip and a jump away. Have fun!

What's on Mud Island?

Mud Island has the Memphis Belle airplane (they made a movie about it). You take a tram over to the island (as seen in The Firm) which is pretty cool. They also have a model of the Mississippi River from MN to New Orleans. There's also a nice museum. Definitely worth it (although it's not exactly a "must see"), but it will probably only take you 1 hour or so.

Definitely rent a car. Parking is no problem. Lots of parking garages for cheap. $5 a pop usually. Radisson may have it's own parking. Peabody Place is neat to spend an hour or so, too. I'm from Memphis and have done it all. If you have any questions, feel free to post it here.

ttt

I can answer my own question, do not rent a car, you don't need one. beale street is close, the trolley is close (the trolley is a great way to get around and very inexpensive), take a free shuttlebus to graceland & sun studios, we skipped mud island. memphis is terrific.