Dixon Gallery & Gardens

Next up on our tour of Memphis attractions: Dixon Gallery & Gardens. This 17-acre facility is a private museum that opened in the 1970s. It was founded by Hugo and Margaret Dixon who were philanthropists and Memphis community leaders. They didn't have any children, so they left their home and property as a gift to benefit the people of Memphis.

There are extensive gardens all around the grounds. They were pretty. I don't really know a lot about plants so it's hard to describe it well... There was lots of green! And water features! And statues! And butterflies! Not getting an exclamation mark are the mosquitoes. I didn't think about bringing bug spray. Big mistake. My legs are covered in itchy bites now.

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Photography wasn't allowed inside the art gallery. We saw the Renoir paintings that were making a temporary appearance. They had a whole wing of old porcelain and china from the 1700s. There is a room full of pewter items, such as a pretzel-shaped drinking vessel. They also have your standard paintings - landscape, still life, portrait.

I felt very cultured after this excursion!