I'm in Germantown (suburb of Memphis). For young kids The Children's Museum near liberty Bowl Stadium is excellent as is The Pink Palace Museum. Even if you don't like Elvis, you have to at least tour Graceland, it's very interesting. For ribs/pork, Rendezvous is expensive but good and only serves 'dry' ribs, Corky's is good and moderately priced (I love their greasy onion ring loaf). Other good pork places are Interstate Bar BQ and my Tops Bar BQ.
Stay at the Peabody downtown for great Southern atmosphere and the ducks in the fountain. Peabody Place Mall is next door with some shopping, 22 movie theatres and more restaurants.
DGW