Why go: Graceland is one of Memphis's most famous attractions and the former home of Elvis Presley.
Visitors can tour the Graceland mansion and explore exhibits covering Elvis's life, career, music, automobiles, costumes, and cultural influence. The entertainment complex also includes additional exhibits and collections dedicated to the King of Rock 'n' Roll.
Graceland is located south of downtown and is one of the most important stops for travelers interested in Elvis and the history of American popular music.
Best for: Music fans, Elvis fans, first-time visitors, families, and travelers interested in American cultural history.
Travel tip: Allow several hours for the mansion tour and additional exhibits, especially if you want to explore the full complex.
Why go: Beale Street is Memphis's legendary entertainment district and one of the best places to experience the city's connection to blues music.
The historic street is lined with blues clubs, restaurants, bars, shops, live-music venues, and historic landmarks. Music fills the area, particularly in the evening, making Beale Street a natural starting point for experiencing Memphis nightlife.
During the day, visitors can explore the historic district at a more relaxed pace before returning in the evening for live music.
Best for: Music fans, nightlife seekers, couples, groups, first-time visitors, and travelers looking for the classic Memphis experience.
Travel tip: Visit during the afternoon for sightseeing, then return in the evening if you want to experience the live-music scene.
Why go: The National Civil Rights Museum is one of the most important historical attractions in Memphis and explores the history of the American civil rights movement.
The museum is located at the Lorraine Motel, a landmark associated with the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Exhibits examine major events, individuals, struggles, and movements that shaped the fight for civil rights in the United States.
The museum provides an important historical perspective and is one of the city's most significant cultural experiences.
Best for: History travelers, families with older children, students, educators, and visitors interested in American history.
Travel tip: Allow several hours and take time to read the exhibits rather than rushing through the museum.
Why go: Sun Studio is one of the most influential recording studios in American music history and is closely connected with the early careers of Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and other musicians.
Guided tours explore the studio's history and explain how the Memphis recording scene helped shape rock 'n' roll. Visitors can see historic recording spaces and learn about the musicians and producers associated with the studio.
Best for: Music fans, rock 'n' roll enthusiasts, history lovers, and visitors interested in recording history.
Travel tip: Combine Sun Studio with Downtown Memphis and other nearby music attractions rather than treating it as a full-day visit.
Why go: Memphis is one of America's best-known barbecue destinations and a great city for travelers who plan their trips around food.
Memphis-style barbecue is particularly associated with slow-cooked pork, dry rubs, smoked meats, and barbecue sandwiches. Local restaurants range from long-established barbecue institutions to modern restaurants and neighborhood favorites.
Beyond barbecue, Memphis offers Southern cooking, soul food, burgers, seafood, international restaurants, breweries, coffee shops, and other regional specialties.
Best for: Food travelers, couples, families, groups, and visitors interested in Southern cuisine.
Travel tip: Try more than one barbecue restaurant if you have enough time because Memphis barbecue styles and specialties vary.
Why go: The Mississippi River is central to Memphis's history and identity, and the riverfront provides opportunities for walking, sightseeing, photography, and enjoying views of one of America's great rivers.
Visitors can explore Tom Lee Park and other riverfront areas, walk along the river, watch boats and barges, and enjoy views toward Arkansas across the Mississippi.
The riverfront is especially useful for travelers who want an outdoor break between museums, music attractions, and restaurants.
Best for: Families, photographers, couples, walkers, outdoor travelers, and visitors looking for free activities.
Travel tip: Check the weather before planning a long riverfront walk, particularly during the hottest part of summer.
Why go: The Stax Museum celebrates Memphis's important contribution to soul music and the artists who helped shape American music.
Exhibits explore Stax Records, legendary performers, recordings, instruments, costumes, and the broader history of soul music.
The museum provides a different perspective on Memphis music history and pairs well with visits to Sun Studio, Beale Street, and other music landmarks.
Best for: Soul music fans, history lovers, families, musicians, and travelers interested in American music.
Travel tip: Combine the museum with other attractions in South Memphis if you want to explore more of the city's musical heritage.
Why go: Memphis's identity extends well beyond Beale Street, with historic neighborhoods, local music venues, restaurants, galleries, and cultural attractions throughout the city.
Areas such as Cooper-Young, Overton Square, South Main, and Midtown offer restaurants, shops, bars, live entertainment, historic architecture, and a more neighborhood-oriented experience.
Best for: Couples, food travelers, shoppers, photographers, music fans, and visitors looking for local culture.
Travel tip: Choose one or two neighborhoods based on your interests rather than trying to cover the entire city in a single afternoon.
Why go: The Memphis Zoo provides a family-friendly attraction and an opportunity to spend time outdoors while taking a break from the city's museums and music attractions.
Located in Overton Park, the zoo is part of a larger area that includes green space, walking paths, cultural attractions, and the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art area.
Best for: Families, animal lovers, outdoor travelers, and visitors looking for a daytime activity.
Travel tip: Start earlier in the day during warmer months and check current schedules before visiting.
Why go: Memphis is a city built around music and entertainment, but visitors can also find professional sports, festivals, theater, comedy, cultural events, and seasonal activities.
Depending on your travel dates, you may find live blues, soul, rock, gospel, or other performances throughout the city. Memphis is also home to the Memphis Grizzlies and a variety of other sporting and entertainment events.
Best for: Music fans, sports fans, couples, families, and travelers looking for an evening activity.
Travel tip: Check the Memphis event calendar before your trip and book popular concerts, games, and performances ahead of time when possible.
For a first visit, three days in Memphis is a good starting point. A long weekend gives you enough time to visit Graceland, explore Beale Street, experience the National Civil Rights Museum, discover Memphis music history, and sample the city's famous barbecue.
Start with the National Civil Rights Museum, then explore downtown and Beale Street. Visit Sun Studio if time allows and finish the evening with live music and Memphis barbecue.
Alternative: If Elvis is the main focus of your trip, spend the morning and early afternoon at Graceland before returning downtown for dinner, Beale Street, and live music.
Day 1: National Civil Rights Museum → Downtown Memphis → Beale Street → Memphis barbecue → Evening live music.
Day 2: Graceland → Sun Studio → South Memphis music attractions → Dinner and entertainment.
Day 1: National Civil Rights Museum → South Main → Beale Street → Dinner and live music.
Day 2: Graceland → Elvis-related attractions → Memphis barbecue → Evening entertainment.
Day 3: Sun Studio → Stax Museum → Cooper-Young or Overton Square → Mississippi Riverfront → Evening show.
Memphis can be visited year-round, but spring and fall are particularly appealing for travelers who want comfortable weather for sightseeing, outdoor activities, and exploring neighborhoods. Summer can be hot and humid, while winter is generally quieter but can bring colder weather and occasional disruptions.
If your trip revolves around a concert, festival, sporting event, or major Memphis celebration, check the event calendar and accommodation availability before choosing your travel dates.
Memphis is a spread-out city, and a car can be helpful if you plan to visit attractions in different parts of town during the same day.
Whenever possible, plan your itinerary by area. For example, combine Beale Street with the National Civil Rights Museum, South Main, and the downtown riverfront. Graceland and Stax Museum can also be grouped into a South Memphis-focused day.
Parking availability and rates vary by attraction and neighborhood. Check current parking information before visiting popular destinations, particularly during major events and busy weekends.
Prioritize Graceland, Beale Street, the National Civil Rights Museum, and one or two major music attractions such as Sun Studio or the Stax Museum. Add time for Memphis barbecue and a walk along the Mississippi Riverfront.
Families can combine the Memphis Zoo with the riverfront, Graceland, parks, and selected museums. Depending on the children's ages, the National Civil Rights Museum can also provide an important educational experience.
Couples can combine a downtown museum visit with dinner, live blues or soul music, a walk along the riverfront, and time exploring South Main or Cooper-Young.
Focus on Graceland, Sun Studio, Beale Street, the Stax Museum, and Memphis's independent music venues. Leave enough flexibility to discover live performances during your visit.
Make barbecue part of the trip and explore Memphis-style ribs, pulled pork, barbecue sandwiches, soul food, Southern cooking, and the city's growing range of restaurants. Explore neighborhoods such as Cooper-Young, South Main, Midtown, and other areas outside the downtown core.
The top things to do in Memphis include visiting Graceland, exploring Beale Street, touring the National Civil Rights Museum, visiting Sun Studio, experiencing Memphis barbecue, exploring the Mississippi Riverfront, and visiting the Stax Museum of American Soul Music.
Memphis is best known for its connection to blues, soul, and rock 'n' roll music, Elvis Presley and Graceland, Beale Street, Memphis barbecue, the Mississippi River, and its important role in American civil rights history.
Yes. A weekend is enough to experience several of Memphis's major attractions. Focus on Graceland, downtown and Beale Street, the National Civil Rights Museum, and at least one major music attraction.
First-time visitors should prioritize Graceland, Beale Street, the National Civil Rights Museum, and either Sun Studio or the Stax Museum. Memphis barbecue and the Mississippi Riverfront are also worthwhile additions.
Three days is a good amount of time for a first visit. Two days can cover many major attractions with careful planning, while four or more days allow additional time for neighborhoods, restaurants, museums, music venues, parks, and nearby attractions.
A car can be useful for exploring Memphis beyond downtown, particularly if you plan to visit Graceland, several neighborhoods, or attractions spread across the city. Visitors staying downtown can use walking and rideshare for many popular activities.
Families can enjoy the Memphis Zoo, Graceland, parks and outdoor spaces, the Mississippi Riverfront, selected museums, and family-friendly events. The best combination depends on the children's ages and the season.
Free or low-cost Memphis activities include exploring Beale Street, walking along the Mississippi Riverfront, visiting Tom Lee Park, exploring Memphis neighborhoods, enjoying parks and greenways, and finding free concerts or community events.
Downtown, South Main, Midtown, Cooper-Young, and the Graceland area can all work well depending on your itinerary. Downtown is best for central attractions and Beale Street, South Main is convenient for historic and cultural attractions, and the Graceland area is useful for visitors prioritizing Elvis-related sights.
The best way to experience Memphis is to combine its famous music attractions with time in the city's historic neighborhoods, museums, parks, restaurants, riverfront, and live entertainment venues. Start with Graceland and Beale Street, then add the National Civil Rights Museum, Sun Studio, the Stax Museum, or one of Memphis's distinctive neighborhoods.
For most first-time visitors, three days provides a comfortable balance between major attractions and slower-paced sightseeing. Plan by area, allow extra travel time between attractions, and leave room to discover the music, food, history, and culture that make Memphis unique.