Best Things to Do in Memphis Tennessee

Memphis is one of Tennessee’s most well-known cities. With an abundance of history and attractions it’s a popular travel destination. And it’s a fun city! As you’ll find out in this article there’s lots of cool stuff to do in Memphis.

One thing that really puts Memphis on the map is the music scene. Memphis is famous for blues, soul, and rock ‘n’ roll music.

And satisfying Southern food.

In this post we’re sharing 13 things to do in Memphis Tennessee.

For a wonderful Southern vacation spend a few days exploring all the best attractions in Memphis, then drive the Blues Highway 61 to Clarksdale Mississippi and onward to New Orleans Louisiana for more great food and music!

Okay let’s go to Memphis!

 

1.   Beale Street

One of the best things you’ll want to do in Memphis is go wandering around the famous Beale Street historic district.

Beale Street, stretching just under 2 miles from East Street to the Mississippi River, is the place to go for music, food, and fun in Memphis, especially on weekends.

Beale Street is home of the Blues and it’s the place you’ll want to spend some time to get acquainted with all the great restaurants, bars, and night clubs in downtown Memphis.

For live music on Beale Street you can start with B.B. King’s Blues Club, Blues City Cafe, and Rum Boogie Cafe.

 

 

2.   National Civil Rights Museum

The biggest historical monument in Memphis is the National Civil Rights Museum. This is a must-visit site in Memphis for everyone.

This complex of museums focuses entirely on the history of the civil rights movement in the United States. The exhibits are exceptional and include audio recordings, films, and some interactive displays along with artifacts. Plan to spend at least two hours at the museum.

The museum is built around the former Lorraine Motel, where Dr Martin Luther King Jr was assassinated on April 4, 1968.

A visit to the National Civil Rights Museum is a heart wrenching, educational, and worthwhile experience.

LEARN MORE: 10 Best Weekend Getaways in Tennessee

 

 

3.   Tom Lee Park

(Tom Lee Park is closed while undergoing renovations in 2022)

When it comes to Memphis TN things to do, going to Tom Lee Park is also a must.

This renowned municipal park, named after African American river worker Tom Lee who rescued 32 people from a sinking riverboat in 1925.

Just 5 minutes from downtown Memphis, this is one of the best spots to relax and enjoy the beauty of the Mississippi River and the natural surroundings.

4.   Stax Museum of American Soul Music

A Memphis must! The Stax Museum of American Soul Music is one of a few sites in the world dedicated entirely to soul music and the history of soul music.

Kids, this is some of the American history they don’t teach you in school.

This museum was created not just to honor the record label’s heritage, but also to honor all of the musicians affiliated with it and their impact on the musical heritage of Memphis.

You’ll watch a video before entering the museum area which is filled with memorabilia, stories, artifacts, and lots of great music!

5.   Murals in Memphis

Memphis has a lot of awesome art murals all around town and while you’re visiting other attractions in downtown Memphis you will probably see these murals:

I Love Memphis mural – Located at 209 Beale Street

The Sound of Memphis mural – by Damon Lamar Reed and Pugs Atomz. Located at 100 S Main Street

I Am A Man mural – by Marcellous Lovelace with BLK7. Located at South Main Street close to Huling

Of course there are many more Memphis murals, and you can find them plus a bunch of Memphis public art at Memphis Art Project.

 

 

6.   Sun Studio

Take another musical tour of Memphis via Sun Studio.

Sam Phillips’ recording facility, which was once known as Memphis Recording Service, opened in January 1950 on Union Avenue.

Here, Sam Philips worked with numerous blues, country, rock ‘n’ roll, and rockabilly musicians throughout the years, including B.B. King, Howlin’ Wolf, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison, and Carl Perkins to mention a few. And Sun Studio is where Elvis Presley recorded his first songs.

 

 

7.   Memphis Rock ‘n Soul Museum

One more museum you’ll want to visit is the Memphis Rock ‘n Soul Museum on Beale Street.

Immerse yourself in Rock ‘n Soul music with the self-guided audio tour while checking out all the cool artifacts like the amazing collection of old juke boxes and radios.

It’s a small museum but you can get lost in time while listening to all the great songs.

8.   Graceland

Visiting the mansion Graceland is another Memphis bucket list stop.

This mansion was formerly the home of Elvis Presley and is now his burial place. Graceland opened to the public in June 1982, just a few years after Elvis Presley had passed.

In March 1957, the King of Rock and Roll paid $102,500 for the place. After spending 20 years there, the cultural icon died in August 1977, at the age of 42.

 

 

9.   Memphis Botanic Garden

One of the most unique places in Memphis is the Botanic Garden.

Open daily (free admission) this garden is made of 96 acres full of plants and its main purpose is to enhance people’s lives by connecting them with nature, all while increasing awareness and learning how to appreciate the environment.

Also, apart from the amazing gardens, you can host an event (from small groups all the way up to 600 people) at the Memphis Botanic Gardens.

 

10.   Food in Memphis

Soul food, fried chicken, and of course barbecue will keep you happy when it comes to best eats in Memphis.

In downtown Memphis check out The Majestic Grille, Flight Restaurant and Wine Bar, and of course, Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken.

There is never a wrong time to eat barbecue in Memphis. However, to find the best BBQ in Memphis you will have to venture outside of downtown but it’ll be worth it!

Try Central BBQ, The Bar-B-Q Shop, A&R Bar-B-Que, and The Vous (aka Charlie Vergos Rendezvous) – serving BBQ in Memphis since 1948.

You know you’ll have to try a few of these BBQ joints to find your favorite Memphis spot. Tough gig but somebody has to do it, right?

11.   Dixon Gallery and Gardens

Spend some time in Memphis enjoying the art museum and lush gardens at Dixon Gallery and Gardens.

From flower gardens to woodland gardens, formal gardens, and learning gardens, the Dixon public gardens are an excellent place to unwind in beautiful surroundings.

And this won’t mess up your budget because admission to Dixon Gallery and Gardens is free through the end of 2024.

12.   Day trip to Arkansas

Did you know that if you hop across the Mississippi River from Memphis you’ll land in Arkansas?

From Tennessee to Arkansas in just a few minutes.

Cool, right?

Drive across the Mississippi River on the Hernando de Soto Bridge to get from Memphis to Arkansas.

You can spend the day in Little Rock (about 2 hour drive) or head over to Heber Springs (about 2.5 hour drive) to visit the mineral springs, do some hiking or fishing, and visit the Ruland Junction Toy Train Museum.

 

 

13.   Shelby Farms Park

Shelby Farms Park is about 20 miles east of downtown Memphis and it’s one of the largest urban parks in the United States.

One intriguing statistic about Shelby Farms is that it is so large that it could cover not one, but five times the size of Central Park in New York City.

Enjoy the walking trails, go bicycling, kayaking, take the kids to the playground, or bring your furball out to the dog park. Shelby Farms Park is the best outdoor space in Memphis. In December there’s a huge Christmas lights display called Starry Nights at the park.

Have fun in Memphis!

More things to do in Tennessee

15 Best (and FUN!) Places to Visit in Tennessee

21 Best Things to Do in Chattanooga

18 Awesome Things to Do in Gatlinburg