Memphis Travel Guide
Courtesy of Dan Reynolds Photography | Getty Images
Why Go To Memphis
Memphis is constantly grooving, either to the songs of Elvis echoing throughout the city or to the tunes of up-and-coming musicians along Beale Street . Graceland is the major draw for many; however, audiophiles who come only for Elvis will be pleased to find out that Memphis has much more to offer. Johnny Cash, Isaac Hayes and B.B. King also nurtured their unique sounds in Memphis bars and recording studios. Along with the significant role Memphis played in music history, this city also serves as a poignant reminder of the civil rights movement. It was here that Martin Luther King Jr. petitioned for the equal rights of Black sanitation workers in 1968. After leading a peaceful protest in March, King returned to the city on April 3 only to be assassinated a day later at the Lorraine Motel, now the site of the National Civil Rights Museum .
There's a third, sometimes overlooked reason to plan a Memphis visit. The "Cradle of American Music" delivers good eats, as well as good tunes and good history lessons. Consider a spring or fall trip (the summer heat here is staggering) to try out a few culinary – and distinctly Southern – favorites. The region's finger-lickin' barbecue and buttery grits should be at the top of any aspiring foodie's list. For more information on the city's history, food and tunes, sign up for one of the best Memphis tours .
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- # 9 in Best Places to Visit in Tennessee
- # 18 in Best Weekend Getaways in the South
Best of Memphis
Best hotels in memphis.
- # 1 in River Inn of Harbor Town
- # 2 in The Peabody Memphis
- # 3 in The Guest House at Graceland
Best Things to Do in Memphis
- # 1 in National Civil Rights Museum - Lorraine Motel
- # 2 in Beale Street
- # 3 in Sun Studio
Popular Tours
Memphis City Tour with Optional Riverboat Cruise & Sun Studio Add-On Options
(1568 reviews)
from $ 45.00
Guided Memphis City Tour with Riverboat Cruise along Mississippi River
(444 reviews)
from $ 85.00
Memphis Discovery Tour with Riverboat Cruise on Mississippi River
(49 reviews)
from $ 87.80
Memphis Travel Tips
Best months to visit.
The best times to visit Memphis are April and May or October and November. These short seasons are brief reliefs from the uncomfortable (and long) summer and winter seasons. Average summer highs often climb above 90 degrees with high humidity. However, the summer remains Memphis' peak tourism season because of school vacations.
Weather in Memphis
Data sourced from the National Climatic Data Center
What You Need to Know
You'll experience traffic The city's highways can morph into parking lots within minutes. Stay off the roads between 7 and 9 a.m., and again between 4 and 6:30 p.m.
You'll experience Elvis mania The King has been dead for several decades now, but the citizens of Memphis have had a difficult time letting him go (especially since his legacy is integral to their tourism industry). Many tourists get irritated by the onslaught of Elvis memorabilia.
You'll experience heat exhaustion This condition is a frequent one for tourists in the summer. While seeing the sights, drink lots of water and take breaks indoors.
How to Save Money in Memphis
Avoid a summer visit The air is muggy with high temps and humidity, and hotel rates are high. Save some money and enjoy more pleasant weather by visiting in the fall or spring.
Opt for the Backstage Pass If you plan to visit the Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum , Sun Studio , Graceland and the Stax Museum of American Soul Music , consider purchasing the Backstage Pass. It grants you access to all four attractions for $89.
Enjoy the freebies Several attractions are extremely cost effective (in other words: free). The duck march at The Peabody Memphis and the art museum at the University of Memphis are just a couple of the no-cost-to-you activities. For even more free ideas, visit the Memphis Visitors Bureau website .
What to Eat
Traditional Memphis cuisine is not for the faint of stomach. Though Memphis boasts many types of restaurants, the city's culinary delight is barbecue. It's some of the best in the country – and each of the city's 100 or so barbecue joints offers its own individual recipe. Memphis specializes in pork; whether it's slow-smoked ribs or pulled and stuffed into a bun, you'll find a variety of dry rubs and tangy and sweet sauces to tantalize your taste buds. Central BBQ is one of the most popular spots in the city, but Corky's BBQ , Cozy Corner BBQ and Interstate Barbecue also come highly recommended by visitors and locals alike. Visitors also say The Four Way is a must-stop, as it's the city's oldest soul food restaurant. Evelyn & Olive also offers delectable Jamaican and Southern cuisine alongside live music. Barbecue aficionados will not want to miss the city's annual World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest, which takes place every year in May. For help navigating the city's top barbecue joints, sign up for one of the best food tours .
What pairs nicely with a plate of ribs? Local beer, of course. To get a taste of the city's suds scene, check out the many craft breweries and pubs . Don't miss your chance to sample some of the city's other traditional treats, such as fried pickles, meatloaf and fried peanut-butter-and-banana sandwiches (the only sandwich fit for "the King"). If deep-fried isn't really your taste, you can enjoy some of the city's other dining options, which offer everything from Japanese cuisine to Mexican favorites.
You'll find the widest variety of restaurant options in downtown Memphis. However, stumbling upon a barbecue joint in the surrounding areas is not a difficult feat, and hole-in-the-wall spots are both tasty and easy on the wallet.
Memphis is generally a safe city for tourists. You'll notice a lot of police presence downtown (especially around Beale Street) in both the day and night, but travelers should still exercise caution in tourist areas, which are known to have a high concentration of panhandlers. Watch your belongings and avoid going out at night alone. Those who are not used to the Southern climate should also take precautions against heat stroke, particularly during the summer months. The most common symptoms of heat stroke include headaches, dizziness, fatigue and nausea. Drink plenty of water and apply sunscreen regularly.
Getting Around Memphis
The best way to get around Memphis is by car. Attractions pepper the city, making "Walking in Memphis" a challenging feat – with or without your blue suede shoes. If you don't want to deal with Memphis traffic, you can instead rely on the Memphis Area Transit Authority's fleet of buses and trolleys or the city's new bike-share program.
Travelers who don't road-trip here arrive through Memphis International Airport (MEM), positioned about 10 miles southeast of downtown. To get to downtown Memphis from the airport, you can rent a car, take a cab (which costs about $30) or use your hotel's complimentary airport shuttle (the Memphis airport lists all of the area hotels that offer shuttle service on its website ). Uber and Lyft also service the airport.
For great live music, food and bars, look no further than Beale Street .
Explore More of Memphis
Things To Do
Best hotels.
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12 things Memphis locals want visitors to know
Feb 25, 2024 • 8 min read
Get to know Memphis with these local tips © FangXiaNuo / Getty Images
Undoubtedly one of America’s greatest music cities, Memphis has a rich heritage that birthed rock ‘n’ roll and its own version of soul and the blues.
The vibrant and culturally diverse hub has recently seen many of its storied neighborhoods spring back to life through regeneration efforts. Where once stood empty warehouses, now you’ll find a crisp batch of independent stores and restaurants, serving up new takes on Memphis’ legendary food scene. Though widely known as one of America’s great capitals of barbecue, the past two decades have seen Memphis grow into its culinary own beyond the smoker.
The city’s laid-back and open-minded attitude means there isn’t a strict rulebook to follow, but there are a few things to know before visiting the Bluff City.
1. The Memphis dress code is whatever you want
Memphis is a laid-back city, with a dress code to match. You can turn up in an Elvis t-shirt, a tracksuit or sequined eveningwear, and no one will raise an eyebrow, so come as you are. The exception to this: church. When attending a service, it's best to dress smartly.
2. Always make reservations for brunch and fine dining
Brunch is a big deal in Memphis, and restaurants book up fast, so always call ahead to secure a spot. For those seeking high-end dining, particularly if there’s a James Beard-nominated chef at the helm, you may need to call a couple of weeks ahead to guarantee a seat at the table.
If it’s a local barbeque or hot wing joint, just show up, but be prepared to wait in line.
3. Don’t forget your reusable water bottle
Ditch the throwaway bottles – Memphis’ water is classed as some of the tastiest in the world. With the flick of a tap or the push of a fountain’s button, you can hydrate with freshwater derived from natural reservoirs flowing hundreds of feet below Memphis’ surface.
And with Memphis’ notorious heat and humidity, topping up the aqua levels regularly is a must, especially from May through September.
4. The barbeque capital of the US also caters to vegans
In fact, we’ll raise you – it’s now fairly easy to be vegan in Memphis. Although the city has a reputation for giving us some of the finest pulled pork barbeque in the country, recent years have seen a fresh cluster of plant-based restaurants and stalls cropping up across the city. At many barbecue joints, it’s not uncommon to find vegetarian-friendly options like lion’s mane mushroom barbecue nachos or a barbecue portobello sandwich.
Local specialties focus on southern staples minus the meat. Think cauliflower hot wings, beet burgers, carrot dogs and vegan barbeque, for a new taste from Memphis.
Crosstown Concourse is home to a collective of health-conscious restaurants, while the Imagine Vegan Café caters to all your comfort food needs. Memphis Whistle dishes out mushroom-based culinary options.
5. Memphis’ churches have an open-door policy on Sunday
There are more than 2000 churches in the Greater Memphis Metropolitan area, the majority of which are Baptist. One of the best ways to ingratiate yourself into the city is to attend a Sunday morning church service, where tourists are welcome to respectfully join congregations in worship, which often involves a full choir and band.
The Reverend Al Green – yes, the former soul-singing legend – can be found leading a fantastically dynamic service at his Full Gospel Tabernacle Church .
If you’re unsure of the etiquette, just quietly choose a pew in the back. A collection plate will likely make its round during the service, so come prepared.
6. Grab a takeout cup – the liquor laws are relaxed on Beale St
Memphis is a town of many quirks. One of them just happens to be that Beale St, home of the blues, is the only place in Tennessee where you can legally walk the street with an open alcohol container. This rule also loosely applies to the neighboring South Main Arts District, but only on the last Friday of each month when “Trolley Night” turns the entire street into an open-container-allowed block party.
On a warm summer evening, visitors can grab a drink from a Beale Street bar in a takeout cup and wander up and down America’s most famous musical highway, soaking up the live acoustics or catching a performance from the Beale Street Flippers, Memphis’ famed acrobatic troupe.
Note that cannabis containing THC, for both medical and recreational uses, is illegal in Memphis, though CBD shops can be found selling legal substitutes.
7. Memphis is LGBTIQ+ friendly, but you need to know where to go
Although Memphis’ scene is certainly more lowkey than neighboring Atlanta or New Orleans , a flourishing LGBTIQ+ community exists and is increasing in visibility. Cooper-Young and Overton Square are particularly LGBTIQ+ friendly neighborhoods, flying the flag with joyful rainbow crosswalks.
For those looking to explore Memphis’ LGBTIQ+ nightlife, the main roadblock is the lack of a condensed, specific district, so transport is essential for barhopping.
Atomic Rose is a weekend-only nightclub just steps from Beale Street with drag shows and bingo nights. Dru’s Bar in midtown offers karaoke nights and a patio for cooling off on balmy nights, while The Pumping Station in Crosstown is an ultra-inclusive neighborhood hangout that’s been crowned Memphis’ top gay bar.
Visit for the Tri-State Black Pride in June, or come for the four-day Memphis Pride Fest Weekend in June. It's the largest gathering of its kind in the Mid-South.
8. Don’t confuse Memphis with Nashville
A friendly(ish) rivalry between Tennessee’s two major cities permeates across most aspects of life, from sports to food and music. These sister cities are keepers of completely divergent cultural identities. If you once had the best night of your life on Nashville’s Honky Tonk Highway, maybe keep that one to yourself while in Memphis. In fact, you’ll struggle to find even a hint of country music in Memphis.
9. See the natural side of Memphis
The city’s connection with Tennessee’s natural beauty has been elevated in recent years. Historic Tom Lee Park re-opened along the Mississippi River after a $60 million renovation in 2023. And the $50 million Wolf River Greenway is connecting a riverfront walking and cycling trail to the city’s suburbs via more than 20 miles of trail along the city’s “other” river.
10. Much of Memphis is wheelchair accessible
Public transportation, especially mass transit options, are not standout in most American cities. However, Memphis does offer a wheelchair-accessible trolley system throughout downtown, which makes getting around its core easier.
The National Civil Rights Museum has ramp access for wheelchair users, while the Woodland Discovery Playground at Shelby Farms Park is a good place for under 12s of all abilities. The majority of Graceland is wheelchair accessible, aside from the basement rooms. Big River Crossing offers wheelchair-friendly views of the Mississippi River and the opportunity to cross over into Arkansas.
11. Is Memphis safe to visit?
While crime rates in the city dipped during the early and mid-2010s, Tennessee’s newly-relaxed gun laws have led to a wave of violent crime throughout the state. This is particularly true in Memphis, which has notched record numbers of car break-ins and homicides since 2019.
Newly-elected leadership from the mayor’s office to the district attorney and police chief are attempting to reign the situation in, but it’s a good idea to be mindful of your surroundings in the Bluff City. Police say the majority of violent crimes and break-ins are being perpetrated by teenagers and young adults.
Don’t leave valuables, luggage or travel documents in your vehicle, and try to avoid excessive displays of wealth. If you do catch someone in the act of breaking into your vehicle, it's best to avoid confrontation. Many thieves here are well armed.
Pockets of both downtown and midtown have recently been revitalized, with former derelict buildings transformed into residential blocks and thriving businesses. The city has also made meaningful investments in creating dedicated bike paths, making neighborhoods like the Broad Avenue Arts District, South Main Arts District, Cooper-Young, High Point Terrace and Shelby Farms active areas for cycling.
If you haven’t visited Memphis for a few years, expect to be pleasantly surprised by the safe and welcoming vibe in neighborhoods such as South Main and Overton Square, which hum with activity on weekend nights.
City officials have doubled down on efforts to increase police presence in two neighborhoods most frequently visited by tourists, downtown and midtown. Those two areas are also patrolled by the brilliantly-named blue suede shoe brigade, a collective of uniformed ambassadors on the lookout for nuisance issues. They are not police officers but are available for assistance. Yes, they actually wear blue suede sneakers, and yes, everyone jokes about stepping on them!
As with any metropolitan area, keep a constant eye on your belongings and note that it’s wise to stick to the main, well-lit tourist streets when exploring Memphis at night. The most common petty crimes are pickpocketing and car break-ins, so keep valuables close, especially around tourist landmarks, and never leave them in your car. In an emergency, call 911; for non-emergency situations call 211 to be directed to the relevant department.
12. When in doubt, ask a Memphian
Memphis is a friendly city steeped in southern charm, so striking up a conversation with locals tends to be straightforward and guarantees savvy insider tips.
Those looking for an in-depth chat should just ask a Memphian about their favorite barbeque spot. But be warned: everyone in Memphis has their favorite smoke, sauce and slaw combination, so the debate can quickly get heated.
This article was first published July 2022 and updated February 2024
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- Trip Planning
With so much information to sift through, there’s an art to planning a trip to Memphis. Where to stay? What to do? Where to eat? It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by all the exciting options. Luckily, we know the River City like the back of our hand and are here to help.
No fake or phony here. Memphis deliver authentic experiences and the word is getting out, with a plethora of attractions, culinary and cultural options, and exciting places to stay. Most importantly, we’re known for our hospitality and we welcome people like you from around the world every day. Let’s get started on planning your visit to Memphis.
Whether you want to stay close to the action, near a favorite attraction, or somewhere historic, there’s a perfect lodging option for you. Memphis offers something for everyone, from five-star accommodations to comfortable options that won’t break the bank.
Memphis is a big city, but don’t let that intimidate you. We’ve got you covered with all the maps you’ll need to find attractions, parking, hotels, dining spots and more.
Transportation
Whether you’re traveling by foot, car, bike, or just looking for a good walking tour, having the right transportation information is essential for a smooth trip. Memphis is Uber and Lyft friendly, making it easy to get around even if it’s your first time visiting. You can also use taxi cabs or take a ride on the riverboat on the Mississippi River.
Nightlife and events
Looking for live music? You won’t have to look far once you’re here.
With so much going on in Memphis, it might be easy for you to miss something—unless you check out this list of nightlife and events , that is.
You might also be interested on: Moving to Memphis Tennessee: All You Need To Know
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