Memphis: Home of barbecue and the Blues. Most of us have seen the beautiful pictures of Beale Street and Graceland, but is there more to the city than these few famous attractions?
Most definitely!
Memphis offers so much more than what you’ve seen on TV. You’ll find historic museums, entertainment, restaurants, and more. Not to mention, an amazing view of the Mississippi River. Keep reading to decide if a trip to Memphis should be in your near future!
How many days should you spend in Memphis?
Deciding how many days to spend in Memphis depends on what you plan to do (and explore) each day. Also, if you are visiting family in the area, you may want to extend your stay.
If you’re exploring only the city of Memphis, plan on about a three-day visit.
But, if you decide to venture out a bit further, you’ll find there are some awesome things to do outside the city limits. If this is the case, you may want to add a couple of days to your stay.
One popular destination is Tunica, MS, which is home to 6 casinos. Tunica is only a 50-minute drive from Memphis. Also, if you are a big Elvis fan, you may want to visit his birthplace in Tupelo, MS, which is about an hour and 45 minutes from the city.
When is the best time to visit Memphis?
Ideally, you’ll want to visit Memphis in late spring or fall. During the summer months, the city sees sweltering heat waves with high humidity levels. It is not uncommon to see temperatures of 100 degrees or more.
Additionally, the winter months can be harsh. Although some winters are mild, the city occasionally sees winters with below-average temperatures and above-average snowfall.
If you’re planning a trip, April and May are two of the best months to visit. Expect temperatures in the 70s and 80s. On average, it rains only about 8 days in Memphis during these months.
Many people flock to the city in May for “Memphis in May.” This international festival promotes and celebrates the city’s culture. During Memphis in May, thousands travel to Memphis for the Beale Street Music Festival. Each year, dozens of bands come to play for large crowds during the event. Bands such as the Dave Matthews Band, Shinedown, Third Eye Blind, Sturgill Simpson, and Luke Combs have all played in years past.
Later in the month, the World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest is held on the banks of the river. This exciting competition has been named the “Most Prestigious Barbecue Contest” by USA Today. Teams that have been perfecting their craft for years compete for the title of World Champion and for a huge pot of prize money.
Temperatures in October are similar to the spring temps, with even fewer days of rain. In the fall, you’ll find live music and concerts around the city on most weekend nights. The Memphis Food and Wine Festival is usually held in October, as well as a variety of harvest festivals.
With so many exciting events, you’ll definitely want to set aside some time to visit the Birthplace of Rock ‘n Roll this spring or fall!
What Food is Memphis Known For?
The #1 food that Memphis is known for, hands down, is barbecue. Pulled pork, ribs, and slow-cooked brisket are plentiful in the city. You’ll also be able to find many world-famous barbecue sauces and rubs in the area.
As you can imagine, there is an array of barbecue restaurants in Memphis. Perhaps one of the most famous is Charlie Vergos’ Rendezvous, which has been visited by celebrities like Mick Jagger, Justin Timberlake, Peyton Manning, and Prince William and his brother Harry.
Rendezvous started as a small sandwich shop operated by Charlie Vergos. After selling ham sandwiches and beer for a while, he decided to turn an old coal chute in the basement into a smoker. He later tried smoking oysters and chicken but finally settled on ribs. The rest is history!
Many people also associate Memphis with fried chicken. For a lot of visitors, their trip isn’t complete unless they enjoy a meal at Gus’s World-Famous Hot and Spicy Fried Chicken.
Gus’s recipe has been around since 1953, and it all started with Napoleon Vanderbilt serving chicken in between two slices of white bread. As a tribute to this history, Gus’s still serves a piece of white bread with every plate. Named by GQ magazine as one of the top 10 restaurants worth flying for, you can be sure you won’t be disappointed!
Memphis also offers delectable “soul food” or Southern comfort cookin’. You’ll find there are quite a few of these restaurants around the city. You may want to check out Miss Polly’s Soul City Café on Beale Street. Enjoy a plate of meatloaf, fried catfish, or pork chops. All are served with two vegetables and cornbread, of course.
When you visit Memphis and sample all the delicious meals the city offers, your taste buds won’t have a chance to get bored. Make sure you try the best of Memphis: barbecue, fried chicken, and good southern cookin’!
What is the Best Part of Memphis to Stay in?
There are several different areas of the city that have great lodging choices. Each offers its own charm and appeal. Check out a few options below.
Downtown
If you choose to stay downtown, you’ll be close to all the excitement of Beale Street. Downtown also offers a historic art district, museums, restaurants, and the Mighty Mississippi.
Perhaps the most well-known downtown hotel is the Peabody. This gorgeous hotel opened in 1869 and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Consider staying at the Peabody if you’re looking for charming, distinctive accommodations!
Of course, if you’d rather stay at a hotel with a familiar name, you’ll find DoubleTree by Hilton, Courtyard by Marriott, Comfort Inn, and more in the area.
East Memphis
East Memphis boasts picturesque tree-lined neighborhoods and boutique shopping. Visit the Memphis Botanic Garden, which offers a children’s garden named My Big Backyard. If you’re in the mood for horseback riding or fishing, take a day trip to Shelby Farms.
If you’re looking for luxury, make reservations at The Hilton Memphis. You’ll love the comfortable rooms, which will be a haven away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Of course, you’ll find many more options in the area.
For value, you may want to check out La Quinta Inn & Suites Memphis East-Sycamore View, which is located just four miles from Wolf Chase Galleria.
Germantown
Germantown is a small city that borders Memphis. You’ll find several historical sites here such as Fort Germantown and the John Gray House (which is one of Shelby County’s oldest brick homes).
If you are looking for a hotel in the area, Homewood Suites by Hilton Memphis-Germantown is a great choice. It offers both rooms and suites and is close to the interstate, so you can quickly be on to your next Memphis adventure. If you don’t want a run-of-the-mill hotel, you’ll find that Germantown offers quite a few condos and bed-and-breakfasts also.
West Memphis
West Memphis is located just across the river in Arkansas. Its proximity to Memphis makes it a great choice when looking for a place to stay.
The Big River crossing is the longest active pedestrian bridge across the Mississippi River. The bridge connects West Memphis to Downtown Memphis. While staying in the area, you might enjoy taking a bike ride across the bridge while reveling in the sights.
West Memphis offers over 20 hotels. You’ll find Clarion Hotel, Comfort Inn & Suites, and Red Roof Inn, among others.
Things to do in Memphis
There are so many amazing things to do in Memphis! Some are entertaining, others are informative, but all are interesting and fun.
Graceland
Graceland: The home of Elvis Presley. Elvis fans come from all over the globe to visit Elvis’s home. Graceland was once located on a 500-acre farm that was owned by the S.E. Toof family. The large home was built in 1939 and named after a Toof family member, Grace.
Elvis paid about $100,000 for the mansion in 1957. He loved Graceland, and no matter where he traveled, it was always “home” to him until his death in 1977. Graceland opened to the public in 1982 and has been visited by celebrities such as Sarah McLachlan, Toby Keith, Rick Springfield, and Micah Tyler.
Tours range from basic to the Ultimate VIP Tour.
Sun Studio
Also known as “The Birthplace of Rock ‘n Roll,” Sun Studio is where artists such as B.B. King, Elvis, Johnny Cash, and Jerry Lee Lewis were discovered.
When you visit Sun Studio, you’ll be able to stand where all these legendary artists stood. You’ll see incredible memorabilia and listen to amazing outtakes from recording sessions. If you’re a fan of country, blues, or rock music, you are sure to be fascinated by this tour!
National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel
Memphis is known for its Civil Rights Museum which is a complex of historic buildings and museums located at the assassination site of Martin Luther King, Jr. The museum is devoted to the thousands of people who positively impacted the American Civil Rights Movement from the 1600s through today.
Even if you don’t visit the actual museum, I highly recommend driving over to see the Lorraine Motel. They have a very large parking lot, that is free. From there, you can walk over to the Motel and see a snapshot of the day King was killed. The parking lot and motel are preserved to look as they did on that day. This truly is one of the best places you can visit in Memphis.
Tickets to the museum are very reasonably priced at only $18 for adults and $15 for kids.
Bass Pro Shop at the Pyramid
The Bass Pro Shop in Memphis is unlike any other Bass Pro Shop in the country. The outdoor store is located inside the Pyramid, formerly “The Great American Pyramid.” This 321-feet tall glass structure hosted NBA games, concerts, and other events in the past.
Ride the indoor 28-story freestanding glass elevator (the largest in the nation) to the top of the Pyramid for amazing views of Memphis and the Mississippi River. When you reach the top, have lunch while enjoying the scenery at The Lookout.
The Pyramid also houses Big Cypress Lodge, a 103-room hotel. Additionally, you’ll find pistol and archery ranges, a bowling alley, and Ducks Unlimited Waterfowling Heritage Center in the Pyramid!
Beale Street
Beale Street is one of the most iconic streets in the country and is referred to as the “home of the blues.” Stroll along cobblestone walkways as you soak in the rich heritage of the area.
The street offers over two dozen nightclubs and bars, which makes it a popular nightlife destination. You’ll also find restaurants like The Hard Rock Café and museums such as The Memphis Music Hall of Fame in this area.
Peabody Hotel
Even if you don’t stay at the internationally famous Peabody Hotel, it is still worth visiting! Visit at 11 a.m. or 5 p.m. any day of the week to enjoy the daily duck marches. The ducks were first taught the famous march in 1940 by Bellman Edward Pembroke, who served as Duckmaster at the hotel for 50 years.
Visit the Peabody’s rooftop for an amazing rooftop party in the summertime. The rooftop offers live music, incredible views, and delicious drinks. Sounds like a great time to me!
Mud Island River Park
The Riverwalk at Mud Island River Park is a scale model of the Lower Mississippi River, which spans five city blocks. Walk along every twist and turn the river takes from Cairo, IL, to New Orleans, LA.
Also, be sure to visit The Mississippi River Museum which pays homage to native cultures, Civil War battles, and more.
Memphis Zoo (website)
Lastly, consider checking out the Memphis Zoo! The zoo was started in 1906 with a black bear named Natch. It was also home to the world’s longest-living hippo “Adonis” who passed away at 54 years old. It is believed that he sired about 25 offspring, so the zoo has been nicknamed “The Hippo Capital of the World.”
Today, the zoo houses about 4,500 animals and spans approximately 70 acres. You’ll be captivated by over 500 species as you explore the zoo grounds! One of the major attractions at the zoo for the past several years has been their giant pandas exhibit. In fact, the pandas generate so much excitement that they have their own panda cams so you can check in on them at any time. Click here to see what they are up to today.
Memphis is one of the most unique, historic cities in the United States. The city has so much to offer, even more than could be listed here. The next time you have a long weekend or a few extra days off work, consider taking a trip to The Bluff City. You’ll be glad you did!
Can You Tour the Fedex World Hub Facility?
This is a question that I get asked often. Fedex is based in Memphis and is vital to the city’s economy. Many people are shocked to learn that the Memphis airport becomes the busiest airport – IN THE WORLD during the night. Between 10pm and 6am, there are nearly 200 flights that go in and out of the airport carrying around 2 million packages that must be sorted at its hub. You get a glimpse of this massive undertaking if you’ve ever watched the movie Castaway, starring Tom Hanks.
Unfortunately, tours are no longer offered to the general public of the Fedex facility. The company does offer VIP tours, but again, that’s not something open to the public.
Can You Tour Fedex Forum?
Fedex Forum is located in downtown and is home to the NBA’s Memphis Grizzlies. Tours of the arena are available to the general public. Ticket prices are very reasonable at only $5 a piece for adults and $3 for kids. You can get on the tour schedule by calling the Grizzlies at 901-205-1535.
