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Before I visited Memphis, I didn’t really know much about the second largest city in Tennessee. I knew it was the former home of Elvis Presley, but Memphis is so much more. It’s a very lively city with a lot of history and plenty of mouthwatering food, and I absolutely loved it. Whether you only have a weekend in Memphis, or longer, there is so much to see and do – and you definitely won’t leave hungry.
Where is Memphis?
Memphis might often get overlooked for Tennessee’s other musical city, Nashville. But where Nashville is more known for being home of all things country, Memphis sings the blues and is also credited as one of the birthplaces of rock ‘n’ roll.
Whereas Nashville is further east towards the middle of the state, Memphis is located in the southwest corner of the state of Tennessee. In fact Memphis is perfectly positioned within walking distance of the Arkansas border to the west, and about 12-miles from the Mississippi border to the south.
Because of Memphis’ location, it is super easy to explore both neighboring states while you’re visiting, especially if you have a car. Nashville is a about a 3-hour drive so it’s not out of the question to explore both amazing musical cities in the same trip. But if you just pick one, you might have to let your musical tastes decide.
Is Memphis safe?
Before I visited the city, people told me one of two things: Memphis is dangerous, and Nashville is better. Although I can’t compare it to Nashville, I have nothing but love for Memphis. I truly enjoyed exploring the city and nearby areas.
It’s true that, like most cities, there are areas of Memphis that are best to be avoided. However, these typically aren’t the areas where you’ll be spending your time. I found that the downtown area had a good security presence, and I had no issues.
I recommend exercising the usual caution at night especially if walking alone. Stick to more popular areas where possible or take a taxi if you’re unsure.
How to get around Memphis
As a city, Memphis is relatively walkable to most of what you’ll want to see. The downtown core is conveniently serviced by historic trolleys which are as frequent as they are fun to ride.
The city has public buses you can also use, but I spent more time on the trolleys or walking than anything. Memphis also has bike and scooter share programs with a number of stations around the city. Simply download the app to pay and use the service for a quick and efficient way to zip through downtown.
Cabs and rideshare programs like Uber and Lyft can be found in Memphis, but you might want to rent a car to explore outside of the downtown area. If you’re planning longer than a weekend in Memphis, I’d definitely get a car for at least one day.
For example Graceland is not too conveniently located unless you have a vehicle. And with Arkansas and Mississippi right there, a car can help get a lot more done if you have longer than a weekend in Memphis.
Where to stay in Memphis
If you’re a huge Elvis Presley fan and want a unique experience you could always book a night or two at the Guest House at Graceland. Otherwise, you’ll want to be downtown to better access the sights of the city.
Since Memphis can be quite lively, especially close to Beale Street where the music scene is, you might want to consider that when booking your hotel.
The Peabody Memphis hotel is a fancy downtown historic hotel that is quirky and interesting to stay in. They’re all about the Peabody ducks (more on that later), and it’s quite the experience.
In a little quieter area but still downtown is the Courtyard Memphis Downtown. And a little further away, closer to the conference centre are the Sheraton Memphis Downtown or the slightly cheaper Crowne Plaza Memphis Downtown on the other side of North 2nd Street.
Top Memphis Travel Tip: The Crowne Plaza has a complimentary shuttle service that will take you most places around downtown. Simply ask at the concierge desk. The drivers are incredibly friendly and it’ll save you a lot of walking or a cab fare. Tips are still appreciated.
Can I see it all with a weekend in Memphis?
If you’ve got at least two full days you should get to see a lot of what Memphis has to offer. It’ll give you a good taste of what makes this fantastic city shine – and I’m not just talking BBQ!
Three nights with two full days is the absolute minimum I’d recommend, especially if you’re trying to squeeze a visit to Graceland into your trip.
As ever, more time is better. Therefore I’d recommend at least 3 or 4 days in Memphis to see the best of the city without being rushed. Plus that’ll give a good chance of taking a day trip from Memphis into Arkansas or Mississippi.
On my visit I spent over a week here as part of the reason I was in town was for a conference. I extended my stay on either side, and actually had a lot of fun getting to discover more of the city at a slower pace.
How to spend a weekend in Memphis
To really make the most of what short time you might have in Memphis, planning is essential. While many places are close to each other in the downtown core, there are a couple of outliers that will grab your attention too. After spending some time there, here are my tips for the best weekend in Memphis, Tennessee.
Day 1 – Arrival Day
Make your way to your downtown hotel, ideally with enough time to enjoy some of the day. If you get there at a decent time, a great place to get a fun intro to Memphis – and spend an hour or two – is the Memphis Music Hall of Fame.
The perfect dinner option not far from here is The Majestic Grille. It has a varied menu balancing southern flavors with more mainstream options. The best part? You can choose to either sit out on their huge patio (great for people watching on a sunny evening), or inside where they show silent movies on a big screen. That’s because this grand building was once a movie theater.
At the end of the same block stop in at the Blind Bear, a speakeasy-style bar for a nightcap. They make some mean cocktails, and are open late.
Day 2
MORNING
Today’s going to be a big first day and given some of the activities it’s ideal if you can rent a car. While the day can be done without one, there are distances to cover so plan appropriately.
Set yourself up right with a hearty Southern breakfast at the city’s famous Sunrise Memphis restaurant. Breakfast tacos, anyone? That’s right, I said breakfast tacos. You’ll never want to start the day off with anything else after this.
Next up, we’re driving out of downtown Memphis, South on 51 to Graceland. Elvis’ former home, Graceland, is only about a 15-minute drive, but it takes about an hour by public transport so this is way faster.
Buy your tickets to Graceland in advance, and book a time slot to arrive. It opens at 9am and I’d recommend heading there for opening time.
Tour the mansion, Elvis’ planes and exhibits detailing his life and career. You need at least a couple of hours here so this will take most of the morning. Eat at one of Graceland’s diner-style restaurants, or head back into Memphis for some lunch.
For something good downtown I recommend Maciel’s Tortas & Tacos, a no-nonsense Mexican eatery with fantastically flavorful food. Or if you want something a little more locally inspired there’s always Alcenia’s. It’s small and you may wait a while for the food, but boy will it be worth it. Cooked with love, this is the very definition of soul food.
AFTERNOON
After lunch pay a visit to the Woodruff and Fontaine House, open Wednesday to Sunday, 12-4pm only. This creepy looking Victorian mansion is ideal if you like a bit of a snoop around people’s houses (guilty).
Get an introduction, then self-guide yourself around the rest of the house. It’s decorated with period furniture and items from the family, and then there’s the ghost stories. Because why wouldn’t a spooky Victorian mansion have ghosts?
From fancy posh house to Redneck Disneyland. That’s the best, and possibly most accurate, description of the Bass Pro shops at The Pyramid. You likely won’t have failed to notice the huge glass pyramid just off the highway in Memphis. Here you’ll find the Bass Pro shop, North America’s fishing, hunting and general outdoor store.
So why would you want to come here? The Bass Pro shop here is huge, has a river, a bowling alley, shooting range and more. But better yet it is home to one of the best views over the city.
Take the tallest freestanding elevator in the USA to the top where you’ll find an open air observation deck. Stay a little longer and grab a drink in the bar/restaurant at the top – the best place for a Memphis sunset.
EVENING
It might not be Southern food, but perhaps one of the best restaurants I found in Memphis was Catherine & Mary’s. You’ll be in Italian food heaven with the creative dishes at this amazing restaurant.
Don’t just have an entrée, make sure to order an appetizer or dessert too (or both). The cacio e pepe was out of this world, I did not leave a single bite.
After a busy day, it’s time to relax (and digest your food). If you’re around during basketball season see if there’s a game. The local NBA team, the Memphis Grizzlies, play at the FedEx Forum just a couple of blocks away. If sports aren’t your thing check out events at the nearby historic Orpheum Theater for a classy night out.
Day 3
MORNING
Start your day off right with a light breakfast or some fresh pastries from Hustle and Dough. This bakery is right around the corner from the National Civil Rights Museum so is the easiest place to go before your visit. The museum opens at 9am, but tickets must be bought online in advance. They are timed entry so don’t be late.
The museum is housed in the infamous Lorraine Motel, where Martin Luther King Jr. was shot and killed in 1968. Learn about the history of slavery in the United States and how, even after it was abolished, civil rights have still been a major issue in America.
The self-guided tour allows you to spend around 2-hours working through the museum which continues across the street. The museum is perhaps the most important place to visit in the city, even if you only have a weekend in Memphis.
Just around the corner from the Lorraine Motel is the perfect lunch spot. The Arcade Restaurant is a Memphis institution and an absolute must when you’re in the area. The diner has been serving up delicious food for over 100 years and is now decked out in true 1950s style.
A Memphis favorite of Elvis himself you can even sit in the “Elvis booth”. The spot he sat in every time he visited.
While there are a lot of good things on the menu, you might need to try a proper grilled peanut butter and banana sandwich. Elvis’ favorite is actually much more delicious than it sounds.
AFTERNOON
Whether you had the Elvis’ special, an all day breakfast or any of the other yummy menu items, you’ll be full after your visit to The Arcade. Time to walk it off (or take the trolley) to Beale Street – music central in Memphis.
Head to the corner of Beale Street for the Memphis Mojo Tour with Backbeat Tours. This 90-minute bus tour starts at 1:30pm and should be booked in advance so you don’t miss out. The musical tour takes you around the best and most historical music spots in the city.
See where Johnny Cash performed, where Elvis first performed, and the home of B. B. King. All while being entertained by Beale Street musicians – you’ll be singing along soon enough.
After the tour I recommend a visit to The Peabody Hotel. You’ll have passed by on your tour and will likely recognize Lansky Bros. Tailors. Why not pop in and find an Elvis-inspired outfit from the team that dressed him?
Inside the Peabody hotel is the fabulously elegant lobby bar. They have some of the best cocktails in town – and you can make your drink “Ducky” for a couple of dollars extra. That’ll give you your very own miniature rubber duck in the drink. I’d say that beats a little umbrella!
So why the afternoon drink? Well, the Peabody Hotel has a daily Duck Parade at 5pm (or 11am). So if you’re already here sipping a fancy cocktail, you’ll have a front row seat – otherwise the lobby gets incredibly busy.
Watch the Duck Master (yes, that’s a real job) escort the ducks from the elevator to the lobby bar fountain via the red carpet and talk about the history of the resident ducks.
EVENING
Since you’re already in the area it would be rude not to head back to Beale Street. It’s almost time for some live entertainment, but first…BBQ!
The title of “best BBQ” in Memphis is going to be more than we can get into right now. But you won’t be spoiled for choice, so I recommend just following your nose. The Blues City Cafe and B. B. King’s Blues Club will both fill the BBQ needs you might have.
Both are popular spots for fine Southern food, but the latter is also one of the top spots for live music. Even if you don’t eat here, you need to head here for some Blues music and a couple of drinks.
After that, wander Beale Street some more, popping into different music bars and dancing the night away. Street musicians and performers are also dotted around Beale Street resulting in a sensory overload you’ll never forget.
Day 4
MORNING
If you’re leaving today you’ll want one last good Memphis meal. I recommend a trip to Bedrock Eats and Sweets. The café has a great vibe and even better food. Their all day breakfast menu is so big it could take you hours to decide. My vote? Go for the waffles and one of their inventive sweet or savory flavor combos.
I went full on sweet and got the way too decadent Fluffernutter Waffle. No-one should probably have that much marshmallow fluff and peanut butter before 9am, but I have zero regrets.
Since this place opens at 7am you should have time for a slow walk back to your hotel before you check out to head home. Maybe take the Main Street Trolley one last time as they operate early enough.
Got longer than a weekend in Memphis?
Should you be lucky enough to have more time in this vibrant city I recommend dedicating one day to spending out of town. You can shift things around and combine Graceland with a day trip somewhere else. Here are a few other ideas if you have longer in Memphis.
In Memphis
Visit the Wiseacre Brewing Co. to sample some local craft beers, or the Old Dominick Distillery if you prefer something a little stronger.
For a different type of museum, why not visit the Fire Museum of Mempis? Or for a history of slavery there’s The Cotton Museum at the Memphis Cotton Exchange. If you haven’t quite had enough music this weekend, visit the Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum.
Walk the skybridge or take a quick monorail ride to Mud Island right next to the Mississippi river. Here you can saunter along the River Walk, or take a picture in front of the Memphis Sign with the city as a backdrop.
Outside of Memphis
Close to the city, you can walk the Big River Crossing Trail. This will take you on a bridge over the Mississippi where you can cross the state line from Tennessee into Arkansas. If you have a car, you can also park on the Arkansas side and take the trail to the bridge from that side.
Speaking of Arkansas, it’s right there – why not explore the next state along? Wapanocca National Wildlife Refuge is about a 25-minute drive from Memphis. Little Rock, Arkansas is a 2-hour drive, which still makes it a doable day trip.
Heading south, Mississippi has a couple of great day trip options. Tupelo, MS is less than a 2-hour drive, and is the birthplace of Elvis Presley. You don’t have to drive to this one, you can take a bus tour to Tupelo, visiting Elvis’s house at the birthplace museum.
Or if you’re into quaint towns, you won’t get much nicer than Oxford, Mississippi. This college town has some beautiful southern-style buildings, and if you go you really need to eat at the Ajax Diner for some homestyle southern cooking.
The perfect weekend in Memphis
If you only have one weekend in Memphis you might leave a little worn out. There are enough things to do to keep you constantly moving – and not just as you dance to the non-stop music.
I found Memphis to be a totally underrated city and vowed to tell more people about the amazing time I had. The city was friendly, welcoming and easy to get around. There are enough things to do here to keep you busy for a week or more, but you can still enjoy yourself if you have limited time.
The city of Memphis has character. It has history. And most importantly it has excellent live music, and even better BBQ. What more could you ask for?
If you’ve enjoyed this post leave a comment or share using the social media buttons below. What would be your top spots on a weekend in Memphis?
I loved this post. I had no desire to visit Memphis until reading this. Of course a visit to the Civil tights museum, and graceland would have to be on the agenda and riding the trolleys would be fun. But it’s the drink with ducks and the duck parade that’s convinced me!
Memphis was never really on my radar as I had not appreciated all that it had. After reading this post I can now see that it should be on my list of cities to visit if I am in the area.
I would definitely want to see Graceland and Elvis’s home, the Lorraine Hotel I am into historical events, sad as it was), the Rights Museum and of course the duck procession through the Peabody Hotel.
There is clearly more and as you say, a few days worth at least of attractions to explore.
Lots of hotel and eatery info here too which I would certainly need.
I have to be honest, the only thing I really knew about Memphis was connected with Elvis. But there is so much more to see! It’s good to know that a lot of the attractions are walkable and you offered great advice on how to get around the area. Graceland, the National Civil Rights Museum and the Lorraine Motel would be very interesting places to visit. What also struck me was the variety of food – and booze – on offer. We’d totally be up for trying a peanut butter and banana sandwich at the Arcade Restaurant and would like to visit Wiseacre Brewing and the Old Dominick Distillery as well. And, of course, taste the BBQ! Thank you for introducing us to Memphis.
I love Memphis and keep meaning to go back for a visit! The Arcade sounds perfect for me – love a great diner. The Memphis Mojo tour sounds pretty cool too. While I’m not super into Elvis, I recognize that Memphis has a huge impact on music, so it’d be cool to learn about the history there and that seems like a fun way to do it.
The recent movie sparked my interest in Elvis and Memphis, so I was curious what there was to do in the city. Thanks for answering my questions! The music hall of fame would probably be my first stop, and the Bass Pro Shop in the pyramid just sounds too weird to miss. I’d love to try some real southern food, too, so thanks for the recommendations; Alcenia’s and BB Kings Blues Club sound perfect.
Memphis looks like a wonderful place to visit. I also love BBQ and blues music – this is my favourite, well blues rock is. I don’t think you would get me out of Beale Street. ad the lights and people make it look so fun! Graceland for me also would be unmissable!
Apart from the Elvis connection, I didn’t know much about Memphis! I also didn’t know it was where Martin Luther King was shot. It sounds like a place rich in culture and history with the addition of being pretty, the buildings in your photos look gorgeous. Not a huge Elvis fan but I would love to visit Graceland and I didn’t know you could stay there as well so there’s an idea! Thank you for introducing us to this charming and interesting city.
Excellent post.
As a massive music fan, especially Blues & Rock, Memphis has always been a place I’d love to explore. The book ‘Not Tonight Josephine’ ignited that flame a little, and you’ve just put the blowtorch on it!
The Mojo Tour sounds brilliant; just soaking up all the old music scenes and history. Excellent advice on how to get Graceland as well. BBQ & Blues in the evening to finish the day? Perfect.
Was the waffles a liner before visiting the brewing company? Ha!
Thanks for posting – loved it!
*Goes on a hunt to find breakfast tacos*
Memphis is still on my list of places to see. So far, it has not been on my way, although there is no shortage of attracting it. Your article convinced me that I must go there. Interesting architecture, food, former home of Elvis Presley. And blues!I love this music and want to go for a live concert. What I love most is that it is a walkable city. I love strolling around new places. Happy to use your weekend itinerary when I visit it, and, as I’m a foodie, I’m going to visit Catherine & Mary’s as well.
I may dully remember that Memphis is an Elvis town and had a few flashbacks of your review post before starting reading this one. And down the line I see the mansion listed in your itinerary. Yeah! I love the variety of the activities and you include a bit of downtime, too. I agree with Ibti. Memphis sounds like a wonderful place with a great mixture of tradition, famous connections and lots of history. Would love to experience its charming character one day.
Carolin
Memphis is my and my husbands favorite town. We live 4 hours away but visit twice a year. We even got married in the park on Beale Street! So many fun places to visit. Great places to eat! We can’t wait to go back again. There are a few things you listed that amazingly we haven’t tried because we have our favorites we don’t want to pass up when we’re there. Thanks for your post.
It’s got quite the connection for you then. So good you get to visit often – I’m glad I could give a couple of new ideas for your next trip. I’d love to go back soon, it’s such a fun city.