MEMPHIS, TN
Memphis, Tennessee is a scenic city on the Mississippi River known for its rich blues and rock and roll contributions among many other things. My friend Paul is from Memphis, and with his and his sister Lesley’s help, we created the ultimate Memphis travel guide. Happy traveling!
Travel Tip:
- Memphis’s neighborhoods all have their own character. For the purpose of this guide, we’ll be focusing on three different areas: Downtown, Midtown and East Memphis. Downtown is the area closest to the river. It’s a more touristy area with lots of bars and attractions. Midtown is a bit artsier and quieter and has more of a local scene. East Memphis is on the outskirts of the city and leans against the suburbs.
Two fun things:
- Every year, there are 50+ free concerts at the Levitt Shell. It’s an outdoor venue located in Midtown and happens to be where Elvis played his first paid gig! Most of the free shows are in the spring and summer, but check the schedule and see if there are any when you’re in town.
- For the runners, consider the St. Jude Memphis Marathon Weekend! Held the first weekend of December, this is the largest nonprofit race in the nation. With a 5k, 10k, Half Marathon, and full Marathon, there’s a distance for everyone. All routes go through the St. Jude campus, where runners see patients and families lining the course. Proceeds benefit lifesaving research into childhood cancer and treatment for patients, who never pay anything more than their insurance will cover. Shoutout to Lesley for running in the marathon every year!
- The Peabody: One of the most well-known hotels, if not the most well-known hotel in Memphis. The nightly rates are expensive, but they are known for their eccentric novelties and experiences including the Peabody Duck March where they lead their resident ducks and ducklings through the lobby to take a swim in their fountains.
- Big Cypress Lodge at the Bass Pro Pyramid: an out-of-the-box experience and stay packed into one. The massive Pyramid structure used to be the basketball arena for the Memphis Grizzlies & University of Memphis Tigers. Eventually, the weird shape proved unfit for its purpose and it was converted into an indoor terrarium with ponds, an alligator pit, shopping areas, and more. There’s a bar at the sky deck that you can look across the downtown area, which Paul claims is the best view in the city. You can find accommodations at the pyramid’s Big Cypress Lodge where the rooms are lodge-themed and comfortable. A pricey option, but it’s in a convenient location.
- AirBnB: As always, going the AirBnB route is an affordable and flexible option.
- Big River Crossing: a scenic way to view the city. There are two main bridges that cross into Memphis from Arkansas: Hernando de Soto Bridge or “M Bridge” and Frisco Bridge or “Old Bridge.” Trains run across “Old Bridge.” You can walk along side the tracks on the walking path, a very exciting way to cross the Mississippi. There are walking trails on either side of the bridge along the riverbanks.
- Music Tour: Memphis wouldn’t be Memphis without its rich music history. Three of the best spots to check out are Stax Museum, Sun Studio and Graceland. Stax is a museum of American Soul music and was a recording spot for blues legends like Isaac Hayes, BB King, and Otis Redding. Sun Studio is famous for its notable rock and roll history — legends including Elvis, Johnny Cash, Carl Lewis and BB King recorded there. Graceland, “the home of Elvis Presley,” is the most well known of three spots and can be a bit touristy with a hefty price tag, but may be worth the admission cost if you’re a big fan.
- National Civil Rights Museum at Lorraine Motel: a historic and incredibly important location. MLK was assassinated here and the motel has been converted into a museum. The room was preserved and there are tons of exhibits on the Civil Rights movement.
- Brewery Tour: There’s been recent growth in Memphis’s brewery scene, which makes a brewery tour entertaining. Favorite spots include Ghost River, Wiseacre, Memphis Made, Crosstown Brewing, and Beale Street Brewing. Wiseacre especially stands out as a preferred stop with a more industrial setting, two taprooms and fun merchandise.
- Shelby Farms Park: A huge open green space bordering East Memphis. The park has everything you could want in an outdoor space — small lakes, running trails, horse stables, a dog park, and even a Bison reserve!. There are kayaking options on a few of the lakes and bike rentals for the almost 11 mile biking/walking trail, The Greenline.
- Gibson’s Donuts: a family favorite. Gibson’s has fresh made-in-house doughnuts. The plain glazed donut and apple fritter come highly recommended. There is some seating in the store, but it’s also great for grab & go. Open 24 hours!
- Brother Juniper’s: a sit-down breakfast or brunch spot. It’s by the University of Memphis, closer to Midtown. Highlights of the menu include cinnamon roll waffle, omelets & their coffee. You may want to make a reservation ahead of time.
- Arcade Restaurant: the oldest café in Memphis. Open early and open late located downtown. It has more of a casual diner feel to it with red swivel chairs.
- Las Tortugas Deli Mexicana: a great spot for authentic quality Mexican food. They have two locations, one in Germantown (outside of Memphis) and one near East Memphis. They have menus in Spanish and English. Try their elote, tortas and a fruit juice from their large selection. If you’re looking for a good Mexican spot closer to downtown, try Maciel’s Tortas Tacos, another favorite.
- SOB: South of Beale, a restaurant downtown with a second location in East Memphis. They have a great outdoor section. Favorites include grilled sandwiches, salads, and they always cook salmon perfectly. They have a pretty solid list of local craft beers too.
- City Silo Table + Pantry: a perfect spot for warm bowls, salads, and other health-conscious food. It’s perfect for when you need a break from the BBQ and fried chicken.
- Gus‘s Chicken: a fried chicken place with one location in the heart of downtown & one in East Memphis. It’s a hole in the wall with dim lighting, and a “southern-y” feel. Whole menu is chicken. Seasoned fries are awesome as are all the fixins. This has become a nationally franchised spot, but it originated here!
BBQ! All your best options
- Rendezvous – a hidden spot in the heart of downtown. The entrance is in an alleyway, which leads to a basement. They have solid BBQ, but this is more of a touristy spot.
- Central – a local favorite with a few locations. Their pulled pork is amazing. Also try a plate of their epic nachos with pulled pork, jalapenos & cheese. Their kettle chips are to die for. While it’s a perfect spot for dinner, it’s a wonderful lunch place too.
- Corky’s – a family favorite that’s in the outskirts of the city. The dry rub ribs are fantastic as are the dense buttery rolls.
Non-BBQ options
- The Beauty Shop: an eccentric spot with a fun layout and delicious food. The restaurant used to be a salon and has kept with that theme in the decor. It’s located in the Midtown area. They serve traditional American food with a southern twist.
- Felicia Suzanne: a perfect spot for a nicer dinner or celebration. They are known for their authentic southern cuisine with a modern twist. They have a cozy courtyard for outside dining.
- Jerry’s Sno Cones: a former gas station turned snow cone shop. While there are two locations, the original shop in the outskirts of the city is the best. They boast a wide variety of traditional, weird and funky flavors. The ice is finely shredded so it doesn’t feel like you’re chomping on chunks of ice. Order a “Wedding Cake Supreme” which is a vanilla-sugary snow cone with vanilla soft serve. They are cash only!
- Beale Street: the Memphis equivalent of New Orleans’ Bourbon Street. It has loads of bars and excitement. A standout spot is B.B. Kings Blues Club. They always have live music and their house band is really solid.
- Lafayette’s: A favorite local spot in Midtown. It’s a live music venue with a big stage, delicious southern food and fun drinks. Try the various whiskies and sweet tea. Check out the music calendar on their website.
