Did you know Memphis is considered the birthplace of rock and roll and blues? If you are visiting this tourist spot, keep reading the following article. Here we offer a summary of things to do in Memphis, Tennessee, with your family and friends. At the end we provide some essential tips to help you during your stay, check it out now!
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The Best Things to Do in Memphis
Explore Beale Street for Live Blues Music
For blues music lovers like you, visit Beale Street is one of the best things to do in Memphis, Tennessee. It offers a lively atmosphere, with several venues, such as B.B. King’s Blues Club, which has a resident band known for its renditions of blues classics. It is ideal for enjoying live music while savoring delicious southern food, including its famous ribs.
Take advantage of the free admission to Blues City Café, with live bands starting at 8 p.m. on weekends. It’s a family-friendly venue, perfect for those traveling with children. Consider visiting during special events or festivals to take advantage of even more musical options throughout the city.
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Visit Graceland, Home of Elvis Presley
Fans of the “King of Rock” should visit Elvis Presley’s home in Memphis, Tennessee. We recommend spending 2 to 4 hours exploring Graceland, which includes a tour of the mansion and several exhibits related to Elvis’ life and artistic career.
The VIP Tour is the most comprehensive and gives you access to the mansion, airplanes, and other exhibits. The cost is approximately $70. You can get discounts on the official Graceland website or through a Graceland Insiders membership, which offers a 10% discount on tickets and on-site purchases.
The Mansion is the most iconic part of Graceland. Its rooms are decorated in Elvis’ personal style. Several exhibits show costumes, awards, and other personal items of the artist.
Tour the National Civil Rights Museum
The National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis is a must-see if you are interested in American history. We recommend spending several hours exploring the museum, which has numerous interactive and educational exhibits on topics ranging from slavery to the civil rights movement.
The museum presents a detailed narrative about the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. and other leaders, giving an in-depth context of their struggles and accomplishments. Also, there is a replica of the Rosa Parks Bus that will allow you to reflect on her courageous act of civil disobedience.
Discover Stax Museum of American Soul Music
Among the things to do in Memphis, Tennessee, is to take a tour of the Stax Museum of American Soul Music. From 1960 to 1974, Stax Records produced numerous hits that continue to be played today. The museum tells the story of Stax Records and the role of American soul music in the Civil Rights Movement.
Several interactive exhibits, videos, films, photographs, original instruments, stage costumes, and more than 3,000 items of memorabilia are on display. Notable exhibits include a replica of a circa 1906 Mississippi Delta church, the Soul Train dance floor, and Isaac Hayes’ restored 1972 Cadillac Eldorado with gold trim.
Additions include Jim Stewart’s original fiddle, Skip Pitts’ guitar, Floyd Newman’s saxophone, and Hayes’ Academy Award statue for “Theme From Shaft.” The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $13 for adults, $10 for children, and $12 for seniors, students, and military personnel.
Memphis Zoo: Animals and Attractions
At the Memphis Zoo, you can find more than 3500 animals of more than 500 different species. It is divided into three zones with 19 exhibits. For example, “Animals of the Night” features three two-toed Linné sloths named Marilyn, Sparky, and Lua.
In the Aquarium you will find aquatic life of freshwater and saltwater species, such as electric eels and red-bellied piranhas, a must thing to do in Memphis, Tennessee if you travel with kids. For lovers of Chinese culture, there is an exhibit dedicated to its species, including red pandas and golden pheasants.
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Relax at Shelby Farms Park
Connecting with nature at Shelby Farms Park, one of the largest urban parks in the country, is another of the activities to do in Memphis, Tennessee. Enjoy free fitness classes for all ages, such as Vinyasa Yoga, Yoga for Kids, Mental Fitness, and Functional Fitness for Seniors.
There are more than 20 lakes and ponds in the park where you can paddle boat, canoe, or kayak, and take advantage of fishing if you have a license. Also, there are more than 40 miles of trails available to you, including Shelby Farms Greenline, a paved trail for bicyclists and pedestrians.
See the Mighty Mississippi River Views
Enjoy the views of the Mississippi River, is one of the things to do in Memphis, Tennessee. Head to the Big River Crossing, the longest public pedestrian bridge across the Mississippi, connecting Memphis, TN, and West Memphis, AR. It is open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. and is free for bicyclists and pedestrians.
The Memphis Riverfront has urban walking trails and clifftop views from Martyrs Park. Bike lanes on Front Street make it easy to get around downtown. From the Mississippi River Park, you’ll get serene sunset views, combined with playgrounds, fire pits, and picnic tables. Plus, if you stay at The Peabody Memphis or Madison Hotel, you’ll have river views from their terraces.
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Visit the Pink Palace Museum
The Museum of Science and History—Pink Palace in Memphis serves as the Mid-South’s premier science and history museum. Its exhibits teach about the cultural and natural history of the Memphis region, including medicine in the Mid-South and the area’s geology and wildlife populations.
The museum features a replica of the first Piggly Wiggly grocery store from the turn of the century. In the main entrance lobby, a three-panel mural by artist Burton Callicott commemorates the discovery of the Mississippi River.
See Art at the Dixon Gallery and Gardens
The Dixon Gallery and Gardens, founded in 1976, is located near Audubon Park. Its permanent collection includes more than 2,000 objects, including French Impressionist paintings and German and English porcelain. Works by Monet, Degas, Renoir, Cassatt, Chagall, Matisse, and Rodin are on display, visiting this collection is a key thing to do in Memphis, Tennessee, for art lovers.
The Dixon’s Education Department includes Mini Masters (a children’s program), Munch and Learn (an adult lecture series), and Art to Grow (a school outreach program).
The Dixon is set within four main outdoor gardens with Greco-Roman, English garden-style sculptures. Upcoming exhibitions include “Floyd Newsum: House of Grace” and “Chris Antemann: An Occasional Craving,” both Feb. 9-April 6, 2025.
Explore the Memphis Botanic Garden
The Memphis Botanic Garden strives to increase environmental awareness and will connect you with nature. There are more than 23 gardens specializing in various families of plants, flowers, and trees. A favorite is the Asian Garden, which features plants native to China, Korea, Japan, and Taiwan.
If it coincides with your visit, you can enjoy several events held annually, such as the Daffodil Dash, The Family Egg Hunt, and a Mother’s Day jazz brunch, all important community activities to do in Memphis, Tennessee.
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Expert Tips for Visitors in Memphis, TN
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Spring (April through June) and fall (September through November) are the best times to visit Memphis, ideal for exploring the city. If you’re a music enthusiast, consider visiting during the Beale Street Music Festival in May or the Memphis Music & Heritage Festival in September.
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Memphis has a deep musical history. Visit Beale Street to experience music clubs, bars, and live performances. Don’t miss Graceland, Elvis Presley’s estate, Sun Studio (rock ‘n’ roll), and the Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum.
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Visit the National Civil Rights Museum, located in the former Lorraine Motel, where Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated. You can also go to the Stax Museum of American Soul Music, which commemorates the musicians who recorded for Stax Records.
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Take a stroll along Riverside Drive to enjoy the river. Consider visiting Mud Island River Park, which has a scale replica of the Mississippi. You can also take a boat ride at Beale Street Landing.
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Cross the Big River Crossing on foot or by bicycle, a 1.6-kilometer bridge across the Mississippi.
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Staying in the city center will allow you to experience the excitement of the place and explore many of the main attractions.
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Visit Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid, a nature-themed sporting goods store located in a pyramid, and ride the tallest free-standing elevator in the United States for views and photos.
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