Welcome to the City of Soul!
Pack up your car and cruise down I-55, float your way down the mighty Mississippi, soar into the Memphis International Airport, or roll in by train. Bring your family, find a friend along the way, or sail solo.
How you get here doesn’t matter, because once you’re in Memphis you’ll have plenty to see, do, and discover.
When you visit Memphis, find your Memphis
Some travel to Memphis for the world-class food, others stop by for the live music, and some visit Memphis to have the magic that’s always defined this city touch their souls.
Go Ape and get outdoors at Shelby Farms Park, learn about the music legacy of Memphis with a Backbeat Tour, and dance the night away at a free summer concert in Handy Park or the Levitt Shell. Memphis is the heart of the South, the site of the National Civil Rights Museum, and is full of unique experiences you can’t find anywhere else.
We offer big-city amenities but with a small-town feel. It’s the place to be for entrepreneurs looking to launch their startups, new college graduates seeking jobs, and people looking to put down roots.
Stay in Memphis, play in Memphis
Whether you stay downtown on the river or up on Beale, you’ll find five-star hotels, extended stays, bed-and-breakfasts, AirBNBs, and everything in between.
You might visit Memphis for a weekend and decide to stay indefinitely – we wouldn’t be surprised. Who knows? After you’ve tasted the food, heard the music, and made some new friends, it sure is hard to leave.
Regardless of the length of your visit to Memphis, we’ll be ready to roll out the red carpet, show you the sites, and make you feel at home. Find the perfect place to stay here.
Plan your visit to Memphis
Whether you’re visiting Memphis with family or you have a day or two of freedom during a business trip, there is plenty to do and see in this amazing city. We’ve put together a list for everyone out there asking, “What Memphis tourist attractions are near me?”
What to do – With 60 attractions in just one city, there’s something for everyone.
- Main Event Entertainment: Come play pool, darts and more with friends and family in an energetic atmosphere.
- Golf & Games Family Park: As its name suggests, this attraction offers golf and other activities for families of all ages and skill levels.
- Battlefront Lasertag & Paintball: Get the blood pumping with a rousing game of paintball or laser tag at this indoor facility.
- Memphis Zoo: For animal lovers of all ages, there’s no better attraction than the Memphis Zoo, which houses more than 3,500 animals.
- Shelby Farms Park: Whether you’re looking to walk trails, ride bikes, enjoy a picnic, get lost in nature or just unwind and relax, this is the place for you.
Where to eat – Memphis has more than 100 barbecue spots to satisfy your taste buds, but you won’t want to miss out on our James Beard Award-nominated chefs, food truck fusion, and unexpected flavors.
- Memphis Farmers Market: Whether you’re in the mood for a slower-paced activity or just want to check out the local produce, the Memphis Farmers Market will deliver.
- The Four Way: The Four Way has been visited by many different types of celebrities over the years, including Drake, the Rev. Jesse Jackson, the Rev. Al Sharpton, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam and Elvis. Expect mouthwatering soul food from the Four Way, and be sure to come with an empty stomach!
- Dinstuhl’s Fine Candy Company, Inc.: For those with a sweet tooth, the best candy in the city is right here—not to mention the best candy-making experience.
Music and nightlife – From Beale Street to Overton Square, you can find the best blues and tunes you’ve ever heard just about anywhere in Memphis.
- BB King’s Blues Club: Memphis is known for the blues, and there’s nowhere better to celebrate the genre than a club named for the legendary musician B.B. King himself.
History and culture – With civil rights history, music legends, world-class museums, and public art, you can have an immersive experience with Memphis history and culture.
- The National Civil Rights Museum: Through artifacts, films, oral histories and interactive media, visitors of the National Civil Rights Museum can experience the history of civil rights in this United States, from the beginning of the resistance during slavery, through the Civil War and Reconstruction, the rise of Jim Crow and the seminal events of the late 20th century that inspired people around the world to stand up for equality.
- Memphis Botanic Garden: While plant and nature lovers will enjoy the myriad species featured along the lush trails of the Memphis Botanic Garden, photography enthusiasts will have plenty of beauty to capture.
- The Peabody Ducks: You might not think there’s much good old silly fun to be had at the prestigious Peabody Hotel—but you’d be wrong! Don’t miss the opportunity to watch the world-famous Peabody Ducks strut their stuff and splash around.
Tours – You won’t want to miss a thing!
- Historical Haunts: If you’re a fan of haunted houses and ghost tours, this is one nighttime activity you do not want to miss!
- City Tasting Tours: If you’re struggling to decide whether to get out and see the city or sit down and enjoy the local cuisine, City Tasting Tours offer the best of both worlds.
- River City Pedalers: Take a one-of-a-kind pedal bike tour with your expert guide for a unique perspective on Memphis.
Fly Memphis – Memphis welcomes you! Our friendly airport will be ready to greet you upon arrival.
You might also be interested in: Memphis Market: Memphis Business Hub
Memphis Named One Of The 23 Best Places to Go in 2023
Nashville claims a lot of national buzz, but the city of Memphis has been quietly reshaping itself to be the hottest destination in Tennessee. Over the past decade, its downtown has invested billions in revitalization projects—and now, visitors can begin reaping the benefits.
An upgraded Tom Lee Park will open downtown in 2023, and in time for Memphis in May, a month-long festival celebrating the city’s culture with the famed Beale Street Music Festival and the World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest. The $60 million transformation will add new pavilions, meditative paths, riverfront seating, sound gardens, and the Canopy Walk connecting the park to downtown—all a fitting tribute to the park’s heroic namesake, a Black Memphian who, nearly a century ago, rescued passengers from a sinking steamboat on the Mississippi River. Next up: The Walk on Union, said to be the largest new mixed-use development in the Southeast, will play host to retail businesses, green spaces, and two new Hilton hotels as it opens in phases over the next few years.
