Welcome to the City of Soul.
If you’re planning a trip and searching for the best things to visit in Memphis, this guide is your starting point—what to do, what to eat, where to hear live music, and how to build an itinerary that fits your style.
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.
Memphis at a Glance
This Memphis travel guide helps you plan your trip with intention. Explore the city through its defining experiences—attractions, food, music and nightlife, history and culture, guided tours, and travel essentials. Start with what sparks your curiosity, then dive deeper into neighborhood guides, seasonal events, and curated itineraries built around your style.
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 and the site of the National Civil Rights Museum—a city 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 sights, 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’s plenty to do and see—from world-class BBQ to live blues on Beale Street. We’ve put together a list for everyone out there asking, “What Memphis tourist attractions are near me?”
Not Sure Where to Begin? Start Here.
- If you have one day: Choose one signature attraction, one unforgettable meal, and one live music experience. That’s the Memphis trifecta.
- If you have a weekend: Blend attractions, food, music, and culture. Add a guided tour to understand the neighborhoods and stories behind what you’re seeing.
- If you’re traveling with kids: Lead with a hands-on attraction, then balance the day with a park or outdoor break.
- If you’re here for music or history: Pair a music landmark with a cultural or civil rights site. Memphis is best experienced in layers.
Choose Your Memphis Experience
- First-timers: Go with the classics: a signature attraction, downtown or Beale Street energy, and iconic Memphis eats.
- Food-focused travelers: Explore chef-driven kitchens, neighborhood favorites, farmers markets, and unexpected flavors that go beyond barbecue.
- Music lovers: Start with the roots—blues, soul, rock ‘n’ roll—then end your night with a live set somewhere electric.
- Culture & history seekers: Spend your days with museums, public art, and landmark sites that shaped American history.
What To Do
With 60 attractions in just one city, there’s something for everyone.
- Game Nite Lounge: A modernized, immersive social lounge in Overton Square—blends game-show energy with living room comfort, this local spot features custom-designed interactive games, private lounges, and a vibe that’s perfect for families or a high-energy night out with friends.
- Memphis Botanic Garden: Discover the natural soul of Memphis across 96 acres of specialty gardens. From the tranquil Seijaku-en Japanese Garden to “My Big Backyard”—a world-class play area for the kids, the Garden offers a peaceful retreat to explore our botanical culture and seasonal blooms.
- Crosstown Concourse: Experience a masterpiece of urban redevelopment in this former Sears warehouse turned vertical village. This multi-use space is a hub for the arts; grab a bite from a local vendor, explore the galleries, and dive into a massive archive of classic Memphis music and vinyl history.
- 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, or get lost in nature, Shelby Farms Park delivers.
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.
- Sunrise Memphis: Start your day at a Memphis staple loved by locals and visitors alike, and enjoy home-style dishes.
- 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!
- Coastal Fish Company: End your night with fine dining all while enjoying the beauty of Shelby Farms Park as your backdrop. Pro Tip: schedule ahead to reserve a table outdoors on the patio at sunset!
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.
- The Green Room at Crosstown Concourse: Enjoy more intimate performances from local acts ranging from jazz, soul, and blues music.
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 the 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.
- The Brooks Museum/Memphis Art Museum: Visit Memphis’ most notable art gallery where you’ll have the opportunity to explore exhibitions inspired by the city.
- The Peabody Ducks: You might not think the prestigious Peabody Hotel offers much good old silly fun—but you’d be wrong! Don’t miss the opportunity to watch the world-famous Peabody Ducks strut their stuff and splash around.
Memphis 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!
- A Tour of Possibilities: Take a group tour through Memphis history, where you’ll explore the many landmarks that tell Memphis’ story and hear the important context in between.
- River City Pedalers: Take a one-of-a-kind pedal bike tour with your expert guide for a unique perspective on Memphis.
Getting to Memphis
Fly Memphis: Memphis International Airport is a quick 15-minute drive from downtown, with nonstop flights connecting you to major hubs across the country. Memphis welcomes you—our friendly airport will be ready to greet you on arrival.
Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting Memphis
What are the top things to visit in Memphis for first-timers?
Start with one landmark attraction, add a defining Memphis meal, and end your day with live music. Use the “Plan Your Visit to Memphis” section above to shape your itinerary around your time and interests.
How many days do you need in Memphis?
You can experience the highlights in one full day, but a weekend gives you space to explore attractions, food, music, and history without rushing.
What should I prioritize if I only have one day in Memphis?
Focus on one major attraction, one memorable meal, and one live music experience. That combination captures the spirit of the city.
Is Memphis good for families?
Yes. Memphis offers parks, interactive attractions, outdoor spaces, and relaxed dining options that work well for families traveling with kids.
What’s the best way to experience Memphis music?
Pair a daytime music-history stop with a live performance at night. Memphis music is something you learn about—and then feel in real time.
Should I book a tour in Memphis?
If you want deeper context on neighborhoods, food, or history—especially on a shorter trip—a guided tour helps you see more while understanding the stories behind it.
Memphis Named One of the Top Trending Destinations in the U.S.
Memphis has earned national recognition as one of the fastest-rising travel destinations in the country, according to Tripadvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Awards. Cooper-Young, one of Memphis’ most beloved neighborhoods, was named the #5 coolest neighborhood in America by LoveExploring—standing out among top destinations in cities like New York, Austin, and Los Angeles.
Over the past decade, downtown Memphis has invested billions in revitalization projects—and now, visitors can reap the benefits. Tom Lee Park, which reopened in 2023 after a $60 million transformation, has been named one of the top 10 urban developments in the Americas by the Urban Land Institute. The 31-acre riverfront park now features 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.
The momentum continues with The Walk on Union, said to be the largest new mixed-use development in the Southeast, opening in phases with retail businesses, green spaces, and two new Hilton hotels.