planning a visit to memphis

• A visitor’s guide to Memphis

When planning a trip to Memphis , you’re in for an unforgettable experience. Check out this handy guide of what to do when visiting Memphis.

Where to stay

Talbot Heirs Guesthouse : Talbot Heirs Guesthouse is an ideal home-base to park when visiting the Bluff City. It’s a privately owned, smoke-free, guesthouse that’s home away from home, with some oomph. Located downtown, this offbeat inn is an easy walk to Beale Street, AutoZone Park, and the Rock n Soul Museum.

Talbot Heirs Guesthouse has eight suites, or mini apartments, with all the conveniences you could ask for. An on-site convenient market and parking garage are also available.

Where to eat

Majestic Grille: It’s no wonder Majestic Grille is among the premier Memphis tourist attractions. This quirky restaurant will send you back in time to Old Hollywood, literally. It’s located in a refurbished silent film theater that enthralled Memphis audiences for the first 30 years of the entertainment industry. These days, Beaux Arts décor honor that sophisticated time as owner and award-winning chef Patrick Reilly prepares comfort dishes and classic cocktails in an homage to the era. If that’s not enough, you may think you’ve done a little time traveling as you enjoy the silent films and classic movies playing on the silver screen.

Majestic Grille is an unconventional dining experience that’s a fun way to look back at Memphis’ history.

Where to play

The Peabody: You’ll be amazed to find lots of fun things to do at The Peabody . One of the most renowned Memphis tourist attractions, this opulent hotel has been located a half-mile from downtown since the 1940s. While the building’s architecture is simply stunning, the stars of The Peabody are the ducks. They present a daily spectacle, starting at 11 a.m., by leaving their rooftop home, sauntering down the red carpet to the soundtrack of John Phillip Sousa’s “King Cotton March,” and making their way to the Peabody Fountain to spend the day enjoying the water. The tune starts again at 5 p.m. when the ducks depart the fountain and conduct the processional in reverse. This sight is pure Instagram gold and something you won’t soon forget.

But there’s much more. You can also take a one-hour History Tour of the South’s grand hotel with the Peabody Duck Master. These daily tours give you behind-the-scenes insight of the hotel and a glimpse of just how good the Peabody Ducks have it.

We’re not done yet. You can get sustenance in style before heading out for adventure with weekend brunch. Or how about afternoon tea at Chez Phillipe, the elegant on-site restaurant? In the summer, you can also let your hair down at The Peabody Rooftop Parties.

No matter what you’re looking for, The Peabody offers ample opportunity to have an unforgettable Memphis experience .

Where to visit

National Civil Rights Museum : The National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel offers a true, historical experience that educates visitors through multi-sensory and multi-media innovations, artifacts and structures, events, speakers and online resources. Here, guests will gain an understanding of the historical milestones of the civil rights movement and learn how to apply this knowledge to current events in the world today. This is a can’t miss stop on any visitor’s trip to Memphis and truly worth experiencing to understand the history of civil rights and how it continues to impact the culture of Memphis.

With such amazing opportunities, you won’t soon forget your trip to Memphis.

For Memphis travel tips, visit Memphis Travel !

Looking for more stories on what makes Memphis great?

Follow our instagram page below.

A post shared by We Are Memphis (@wearememphistn) on Aug 30, 2018 at 8:30pm PDT

You might also be interested in: Memphis Entrepreneurs Try Startup Accelerator

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

You Might Also Be Interested In…

Wamm in rotation: our favorite music of june ’24.

Memphis music is truly unstoppable. Each month welcomes more and more incredible new projects. Here are just 5 we’re highlighting […]

5 Questions w/ Rose Gold Jones

Story by Ezra Wheeler; Photos c/o Winston “SnapGod” Taylor Last month, Memphis musician Rose Gold Jones released his newest album […]

The Year of Weird(o)

Story by Katie Kelly Photo by Jackson Hendrix “I am not you, bitch I am me,” is the resounding declaration […]

Our Latest Articles

5 arts organizations to support this summer in memphis.

Thanks to its vibrant arts community, Memphis is a city bursting with creativity and culture. This summer, show your support […]

Getting Around East Memphis

Primarily outside of the “loop” eastern Memphis includes the Hickory Hill and East Memphis areas. Both are home to major […]

Exploring the Suburbs of Memphis: Cordova, Bartlett, Lakeland, Arlington, Collierville, and Germantown

Memphis is not just a city; it’s a region rich with diverse and vibrant suburbs, each offering its unique charm […]

Check Out the Center of Memphis!

If you should know one thing about Memphis neighborhoods, it’s that people are protective of where they live. A sure […]

Get to Know North Memphis

North Memphis is filled with doers, dreamers, and believers. It’s an area unlike any other in Memphis with people who live life […]

Immerse Yourself in Downtown Memphis

Downtown Memphis is home to some of the most iconic and recognizable assets of Memphis. There’s the breathtaking views of […]

Make Memphis Moves: Business Relocation

Memphis business relocation has many benefits. Memphis is at the center of global commerce – with an unparalleled multi-modal capability that moves […]

Why Memphis? We’ll Tell You!

Memphis Cost of Living: Serious Savings Yes, there is no shortage of reasons why Memphis is a great place to […]

Explore Crosstown Concourse!

Welcome to Crosstown Concourse, so named for the intersecting trolley tracks at Cleveland and Poplar that connected Memphis commuters to […]

5 Memphis Spots Serving the Perfect Drink

#BringYourSoul to be featured on our social media

Ready to Share Your Story?

Memphis is a city of doers, dreamers and believers Share a piece of your originality, positive change and soul!

48 Hours in Memphis: The Ultimate Itinerary

TripSavvy / Ivey Redding

Welcome to Memphis, where live music flows fast, and the barbecue is renowned the world over. But there's more to the city than eating your weight's worth in pork ribs and jamming to rock 'n' roll and blues—although we're totally for that, too. The city has a dynamic past, having kick-started the careers of music legends like Elvis Presley and Isaac Hayes and playing a monumental role in the Civil Rights Movement.

To help you plan your next trip to the Home of the Blues, we've come up with an itinerary that gives you a taste of the city's culture and history . From where to find the best barbecue in the city (spoiler alert: there isn't one) to must-do studio tours, here's how to make the most of two days in Memphis.

Day 1: Morning

10: a.m.: After landing at Memphis International Airport , make your way over to your hotel to drop off your bags. If there's one thing Memphis is known for, it's music. Get in touch with the city's claim to fame by booking a stay at the Central Station Hotel , located in a 105-year-old—and still operating—train station in the South Main district. Opened in the fall of 2019, the hotel broadcasts a curated playlist of tunes throughout the space and houses a sizable selection of vinyl in a private lounge designed for audiophiles. And come nighttime, there's a live DJ to keep the tunes flowing after a stroll down Beale Street.

11 a.m.: Once you've checked in or stored your bags, it's time to eat. Of course, no trip to the city is complete without sampling Memphis-style barbecue. Slow-smoked, dry, and smothered in a sweet sauce, the barbecue here is unbelievably delicious. There’s a lot of debate about where to find the best in the city; some swear by Cozy Corner , while others will point you to Central BBQ (their pork ribs truly are out-of-this-world). But locals will tell you that you must try the barbecue spaghetti. Head to Neely's Interstate Bar-B-Que for a plate.

Day 1: Afternoon

1 p.m.: When you're feeling properly stuffed, journey over to Soulsville USA, the birthplace of soul music. The Stax Museum , located at the original site of Stax Records, pays tribute to the iconic record label and its legendary artists: Otis Redding, Booker T. and The MGs, Carla Thomas, and more. Dive into the history of soul music, walk through a replica of Stax's recording studio, and explore the museum's wealth of memorabilia: Tina Turner's sparkly yellow stage costume, the original Otis Redding record of "Respect," and Isaac Hayes' Cadillac—mini-refrigerator, TV, and 24-carat windshield wipers included.

3 p.m.: While Soulsville is the birthplace of soul music, Memphis is the birthplace of rock 'n' roll. Be sure to take a 45-minute guided tour of Sun Studio , a still-operating recording studio where the likes of B.B. King, Johnny Cash, and Elvis Presley were discovered. You can stand in the studio where the King himself recorded the hit that launched him to fame—a cover of Arthur Crudup's "That's All Right"—and sing into the same microphone that he and countless other rockstars have sung into. The last tour begins at 5:30 p.m.; adult tickets are $15 each.

Day 1: Evening

7 p.m.: For an intimate or celebratory dinner, book a table at Bishop , located in Central Station. The brasserie-style eatery serves up French cuisine with a southern flair, such as escargots topped with country ham and bone marrow popovers. Order a few small plates to share with the table, or go heartier by opting for the lamb shank or hollandaise-topped flounder. For burgers and beer, head next door to Earnestine & Hazel's . They might only serve one type of burger—your typical patty topped with cheese, onions, and pickles—but they do it right. The space is said to be one of the most haunted spots in the U.S. (the jukebox is allegedly possessed), so come at your own risk. If you're not particularly in the mood to get spooked, head to Loflin Yard . They offer Southern-style sandwiches and smaller-sized portions of brisket tacos, smoked wings, and spicy tenders—all of which pair perfectly well with a cocktail or two. This indoor/outdoor locale boasts live music, events like trivia and bingo, ax throwing, lawn games, and more.

9 p.m.: It's no secret that Beale Street is the go-to spot for musical entertainment in the city; you can find live music—in genres like classic rock 'n' roll, blues, and jazz—at pretty much any bar or club here. Learn what the hype is all about and get a taste of that famous Tennessee whiskey. The original location of national chain B. B. King's Blues Club is right here and one to add to your bar-hopping itinerary. In the mood for something a bit quieter? Head to the Absinthe Room for cocktails, jukebox tunes, and games like pool and shuffleboard.

Day 2: Morning

8 a.m.: If you stayed out late, we wouldn't blame you if you wanted to sleep in and recharge. But, if you're the kind of traveler who likes to get up and go, consider eating breakfast right across the street at the city's oldest restaurant (and one that Elvis used to frequent). Opened in 1919, Arcade Restaurant is a '50s-style diner that serves all the classics, including French toast, omelets, country fried steak, and sweet potato pancakes. You're in for a busy day, so fuel up with a hearty meal and a cup of coffee or tea.

10 a.m.: Just seven miles (about a 15-minute drive) from downtown is the place that Elvis called home: Graceland . Whimsical and more-often-than-not flamboyant, the second most-visited house in the U.S. cost just $102,500 when the King bought it in 1957. Even if you don't consider yourself a fan, it's worth a look to see the infamous Jungle Room with its flood of plastic plants and animal prints, waterfall, and green shag carpet on the floor and ceiling. You can take a peek inside his private jets for a few extra bucks or sign up for the Elvis Experience tour to get a glimpse at his iconic Pink Cadillac and flashy jumpsuits right up close. Tickets start at $42.50.

Day 2: Afternoon

Andrea Zucker 

1 p.m.: Graceland offers hungry patrons a couple of different dining options (we certainly wouldn't say no to a peanut butter and banana sandwich), but if you're ready to head back downtown, check out local favorite Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken . A Memphis tradition, they're a go-to for hot and spicy fried chicken. Order baked beans and mac and cheese on the side, and, if you're feeling really hungry, a slice of chess pie.

2 p.m.: One of the most important museums you will ever see in your lifetime, the National Civil Rights Museum is just a few blocks away. It's centered in and around the Lorraine Motel, the site of Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination. Through interactive media, artifacts, and exhibits, the Lorraine Building gives visitors a comprehensive—and sobering—overview of the civil rights movement, beginning with slavery in America and ending at rooms 306 and 307, where Dr. King spent the last few hours of his life. The story continues across the street at the Legacy Building, the former boarding house of James Earl Ray; here, you can learn about his arrest, trial, and conviction, as well as conspiracy theories and human rights movements across the globe.

5 p.m.: For a pre-dinner nibble, make a pit stop at Phillip Ashley Chocolates . A real-life Willy Wonka, Chef Ashley's gourmet sweets have delighted the likes of celebrities at Grammys and Academy Awards after-parties with their delectable taste and artful design. The chocolatier constantly comes up with unique flavors (like white French blue cheese and all dark chocolate with pomegranate, cherry, and molasses) that will make your mouth water. They are almost too pretty to eat. Almost.

Day 2: Evening

Courtesy of Restaurant Iris 

6 p.m.: It's your last night in the city, so don't be afraid to go all out with a fancy meal at Restaurant Iris . Housed in a bungalow in East Parkway, this fine dining establishment features French-Creole cuisine with menu items like wild mushroom cannelloni and duck confit carbonara. The cocktail menu is exquisite, as is the extensive wine and spirits list. Get some molasses bread with house-made butter to split with the table, and you're in for a treat.

8 p.m.: Round out your trip with live music at Lafayette's Restaurant and Bar, which claims to have launched the careers of legends like Bill Joel and KISS. They host both local and touring musicians, with a focus on rock, jazz, and blues. Check out the website to see the scheduled lineup of events.

Stax Museum of American Soul Music: The Complete Guide

10 Best Things to Do for Couples in Memphis, Tennessee

Memphis Gay Guide and Events Calendar

Rock 'N' Soul Museum in Memphis: The Complete Guide

A Travel Guide for Visiting Graceland on a Budget

The 10 Best Museums to Visit in Memphis

Your Trip to Memphis: The Complete Guide

A Complete Guide to the Mississippi River Road Trip

20 Top Things to Do in Memphis

The 10 Best Spots for Live Music in Memphis

13 Best Things to Do With Kids in Memphis, Tennessee

The 12 Best Barbecue Restaurants in Memphis

Visit Memphis in Style and on Budget

10 Things To Do For $10 Or Less In Memphis

The 12 Best Things to Do in Midtown Memphis

Tourist Destinations in the Southern U.S.

12 things Memphis locals want visitors to know

Feb 25, 2024 • 8 min read

Get to know Memphis with these local tips © FangXiaNuo / Getty Images

Undoubtedly one of America’s greatest music cities, Memphis  has a rich heritage that birthed rock ‘n’ roll and its own version of soul and the blues. 

The vibrant and culturally diverse hub has recently seen many of its storied neighborhoods spring back to life through regeneration efforts. Where once stood empty warehouses, now you’ll find a crisp batch of independent stores and restaurants, serving up new takes on Memphis’ legendary food scene. Though widely known as one of America’s great capitals of barbecue, the past two decades have seen Memphis grow into its culinary own beyond the smoker.

The city’s laid-back and open-minded attitude means there isn’t a strict rulebook to follow, but there are a few things to know before visiting the Bluff City.

1. The Memphis dress code is whatever you want 

Memphis is a laid-back city, with a dress code to match. You can turn up in an Elvis t-shirt, a tracksuit or sequined eveningwear, and no one will raise an eyebrow, so come as you are. The exception to this: church. When attending a service, it's best to dress smartly. 

2. Always make reservations for brunch and fine dining

Brunch is a big deal in Memphis, and  restaurants book up fast, so always call ahead to secure a spot. For those seeking high-end dining, particularly if there’s a James Beard-nominated chef at the helm, you may need to call a couple of weeks ahead to guarantee a seat at the table. 

If it’s a local barbeque or hot wing joint, just show up, but be prepared to wait in line.

3. Don’t forget your reusable water bottle

Ditch the throwaway bottles – Memphis’ water is classed as some of the tastiest in the world. With the flick of a tap or the push of a fountain’s button, you can hydrate with freshwater derived from natural reservoirs flowing hundreds of feet below Memphis’ surface. 

And with Memphis’ notorious heat and humidity, topping up the aqua levels regularly is a must, especially from May through September.

4. The barbeque capital of the US also caters to vegans

In fact, we’ll raise you – it’s now fairly easy to be vegan in Memphis. Although the city has a reputation for giving us some of the finest pulled pork barbeque in the country, recent years have seen a fresh cluster of plant-based restaurants and stalls cropping up across the city. At many barbecue joints, it’s not uncommon to find vegetarian-friendly options like lion’s mane mushroom barbecue nachos or a barbecue portobello sandwich.

Local specialties focus on southern staples minus the meat. Think cauliflower hot wings, beet burgers, carrot dogs and vegan barbeque, for a new taste from Memphis.

Crosstown Concourse is home to a collective of health-conscious restaurants, while the Imagine Vegan Café caters to all your comfort food needs. Memphis Whistle dishes out mushroom-based culinary options.

5. Memphis’ churches have an open-door policy on Sunday

There are more than 2000 churches in the Greater Memphis Metropolitan area, the majority of which are Baptist. One of the best ways to ingratiate yourself into the city is to attend a Sunday morning church service, where tourists are welcome to respectfully join congregations in worship, which often involves a full choir and band.

The Reverend Al Green – yes, the former soul-singing legend  – can be found leading a fantastically dynamic service at his Full Gospel Tabernacle Church .

If you’re unsure of the etiquette, just quietly choose a pew in the back. A collection plate will likely make its round during the service, so come prepared. 

6. Grab a takeout cup – the liquor laws are relaxed on Beale St

Memphis is a town of many quirks. One of them just happens to be that Beale St, home of the blues, is the only place in Tennessee where you can legally walk the street with an open alcohol container. This rule also loosely applies to the neighboring South Main Arts District, but only on the last Friday of each month when “Trolley Night” turns the entire street into an open-container-allowed block party. 

On a warm summer evening, visitors can grab a drink from a Beale Street bar in a takeout cup and wander up and down America’s most famous musical highway, soaking up the live acoustics or catching a performance from the Beale Street Flippers, Memphis’ famed acrobatic troupe. 

Note that cannabis containing THC, for both medical and recreational uses, is illegal in Memphis, though CBD shops can be found selling legal substitutes.

7. Memphis is LGBTIQ+ friendly, but you need to know where to go

Although Memphis’ scene is certainly more lowkey than neighboring Atlanta or New Orleans , a flourishing LGBTIQ+ community exists and is increasing in visibility. Cooper-Young and Overton Square are particularly LGBTIQ+ friendly neighborhoods, flying the flag with joyful rainbow crosswalks.

For those looking to explore Memphis’ LGBTIQ+ nightlife, the main roadblock is the lack of a condensed, specific district, so transport is essential for barhopping.

Atomic Rose is a weekend-only nightclub just steps from Beale Street with drag shows and bingo nights. Dru’s Bar in midtown offers karaoke nights and a patio for cooling off on balmy nights, while The Pumping Station in Crosstown is an ultra-inclusive neighborhood hangout that’s been crowned Memphis’ top gay bar. 

Visit for the Tri-State Black Pride in June, or come for the four-day Memphis Pride Fest Weekend in June. It's the largest gathering of its kind in the Mid-South.

8. Don’t confuse Memphis with Nashville

A friendly(ish) rivalry between Tennessee’s two major cities permeates across most aspects of life, from sports to food and music. These sister cities are keepers of completely divergent cultural identities. If you once had the best night of your life on Nashville’s Honky Tonk Highway, maybe keep that one to yourself while in Memphis. In fact, you’ll struggle to find even a hint of country music in Memphis.

9. See the natural side of Memphis

The city’s connection with Tennessee’s natural beauty has been elevated in recent years. Historic Tom Lee Park re-opened along the Mississippi River after a $60 million renovation in 2023. And the $50 million Wolf River Greenway is connecting a riverfront walking and cycling trail to the city’s suburbs via more than 20 miles of trail along the city’s “other” river.

10. Much of Memphis is wheelchair accessible

Public transportation, especially mass transit options, are not standout in most American cities. However, Memphis does offer a wheelchair-accessible trolley system throughout downtown, which makes getting around its core easier. 

The National Civil Rights Museum has ramp access for wheelchair users, while the Woodland Discovery Playground at Shelby Farms Park is a good place for under 12s of all abilities. The majority of Graceland is wheelchair accessible, aside from the basement rooms. Big River Crossing offers wheelchair-friendly views of the Mississippi River and the opportunity to cross over into Arkansas.

11. Is Memphis safe to visit?

While crime rates in the city dipped during the early and mid-2010s, Tennessee’s newly-relaxed gun laws have led to a wave of violent crime throughout the state. This is particularly true in Memphis, which has notched record numbers of car break-ins and homicides since 2019.

Newly-elected leadership from the mayor’s office to the district attorney and police chief are attempting to reign the situation in, but it’s a good idea to be mindful of your surroundings in the Bluff City. Police say the majority of violent crimes and break-ins are being perpetrated by teenagers and young adults.

Don’t leave valuables, luggage or travel documents in your vehicle, and try to avoid excessive displays of wealth. If you do catch someone in the act of breaking into your vehicle, it's best to avoid confrontation. Many thieves here are well armed. 

Pockets of both downtown and midtown have recently been revitalized, with former derelict buildings transformed into residential blocks and thriving businesses. The city has also made meaningful investments in creating dedicated bike paths, making neighborhoods like the Broad Avenue Arts District, South Main Arts District, Cooper-Young, High Point Terrace and Shelby Farms active areas for cycling. 

If you haven’t visited Memphis for a few years, expect to be pleasantly surprised by the safe and welcoming vibe in neighborhoods such as South Main and Overton Square, which hum with activity on weekend nights. 

City officials have doubled down on efforts to increase police presence in two neighborhoods most frequently visited by tourists, downtown and midtown. Those two areas are also patrolled by the brilliantly-named blue suede shoe brigade, a collective of uniformed ambassadors on the lookout for nuisance issues. They are not police officers but are available for assistance. Yes, they actually wear blue suede sneakers, and yes, everyone jokes about stepping on them!

As with any metropolitan area, keep a constant eye on your belongings and note that it’s wise to stick to the main, well-lit tourist streets when exploring Memphis at night. The most common petty crimes are pickpocketing and car break-ins, so keep valuables close, especially around tourist landmarks, and never leave them in your car. In an emergency, call 911; for non-emergency situations call 211 to be directed to the relevant department. 

12. When in doubt, ask a Memphian

Memphis is a friendly city steeped in southern charm, so striking up a conversation with locals tends to be straightforward and guarantees savvy insider tips.

Those looking for an in-depth chat should just ask a Memphian about their favorite barbeque spot. But be warned: everyone in Memphis has their favorite smoke, sauce and slaw combination, so the debate can quickly get heated.

This article was first published Jul 2, 2022 and updated Feb 25, 2024.

Explore related stories

Budget Travel

Jun 14, 2024 • 9 min read

Atlanta is the fun-filled gateway to the myriad delights of the American southeast. Here's a guide to the best day trips from Atlanta.

May 31, 2024 • 4 min read

May 30, 2024 • 3 min read

May 26, 2024 • 6 min read

May 16, 2024 • 12 min read

May 6, 2024 • 11 min read

Mar 9, 2024 • 4 min read

Mar 4, 2024 • 7 min read

Feb 27, 2024 • 7 min read

Feb 23, 2024 • 6 min read

Join my community

Subscribe to my newsletter to get updates!

Home > United States > 3 Days in Memphis Itinerary: Perfect 72 Hours in Memphis

3 Days in Memphis Itinerary: Perfect 72 Hours in Memphis

By Dymphe / January 12, 2023

Going to spend 3 days in Memphis ? Then you're going to have a great time! Memphis is a very nice city in the United States with great things to do.

If you're going to the city for 3 days, you have enough time to see all highlights and do fun things. For example, you can spend a long weekend in Memphis, which is great!

Have breakfast at some of the amazing cafes. Visit museums, famous landmarks, and great streets! If you're going to Memphis for 3 days, you can do it all!

This itinerary for 3 days in Memphis shows you exactly how you can make the most out of your time there!

I'll start with some information about how to get there.

After that, I'll give you some tips for when you're traveling to Memphis. Furthermore, I give information about where to stay. Then, I'll start the itinerary.

The itinerary includes all the well-known things you have to see when you're in Memphis, and more! Your 72 hours in Memphis will be great for sure.

After the itinerary, I'll explain how to move around in the city!

Table of Contents

Getting to Memphis

If you're going to spend 3 days in Memphis, there are various ways to reach the city. You can travel here by bus, train, airplane, or car.

There are several bus companies that have routes to the city of Memphis.

Traveling by bus is often a very cheap way to reach the city. So this is convenient if you want to spend 3 days in Memphis on a budget.

But the journey takes longer than other means of transportation. And also, it is often less comfortable to travel by bus.

One of the bus companies that offer routes to the city of Memphis is Greyhound.

Examples of bus routes you can take with this company are the following. You can travel from Nashville, Atlanta, and Chicago. But there are a lot more cities in the United States that you can come from!

You can also travel to the city of Memphis by train. The train is very convenient if you're going to spend a long weekend in Memphis. You can reach the central station of Memphis from various cities in the United States.

Traveling by train is a fast option to reach the city of Memphis. Furthermore, it is often more comfortable than traveling by bus! For that reason, this is one of the best ways to get there for your 3 days in Memphis.

Another way to get to the city of Memphis is by Airplane.

If you're coming from a place that is farther away and you want to spend 3 days in Memphis, this is the best way.

You can find the airport about 7 miles (or 11 kilometers) from Downtown Memphis.

There are many flights that go to Memphis International Airport. These include flights from within the United States, as well as flights from Europe, Asia, and more.

To get from the airport to the city center of Memphis, you have to drive about 15 minutes. Or you can take a bus that takes about 30 minutes.

Often the most convenient way to reach the city of Memphis is by car.

If you are coming from a place that is near Memphis this is often the fastest way to travel.

Besides that, a car allows you to bring a lot of luggage, which is very convenient.

Also, you can use your car when you're 3 days in Memphis. The car is a great way to get around in Memphis, which makes it an even more convenient way to get to Memphis.

Travel Tips for Your 3 Days in Memphis

Traveling to Memphis is a lot of fun. Your time in Memphis will be great for sure!

But here are some tips to make your trip of 3 days in Memphis even better.

First, some of the famous places in the city are far away from each other. For example, Graceland is not in Downtown Memphis, so you cannot walk between these places.

For this, you need another way to move around. So a car, public transportation, or a taxi are great during the 72 hours in Memphis.

Another tip for traveling to Memphis is to listen to music from the city when you are going here. That way you'll have an even better experience! For example, you can listen to music by Elvis Presley!

Where To Stay

There are many places where you can stay when you are in Memphis.

When you are only 3 days in Memphis, you want to stay at a place that is most convenient for sightseeing.

That's why I recommend staying in Downtown Memphis. There you can find most of the sights of this itinerary. Furthermore, there are lots of stores and restaurants in this part of the city. This makes your 3 days trip to Memphis more comfortable!

A great place to stay in Memphis is The Peabody Memphis. This is a luxury hotel that is very famous.

Also, the rooftop of the hotel is incredible! You find here the name of the hotel. Furthermore, the rooftop of The Peabody Memphis is home to many parties in summer. Grab a drink, dance, and see the beautiful view from the rooftop!

Another lovely hotel in Memphis is Westin Memphis Beale Street. You find this hotel on Beale Street.

This makes it a very convenient place to stay, as it is in the middle of Downtown Memphis.

What's great is that the rooms are very luxurious and modern. Furthermore, the hotel has many facilities, which makes staying here very pleasant.

Itinerary for 3 Days in Memphis

Now you know how to get to Memphis and where to stay. Furthermore, you got some important information about your trip. So it's time for the itinerary!

If you follow this itinerary for 3 days in Memphis, you're going to have a wonderful time in the city.

You'll see all the famous sights, visit museums, and have delicious food. You're even going to visit the oldest restaurant in Memphis and you'll see where Elvis lived. In short, you're going to have a wonderful time in this pretty city in Tennessee!

Day 1: The First Day in Memphis

Let's start with the first day of this itinerary for 3 days in Memphis. Today, you're going to see famous landmarks, visit a museum, have great food, and more! It's going to be a very nice day, so let's begin.

Breakfast at Hustle & Dough

Your first day in Memphis starts with breakfast! You're going to have breakfast at Hustle & Dough .

This is a lovely place where you can have delicious food. There are many delicious toasts you can have here for breakfast.

For example, the avocado toast is amazing. Another very good toast is the almond butter toast.

Furthermore, you can also have yogurt & granola with fresh fruit. Or you can choose for the multigrain grits bowl!

What I love about this place is that there's so much to choose from. There are also delicious pastries and the pastries you can have here change every now and then.

Furthermore, if you're having breakfast here, you should definitely have some coffee too.

Hustle & Dough shares their space with Vice & Virtue. This is an amazing coffee roaster. They use great beans for their coffee and their coffee is incredible.

If you don't like coffee, you can also have delicious tea here.

Also, Hustle & Dough is a lovely place with a great atmosphere. It looks very beautiful and there are comfortable seats. So that's another reason why having breakfast here on your first day is great!

Visit Graceland

Graceland is one of the most famous places in Memphis. This makes it a great sight to start with when you are 3 days in Memphis.

Graceland is a large mansion where the famous singer Elvis Presley lived.

You can find the building at Elvis Presley Boulevard.

Nowadays, Graceland is a museum that is open to the public. And it is also a National Historic Landmark in the city of Memphis.

After the White House, Graceland is the house in the United States with the most annual visitors. More than 600,000 people visit it every year!

Not only is the house great because Elvis Presley lived here, but it also looks beautiful!

The architecture of the building is great to see, and the interior of the mansion is also wonderful.

In total, there are 23 rooms in Graceland. These rooms all are beautiful to see. There are a lot of details that are very unique.

Also, you can see other objects of Elvis Presley at Graceland. This includes his two airplanes!

You can also see Elvis' car collection here.

Ride the Memphis Trolley

Now it's time to move around in the city! You can do so by a Memphis Trolley! This is one of the most fun things to do during a long weekend in Memphis.

The Memphis Trolley is part of the public transportation network of Memphis.

It is a great way to move around the city. That's because it is very convenient, but also because the trolleys are wonderful to see!

The trolleys are very historic, which makes it great to ride them.

Each trolley is a restored vintage streetcar. They come from the city of Porto in Portugal. That city used them at the beginning of the 20th century.

What's great is that the trolleys have a variety of colors. These colors are very bright, which makes them look very happy!

All these features make the trolleys very unique, and a great activity for your 3 days in Memphis!

There are three lines. Main Street Line, Riverfront Loop, and Madison Avenue Line. Because of that, you can board one in lots of parts of the city, which is very convenient!

Lunch at The Arcade Restaurant

You're going to have lunch at one of the most amazing restaurants in Memphis. It's the Arcade Restaurant!

The Arcade Restaurant is one of the most famous places for lunch in the city. That's because it looks amazing from the outside. The place has a large sign that appears in many photos.

Furthermore, the place also looks lovely from the inside, it's a pretty fifties diner. So going here is definitely fun and unique!

Moreover, this is the oldest restaurant in Memphis! This place exists since 1919 which is very impressive.

The founder of Arcade Restaurant is Speros Zepatos. He came from Greece. Back then, Arcade Restaurant had another location.

In 1925, Arcade Restaurant got its name and another location.

Furthermore, the son of Speros Zepatos changed a lot in 1950. He made another design of Arcade Restaurant and changed it into a fifties diner! That's how it still looks today.

It's so fun to know a bit more about the history of this restaurant as it's so old.

But that's not all. The food in the Arcade Restaurant is great too.

For example, you can have delicious pizza at the Arcade Restaurant.

You can choose one of the pizzas on the menu, but you can also create your own! I love that about this place, as it allows you to eat what you like the most.

Also, the sandwiches here are very good as well. And you can have a great salad at the Arcade Restaurant too.

Moreover, there are delicious extras as well, such as fries and pancakes. The Arcade Restaurant has definitely something for your liking.

This is one of my favorite places for lunch in Memphis for sure. That's because of how pretty it looks, its history, and the delicious food.

Explore Beale Street

One of the most famous streets in Memphis is Beale Street. This street is a must-see for your 3 days in Memphis. You can find it in Downtown Memphis.

You find here lots of interesting restaurants and stores. Furthermore, you find here all kinds of nightclubs.

The whole district surrounding the street is one of the most iconic of the United States. Also, it is a National Historic Landmark.

That's because the place is very historic. Many famous people had live performances here, which made the place famous as well!

Beale Street is a place where many music genres come together. There is blues, jazz, R&B, rock 'n' roll, and more!

You'll have a lot of fun here for sure, which is great!

When you are in Memphis, you should stroll through the street and see the different venues!

What's great about this street as well is that there are many events throughout the year. These events are great to attend, and when you happen to visit during an event, I recommend going there.

For example, during May, you find here the Beale Street Music Festival . This is a great festival with live performances.

Another great event is during New Year's Eve. During that time, the clubs of the city have live music.

Walk by the Orpheum Theatre

One of the best things at Beale Street is the Orpheum Theatre. This is a must-see for your 72 hours in Memphis.

This is a theater that is very old and has a large history. That's why it is on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Orpheum Theatre has a very iconic outside that is very recognizable. This alone makes it great to visit when you're 3 days in Memphis.

But it is also great to attend a show at the theater. There is a large variety of different shows. There are comedy performances, dance shows, movie screenings, and more!

See the Elvis Statue

Another great place at Beale Street is the statue of Elvis Presley.

The statue features the artist Elvis Presley who is very famous. And who played a large role in the history of Memphis.

After seeing his house Graceland, it is great to see this statue!

Go to the National Civil Rights Museum

The National Civil Rights Museum is a very interesting and educating museum. You should definitely see it when you are 3 days in Memphis.

This museum focuses on the civil rights movement and shows every part of it. It covers the period from the 17th century till the present day.

In the museum, you find hundreds of artifacts and lots of exhibits with multimedia. For example, there are 40 films.

Besides that, there are many events that you can attend when you are in Memphis.

Also, you find the museum at the place where the Lorraine Motel was in the past. This is the place where the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. took place.

You can visit the museum every day of the week from 9 AM to 5 PM, except for Tuesdays and Wednesdays. On average, you'll spend about 1.5 hours in the museum.

Dinner at Catherine & Mary's

You had an amazing first day in Memphis with many activities. You had breakfast at a lovely place, and you visited Graceland.

Besides that, you explored more of Memphis, went to a museum, and more! So I'm sure you're hungry now. It's time for dinner!

You're going to have dinner at Catherine & Mary's . This is a very good restaurant in the city.

The chefs and owners of this restaurant are Andy Ticer and Michael Hudman. They are from Memphis and they already opened other restaurants before this one.

For example, they also opened a restaurant in Charleston.

Because of this, the chefs already have a lot of experience.

Furthermore, they had great training as well. For example, they even went to the Italian Culinary Institute in Calabria.

In 2016, they also opened Catherine & Mary's.

I'd especially recommend having pasta here. The pasta dishes are amazing!

Day 2: Exploring More of the City During Your 3 Days in Memphis

It's time to start your second day in Memphis!

Breakfast at Bedrock Eats and Sweets

Let's start your second day in Memphis with breakfast! One of the best places for breakfast is Bedrock Eats and Sweets . I'd recommend having breakfast here today!

Bedrock Eats and Sweets focuses on healthy food. They say there are enough bad things on earth, and they think that your food shouldn't belong to these things!

They think that you shouldn't eat processed, refined or modified food. For that reason, you can get dishes here with local vegetables, organic fruit, and more!

Moreover, the food at Bedrock Eats and Sweets isn't only healthy, it's also very delicious. The taste of the food is also very important according to this place.

I love the fact that Bedrock Eats and Sweets focuses on healthy food. That's because I love healthy food and it makes this place unique.

The owner of this place is Brandi Marter. She's also the chef of Bedrock Eats and Sweets. She's very kind and will make you feel welcome.

Bedrock Eats and Sweets also looks very nice. Having breakfast here on the second day of your 3 days in Memphis is great!

Discover the Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum

On day 2, you should definitely go to the Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum . You can find the museum in Downtown Memphis at Beale Street.

This is a museum that is all about music, and rock and soul music in particular.

Here you can learn about some of the earliest musicians that overcame obstacles. They changed the cultural world with their music.

It is the perfect place to learn about the whole history of music in Memphis.

There are lots of permanent exhibits that are great to see.

For example, you'll find here an exhibit that is about rural culture in Memphis.

Another great exhibit at the museum is one that focuses on soul music in particular.

Furthermore, there is a section of the museum that is all about rural music. Here you can learn about blues, country, and gospel music.

The museum is open from Wednesday to Sunday from 10 AM to 5 PM.

Lunch at Lunchbox Eats

After visiting the Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum, it's time for lunch! On the second day of your 3 days in Memphis, you're going to have lunch at LUNCHBOXeats.

There are several reasons why having lunch at this place is great. First, LUNCHBOXeats has an amazing outdoor patio! If the weather is great, it's amazing to have lunch on the patio. It's a very relaxing place and spending some time there is great.

Besides that, the food at drinks at LUNCHBOXeats is great too. There are many delicious sandwiches that you can have.

Also, you should definitely try one of the homemade desserts too! They are so good.

Moreover, what I love about LUNCHBOXeats, is that there's always a lemonade of the day. The flavors are different every day, so it will always be a surprise how it tastes!

It's definitely fun to go there and let the lemonade surprise you. This makes LUNCHBOXeats very unique.

See the Memphis Zoo

After lunch, it is time to see another lovely sight of Memphis, the Memphis Zoo .

You can find the Memphis Zoo in Midtown Memphis.

Here you find many different animals that are lovely to see. In fact, there are more than 3500 animals at the zoo. Moreover, these animals are of more than 500 different species.

The Memphis Zoo is one of the best zoos in the country, which makes it a great place to see during your 3 days in Memphis!

The exhibits of the zoo all replicate the natural habitat of the animals that are in them. This makes it an even better place to visit.

For example, one of the exhibits is Northwest Passage. Here you can see animals that live in British Columbia in Canada and those that live in the PNW. You find here sea lions, polar bears, and more.

Another exhibit is China. Here you find animals that live in the country of China.

For example, you can see here giant pandas. This makes it a very special place to visit, as there are only 4 zoos in the United States with those animals.

Besides that, you find an Aquarium in the zoo. This is one of the oldest parts of the zoo. Here you can see animals that live in the sea. For example, you find here turtles, eels, lionfish, piranhas, and more.

Another interesting part of the museum is African Veldt. Here you can see all kinds of animals that live in Africa. For example, you'll find here zebras, African elephants, ostriches, and more animals.

Whatever animal you want to see, you'll likely find it here!

Visit the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art

After seeing the Memphis Zoo, you should go to the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art .

You find this great museum next to the Memphis Zoo. Both places are inside Overton Park.

The Memphis Brooks Museum of Art is a museum that focuses on all kinds of artworks. You'll find here art from all over the world and from many periods in time.

For example, you'll find here works from the Italian Renaissance. And there is Impressionist art, Baroque art, contemporary art, and more.

Some of the most notable artists whose work is on display in the museum are Renoir, Pissarro, and Benton.

In total, there are 29 galleries in the museum. These galleries feature a variety of types of art. For example, there are paintings, sculptures, prints, decorative arts, and more.

What's great about the museum as well is that there are many changing exhibitions. These exhibitions all focus on another type of art, another period of time, or another subject.

This means that every time you go back to Memphis and this museum, you can expect something new, which is great!

Furthermore, the museum is open every day of the week, except for Monday and Tuesday. And what's great is that you can visit the museum for free on Wednesday!

Dinner at The Beauty Shop

After your second day in Memphis, it's time to have dinner! Today, you're going to have dinner at the Beauty Shop.

This is an amazing restaurant and lounge where you'll have a great evening.

I'd definitely recommend having a look at the menu of the Beauty Shop. There are so many dishes on the menu, and I'm sure there's a dish you'll love.

Furthermore, the atmosphere in the Beauty Shop is very good. It's a very nice place to spend some time.

What's also great about The Beauty Shop is that you can sit outside. Especially when it's summer, this is great!

The place looks very pretty from the outside too. For example, on the windows, you can see the words "Look Good. Eat Good" which is so cute!

Day 3: The Last Day of 3 Days in Memphis

The third day is one of my favorite days of this itinerary for 3 days in Memphis. Today, you're going to see beautiful nature. Also, you're going to visit an amazing museum. You're going to have great food and you'll discover even more of Memphis!

Breakfast at By the Brewery

Let's start today with breakfast at By the Brewery! By the Brewery is one of my favorite places for breakfast in Memphis.

That's because there are so many delicious dishes you can have in the morning!

For example, you can start the day with one of the delicious biscuits. You can get a biscuit, or you can get a biscuit bowl, which is great too.

Moreover, if you love chocolate, you should definitely have the muffin with Nutella.

But there's more to choose from here. One of the things I love the most is the fresh fruit cup. Furthermore, you can also have a yogurt bowl.

Also, there are great drinks as well at By the Brewery. For example, you can have coffee, juice, or iced tea!

The interior at By the Brewery is beautiful. There are many seats where you can sit down. Furthermore, on one of the walls, there's a quote about biscuits which is very pretty.

Walk Through the Tom Lee Park

Now let's go to Tom Lee Park! This is a park that is in Downtown Memphis, so going here is very easy to do. You can walk there!

From here you can overlook the Mississippi River, which is beautiful to see!

Besides that, the park is great for a relaxing stroll. Or if you want to go running, this is a great place too!

Also, you can sit on one of the benches and come to yourself when you are here. That's very relaxing.

Another thing that's great about the park is that you can see the skyline of the city of Memphis from here. You can even see the Memphis Pyramid from the park! If you want to take a photo in the city, this is a great place for that.

The name of the park comes from Tom Lee. He was a river worker in Memphis.

One day, the steamboat M.E. Norman sank on the Mississippi River. Lots of people fell into the river and almost drowned.

Tom Lee saved more than 30 people from the water by pulling them into his small boat.

In the park, you can see a monument that is about him!

Visit the Stax Museum of American Soul Music

One of the best things to do in Memphis is a visit to the Stax Museum of American Soul Music. This is a lovely museum that focuses on soul music and everything that relates to that! You should definitely go here during your 3 days in Memphis.

You can find the museum at 926 East McLemore Avenue. This is the place where Stax Records was in the past. Stax Records is what gave the museum the name.

Stax Records is an American record label that you can find in the city of Memphis. This record label was very important in creating Southern and Memphis soul music.

In the past, it went bankrupt. After this, the studio of Stax Records had another purpose. Nowadays, you can find the museum here.

At the museum, you can find various objects and lovely exhibits.

One of the best exhibits of the museum is a Mississippi Delta Church. This is where Southern gospel music had its beginnings. At the museum, you can find a replica of the interior of the church.

Besides that, there is one exhibit where you can see all the albums and singles that Stax released. This is an impressive sight to see!

Furthermore, you can find here interactive exhibits such as the Express Yourself exhibit. This is an exhibit where you can dance to soul music.

Besides these exhibits, you can often go to events at the museum, which is great! That way you can come back here every time, and you may see another event that is worth attending!

The museum is open every day of the week, except for Monday. Moreover, you can visit between 10 AM and 5 PM, so that's very convenient for your 3-day trip to Memphis!

See the Memphis Botanic Garden

After seeing the Stax Museum of American Soul Music you should go to the Memphis Botanic Garden!

The Memphis Botanic Garden is a great botanical garden with lots of beautiful plants. If you like plants, this is the most fun activity on this itinerary for 3 days in Memphis!

You can visit the botanical garden every day of the year!

What's great about this place in Memphis is that you can go here for a relaxing stroll through the gardens.

There are many gardens at the Memphis Botanic Garden. Each of these gardens focuses on a certain part of horticulture.

For example, at the Tennessee Bicentennial Iris Garden, you can see a lot of iris flowers from lots of places.

Another great garden at the Memphis Botanic Garden is the Rose Garden. Here you can see beautiful roses. There is a large variety of roses in the garden. In fact, there are 75 different ones!

Furthermore, the Herb Garden is a great garden to visit as well. Here you find hundreds of types of herbs!

Also, the Anne Heard Stokes Butterfly Garden is very special. Here you find a lot of plants that attract beautiful butterflies!

Go to Jerry's Sno Cones

After seeing the Memphis Botanic Garden, it's time to go to Jerry's Snow Cones!

Jerry's Snow Cones is a must-see when you're 3 days in Memphis. This is an amazing place where you can have delicious food.

What I love most about Jerry's Snow Cones, is its amazing history! It all started in 1920. Back then, this place was a Sinclair gas station.

People say that besides being a Sinclair gas station, Jerry's also made snow cones. These snow cones were very delicious. Children ate the snow cone when their parents visited the place for their car.

About 40 years later, the Sinclair gas station closed. But there were two people who opened a car wash and snow cone shack instead! These two people were a couple.

That was also the moment when the place got its name, Jerry's Snow Cones.

For a long time, it was a car wash that served snow cones too. People loved the snow cones and someday, a movie scene took place here!

From that moment, the place became more popular. Nowadays, you can have delicious snow cones at this place! I love the story of this place!

Furthermore, the place doesn't only serve snow cones. There's more! For example, there are delicious churros and brownies.

Another thing I love about Jerry's Snow Cones is how beautiful it looks. It's definitely one of the most colorful places in the city!

The building is pink, blue, and green. It looks so pretty! That's also one of the reasons why you should go here on your third day in Memphis.

Furthermore, you can sit outside while admiring the beautiful building. But you can also sit indoors if you prefer that.

I'm sure you will love Jerry's Snow Cones!

See the famous Sun Studio

Now it is time to go to one of the most famous places in the city of Memphis!

Sun Studio is a recording studio in the city that is a very famous place.

The studio claims to be the birthplace of rock & roll. That's because they recorded the first rock and rolls single here. At least, what people think is the first rock and roll single.

Besides that, Sun Studio was the studio where many famous artists started out.

For example, Elvis Presley recorded his first song here. Elvis recorded two singles here right after he graduated from high school.

Elvis said these singles were a gift for his mother and he only wanted to know what he sounded like. But there was a cheaper place to make recordings nearby, which makes it a questionable claim.

Another famous singer who started here is Johnny Cash, but there are many others.

What's great is that you can still visit Sun Studio when you are in Memphis. It is now a tourist attraction that many Elvis fans go to! And you should too when you are in Memphis for 3 days!

Stroll through Victorian Village

Victorian Village is an area in Downtown Memphis that is definitely worth visiting. When you are 3 days in Memphis, I recommend going to this place! It is the perfect place for a relaxing stroll while looking at the beautiful things you see.

At the Victorian Village, you can find a lot of Victorian-style houses. These houses are wonderful to see!

In the middle of the 19th century, when Memphis was growing, wealthy people built houses here to live in. These houses were large and in the Victorian Style. They built these houses in the outskirts of Memphis, but nowadays it is part of Downtown Memphis.

The building period of these houses was from 1846 to 1890. Moreover, there are a lot of different architectural styles here.

Many of the houses of this part of Memphis are not standing anymore. But you can still see some. Some of the mansions are now museums.

One of these is the Magevney House. This is one of the oldest homes in the city of Memphis, which is very interesting to see.

Another one of the best houses here is the Mallory-Neely House. This is a large mansion that looks a bit like a castle, which is amazing to see!

Dinner at Tamboli's Pasta & Pizza

The 3 days in Memphis are almost over. You had 3 amazing days with many activities. And today was a very busy day as well. So I'm sure you're in the mood for dinner!

If you follow this 3-day itinerary for Memphis, you'll have dinner at Tamboli's Pasta & Pizza.

One of the things I love the most about this restaurant is that they use local ingredients. They care a lot about supporting local farmers.

Furthermore, they want to be sure that you have the best food they can make. For that reason, they handcraft all ingredients in the food.

The food at Tamboli's Pasta & Pizza is incredible.

There are delicious starters. I'd especially recommend having the fresh-baked focaccia as a starter! It's with salt and rosemary.

Furthermore, the pizzas at Tamboli's Pasta & Pizza are amazing. If you love pizza, you should go have one here for sure.

Every pizza at Tamboli's Pasta & Pizza has a sauce that's made at the restaurant. It's very fresh which I love!

Furthermore, the pizzas you can choose from are great.

What's also amazing about this restaurant is that there's a vegan pizza with cheese too! This is a very delicious pizza and the vegan cheese tastes amazing. I'd recommend trying it!

Moreover, there are padella pizzas too.

Furthermore, the restaurant doesn't only serve pizzas, there are pasta dishes too! They serve fresh pasta which is very nice.

In short, this is an amazing place to have dinner on your last day in Memphis!

Getting Around in Memphis

Getting around in Memphis is easy to do and there are many ways to do so!

First of all, you can walk to many of the sights that I cover in this itinerary. There are lots of great places in Downtown Memphis, which makes it easy to walk to many of them.

But if you want to go to a further place in Memphis, you need another way to get around.

One of the best ways to get around in Memphis is by car. This is often the fastest way to go through Memphis.

With a car, you can go everywhere whenever you want. Moreover, you can stop at a place if you want to see it.

Renting a car can be a very convenient option. Or you could use your own car of course.

If you don't want to get around in Memphis by car, you can use the city's public transportation.

There is an extensive network of buses and trolleys. This is also a very easy way to see all the sights of this 3 days in Memphis itinerary!

Not only are the trolleys a great way to move around, but it is also a very fun activity. That's why you should do that when you are in Memphis, regardless of whether you have another means to travel.

Besides that, you could also get around Memphis by taxi. This is a convenient, but more expensive, way to see the sights of the city!

Save this post to Pinterest if you like it!

Blog comments (0)

Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published.

Visit A City is having some trouble loading.

Please try again in a couple of minutes or send us an email to [email protected] .

• Skip to right header navigation
• Skip to main content
• Skip to secondary navigation
• Skip to primary sidebar

Discover the best that Southern USA has to offer! Hidden gems, vibrant cities and more!

Weekend In Memphis: An Epic 2 Days In Memphis Itinerary

August 11, 2022 //  by  Southern Trippers

Are you trying to plan an epic weekend in Memphis, Tennessee? Then you’ve come to the right place! Memphis is one of the largest cities in Tennessee. You’ll find it in southwest Tennessee, along the Mississippi River. While Nashville Tennessee is the ‘Country Music City’, Memphis is known as the birthplace of Blues and Rock n’ Roll. Blues and Rock n’ Roll legends like Elvis Presley, BB King, and Johnny Cash have all recorded hit albums in Memphis. Elvis even lived in Memphis at his iconic Graceland estate.

While spending 2 days in Memphis may sound like not enough time to see everything, we promise it is. With our weekend guide to Memphis, you’ll be able to hit all the absolute must-see spots in the city. We’ve also made sure to include tips on getting to Memphis, how to travel around Memphis and our favorite suggestions for hotels and restaurants in Memphis !

By the time you’re done checking out our itinerary for Memphis and our bonus tips, you’ll be confident in planning your epic weekend in Memphis, TN. While Memphis is probably best known for its music history, we’ve made sure to include some other itinerary stops as well. You’ll see some historic sites, get to explore one of the coolest outdoor areas in the city, and more. So, let’s take a look at our tips and itinerary for your epic weekend in Memphis, TN!

Getting To Memphis

You’ll be happy to know that it’s very easy to get to Memphis. Memphis, like Nashville, is a major city. So, it has its own international airport. That means that you can easily get to Memphis from just about anywhere in the world. There are also tons of direct flights to the city if you’re flying from the US.

It’s also easy to get to Memphis if you choose to drive or take public transportation. Memphis is connected to several major highways. On top of that, there are bus depots and train stations that have stops right in the city. So, no matter how you prefer to travel, you’ll easily be able to get to Memphis.

Getting Around During Your Memphis Weekend Getaway

The best way to get around Memphis is with a car. Memphis is actually a bit spread out, so it’s not super walkable. However, if you’re only planning on staying and exploring Downtown Memphis, you might find it easier. Because of this, Memphis is a very driver-friendly city, and you’ll pretty easily be able to find parking. But keep in mind you may have to deal with your typical large city traffic.

If that’s not your thing, don’t worry. Memphis also has a pretty good public transit system. You can get around in the city on the city buses and trolleys. They also recently started a bike share program.

So, if you hate public transportation, but also don’t want to drive, renting a bike is a great option too! Another cool way to get around in the city is on the Memphis Hop-on Hop-off Bus . Memphis has tons of options to make it easier to explore the city.

Book Your Bus Ticket Here: Getyourguide.com

The Ultimate 2 Day Weekend In Memphis Itinerary

Day 1: explore memphis tennesse’s music history.

On your first day of exploring Memphis on a weekend, we suggest visiting all of the major music history spots. You’ll start the day a little outside of the city, in Graceland, and make your way farther into the heart of Downtown Memphis throughout the day. You’ll definitely want a car or something similar to get around on this day.

But first, head for breakfast at one of our favorite Memphis Breakfast Spots!

Stop 1: Graceland

Your first stop when you’re spending a weekend in Memphis should obviously be Graceland. Graceland is the estate of Elvis Presley, and it’s probably the reason most people come to Memphis. Elvis was one of the biggest recording artists of all time. Even today, even 45 years after his death, he continues to sell platinum records and draw crowds to anything and everything ‘Elvis’.

Even if you aren’t a fan of Elvis, Graceland is super cool to explore. Most of the rooms have unique themes, like the Jungle Room or the Mirror Room. If you do love Elvis, the estate is also full of Elvis memorabilia, and unique artifacts. The estate also has extensive gardens and you can view Elvis’ collection of vintage cars. You’ll need to book entry ahead of time, but it’s totally worth it.

For a true VIP experience, if you have more days to explore Memphis, check out the full-day Memphis and VIP Graceland Tour .

Book Your Tour Here: Getyourguide.com

Stop 2: Stax Museum Of American Soul Music

The second stop we suggest for a fun 48 hours in Memphis is the Stax Museum of American Soul Music. While Memphis is best known for its Blues and Rock n’ Roll history, it also has a proud Soul music scene. The museum was started by Stax Records, which was a branch of Atlantic Records.

For those who may not know, Soul is a music genre that was started by Black people in America. It has its roots in Black gospel music, as well as Rhythm and Blues. It started to gain in popularity in the 1950s and 1960s. One of the most famous Soul musicians is Otis Redding, who signed on to Stax Records in 1962.

At the museum, you’ll learn all about the history of Soul music, as well as it’s present and future. As well as exhibits on the genre’s history, you’ll find other cool things to check out in the museum. They have interactive exhibits, a listening booth, and tons more. You’ll want to book your entrance beforehand and give yourself plenty of time to explore.

Stop 3: Sun Studio

From the Stax Museum, you’ll continue to your next destination as you learn about Memphis’ music history. Sun Studio is a short 5-minute drive from the Stax Museum. It’s also a stop on the Memphis Hop-on Hop-Off Bus Tour . The Sun Studio is known as the ‘Birthplace of Rock n’ Roll’. Inside, you’ll find the first microphone Elvis used when he was just 18, or the recording studio often used by BB King.

Along with the unique music history artifacts in the studio, it’s still a fully functional studio. The studio serves as a museum during the day, and at 7 pm, it is a working recording studio. You don’t have to be a famous musician to record in the studio, but it’s not cheap. Instead, bring a piece of Sun Studio home with you by getting something cool at the unique gift shop.

Stop 4: National Civil Rights Museum

As you start to wind down the day, you’ll be heading farther into Downtown Memphis. Your next stop is one of the most unique things to do in Memphis . It’s the National Civil Rights Museum, which is about a 30-minute walk away from Sun Studio.

You may think the National Civil Rights Museum is a weird stop for a day of learning about the city’s music history. However, Memphis’ Rock n’ Roll, Blues, and Soul music all have roots in Black music traditions. That contribution, along with so much else, is often overlooked.

So, while you’re learning about the history of Memphis’ music, it’s important to learn about the people who had such a large impact on it. A lot of music coming out of Memphis in the 1960s was heavily impacted by the city’s direct ties to the Civil Rights Movement.

In the National Civil Rights Museum, you’ll hear first-hand accounts of Black people fighting for equality during the Civil Rights Movement. It takes you through the entire history of the movement as well as its impact on the nation and the city of Memphis. Make sure to give yourself plenty of time to explore this Memphis museum.

Stop 5: Memphis Music Hall Of Fame

Just a 10-minute walk away, you’ll find your next fun thing to do in Memphis in a weekend. The Memphis Music Hall of Fame is another great place to learn more about the city’s music scene. Every artist featured in this museum was born and raised in Memphis. The museum honors its achievements in the music industry. It’s been open since 2012 and every year the museum hosts a concert and induction ceremony.

You’ll find a large variety of inductees within the museum. Inductees include Aretha Franklin, Justin Timberlake, Johnny Cash, Al Green, ZZ Top, and the Three 6 Mafia. The music genres of the inductees span from Soul, Blues, Jazz, Rock n’ Roll, Pop, Rap, and Hip Hop. Along with the exhibits about the inductees, you’ll get to see some never before seen memorabilia, artifacts, and video interviews. It’s a really cool thing to do if it’s your first time in Memphis.

Book Your Entry Ticket Here: Getyourguide.com

Stop 6: Beale Street

The last stop on the first day of your 2 days in Memphis trip is Beale Street. Not only is Beale Street full of music history, but it’s also one of the most interesting Black history sites in the south . That’s because this historic district was built by Memphis’ Black community after the Civil War. If you only have enough time to see Memphis in a weekend, then you have to have a trip to Beale Street on your itinerary for Memphis.

Along Beale Street, you’ll find the rich culture and home of the Blues. The Blues is a music genre with strong roots in the Black community of Memphis. It evolved from the slave hymns the Black people of Memphis would sing as they worked on building Beale Street. The street is full of unique music venues, bars, and restaurants. You can book a walking tour of the street, or just meander on your own. There’s no wrong way to do it!

Book Your Tour Here: Getyourgu i de.com

Day 2: Uniquely Memphis

The first day of your weekend getaway in Memphis was spent exploring the rich cultural and music history of the city. On your second day, we suggest seeing some of the more unique things to do in Memphis. You’ll want to put on your walking shoes because this day in your itinerary for Memphis is completely walkable if you want.

Stop 1: South Main Arts District

Start the second day of your Memphis weekend trip in the South Main Arts District. The South Main Arts District is a super popular area in Memphis to explore. Not only is it a beautiful spot within the city, but it’s also a pretty famous filming location. You’ll see the district in movies like Walk the Line and Elizabethtown !

While you’re there, you’ll find tons of fun things to do in Memphis ‘ famous arts district. We suggest hopping on the trolley for a ride, exploring the boutiques, and taking an Instagram-worthy shot at any one of the murals. You’ll also find some great restaurants and cafes. So it’s a great place to start the last of your 2 days in Memphis. Grab a cup of coffee, and a pastry, and just explore!

Stop 2: Orpheum Theater

After you’re done exploring the South Main Arts District, head to the Orpheum Theater. You can walk from the South Main Arts District, or grab a ride on the Hop-On Hop-Off Bus . However you decide to get there, it’s a must-see attraction if it’s your first time in Memphis. The Orpheum Theater is one of the longest-running theaters in the US. They even still put on shows!

You can see anything from live Jazz bands, Broadway shows, or even ballets. The Orpheum Theater is an iconic thing to do in Memphis on a weekend since that’s when most of the shows take place. Even if you can’t make it to a show, we suggest stopping by to see the famous sign lit up at night. The theater is even said to be haunted by a young girl from the 1920s. So if you get to see a show, look out for this friendly ghost while you’re there.

Stop 3: The Peabody Hotel Memphis

The Peabody Hotel Memphis is a famous hotel that is just a short 7-minute walk away from The Orpheum Theater. Or take the short bus ride . Not only is it one of the best hotels in the south, but it’s also just really cool to explore. You can of course choose to stay here during your 48 hours in Memphis. But it is pricey. However, you don’t have to be staying in the hotel to see its main attraction.

In the Peabody Hotel Memphis, you’ll find the most famous waterfowl in Memphis. Maybe even in Tennessee. Yes, you read that right. The lobby of the Peabody Hotel Memphis features a huge fountain that is full of live ducks.

Twice a day, at 11 am and 5 pm, the ducks waddle down to the lobby and hang out in the massive fountain. They live the life of celebrities, and people from all over come to the hotel to take pictures of the famous ducks and the massive fountain. It’s a little odd, but this unique thing to do in Memphis is worth a stop.

Stop 4: The Memphis Pyramid

After seeing the celebrity ducks at the Peabody Hotel Memphis, walk about 20 minutes to the Memphis Pyramid. Believe it or not, the Memphis Pyramid is the 7th largest pyramid in the world. You may be asking yourself why there is a huge pyramid in Memphis at all. It actually started out as a concert venue.

However, today, it’s a huge tourist destination and mall. It’s absolutely massive, and if you love to shop you could easily spend all day here. For our weekend guide to Memphis, you don’t necessarily have the time for that. But we still suggest stopping by just to see it and maybe browse a store or two. It’s also a stop on the Hop-On Hop-Off bus.

Get Your Bus Ticket Here: Getyourguide.com

Stop 5: Slave Haven Underground Railroad Museum

Less than a 20-minute walk away, you’ll find the Slave Haven Underground Railroad Museum. The museum is part of historic Memphis, which you can take a walking tour of with a trained guide . During this Memphis weekend getaway, you’ll have already learned about the city’s role in Black history in the US. The Slave Haven Underground Railroad Museum is another piece of that history.

The museum is in an estate that is filled with secret passageways, trapdoors, and hiding spots. It is believed that these were all used to hide enslaved people looking to escape the south. The museum is full of artifacts, stories, and other items relating to the terrible history of the slave trade in the US and the Underground Railroad. It’s a great Memphis itinerary stop to learn more about Memphis’ Black history.

Book Your Walking Tour Here: Getyourguide.com

Stop 6: Mud Island River Park

Your last stop during your weekend getaway in Memphis is the Mud Island, River Park. The Mud Island River Park is a 35-minute walk away from the Slave Haven Underground Railroad Museum. If that’s a bit too long after spending the day on your feet, you can use a ride-share program or taxi to get there.

It’s a beautiful park with an excellent walking trail. As you walk along the trail, you’ll see informational markers. These have historic facts about the city and details about the Mississippi River. While you’re walking, you’ll get to see some beautiful views of Memphis. You can even rent a pedal boat and take a leisurely ride on the river. If you’re interested in exploring the river area more, there are also riverboat rides .

Book Your Riverboat Ride Here: Getyourguide.com

Where To Stay For A Weekend In Memphis

The guest house at graceland.

If you’re a lover of Elvis Presley, then you’ll want to consider staying at The Guest House at Graceland . The Guest House at Graceland is just a 5-minute walk from Presley’s iconic Memphis home. Although it sounds like one residence, the Guest House is actually a resort hotel. With 450 rooms, it’s pretty big too! Amenities include two onsite restaurants, a nighttime peanut butter and jelly bar, a theater, and an outdoor pool with a pool bar.

The rooms come with either two queen-sized beds or one king-sized bed. There are also more premium rooms that have courtyard views. For your standard room, with either bed option, you can expect to spend around $500 to $600 for two nights. So, while it’s a little bit more on the expensive side, it’s great if you want to stay right on the grounds of Graceland with resort amenities!

Check Rates Here: Booking.com

Hilton Garden Inn Memphis Downtown

For those who want to stay right in the heart of Downtown Memphis on a budget, the Hilton Garden Inn Memphis Downtown is a great choice. The Hilton Garden Inn Memphis Downtown is just 2,300 feet away from the Orpheum Theater. It’s a great home base for exploring Memphis in a weekend. This Memphis hotel is also just steps from popular Memphis attractions like Beale Street, the Memphis Rock n’ Soul Museum, and the famous Elvis statue.

They also offer a few different room options. You can get a standard room with either two queen-sized beds and one king-sized bed, or full suites. The suites are slightly bigger and come with a king-sized bed, a sitting area with a pull-out sofa, and views of the city. For a standard room for two nights, you can expect to spend between $300 to $400. That’s a pretty good deal to be right in the heart of Memphis!

Downtown Memphis Shellcrest Apartments

Experience a weekend in Memphis like a local when you stay at the Downtown Memphis Shellcrest Apartments . You’ll be just an 11-minute walk away from popular Memphis attractions like Sun Studio, Morris Park, and the Elvis statue. There are also a few restaurants nearby and within walking distance. The apartments are located on a quiet and pretty Memphis street.

At the Downtown Memphis Shellcrest Apartments, they have a few different layouts available. From two-bedroom apartments with garden views to cozy studio apartments. The building has a private garden with a patio that you can enjoy, free wifi, and air conditioning. All of the apartments come with hardwood floors, fully equipped kitchens, and a nice-sized bathroom with robes.

Some of the apartments also have dining areas or private balconies! On top of that, it’s also a great budget-friendly option. You can expect to spend between $200 to $300 for two nights in a two-bedroom apartment. It’s an amazing deal!

Where to Eat During Your 2 Days In Nashville

Corky’s ribs & bbq.

One of the best restaurants in Memphis is Corky’s Ribs & BBQ. Corky’s has been open for over 30 years and in that time has been voted the #1 BBQ Place in Memphis 22 times! That’s how you know they are experts at making delicious bbq dishes. They also have a large menu full of bbq classics as well as some more unique offerings. All of their menu items have a definite southern twist though.

Start your meal with their chocolate-covered bacon appetizer or the catfish nuggets. For your entree, you’ll find bbq staples like pulled pork and chicken sandwiches, racks of ribs, or smoked sausage. They also have sides like mac n cheese, hushpuppies, twice-baked potato salad, and baked beans. If you want classic southern bbq during your weekend getaway in Memphis, head to Corky’s.

If you’re taking a couples trip to Memphis, you may want a more romantic restaurant option. For that, we suggest Char. Char is the best place to enjoy live music paired with fine elegant dining. They serve brunch, lunch, dinner, and even have a happy hour. So you’ll have plenty of opportunities to enjoy the atmosphere and menu at Char. Depending on when you visit, you’ll find different menu options.

Their brunch menu includes dishes like crab eggs benedict, chicken biscuits, and custard-fried french toast. Enjoy all of that with a mimosa or bloody mary. For lunch, they offer dishes like shrimp and grits, oyster po’boys, and a grouper sandwich. Dinner is probably their most popular menu with items like pork chops with broccolini and cognac and green peppercorn gravy or the seafood carbonara. Char is definitely the place to eat if you are on a romantic couple’s trip to Memphis.

Boscos Restaurant And Brewing Company

If you decide to do a local brewery tour in Memphis , you may stop at Bosco’s. Boscos Restaurant and Brewing Company is Memphis’ only restaurant and brewery. So if you’re looking for a more unique thing to do in Memphis, this is definitely an option. They’ve been open since 1992 and they’re a popular restaurant in Memphis for locals and visitors.

Boscos’ menu is made to perfectly pair with their home brews, and it succeeds! They serve lunch and dinner daily and offer a weekend brunch. Their lunch and dinner menu includes dishes like crab and fried green tomatoes, wood oven planked salmon, eggplant manicotti, and more. They have plenty of menu options for vegetarians, which is also really nice. On tap, they typically have about six beers that are permanent and then a few seasonal offerings as well.

Book Your Brewery Tour Here: Getyourguide.com

We hope we’ve helped you figure out how to plan a trip to Memphis with our Memphis itinerary and tips! It’s a really unique southern city that is so fun to explore. Whether it’s your first time in Memphis or your tenth, there are always new things to do in Memphis in a weekend. If you’ve used any of our Memphis tips, we’d love to hear about your fun weekend trip to Memphis in the comments!

How to Spend Three Days in Memphis, Tennessee

Memphis is a vibrant city, culturally diverse and strongly linked to many historic events over the last century. Whether you are talking about the Civil Rights Movement, the iconic Elvis Presley or the rise of Memphis soul, the city has many an amazing tale to tell.

Like Nashville, Memphis is home to an immense amount of incredible live music. Avoiding the beautiful tunes is almost impossible and Beale Street is one of the best stretches of live music bars in the country.

With the help of our three days in Memphis itinerary, you will explore Memphis musical history, civil rights and sample some of the best eats in town.

Where to Stay in Memphis

Downtown Memphis is the place to base yourself during your travels. Not only will you be within walking distance of the famous Beale Street, many attractions on this itinerary will also be a short trek away. There are several mid-range hotels to suit most budgets, along with many vacation rentals in the downtown district.

A secondary option would be Midtown. Close to Overton Park, the Zoo, museums and laid-back nightlife, you can escape some of the tourist crowd by staying here. 

The Best Time of Year to Visit Memphis

While there is no bad time to go to Memphis, you can certainly increase your enjoyment and ability to get around the city by avoiding the winter months. However, without the tourist crowd, you will enjoy cheaper accommodation and less waiting time at popular attractions.

Spring and the fall are the best times of year to visit Memphis. In the spring, the trees come back to life and Beale Street kicks up a gear ahead of the summer months of festivals and fun. Fall sees crowds diminish, and with plenty of sun you will have the comfort, time and space to move around with ease.

In the summer, temperatures in the city can climb up into the 90s (32c) which can put some people off. However, many of the city’s festivals occur in June and July, along with even more concerts.

Day 1: Graceland, Ducks, and Beale Street

With the tunes of Paul Simon’s Graceland playing over the radio, begin your three days in Memphis at the city’s most iconic attraction, Graceland. The stunning mansion that was once the home of Elvis Presley. 

Graceland is split into two sections, the home itself which you can tour and the museum. Start with the home and explore the interior full of self-portraits and mirrors. It is an eccentric place, befitting of such a famous figure.

Afterwards, head over to the sprawling museum space that is dedicated to the life and times of Elvis. Discover jumpsuits, golden suits and other stage wear used by the great man across his sparkling career.

Other highlights include Elvis’ spectacular pink Cadillac, among other such cars at Presley Motors, and the Room of Inspiration. 

After an introduction to Elvis Presley, make your way over to the place in which he got his start, the Sun Studio. This studio discovered such revered artists as Johnny Cash and Jerry Lewis, along with Presley. The Sun Studio is still an operating recording studio to this day.

The best way to experience the studio that produced many classic hits and put Memphis on the map is to sign up for a walking tour . Your musically talented guide won’t just spill the beans on the studio’s illustrious history, but he or she will whip out a guitar for some chords or show their wares on the piano. You’ll hear all the tunes of yesteryear and feel a wonderful sense of connection to the place where these songs originally came to life.

Keep in mind that tours can’t be reserved in advance and are sold on a first come, first served basis.

As the wheels of the day turn the afternoon into evening, make your way to the Peabody Hotel. Twice a day, at 11am and 5pm, the famous grand march of the ducks takes place.

Now, these aren’t just any old ducks playing around in the fountain. They transition to and from nature at the hands of a professional caregiver. For three months, they live a life of duck luxury at the Chateau du Canard. Twice a day, they commute from their cozy home on the roof to the fountain guided by the resident Duck Master.

The position of Duck Master is a revered job and not one that just falls into your lap. The last Master came to work every day for half a century. As the ducks float in the fountain, they splash each other and say hello (in duck) to the adoring crowd. 

Once the parade is complete, the ducks waddle back to the elevator for the trip back to their home in the sky. 

As the dinner plate is taken away and you’re ready for a night out in Memphis, turn your attention to Beale Street. Memphis’ version of Nashville’s lower Broadway, Beale Street is home to endless bars playing soul, blues and country into the early hours.

When the sun falls and moon rises, Beale Street becomes pedestrian-only and open containers are allowed. The neon signs flash brightly against the old buildings that have been the bridge between obscurity and stardom. Like Bourbon Street and the Honky Tonk Highway, the action on Beale is just as entertaining as the bars themselves.

So if you aren’t enjoying the live tunes, you’ll be able to take in some top-notch people watching along the journey. Having said that, bars you have to check out during your Memphis adventure include the Blues Hall, an intimate live music venue, and the Rum Boogie Cafe. Both are connected and you can make the most of both with just a single cover charge.

Where to Eat

From the Sun Studio, you’ll have just a short walk to your lunch at Edge Alley. Serving new American fare, enjoyed refined southern comforts that add a healthy spin to your favorite dishes.

Once the ducks have safely returned to the elevator, head across to the Capriccio Grill inside the Peabody Hotel. Normally, hotel restaurants are at best ok, but Capriccio bucks the trend. From classic southern cuisine to modern takes on international dishes, this restaurant has you covered.

Day 2: The Zoo, Civil Rights, and Midtown

Begin day two in Memphis by waking up and stretching out in Overton Park, the largest park in town. Kick back with a coffee under the shade and watch the locals begin their day. Once you’re up and about, then you can take a few steps over to the zoo, one of the best things to do with kids in Memphis.

The Memphis Zoo is home to over 3500 animals, spanning more than 500 species. They all combine to make this one of the best zoos in the United States. Each exhibit does an exceptional job of replicating the animal’s natural habitat, creating a fascinating place to learn about each species.

Memphis Zoos’ top attraction is the panda exhibit. Only a handful of zoos in the country are home to giant pandas. Beyond the fluffy creatures, there is an expansive aquarium, one of the first parts of the zoo that opened along with the African Veldt, where zebras, elephants and ostriches roam.

After exploring the zoo, head towards downtown Memphis and the Lorraine Motel, the location of Martin Luther King Junior’s assassination. Now transformed into the National Civil Rights Museum, you will take a thorough trip through the major moments that shifted the Civil Rights Movement along with several lesser-known events that changed the course of history.

The power of the museum also stems from the tragic location. As you learn about Dr King’s death, you will stand where he stood. Before following the trail of information to try to understand how it all came to be.

The highly rated museum is jarring (as it should be) but educational covering everything from the Freedom Rides to sit-ins and the impact young people had on national civil rights. It will leave you with a greater understanding and appreciation of the movement and the impact it continues to have on the modern day.

From the National Civil Rights Museum, you will have a brief journey to your afternoon adventure on the Mississippi River. The Memphis Sightseeing Tour with Memphis Riverboats is a 90-minute journey down the biggest river in America. With live historical commentary, you will discover the history of the river, along with Memphis and the state of Tennessee.

The 10-mile round trip offers exceptional views of the city along with the landscape up and down the Mississippi River. With drinks and snacks on board, kick back on your classic paddleboat and enjoy the ride. 

As the sun sets on Memphis, there is no better place to capture the blazing sky than at Big River Crossing. At just under a mile (1.6km) from one side to the other, this crossing is the biggest bridge along the entire Mississippi River. Under the setting sun, cross from downtown Memphis to Arkansas and back, taking note of the state line marked on the bridge.

Watch the sun sink below the horizon, lighting up the river and return to downtown Memphis as the neon lights of Beale Street spring to life once more. 

Another night on Beale Street could very well be on the cards, and we won’t stop you. But if you are looking for something different, you can head a block over to South Front Street or towards Memphis’ Midtown. The Overton Entertainment District may not go as hard as Beale Street but you will find plenty of laid-back bars, live music at Lafayette’s while you can enjoy a late-night snack at Local’s Kitchen which does curbside pickups until 2am on the weekends.

If you want to see who’s playing when you are in Memphis, check the calendar on Memphis Travel .

Alternatively

For an afternoon out of Memphis, take a scenic one-hour drive to the Holly Springs National Forest. In a rustic, country landscape, explore lush pine and hardwood forests, with plenty of outdoor activities to embark on. Hiking trails abound, providing anything from a casual stroll to a leg-burning trek. As for anglers, there are several lakes to throw out your reel along with the rushing Tippah River. You can also get out on the water on a kayak or swim from the many beaches on a sunny day.

Instead of an afternoon river cruise, another option is to reserve a two-hour dinner cruise on the gorgeous boat, complete with live entertainment. After your meal, grab a refreshing beverage and embark to the top deck, where you can cruise the Mississippi River under the night sky.

Start your morning well with a trip to Sunrise Breakfast, a Memphis institution. The southern comfort food is some of the best breakfast in town. The eclectic diner will keep your eyes entertained and may remind you of your grandma’s living room. Their large plates hit the spot and will have you powering through the adventures to come.

No trip to Memphis would be complete without sampling the goods at Central BBQ. Right across from the National Civil Rights Museum, you’ll see a line coming out the door. Once you’ve tried their mouthwatering ribs, it will all make sense. 

Before beginning your night on the town, have dinner at Bishop. This restaurant comes with wonderful craft cocktails and an extensive wine list. Pair that with their amazing seafood selection and vegetarian options. 

Day Three: Soul Music and Mud Island

Home to the famous Stax Records, the Stax Records Museum is the perfect place to begin your final day in Memphis. The recording studio played a massive role in creating the sounds of soul music during its heyday in the 1960s and 1970s. 

Stax was once home to such artists as Otis Redding, Isaac Hayes and Booker T. With soul music being so entwined with black culture, your visit to the Civil Rights Museum will also help you understand the history of the studio. Once a place where it was all about the tunes, as the Civil Rights Movement grew, racial tension within the studio came to a boiling point.

Emotion and lived experiences poured into the lyrics and as the landscape of blues changed, those that couldn’t keep up with the times shifted to other genres. The rise of soul music from an economic point of view came to a crashing end and Stax went bankrupt. 

Stax Museum may have a focus on the musical legends that recorded here, but the studio’s story is intrinsically linked to the events and times in which it lived. Tours of the museum will explore the multi-faceted home of Memphis soul. Stax remains a place of live music to this day and if you’re lucky, your experience will line up with a free live concert.

From the Stax Museum, soak up the nature of Memphis by making your way to Mud Island. What was once literally a mud island has come on in leaps and bounds to feature parks, recreational activities and gorgeous downtown views.

One of the top attractions is the Memphis sign, which is sure to make for the perfect picture to commemorate your travels. 

Rather than the Stax Museum, another great alternative is the Rock ‘n Soul Museum. This museum was set up by the Smithsonian Institute, telling the story of music in Memphis, from humble beginnings to the current day.

In a city shaped by the tunes of six-string guitars and the hauntingly beautiful voices of Memphis blues and soul, discover the world of early Memphis musicians who had to overcome enormous obstacles to show their talents to the world. Along the way, it will become clear how these efforts also affected culture near and far. Click here to buy your tickets online and in advance — entry is $11 per person.

For your morning meal on day 3, venture to the Arcade restaurant. This local eatery is the oldest in Memphis and has been welcoming guests since the year 1919. Not much has changed here. Their sweet potato pancakes are still a local favorite and the storefront is as instagrammable as ever.

Before crossing the river to Mud Island, dine out at Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken. In a throwback brick building, the exterior may leave a lot to be desired, but that’s because they are too busy perfecting their fried chicken recipes. It isn’t a simple takeout restaurant either, as they make each piece to order, coming out crunchy, juicy and delightfully spicy.

Final Thoughts 

It is hard not to think that Memphis is underrated. It may be overshadowed by Nashville by some or out of the picture for others, yet it is a wonderful excuse for an exciting three-day vacation.

Memphis is a walkable town, and easy to get around. Many of the attractions and activities in this itinerary are within walking distance of each other. You can forego renting a car and jump on an e-bike whenever you need to switch things up.

There is an endless list of amazing restaurants, museums that will make you think, and of course, the home of the one and only Elvis Presley. 

Lauren Juliff

Lauren Juliff is a published author and travel expert who founded Never Ending Footsteps in 2011. She has spent over 12 years travelling the world, sharing in-depth advice from more than 100 countries across six continents. Lauren's travel advice has been featured in publications like the BBC, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Cosmopolitan, and her work is read by 200,000 readers each month. Her travel memoir can be found in bookstores across the planet.

Related Posts

How to Spend One Week in Mauritius: An Itinerary for First-Time Visitors

How to Spend Two Weeks in Belize: An Itinerary for First-time Visitors

21 Thrilling Things to Do in Tennessee

How to Spend Three Magnificent Days in Tbilisi, Georgia: A 2023 Itinerary

How to Spend Three Perfect Days in Delhi: An In-Depth Itinerary

How to Spend Three Magical Days in Cusco, Peru: A 2023 Itinerary

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

One Day in Memphis Itinerary – How to Spend a Perfect Day in Memphis, Tennessee

Ah, Memphis – the biggest city on the mighty Mississippi. This may not be the city you think of first when you think of a vacation in the United States, but you would be doing yourself a great disservice if you were to miss out on a chance to visit it. The place is indeed very fascinating, with very special significance for the African-American community. It is also a great example of Southern charm and hospitality, but it also has a rich history and loads of culture you can explore, so you really don’t have to worry about what to see when here. Because of all that and so much more, rest assured your one day in Memphis will be fantastic.

Plan your trip to Memphis

1. What’s the best time to visit Memphis? 2. A few facts about Memphis 3. One Day in Memphis Itinerary 3.1. Start your day with Elvis… 3.2. … and then just continue with Elvis 3.3. Stop for lunch 3.4. Learn about the Civil Rights Movement 3.5. Hang out with Peabody Ducks 3.6. Visit the Rock and Soul Museum 3.7. Spend the evening on Beale Street 4. Where to stay in Memphis? 5. Day trips from Memphis 6. Extra tips for visiting Memphis

What’s the best time to visit Memphis?

The best time to visit Memphis in one day, at least as far as the weather is concerned, would be autumn . Summers are hot and quite humid, but if you don’t mind that, this season is also a good choice. Spring brings about powerful storms, and winters are relatively mild, but still not exactly what you would call ideal weather. October would be the closest to that, as September can still be quite hot, and November usually sees an increase in rain.

Festivals and events abound in Memphis, and there are plenty of things to do and see all through the year. Elvis Week is in August, for example, and Memphis Soul Music Festival is a must if you’re here in June. Apart from that, though, there are many festivals dedicated to music (jazz and street music) and all kinds of food, so you really shouldn’t be bored, no matter when you come.

A few facts about Memphis

As mentioned in the introduction, Memphis is the largest city on the Mississippi River , but it is not the biggest one in the state of Tennessee – that title belongs to Nashville. Nevertheless, it was one of the most important cities in the South before the Civil War.

Officially, Memphis was founded on May 22, 1819, although the area had been explored by the Spanish, the French and the English from the 16th century. The city is also the place where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was murdered in 1968.

But most importantly, Memphis is a city of music . Apart from its own Memphis blues, the musical tradition here encompasses rock’n’roll, soul, country, jazz and many other styles. Iconic musicians like Elvis Presley, B.B. King, Johnny Cash, and Aretha Franklin, just to mention a few, are all in some way connected to the city. So read on and learn what to see in Memphis if you want to find out all about its musical heritage.

One Day in Memphis Itinerary

Follow this guide and make the most of your trip even if you’re short on time. These are the top sights and things to do during your one day in Memphis. And in case you aren’t keen on walking, the discovery bus tour will help you see the best of Memphis.

Start your day with Elvis…

A trip to Graceland is almost obligatory when you come to visit Memphis, even if for just one day, and since the mansion is not exactly in the city centre, it may be best to come and visit in in the morning, while you’re still fresh. Also, you could beat the crowds that way. The home of Elvis Presley is now a fascinating museum, with absolutely everything from the King’s life. You can even tour his custom jets! No Elvis fan should miss this, but even if you’re not a music fan, this is very much worth a visit.

… and then just continue with Elvis

The relationship between Memphis and Elvis goes much deeper than just one museum, though. Once you’re done with Graceland, head to Sun Studio , the place where Elvis recorded his first song. However, this place is much more than the King’s recording studio – many consider it to be the birthplace of rock ‘n’ roll . Greats like Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison, B.B. King and many others also recorded here, so the cultural impact this place has had on the US and the world, in general, is huge.

Stop for lunch

After all that rock ‘n’ roll, you’ll probably be getting hungry. What to do for lunch? Fortunately, downtown Memphis has quite a few great places to eat, and it’s also a great place from which to continue this one day itinerary. Head to Gus’s World Famous Chicken for some spectacular fried bird and to see why people around here simply adore this kind of food.

If you’re looking for something more elegant, Flight Restaurant and Wine Bar is a great choice – lovely interior and exquisite food guarantee a memorable meal. The Majestic Grille is also a great choice, especially if you’re a meat lover.

Learn about the Civil Rights Movement

If you went to one of the aforementioned places for lunch, you’ll be close to the next item on this one-day Memphis itinerary. The National Civil Rights Museum stands at the place where the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. took place. It is an incredible and very moving museum which will tell you all about the civil rights movement and show you less known stories of the people who participated. Dr. King’s room can also be seen, and the famous Greyhound bus is also displayed. An enlightening experience, especially for kids if you have them along.

Hang out with Peabody Ducks

At 5 pm, you should be just in time to check out the famous Peabody Ducks on their way back to their home at the top of the magnificent Peabody Hotel .

This is a big tradition and the best choice if you’re wondering what to see in Memphis for free because you don’t have to pay anything to watch the duck elegantly march to the sound of music. It’s also another great thing to do with kids in the city, but keep in mind that it can get crowded here, so you may want to come a bit early.

Visit the Rock and Soul Museum

Memphis Rock and Soul Museum is another place where you can see exactly how much music means to this city. Not only that, but the place was set up by the Smithsonian, which can tell you a whole lot about the quality you get inside. One of the best features of the museum is that you can listen to old jukeboxes and sing and dance along. Loads of fun! You can stroll through the museum at your own pace, just be aware that they close at 7 pm.

Spend the evening on Beale Street

After a whole day of museums and sightseeing, it’s time to relax. Beale Street is the perfect place for that because not only is it close to downtown Memphis but it also has loads of bars, clubs and restaurants you can visit.

The street is also known as the home of the blues , and you will be able to enjoy a lot of great live music here.

What to do here? Well, as far as the places you can go to are concerned, B.B. King’s Blues Club is pretty much a must when you’re around. Absinthe Room is a very nice and cozy place to stop for a drink, with great atmosphere and a great view of the street below, and Club 152 is the best place if you’re planning to dance the night away. But if you look around Beale Street a bit, you are sure to find plenty of other interesting places.

Where to stay in Memphis?

River Inn of the Harbour Town

50 Harbor Town Square, Memphis, TN 38103

For the ultimate luxury in the city of Memphis, book a room in River Inn of the Harbour Town . This five-star boutique beauty has three restaurants and will welcome you with champagne when you come. The rooms are amazing, with warm colors and loads of classy wooden elements giving them that elegant vibe, and the hotel overlooks the Mississippi. Ideal!

BOOK A ROOM HERE

The Guest House at Graceland

3600 Elvis Presley Boulevard, Memphis, TN 38116

Not only will you be just five minutes away from Presley’s mansion if you book a room at The Guest House at Graceland , but you will also have access to two great restaurants and a fantastic outdoor pool. The area around the hotel is absolutely beautiful, full of greenery and ideal for a walk, and the rooms boast modern design and can offer you loads of space. You can’t go wrong with this hotel.

La Quinta by Wyndham Memphis Downtown

310 Union Avenue, Memphis, 38103

With La Quinta by Wyndham , you will get your money’s worth, that’s for sure. Indoor pool, free coffee, free airport shuttle… those are just some of the services they offer. The hotel looks awesome from the outside, is fairly close to the city centre and has extremely nice and capable staff. The interior is great, the rooms are nice and comfortable, so you can rest assured you will enjoy your stay here.

Comfort Inn Memphis Downtown

100 North Front Street, Memphis, TN 38103

They will take good care of you at Comfort Inn Memphis Downtown , no doubt about that. Free newspapers, free shuttle, free breakfast, free local calls… But there’s also a great rooftop pool, plus the hotel is located right on the trolley line and is very well connected to all the main attractions in the city. The rooms are very comfortable and fairly big, with high-speed internet, and the staff is always at your service. Absolutely no complaints!

Day trips from Memphis

But maybe you’re not spending just one day in Memphis, maybe you’re spending more. In that case, you will definitely want to explore the great state of Tennessee on one of the great day trips from the city. But where to go? Consider these destinations!

Elvis Presley’s childhood home

For the King’s fans, this is an absolute must. You will head out to the town of Tupelo to see Elvis’ home, but you will learn so much more about him. Apart from the Elvis Museum , you will see his schools, museums dedicated to him and even the place where his mother purchased his first guitar and the church he went to! If you’re at all interested in this remarkable man, this tour will be a fantastic day out.

Mississippi Delta

Another day trip from Memphis for music fans. This one will take you to several fascinating museums, and you will learn all there is to know about the development of the blues genre. Apart from the B.B. King Museum , you can also visit the Grammy Museum and the Delta Blues Museum, as well as some other places important for music around here. Not to mention that the landscape will be beautiful too, since this is an incredibly rich and fertile land.

It takes about three hours to get from Memphis to Nashville by car (just take the I40 all the way), so you may want to get an earlier start if you want to explore the state capital properly. But spending one day in Nashville is very much worth it because the city is brimming with things to see and places to visit, suffice to say that this is Athens of the South. However, music plays a huge role in this city’s life too, so you can be sure you’ll never be bored here.

No, not the British university city, although this place was named after it. The US town of Oxford is located about one hour south of Memphis and a day trip to this place will take you across the state border into the state of Mississippi. This Oxford is also a university town, and William Faulkner , the famous writer, used to live and create here. It is a lovely and fairly peaceful place where you can relax and spend a lovely day out.

Extra tips for visiting Memphis

– Trolleys are a lovely way to explore the downtown area. They are quite beautiful and not very expensive, so you really should get on at least once.

– Hotel prices surge during summer. You can get a much better deal (not to mention that the weather is much more bearable) if you come and visit Memphis in autumn.

– If you’re a music fan, go for the Backstage Pass. It’s a ticket that allows you to visit Graceland , Sun Studio , Stax Museum and the Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum for 20% lower price.

Pin for later!

If you have any other propositions for this One Day in Memphis Itinerary, feel free to share it in the comments below!

Make sure you have everything you need

What to pack for your next trip.

Make your next trip as simple and as enjoyable as possible by packing smart. It’s amazing how much stress top travel items can save you, so choose carefully. Things like lightweight travel backpacks, for example, are ideal for short trips and allow you to move around with ease, and a passport holder will make sure you keep your documents safe at all times. Check our travel checklist guide for 2021 to make sure you haven’t missed anything, and travel to your next destination in style and with maximum comfort.

Related posts:

Anca is a travel writer and the founder of One Day Itinerary - the biggest collection of travel itineraries for those who are time-limited or just want to maximize their time while traveling. Although she easily becomes homesick for Croatia, she thinks travel is essential to her happiness. She has traveled to more countries than she is years old and doesn’t plan on changing that fact. In her travel guides she aims to inspire people to travel whenever they have a spare day (or two).

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Notify me of follow-up comments by email.

Notify me of new posts by email.

Destinations

A long weekend guide to memphis, tennessee - 4 day itinerary.

ALL PHOTOS TAKEN BY JASMINE OLIVER

Let me be completely honest with you... Memphis BLEW ME AWAY. 

You probably know Memphis as being the home of Blues, Soul & Rock N Roll, Elvis & some dang good BBQ. But I bet you didn’t know that it’s also home to a vibrant art scene, swanky rooftop bars and the wildest sno cone shop I’ve ever seen.

Don’t worry if this is all news to you...cause I was in the same boat.

I’ve visited Memphis a few times over the years and barely scratched the surface of what this town has to offer its visitors. Let me be straight with you, I mostly just hung out on Beale Street and the rest is just a blur. And while Beale Street is a blast, I’d encourage you to dig deeper on your next (or first) trip to this dynamic destination.

In this guide, you’ll find my perfect 4-day itinerary for your next long weekend trip to Memphis. In true Alle Abroad style, it will be a mix of classic attractions, local favs and of course a bit of boujee cause...it’s me.

If you’re looking for a quick overview of my top 16 favorite things to do in Memphis check out my video below! (And then scroll down for all the deets & links to each of the stops on my list)

A NOTE ON SAFETY:

At the time of me visiting Memphis, the CDC had just announced it was rolling back its mask guidance for vaccinated Americans. I have to be honest I was a bit unsure of what things would be like after that announcement. But I’m really pleased to say that all of the businesses, restaurants & the hotel we stayed at were taking precautions to ensure our safety. Most of the places we visited still were requiring masks and I never felt uncomfortable or too jam-packed anywhere we went. ** I am fully vaccinated.

Because of the rapidly changing nature of this pandemic, click here for the most current COVID guidelines & updates from the Memphis Travel website.

SOME MEMPHIS HISTORY & FUN FACTS

This soulful city is steeped in history and dripping in culture. When it comes to music there is absolutely no place like Memphis. It’s a city that gets to lay claim to the likes of Elvis Presley - B.B. King and Justin Timberlake and if you ask anyone they’ll tell you - American music history was made in Memphis.

This southern city was also at the heart of the Civil Rights Movement and that history is etched into the fabric of this town and honored to this day.

Fun facts (provided by Memphis Travel ):

The name Memphis means Established and Beautiful.

Close to 20 percent of the earliest inductees (24 of the 97) in the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame have come from within a 100-mile radius of Memphis.

Volney, the lion who roared at the beginning of all the old MGM movies, lived at the Memphis Zoo until his death in 1944.

Memphis is mentioned in more songs than any other city in the world - more than 400 according to Billboard Magazine.

Memphis has one of the largest artesian well systems in the world. This aquifer contains more than 100 trillion gallons of water that fell to the earth as long as 2,000 years ago. It first became available to the city in 1887.

You'll find Memphis in the southwest corner of Tennessee along the shores of the Mississippi River bordering Arkansas and Mississippi. From Chicago, the flight is just under 2 hours or if you’re road trippin it’s about an 8-hour drive.

WHERE TO STAY IN MEMPHIS

You HAVE to stay at The Memphian Hotel in the heart of Midtown’s Overton Square. This newly opened (2021) Marriott Tribute Portfolio property is one of the most vibrant and funky hotels I’ve ever stayed at. It perfectly blends the unconventional vibe of the theater district (where it’s located) with quintessential Southern hospitality.

From the moment you walk through the front doors you’re greeted by bright neon colors - funky artwork and the sense that surprises are around every corner. The rooms are painted in this calming pastel pink & the bathroom vanity set up is PERFECT for getting glam.

I couldn’t think of a better place to make your home base during your stay in Memphis. 

Practical info:

Complicated Pilgrim serves breakfast daily, lunch and dinner. Make sure to check out the artwork in the dining area past the bar (my jaw hit the floor when I saw it)

Tiger & Peacock is their rooftop lounge which sadly wasn’t open when we visited so I can’t show you any photos but it will be opening early June 2021 and I’ve heard the vibes are out of this world.

There’s a parking lot out back (I’d highly recommend renting a car for your trip)

A gym for anyone looking to stay fit

Plus any place we visited on this trip was no more than a 15 min drive away

4 DAY MEMPHIS ITINERARY

This 4-day itinerary was created by my lovely partners at Memphis Travel and really gave me a well-rounded understanding of all that the city has to offer. Feel free to pick and choose what speaks to you, and for even MORE recommendations on what to do in Memphis - click here.

BRUNCH / LUNCH AT BEAUTY SHOP

Located in the heart of the Cooper-Young Entertainment District, this former 1940s style beauty salon traded in hair dye for hot plates full of American classics with a bit of a twist. And while you won’t find any hairdressers inside today, well unless they’re eating, you’ll still see elements of its former days like the salon-style chairs you sit in while you enjoy your meal.

My order: Corn fritters to start, the Farmers Market Warm Salad (SO yum) & a glass of Rose because it’s vacay

Fun fact: before this was a restaurant, this was the place where Priscilla Presley used to come to have her hair done!

TOUR GRACELAND

Even if you’re not a die-hard Elvis fan (me) a visit to Graceland is in my opinion an essential part of the quintessential Memphis experience.

The list of ways you can soak up all things Elvis at the Graceland compound can honestly be a bit overwhelming, but I recommend starting off your journey with a visit to the Graceland Mansion where Elvis lived from 1957 to his death in 1977. 

I love anything that’s colorful and kitschy and this beautiful home is bursting at the seams with both. You’re given an audio guide that takes you on a tour of the 1st floor, basement, carport & backyard before moving along to this museum where you’ll find all sorts of Elvis memorabilia.

And if you want to take your visit over the top, you gotta check out Graceland’s ten all-new interactive experiences. These new virtual reality experiences will give you the chance to dress like Elvis, see yourself on an Elvis album cover or drive the Graceland grounds in a golf cart just like Elvis. To check out all the different experiences & where to find them - click here!

GRAB DINNER AT A LOCAL’S FAV: CENTRAL BBQ (**The Midtown location)

Central BBQ is consistently named one of the best places for BBQ in Memphis and it’s also where the locals come, which says a lot because Memphians know a thing or two about what makes good BBQ

Central BBQ says their secret to success is that “smoke is their sauce” and what that means is there is no sauce in their pit. Instead, they use a combo of hickory and pecan wood, combined with their secret combo of dry rub spices mixed with a lot of patience to create the most tender piece of meat you’ve ever tasted…

My order: Pulled pork sandwich (with coleslaw on it) & mac and cheese (apparently its a vegetable down here haha)

ROUND OUT THE EVENING WITH COCKTAILS AT HEN HOUSE WINE BAR

If you love novelty cocktails (that actually taste good), fantastic food & an atmosphere worthy of your Instagram feed, there’s no better place to end your first night in Memphis than Hen House.

Plus, if you’re looking for a spot with the hottest bartenders in Memphis...trust me...this is it.

My order: The Bamm-Bamm & Pebbles cocktail which is literally made with fruity pebbles soaked gin (TRUST ME IT’S SO GOOD) and/or Pardon my French.

DAY 2 

GRAB BREAKFAST AT COMPLICATED PILGRIM

By far one of the most colorful & cool spots we had breakfast on this trip - I immediately asked who the artist was who did the paintings and gallery wall in the restaurant because I need to recreate this entire wall at home.

Aside from the eye-catching art, this all-day eatery inside The Memphian Hotel doubles as a quick-serve coffee shop for those on the go or a bar restaurant for those looking to kick back and relax.

My order: cold brew & avocado toast (I think there’s manchego & ricotta cheese on there too which was a unique spin!)

TOUR THE LEGENDARY SUN STUDIO

Often referred to as the birthplace of Rock’n roll, Sun Studio is the discovery location of musical legends like B.B. King, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash and Jerry Lee Lewis.

Once inside, you’ll find all sorts of cool memorabilia, learn about the story of Memphis’s music history and culture and even catch some outtakes from recording sessions.

The studio is open every day and offers 45 minute guided tours every hour. Or if your vocal cords are up to snuff, you can book a recording session once the studio closes down.

HEADS UP: Tickets are available on a first-come-first-serve basis and Sun Studio is open 7 days a week. Click here to check tour times and ticket prices.

TAKE A QUICK WALK DOWN TO EDGE MOTOR MUSEUM

Even the most casual classic car fan will marvel at the cars inside Edge Motor Museum. Visiting their American Speed exhibit takes you back in time as you learn more about the evolution of the American sports car from post-war to ‘74.

It was so cool to see how American culture has really evolved alongside the vehicles we rely on to get us from one point to another. Plus I love that there are these interactive screens that showcase the old school ads that were used to market these cars. 

Tours are self-guided but there are knowledgeable docents there to answer any questions you might have!

GRAB LUNCH AT EDGE ALLEY

This spot really covers all the bases: breakfast, lunch, brunch, happy hour and dinner and you really can’t go wrong with any option. You’ll find this bistro in the heart of the Edge District just steps away from Edge Motor Museum which makes it the perfect spot to grab lunch after you're done with your tours.

The menu is manageable and features tons of unique and yummy options but what really sets this spot apart from the rest is the attention to detail on every plate.

My order: The Thai Chicken Salad & Jasmine tea

BONUS TIP: Make sure to pop over to the “With Love From Memphis” Mural

Location: 627 Monroe Avenue

ADMIRE THE HISTORIC HOMES IN THE VICTORIAN VILLAGE 

You’ll feel as if you’ve stepped back in time as you stroll through what was once referred to as Memphis's Millionaires Row. Head over to Adams Avenue and that’s where you’ll find this row of these mega historic mansions, one more beautiful than the next.

You can take a tour or wander aimlessly, but just a heads up a common side effect of visiting this neighborhood is major home envy.

Click here to learn more about how you can tour the homes & the ones you won’t want to miss.

SHOP MY MEMPHIS LOOKS

MANY OF MY OUTFITS ARE RENTED FROM RENT THE RUNWAY . USE CODE RTRALLEP FOR 40% OFF TWO MONTHS OF THEIR 8 OR 16 ITEM PLANS.

SIP AFTERNOON TEA AT 17 BERKSHIRE

If you’re staying at The Memphian this spot is just steps away from the hotel in Overton Square. 

Inside you’ll find colorful cakes, macaroons as light as air and tea served in some of the most dainty delicate china I have ever seen. This will feel like a full-on Parisian moment in the heart of Memphis.  

I wanted to include this on my list to show you that Memphis isn’t just about Blues and BBQ, it’s got bits of boujee too.

START YOUR NIGHT OFF WITH A STROLL ALONG THE INFAMOUS BEALE STREET

Honestly, a visit to Memphis isn’t complete without a visit to Beale Street (in my opinion). Beale Street has been named “America’s Most Iconic Street” and the “Official Home of the Blues” - so you can understand why a visit is kind of essential.

Pop into some of the bars or grab a bite to eat depending on if you’re hungry after afternoon tea.

And if you’re visiting on a Wednesday night between April - September you can check out some crazy cool motorcycles for Bike Night on Beale.

CATCH A LIVE SHOW AT HERNANDO’S HIDE-A-WAY

We finished our second night in Memphis with a Country Drag Revue at Hernando’s Hideaway and I’m not kidding when I say this was probably one of my favorite things we did on this trip.

And you know that’s saying a lot because as someone who isn’t the biggest country music fan, I loved every second of this show. 

The live performances are constantly on rotation so to see what’s on deck during your visit to Memphis, be sure to check their website.

PS - if you skipped dinner on Beale Street, Hernando’s serves up your classic bar food, cocktails, beer and wine.

WALK ACROSS THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER

You can literally walk to Arkansas via the Big River Crossing which just so happens to be the longest pedestrian bridge across the Mississippi River.

Another option is to do this walk after the sun goes down so that you can see the nightly Mighty Lights show that takes place at the top and middle of every hour from sundown to 10:30 pm.

GRAB BREAKFAST AT HUSTLE & DOUGH

You’ll find this cool joint inside the Arrive Memphis and it’s really the perfect place for a quick and delicious meal before you set out on the rest of your adventures.

Their rotating list of fresh pastries is just the right amount of indulgent and their avocado toast is hands down one of the best avocado toasts I’ve ever had (I think the secret is jalapenos on it).

Plus their partnership with Vice and Virtue, a local Memphis artisan coffee roaster will hook you up with an incredible cup of coffee, something I literally cannot start my day without.

WALK AROUND SOUTH MAIN

Memphis is home to some really cool neighborhoods and South Main is the perfect place to wander around, pop into shops, & check out the murals in the area.

Click here to check out some of the best things to do in this neighborhood.

VISIT THE NATIONAL CIVIL RIGHTS MUSEUM

Located at the historic Lorraine Motel, the site where Civil Rights Leader Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in 1968, a visit to this museum is a profoundly powerful experience.

Inside you’ll be taken on a journey as you learn about the history of slavery in America, the foundations of the Civil Rights Movement, all the way to the current efforts in the fight for equality today.

Millions of people from around the world have come to learn about Civil Rights History and in my opinion, it’s an essential stop on any trip to Memphis. 

Heads up, the museum, rightfully so, is a very sobering and emotional experience. I would give yourself at least 2 hours to take it all in.

GRAB LUNCH AT THE LIQUOR STORE

The Liquor Store used to be, you guessed it, an abandoned liquor store that’s been turned into this funky fun diner/bar that serves up all-day breakfast, craft cocktails, and Latin-inspired dishes.

Not only is the food fantastic - but the tropical Miami vibes and colorful cocktails make for quite the killer Instagram shot.

My order: Biscuit Beignets, Paloma, and the Who’s Your Patty.

WALK OFF LUNCH IN THE BROAD AVENUE ARTS DISTRICT

This area used to be full of vacant storefronts, but has been reinvigorated and is now home to more than 70 local businesses, boutiques, art galleries and restaurants!

You have to check out: 

Grab a coffee at City & State

Shop at Falling Into Place

Get a cocktail at The Cove

For even more ideas on how to explore the area - click here

TRY A FAMOUS SNO CONE SUPREME AT JERRY’S SNO CONES

This colorful joint is a Memphis institution and while Jerry’s doesn’t claim to have invented the sno cone, they have however created the snowcone supreme which is essentially a sno cone with ice cream on top.

There are more than 70 flavors that really cover all your bases. Some of the other flavors that I wasn’t brave enough to try were fire, toxic waste, and one that’s literally called “legit”.

Jerry’s is open year-round and only accepts cash so don’t forget your dolla dolla bills y'all!

My order: A combo of Mango & Pink Lemonade

DRESS: FREE PEOPLE & HAT: LACK OF COLOR

HAVE DINNER & ENJOY SOME LIVE MUSIC AT RAILGARTEN

This old Midtown railyard has been transformed into this multipurpose hangout situated on one and a half acres and is home to a top-notch diner, bar, live music venue, shipping containers & plenty of places for you to kick back, relax and enjoy the best live music Memphis has to offer.

GRAB A COCKTAIL AT BECK & CALL

Come here for killer views of the Memphis skyline just steps off of Beale Street.

You’ll find Beck & Call at the top of the Hyatt Centric Beale Street. This unique rooftop bar has yummy bites and a great cocktail list and it’s kinda the hottest place to be in Memphis right now.

Hot tip: get there around sunset and check out the epic views of Mighty Lights once the sun sets. 

BREAKFAST AT BROTHER JUNIPER’S

The first Brother Juniper’s coffeehouse was opened in the 60s in San Francisco as an outreach effort to feed the needy. Soon more locations popped up across the country including this one in Memphis - which is actually the only location still open today.

The spirit of service continues today with a monthly charity spotlight that works with local organizations to help people in need.

Brother Juniper’s is known for its cinnamon roll pancakes so if you’re looking for something indulgent and honestly too fluffy for words to end your Memphis adventure, I’d order that.

REST OF THE DAY TO ROAM FREE BEFORE YOU HEAD HOME

Without a doubt, Memphis blew me away.

It’s a dynamic, diverse, unique destination worthy of a weekend trip or heck even a week - long adventure.

I felt like we did SO MUCH in these 4 days but I still left feeling like there was so much more to explore & I’m really excited to return to dive deeper into this destination.

If you’re looking for even more ways to explore Memphis that I might not have covered in this itinerary, be sure to head to the Memphis Travel website. They’ve got everything organized so nicely into different styles of travel & broken down into 3 and 4-day guides.

I really hope that this guide was helpful and if you have any questions on Memphis please feel free to shoot me a DM on IG!

HUGE THANK YOU TO MEMPHIS TRAVEL FOR PUTTING TOGETHER THE MOST ICONIC MEMPHIS TRIP & SPONSORING THIS ADVENTURE.

*** This trip was sponsored by Memphis Travel but please know that all opinions are my own. AKA I had a blast and I know you’re going to love this destination too!

Alle Abroad

My trustworthy travel tips will help you navigate your next vacay so you can fall in love with the world.

Hey friend, I’m Alle Pierce!

I’m an Emmy Award-winning host, luxury travel & lifestyle expert and the founder of Gals Abroad Getaways, where I curate bespoke trips for intimate groups of self-identifying, independent women.

• PALM SPRINGS
• THE CARIBBEAN

Join the Abroad in Your Inbox newsletter or my Gals Abroad Getaways email for early access to upcoming trips!

STALK ME ON INSTAGRAM @ALLEPIERCE

BINGE MY LATEST TRAVEL VIDEOS

Wondering what to do on your first trip to Rome? I got you covered! Watch this video for my top 10 favorite things to do in Rome.

TERMS & CONDITIONS

DESIGN BY GOLIVE | BRANDING BY CHLOE LEONARD

Navigate forward to interact with the calendar and select a date. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates.

Navigate backward to interact with the calendar and select a date. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates.

Memphis Trip Planner

Top attractions in memphis.

Other notable attractions

Top searches in Memphis

Popular road trips from memphis, all road trips from memphis.

• Memphis to New York City drive
• Memphis to Orlando drive
• Memphis to Nashville drive
• Memphis to New Orleans drive
• Memphis to Chicago drive
• Memphis to Washington DC drive
• Memphis to Las Vegas drive
• Memphis to Branson drive
• Memphis to Atlanta drive
• Memphis to Saint Louis drive
• Memphis to Gatlinburg drive
• Memphis to Toronto drive
• Memphis to San Antonio drive
• Memphis to Los Angeles drive
• Memphis to Savannah drive
• Memphis to Dallas drive
• Memphis to Boston drive
• Memphis to Louisville drive
• Memphis to Niagara Falls drive
• Memphis to Chattanooga drive
• Memphis to St. Augustine drive
• Memphis to Mexico City drive
• Memphis to Charleston drive
• Memphis to San Diego drive
• Memphis to Philadelphia drive
• Memphis to Houston drive
• Memphis to Montreal drive
• Memphis to Miami Beach drive
• Memphis to Little Rock drive
• Memphis to Hot Springs drive

Explore nearby places

• West Memphis
• Olive Branch
• Collierville
• Independence

All related maps of Memphis

• Map of Memphis
• Map of West Memphis
• Map of Marion
• Map of Southaven
• Map of Bartlett
• Map of Horn Lake
• Map of Germantown
• Map of Cordova
• Map of Millington
• Map of Olive Branch
• Map of Nesbit
• Map of Lakeland
• Map of Hernando
• Map of Collierville
• Map of Eads
• Map of Drummonds
• Map of Arlington
• Map of Atoka
• Map of Byhalia
• Map of Wilson
• Map of Tyronza
• Map of Parkin
• Map of Oakland
• Map of Dyess
• Map of Coldwater
• Map of Independence
• Map of Lepanto
• Map of Covington
• Map of Tunica
• Map of Senatobia
• Map of Moscow

Memphis throughout the year

• Memphis in January
• Memphis in February
• Memphis in March
• Memphis in April
• Memphis in May
• Memphis in June
• Memphis in July
• Memphis in August
• Memphis in September
• Memphis in October
• Memphis in November
• Memphis in December

Looking for day-by-day itineraries in Memphis?

Get inspired for your trip to Memphis with our curated itineraries that are jam-packed with popular attractions everyday! Check them out here:

• 1-Day Memphis Itinerary
• 2-Day Memphis Itinerary
• 3-Day Memphis Itinerary
• 4-Day Memphis Itinerary
• 5-Day Memphis Itinerary

Q&A about Memphis

Weather in memphis, add places from guides with 1 click, collaborate with friends in real time, import flight and hotel reservations, expense tracking and splitting, checklists for anything, get personalized suggestions.

4.9 on App Store, 4.7 on Google Play

• Route planner

The Top 5 Attractions around Memphis

Plan. Save. Navigate. Your best adventures await.

Start today with a free komoot account.

html.ReactModal__Html--open{overflow:hidden;}html.ReactModal__Html--open:not(.fullsize){scrollbar-gutter:stable;}html.ReactModal__Html--open.ReactModal__Html--panel #pageMountNode:before{content:'';position:fixed;width:100%;height:100%;} De Soto Monument

Road Cycling Highlight

De Soto National Memorial is a 6.84-acre national memorial to the explorers' landing site. Here visitors can find a living-history camp, exhibits, and beach trails. The historical 1539 landing of … read more

html.ReactModal__Html--open{overflow:hidden;}html.ReactModal__Html--open:not(.fullsize){scrollbar-gutter:stable;}html.ReactModal__Html--open.ReactModal__Html--panel #pageMountNode:before{content:'';position:fixed;width:100%;height:100%;} Old Main Street - Bradenton

Hiking Highlight

The city was first mentioned when Hernando de Sotos landed in 1539. The city was named after its first settler, Joseph Braden, a sugar planter who built a castle-like house … read more

Sign Up To Discover Places Like This

Get recommendations on the best single tracks, peaks, & plenty of other exciting outdoor places.

html.ReactModal__Html--open{overflow:hidden;}html.ReactModal__Html--open:not(.fullsize){scrollbar-gutter:stable;}html.ReactModal__Html--open.ReactModal__Html--panel #pageMountNode:before{content:'';position:fixed;width:100%;height:100%;} Emerson Point Preserve

Road Cycling Highlight ( Segment )

Emerson Point Preserve, on the west end of Snead Island, contains a variety of coastal Florida wildlife and their habitats. Explore the peninsula to find the historic remains of its … read more

html.ReactModal__Html--open{overflow:hidden;}html.ReactModal__Html--open:not(.fullsize){scrollbar-gutter:stable;}html.ReactModal__Html--open.ReactModal__Html--panel #pageMountNode:before{content:'';position:fixed;width:100%;height:100%;} Terra Ceia Bay

Terra Ceia Bay spans 3,868 acres and is a popular recreation destination. At one point, the bay had high mercury levels but is now recovering, yet still labeled a threatened … read more

html.ReactModal__Html--open{overflow:hidden;}html.ReactModal__Html--open:not(.fullsize){scrollbar-gutter:stable;}html.ReactModal__Html--open.ReactModal__Html--panel #pageMountNode:before{content:'';position:fixed;width:100%;height:100%;} Robinson Preserve

Robinson Preserve is 682 acres of preserved mangroves, tidal marshes, and coastal wetland habitat. There are hiking trails, cycling trails, wildlife viewing areas, and kayaking with storage options for your kayak.

Popular around Memphis

Explore the most popular Tours around Memphis

Road Cycling Routes around Memphis

Cycling around Memphis

Running Trails around Memphis

Still not found the Highlight you’re looking for? See guides of the top attractions in other regions:

• Longboat Key
• Holmes Beach
• Bradenton Beach
• West Bradenton
• South Bradenton
• Lakewood Ranch

Walgreens plans to close a significant amount of underperforming stores in the US

Walgreens is planning to close a substantial number of stores in the United States.

The pharmacy chain confirmed its plan to close underperforming stores in an emailed statement to USA TODAY Thursday morning after the parent company, Walgreens Boots Alliance, disclosed the news in its 2024 third quarter fiscal results.

In the statement, a Walgreens spokesperson said the company is repositioning its store footprint, noting that about 25% of its stores are not contributing to the chain's long-term strategy.

The spokesperson also said the company is working on a program to close a significant portion of these locations over the next three years.

Tim Wentworth, CEO of Walgreens' parent company Walgreens Boots Alliance, said in an interview with CNBC that the company now forecasts weaker consumer spending for the rest of the year.

How many Walgreens locations are closing?

Wentworth also said in an interview with the Wall Street Journal that the company has not settled on a final number of locations to close .

Walgreens operates roughly 8,700 stores in 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, according to its website.

Wentworth also told the Wall Street Journal that Walgreens will reduce its stake in primary-care provider VillageMD and will no longer be the company's majority owner.

Wentwort said the company is focused on improving its core business: retail pharmacy. The company is launching a "retail pharmacy action plan" that will "invest in and deliver an improved customer and patient experience across channels," according to the strategic review section of the fiscal results.

According to his interview with the WSJ, Wentworth said the company expects that it will be able to reassign staffers so that its U.S. retail footprint reduction "doesn't result in a meaningful loss of jobs."

Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. You can follow him on X  @GabeHauari  or email him at [email protected].

MSCS superintendent wants to turn closed charter school into STEAM-focused school

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of students attending schools run by Memphis Scholars, a charter operator, dropped significantly. By the 2022-23 academic year, the network had just 430 students spread across its schools, and only 101 students had enrolled for fall 2024, per a statement on its website .

Memphis Scholars faced a violation and potential charter revocation from the Achievement School District ― the state-led school district it’s a part of ― and its board voted to close its two campuses in late June, less than two months before the start of the new school year.

Because of this, control of the campuses shifted to Memphis-Shelby County Schools, which is planning to close one of them and keep the other open as a STEAM-focused school.

The new plan

Memphis Scholars’ two campuses are Memphis Scholars Caldwell-Guthrie, a pre-K-5 th grade school in North Memphis, and Memphis Scholars South Campus, an elementary and middle school in South Memphis. The South Campus is poised to remain closed.

More district news: MSCS names district leader Janice Tankson the assistant superintendent of schools

Previous coverage: Memphis-Shelby County Schools board OKs sweeping job cuts, $1.8 billion budget

But according to a letter from MSCS Superintendent Marie Feagins to board members, which was sent Tuesday night and obtained by The Commercial Appeal, Caldwell-Guthrie is expected to remain open and become a pre-K-8th grade STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) school.

A principal, she explained in the letter, “is being finalized,” and there is set to be a meeting between MSCS leaders, state representatives, and students and families of Caldwell-Guthrie at 6 p.m. on July 9.

“To support and expand our presence in the community, we will keep the school open and make it a pre-K-8 STEAM school,” Feagins said. “I have asked the team to support onsite registration beginning on Tuesday to ensure a smooth transition and give comfort to families as we welcome students back to MSCS.”

The new school is also expected to house students of Humes Middle School, another former ASD school that shut its doors at the end of the 2023-24 academic year. Previously, these students were set to shift to Booker T. Washington Middle and High School.

“This decision reflects a deeper consideration of safety, culture, and the opportunity to leverage a good building in a community that will benefit from a strong school,” she said.

Feagins noted in the letter that a transition plan is being finalized with the state and that it will be shared with students and families. A chance for incoming students to see the school is slated for July 23, and the district, she explained, will “follow the process identified in board policy to explore renaming the Caldwell-Guthrie building.”

Vacancies and deferred maintenance

Feagins’ plan to convert Caldwell-Guthrie into a STEAM school comes at a time when the district is grappling with major facilities issues throughout its footprint and looking to fill vacant teacher positions in its other locations.

MSCS is facing $1 billion in deferred maintenance , and to combat this, it's putting together a comprehensive infrastructure plan that could involve school closures. In April, Feagins said they were "highly likely. " And as of June 25, the district had 463 classroom vacancies . That day, the district had held a hiring blitz, and it had offered another one on July 2.

The Achievement School District

The shift of the Memphis Scholars’ locations back to MSCS is the latest example of challenges faced by the Achievement School District.

When Tennessee created the ASD more than a decade ago, the intention was for it to dramatically improve the state’s lowest-performing public schools. A state-run turnaround district, it could take over local schools and put them in the hands of charter operators, which were expected to better student outcomes by significant margins.

But as time passed, a problem with the ASD emerged: the bulk of the schools under its jurisdiction weren’t improving. In 2019, research from the Tennessee Education Research Alliance found that the ASD hadn't "produced significant gains in student achievement in any academic subject, intervention year, or cohort of schools."

Five years later, the ASD’s outcomes hadn’t noticeably improved, and state lawmakers tried to dissolve it , but this effort didn’t make it through the Tennessee General Assembly in the latest legislative session.

John Klyce covers education and children's issues for The Commercial Appeal. You can reach him at [email protected].

St. Jude Family of Websites

Explore our cutting edge research, world-class patient care, career opportunities and more.

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Home

• St. Jude Research
• Progress: A Digital Magazine
• St. Jude Cloud
• Childhood Cancer Survivor Study
• Careers at St. Jude
• Have More in Memphis
• Care & Treatment at St. Jude
• Together by St. Jude™ online resource
• Long-Term Follow-Up Study
• St. Jude LIFE
• Education & Training at St. Jude
• St. Jude Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
• St. Jude Global

• Get Involved
• Ways to Give
• How to Seek Treatment
• Affiliate Program
• Information for New Patients
• St. Jude MyChart
• Patient Family Centered Care
• Family Commons
• Patient Education Resources
• How to Request Medical Records
• Clinics & Services
• Transportation, Lodging & Housing
• Shuttle Schedule

Visiting Memphis

• Places to Eat
• Concierge Services
• Contact Directory
• What to Expect after Treatment
• How to Transition to Adult Care
• Care for Childhood Cancer Survivors
• All Diseases Treated at St. Jude
• Leukemias and Lymphomas
• Brain and Spine Tumors
• Solid Tumors
• Sickle Cell
• Immune Disorders
• Infectious Diseases
• Neurological Disorders
• Genetic Predisposition Syndromes
• Bone Marrow Transplant
• Chemotherapy
• Immunotherapy
• Proton Therapy
• Radiation Therapy
• Clinical Initiatives
• Quality and Patient Safety
• Open Clinical Trials
• Clinical Trial Results
• About Clinical Research
• Leukemia/Lymphoma
• Brain and Spine Tumor
• Solid Tumor
• Immune Disorder Clinical Trials
• Neurological Disorder Clinical Trials
• Genetic Syndrome Clinical Trials
• Request a consult
• How to Monitor a Patient's Progress
• Physician Patient Referral Office

Memphis is a city rich with history, experience, and possibilities.

Welcome to Memphis 

Memphis is a city of beautiful trees and trails, full of friendly people who smile and say hello. Along with the legacies of Elvis and the blues, Memphis is full of green spaces, arts, music, sports, great food, and fun activities.

Learn more about Visiting St. Jude

Housing and Patient Services 

Housing and Patient Services can help with meal assistance, travel assistance, and transportation. They are located in Family Commons on the 2nd floor of the Patient Care Center. Contact them at [email protected] or 901-595-4501 . 

Learn more about local transportation, lodging, and housing

What is there to do in Memphis? 

Memphis is full of inspiring activities, parks, and museums. From the National Civil Rights Museum to the Memphis Zoo, from the Memphis Botanic Garden to Sun Studios, there are a lot of places to discover. Check out these local resources that can help your family find ways to take a break in Memphis.  

To learn about local businesses that offer discounts to patients and families, log into the  Our St. Jude patient app  and view the Recreation Directory in the Resources section. You can also get a copy of the list in Family Commons’  Linda R. Hajar Family Resource Center .

• Memphis Travel
• I Love Memphis Blog
• Memphis Parent Magazine

What is there to eat in Memphis? 

Memphis is a great city for exploring food options. From cafes and diners to food trucks, you can find good eats from all over the world.  

Kay Kafe regularly features local restaurants that rotate in and out, as well as eclectic music and other activities.  

Learn more about eating in the Memphis area. 

• Places to Eat on Campus
• Clinical Nutrition

Have More in Memphis 

Have More in Memphis is a website that showcases the unique things to do in Memphis for potential St. Jude employees. It includes testimonials from Memphians who share what they love best about the city. Explore the pages of Have More in Memphis to discover some of the wonderful things that Memphis has to offer.  

Explore what it’s like to live in Memphis, Tennessee

An official website of the United States government

Here’s how you know

Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( Lock A locked padlock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

• Small Businesses
• Whistleblowers

More in About

Updated investor bulletin: an introduction to 529 plans.

The SEC’s Office of Investor Education and Advocacy is issuing this Investor Bulletin to provide investors with background information on 529 plans. Please also see  our companion Bulletin  for a few questions to consider before opening a 529 plan account. 

What is a 529 plan?

A 529 plan is a tax-advantaged savings plan designed to encourage saving for future education costs. 529 plans, legally known as “qualified tuition plans,” are sponsored by states, state agencies, or educational institutions and are authorized by Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code. 

There are two types of 529 plans: education savings plans and prepaid tuition plans. Most education savings plans are available to everyone, but a few have residency requirements for the saver and/or beneficiary. Prepaid tuition plans typically have residency requirements. One exception is a prepaid tuition plan sponsored by a group of private colleges and universities. 

The person who opens the 529 plan account is called the account holder or the saver. The person the account is opened for is called the beneficiary or the student. The account holder and the beneficiary can be the same person.

What are the differences between education savings plans and prepaid tuition plans? 

Education Savings Plans. Education savings plans let a saver open an investment account to save for the beneficiary’s future qualified higher education expenses. Qualified higher education expenses include tuition, mandatory fees and room and board. Withdrawals from education savings plan accounts can generally be used at any college or university, including sometimes at non-U.S. colleges and universities. Education savings plans can also be used to pay for other education-related expenses. These include up to $10,000 per year per beneficiary for tuition at any public, private, or religious elementary or secondary school; certain expenses required for participation in registered apprenticeship programs; and qualified education loan repayments up to $10,000 total per beneficiary. 

A saver may typically choose among a range of investment options, which often include various  mutual fund  and  exchange-traded fund  (ETF) investments and a principal-protected bank product. Education savings plans also may include static fund portfolios and age-based portfolios (sometimes called  target-date  portfolios). These portfolios include a combination of different types of ETFs and/or mutual funds and are designed to help diversify the risk in the account. Typically age-based portfolios automatically shift funds into more conservative investments as the beneficiary gets closer to college age, but static fund portfolios will keep the same mix of investments. If you are using a 529 account to pay for elementary or secondary school tuition, you may have a shorter time horizon for your money to grow. You may not feel comfortable taking on riskier or more volatile investments if you plan on withdrawing the money soon. Therefore, you may consider different investment options depending on when you plan to use the money that is invested.

All education savings plans are sponsored by state governments, but only a few have residency requirements for the saver and/or beneficiary. State governments do not guarantee investments in education savings plans. Education savings plan investments in mutual funds and ETFs are not federally guaranteed, but investments in some principal-protected bank products may be insured by the FDIC. As with most investments, you can lose money in an education savings plan.

Prepaid Tuition Plans . Prepaid tuition plans let a saver or account holder purchase units or credits for the beneficiary to use in the future at participating colleges and universities. The saver is essentially pre-paying future tuition and mandatory fees at the current prices of tuition and mandatory fees. The participating colleges and universities are typically public, in-state institutions in the state that sponsors the plan. Prepaid tuition plans are not as flexible as education savings plans because the credits can only be used for future tuition and mandatory fees at certain schools. If the beneficiary does not attend a participating college or university, they can typically still receive money from the plan to help pay for college tuition and mandatory fees, but the amount is determined by the particular plan.

Most prepaid tuition plans are sponsored by state governments and have residency requirements for the saver and/or beneficiary. Prepaid plans are not guaranteed by the federal government. Some state governments guarantee the money paid into the prepaid tuition plans that they sponsor, but some do not. If your prepaid tuition payments aren’t guaranteed, you may lose some or all of your money in the plan if the plan’s sponsor has a financial shortfall. In addition, if a beneficiary doesn’t attend a participating college or university, the prepaid tuition plan may pay less than if the beneficiary attended a participating college or university. It may only pay a small return on the original investment, depending on how the plan calculates your return.

What fees and expenses will I pay if I invest in a 529 plan? 

It is important to understand the fees and expenses associated with 529 plans because they lower your returns. Fees and expenses will vary based on the type of 529 plan (education savings plan or prepaid tuition plan), whether it is a broker- or direct-sold plan, the plan itself and the underlying investments. You should carefully review the plan’s offering circular to understand what fees are charged for the plan and each investment option.

Education Savings Plans. Education savings plans may charge an enrollment/application fee, annual account maintenance fees, ongoing program management fees, and ongoing asset management fees.   The asset management fees will depend on the investment option you select. Investors that purchase an education savings plan from a broker are typically subject to additional fees, such as sales loads or charges at the time of investment or redemption and ongoing distribution fees.

Prepaid Tuition Plans. Prepaid tuition plans may charge an enrollment/application fee and ongoing administrative fees.  

If you are interested in contributing to an education savings plan, be sure to research plans sponsored by states other than your state of residence. If an “out of state” plan has lower costs than your in-state plan, the cost savings may outweigh the benefits of the in-state plan, even when taking tax incentives (see below) or other benefits into consideration.

Many states offer direct-sold education savings plans in which savers can invest without paying additional broker-charged fees. In addition, some education savings plans will waive or reduce the administrative or maintenance fees if you maintain a large account balance, participate in an automatic contribution plan, or are a resident of the state sponsoring the 529 plan. Some 529 plans also offer fee waivers if the saver accepts electronic-only delivery of documents or enrolls online.

How does investing in a 529 plan affect federal and state income taxes? 

Investing in a 529 plan may offer savers special tax benefits. These benefits vary depending on the state and the 529 plan. In addition, state and federal laws that affect 529 plans could change. You should make sure you understand the tax implications of investing in a 529 plan and consider whether to consult a tax adviser.

Contributions. Many states offer tax benefits for contributions to a 529 plan. These benefits may include deducting contributions from state income tax or matching grants but may come with various restrictions or requirements. In addition, you may only be eligible for these benefits if you invest in a 529 plan sponsored by your state of residence.

Withdrawals. If you use 529 account withdrawals for qualified higher education expenses or the other expenses detailed above, earnings in the 529 account are not subject to federal income tax and, in many cases, state income tax. However, if 529 account withdrawals are not used for these expenses, they will be subject to state and federal income taxes and an additional 10% federal tax penalty on earnings.

One exception is that you can rollover funds in a 529 account into a Roth IRA account for the same beneficiary. This could be helpful if you have money left over after your student finishes college. These rollovers have some restrictions. For example, the total rollover amount is limited to $35,000, annual Roth IRA contribution limits apply, the 529 account has to have been open for at least 15 years, and the funds you rollover must have been in the 529 account for at least five years.

One of the benefits of 529 plans is the tax-free earnings that grow over a period of time. The longer your money is invested, the more time it has to grow and the greater your tax benefits. You will lose some of these potential benefits if you withdraw money from a 529 plan account within a short period of time after it is contributed.

What restrictions apply to an investment in a 529 plan?

There will likely be restrictions on any 529 plan you may be considering. Before you invest in a 529 plan, you should read the plan’s offering circular to make sure that you understand and are comfortable with any plan restrictions.

Investments. Education savings plans have certain pre-set investment options. It is not permitted to switch freely among the options. Under current tax law, an account holder is only permitted to change his or her investment option twice per year or when there is a change in the beneficiary.

Withdrawals. With limited exceptions, you can only withdraw money that you invest in an education savings plan without incurring taxes and penalties for qualified higher education expenses or the other expenses detailed above. One exception is that you can rollover funds in a 529 account into a Roth IRA account for the same beneficiary with some restrictions, which are explained above.

Beneficiaries of prepaid tuition plans may only use their purchased credits or units at participating colleges or universities.  If a beneficiary doesn’t attend a participating college or university, the prepaid tuition plan may pay less than if the beneficiary attended a participating college or university. It may only pay a small return on the original investment, depending on how the plan calculates your return.

Does investing in a 529 plan impact financial aid eligibility?

While different educational institutions treat assets held in a 529 account differently, investing in a 529 plan will generally impact a student’s eligibility to receive need-based financial aid for college. You may also need to consider how having money in your 529 account for future qualified higher education expenses might affect financial aid for your student’s elementary or secondary school tuition. Keep in mind, for many families, the larger part of a financial aid package may be in loans. So, the more you can save for school, the less debt you or your student may have to incur.

Where can I find more information? 

Offering Circulars for 529 Plans. You can find out more about a particular 529 plan by reading its offering circular. The National Association of State Treasurers created the  College Savings Plan Network , which provides links to most 529 plan websites. 

Underlying Mutual Funds or Exchange-Traded Funds . Additional information about a mutual fund or ETF that is an investment option in an education savings plan is available in its  prospectus , statement of additional information, and semiannual and annual  shareholder reports . You can obtain these documents from the plan manager for no charge. You can also review these documents on the  SEC’s EDGAR database . 

Fees and Expenses.  You can read about the impact fees and expenses have on your investment portfolios in the SEC’s Office of Investor Education and Advocacy’s Updated Investor Bulletin:  How Fees and Expenses Affect Your Investment Portfolio .

Brokers or Investment Advisers.  Many education savings plans’ program managers are registered investment advisers. You can search for an investment adviser and view the firm’s  Form ADV or Relationship Summary  by using the Check Out Your Investment Professional Tool on  Investor.gov . You can also use the search tool to find out whether a broker who sells a 529 savings plan product is subject to disciplinary sanctions, information about their professional background and registration and licensing status, and their firm’s Relationship Summary. If you have questions about using the search tool, read our  Investor Bulletin: How to Use the Investment Professional Search Tool .

Last Reviewed or Updated: Aug. 31, 2023

• Contact Police
• Annual Reports
• Closed Circuit TV
• Community Briefing Videos 2024
• Community Briefing Videos 2023
• Community Briefing Videos 2022
• Community Briefing Videos 2021
• Community Briefing Videos 2020
• Community Briefing Videos 2016-2019
• Crime Cards
• Crime at a Glance
• Block 1: Introduction to Policing
• Block 2: Basic Investigative Skills
• Block 3: Report Writing
• Block 4: Introduction to Criminal Law
• Block 5: Introduction to Crime
• Block 6: Criminal Offenses I
• Block 7: Criminal Offenses II
• Block 8: Criminal Offenses III
• Block 9: Complex Criminal Offenses I
• Block 10: Complex Criminal Offenses II
• Block 11: Serious Criminal Offenses
• Curriculum Block 12: Traffic I
• Curriculum Block 13: Traffic II
• Crime Data at a Glance
• Adult Arrests
• Marijuana Arrests
• MPD Closure/Clearance Rates
• Hate Crimes
• Juvenile Arrests
• Juvenile Shooting Victim Data
• Litigation Data Reports
• Robbery and Carjacking Trends
• ShotSpotter Data
• Staffing and Attrition Data
• Traffic Fatalities
• Use of Force Data
• Adverse Action Data Sheets
• Adverse Action Hearing Schedule
• Open Government and FOIA
• General Orders
• Special Orders
• Standard Operating Procedures
• Bureau/Division Orders
• Recovered Property
• Specialized Reports and Resources
• Staffing, Attrition and Budget
• Community Affairs
• CameraConnect DC
• Community Engagement Academy
• Community Outreach
• MPD Rewards
• Partnerships With Other Agencies
• Police Initiatives
• Protection Orders
• Special Liaison Division
• Training Partnerships
• Unsolved Homicides
• Victim Assistance
• Youth Outreach
• Find Your Police District
• About the Community
• District Commander
• District Roster
• Download a High-Resolution Map
• School and Child Safety
• Campus Safety
• Boating Safety
• Business Safety
• Drug Safety
• Financial Safety
• General Safety
• Fireworks: Some Facts and Safety Tips
• Halloween Safety
• Holiday Safety
• Traffic Safety
• News Releases
• Testimonies
• Biographies
• Organization
• Specialized Units
• Telephone and Contact Directory
• Translated Documents

2024 NATO Summit Road Closure Maps

From Saturday, July 6, 2024, through Friday, July 12, 2024, there will be numerous impacts to vehicular traffic, pedestrians, and public transportation in the area of the Washington Convention Center, Mellon Auditorium, and The White House. Please plan accordingly and expect delays throughout the week. The following maps provide a visual representation of the areas that are closed. Larger, printeable PDFs are available via links at the bottom of this page.

• INTERACTIVE MAP:  Road Closures, Parking Restrictions and Vehicle Checkpoints  

COLLEGE FOOTBALL 25 Rankings Week Showcase

Who are the best teams in ea sports™ college football 25.

Hey College Football Fans,

Welcome back to the Campus Huddle! This week, we have a special “living” edition of the Campus Huddle, centered around Rankings Week.

So what is Rankings Week? 

It’s a time to celebrate various EA SPORTS™ College Football 25 rankings, from the Toughest Places to Play, to the Top Offenses and Defenses, to our final Team Power Rankings before the worldwide launch on July 19. Plus, we’ll have our Sights and Sounds Deep Dive coming Wednesday, showcasing the incredible and unique presentation features coming to EA SPORTS™ College Football 25.

The full Rankings Week schedule can be seen here:

TOUGHEST PLACES TO PLAY

We laid out the significant impact that Homefield Advantage can have on the outcome of games in EA SPORTS™ College Football 25 during our Gameplay Deep Dive Campus Huddle . Audio and in-game modifiers such as blurred routes, incorrect play art, confidence and composure affects, and screen shaking are some of the immersive impacts away teams and players will be forced to contend with. 

But not all Homefield Advantages are created equal. The Development Team worked to compile a list of the Top 25 Toughest Places to Play, factoring in historical stats such as home winning %, home game attendance, active home winning streaks, team prestige, and more.

Rankings are subject to change in future updates.

• Kyle Field - Texas A&M
• Bryant-Denny Stadium - Alabama
• Tiger Stadium - LSU
• Ohio Stadium - Ohio State
• Sanford Stadium - Georgia
• Beaver Stadium - Penn State
• Camp Randall Stadium - Wisconsin
• Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium - Oklahoma
• Doak S. Campbell Stadium - Florida State
• Ben Hill Griffin Stadium - Florida
• Autzen Stadium - Oregon
• Memorial Stadium - Clemson
• Neyland Stadium - Tennessee
• Jordan-Hare Stadium - Auburn
• Williams-Brice Stadium - South Carolina
• Michigan Stadium - Michigan
• Lane Stadium - Virginia Tech
• Rice-Eccles Stadium - Utah
• Darrell K. Royal - Texas Memorial Stadium - Texas
• Kinnick Stadium - Iowa
• Notre Dame Stadium - Notre Dame
• Spartan Stadium - Michigan State
• Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium - Arkansas
• Albertsons Stadium - Boise State
• Davis Wade Stadium - Mississippi State

SIGHTS AND SOUNDS DEEP DIVE

In case you missed it, Kirk Herbstreit is back with our next Deep Dive, taking a look at the sights and sounds featured in EA SPORTS™ College Football 25. The Development Team spent years capturing countless traditions, mascots, fight songs, and more to the game, ensuring all 134 schools and fan bases were represented with pride. These elements make College Football special and unique, bringing the unmatched feeling of game day to your fingertips.  

For even more on the presentation elements and how they come to life, check out the latest Campus Huddle hosted by Senior Game Designer Christian Brandt.

OFFENSIVE/DEFENSIVE POWER RANKINGS

The Development Team meticulously examined hundreds of thousands of data points to arrive at our team power rankings. With help from our friends at Pro Football Focus (PFF), the team analyzed all 134 rosters, thousands of players, years worth of game film, and mountains of stats, ultimately arriving at our Team Power Rankings.

Here are the Top 25 offenses in EA SPORTS™ College Football 25: 

• Georgia - 94 OVR
• Oregon - 94 OVR
• Alabama - 91 OVR
• Texas - 91 OVR
• Ohio State - 89 OVR
• LSU - 89 OVR
• Miami - 89 OVR
• Colorado - 89 OVR
• Missouri - 89 OVR
• Clemson - 87 OVR
• Utah - 87 OVR
• Penn State - 87 OVR
• Ole Miss - 87 OVR
• Kansas - 87 OVR
• Arizona - 87 OVR
• NC State - 87 OVR
• Notre Dame - 85 OVR
• Texas A&M - 85 OVR
• Memphis - 85 OVR
• SMU - 85 OVR
• UCF - 85 OVR
• Florida State - 83 OVR
• Oklahoma - 83 OVR
• Virginia Tech - 83 OVR
• USC - 83 OVR

As the old saying goes, “Defense wins championships.” Here are the Top 25 defenses in EA SPORTS™ College Football 25:

• Ohio State - 96 OVR
• Oregon - 90 OVR
• Alabama - 90 OVR
• Clemson - 90 OVR
• Notre Dame - 90 OVR
• Michigan - 90 OVR
• Texas - 88 OVR
• Penn State - 88 OVR
• Utah - 88 OVR
• Florida State - 88 OVR
• Oklahoma - 88 OVR
• Iowa - 88 OVR
• Virginia Tech - 86 OVR
• Wisconsin - 86 OVR
• USC - 86 OVR
• Auburn - 86 OVR
• LSU - 84 OVR
• Texas A&M - 84 OVR
• Colorado - 84 OVR
• Oklahoma State - 84 OVR
• Louisville - 84 OVR
• North Carolina - 84 OVR
• Kansas State - 84 OVR
• Florida - 84 OVR

TEAM POWER RANKINGS

And the moment you’ve all been waiting for! Here are the Top Teams in EA SPORTS™ College Football 25.

• Georgia - 95 OVR
• Ohio State - 93 OVR
• Oregon - 93 OVR
• Alabama - 92 OVR
• Texas - 92 OVR
• LSU - 90 OVR
• Michigan - 88 OVR
• Miami - 88 OVR
• Texas A&M - 88 OVR
• Ole Miss - 88 OVR
• Colorado - 87 OVR
• Oklahoma - 87 OVR
• Wisconsin - 87 OVR
• USC - 87 OVR
• Virginia Tech - 87 OVR
• Oklahoma State - 87 OVR
• Iowa - 87 OVR

Let us know what you think! Join the conversation today by following EA SPORTS™ College Football 25 on social media and rep your school. Next week, we’ll have even more information to share including our Dynasty Deep Dive where we explore the ins and outs of the mode, recruiting, and more! 

College Football 25 launches worldwide on July 19th, 2024. Pre-order the Deluxe Edition* or the EA SPORTS™ MVP Bundle** and play 3 days early. Conditions and restrictions apply. See disclaimers for details. Stay in the conversation by following us on Facebook , Twitter , Instagram , YouTube , and Answers HQ .

Pre-order the MVP Bundle*** to make game day every day, and get both Madden NFL 25 and College Football 25 with exclusive content.

FOLLOW US @EASPORTSCollege

Sign-up for our newsletter to be the first to know about new updates.

RELATED NEWS

College football 25 dynasty deep dive, college football 25 pre-order details, college football 25 sights and sounds deep dive.