Walking in Memphis is as amazing as it ever was - with or without “putting on my blue suede shoes (Marc Cohn).” A vibrant city that offers as many opportunities as you have time. Here’s a place to start, but if you have time, take advantage of distinctive places to eat, sites to see, and experiences to be had in this epic Southern city.

1. Beale Street

   Beale Street is a historic entertainment district known for its vibrant nightlife, live music venues, restaurants, and bars. It's a great place to experience the city's live music scene and indulge in some excellent Southern cuisine. B B King’s Blue Café lights up the top of Beale and is one of the best clubs showcasing live music every night. The drinks are cold; the catfish and collards are jumping onto your plate; and the music, hot and sultry. During our visit, IDs and bags were checked before stepping foot onto Beale.

   This entertainment district brings to the life the "Home of the Blues and the Birthplace of Rock 'n' Roll,” where legendary musicians like Elvis Presley, W. C. Handy, B.B. King, and Johnny Cash made their mark. Performing in clubs along the strip, they contributed to the growth of the blues and to the popularity of Beale. Can you even imagine these icons spilling tunes out into the busy street?

   Check out the Beale Street Music Festival (which includes the World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest) in May.

2. Graceland

   Elvis Presley's Graceland mansion is a must-visit for fans of the King of Rock 'n' Roll. Take a day and tour the mansion, Elvis' car collection, and other Elvis-related exhibits, gaining insight into his life and career. Stay at The Guest House at Graceland, a resort located nearby that epitomizes Southern hospitality and and surrounds it all with music and amenities. Don’t miss the birthplace of Elvis in Tupelo, Mississippi, about 120 miles southeast of Memphis. Designated a historic landmark, it brings life to where it all began. It bookends the story of Elvis.

   The mansion is the centerpiece of the tour featuring the Jungle Room and the Meditation Garden (where Elvis and his family members are buried). The custom jets (Lisa Marie and Hound Dog II) sit majestically on the property as well.

   An ideal time to visit is in August for Elvis Week, celebrating the life and anniversary of his death. Visit the website for a list of other events and special exhibitions that will make your visit even more memorable.

3. BBQ

   Yes, there’s soul food that delivers the best catfish, collard greens and cornbread in the South. There’s also Memphis BBQ which brings out the fighter in everyone that thinks their region is the best. Memphis is renowned for its barbecue, and a trip to the city wouldn't be complete without trying some world-class, slow-cooked, and smoky barbecue dishes. Local restaurants offer a wide variety of barbecue styles, each with its unique flavors and techniques.

   For the Memphis area, it’s the dry rubs and spice blends that enhance the meat, but if you choose to add the sauce (mainly a thin, sweet, tangy option), go for it. It’s mainly pork and it’s smoked slowly over a hickory wood fire. And folks in Memphis are as hard-core and opinionated about their BBQ as the rest of the world. Try Central BBQ and begin your barbecue quest with a high bar.
   

4. National Civil Rights Museum

   Memphis played a pivotal role in the Civil Rights Movement. Visitors can learn about this history at the National Civil Rights Museum, located at the former Lorraine Motel where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated (his room and the balcony are part of the exhibit). The museum offers a comprehensive and impactful exploration of the struggle for civil rights in America.

   Located at 450 Mulberry St in Memphis, the lofty museum was built around the motel, featuring multiple expansions and renovations over the years. Multiple exhibits and galleries share the history of the Civil Rights Movement from the 17th century to present day. Exhibits feature the Montgomery Bus Boycott, the Freedom Rides, and the struggle for voting rights.

   Photography is available throughout the museum with the exception of the initial exhibit on Emmett Till.

   In 2023, the traveling exhibit of Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley is one of the most inspirational yet unsettling spaces in the museum. When Emmett Till was murdered in Mississippi in 1955, his mother’s actions inspired and fueled the civil rights movement in America.

5. The Peabody

   I fell for The Peabody when I saw Mitch McDeere standing just outside the Duck Palace on the building’s roof back in the 1990s. Writer John Grisham introduced me to The Peabody and began my Memphis love affair with ducks, hospitality, and history.

   It’s charm doesn’t stop at check-in but will continue to inspire you as you gather for the Duck March daily at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. The Duck Master and the furry friend walk has been a symbol of the hotel since the 1930s, and this moment has continued to draw visitors to downtown Memphis for decades. Gather in the grand lobby and hope for the perfect view of the ducks as they strut to the elevator.

   As one of the grandest hotels in the South, The Peabody is luxurious in an inviting way with opulent furnishings and elaborate woodwork. The opulent lobby is a haven for locals and visitors; it transfers you to a time when gathering with friends for cocktails or traveling to a new city was an adventure.

If You Go

Dinner at Cocozza | American Italian that began as a pop-up ghost restaurant during the pandemic now has a permanent home in downtown Memphis. Eat your favorite red sauce in Downtown Harbor Town. Open Monday - Saturday for dinner service or take out. Tip | Bruschetta, Bucatini Amatriciana.

Breakfast at Bishop | Located in the new Central Station Hotel, it showcases locally sources cuisine featuring bold flavors. Serving breakfast Wednesday through Friday. Tip | Everything Bagel, French Toast, or the Bishop Breakfast.

An Afternoon at Old Dominick Distillery | Old Dominick’s 150-year-old story has been revived and is now being shared in their state-of-the-art production facility. Take a tour and end with a tasting of the favorites. Master distiller Alex Castle is one of he first female distillers. Tip | Take home a bottle of Dominick’s Toddy, the one that started it all.