Memphis is appealing to foodies, music lovers, families, cultural history buff and even sports enthusiasts. There is so many tourists can do that it is difficult to add everything in a single vacation package.
Guidelines to plan an interesting and memorable trip to Memphis
Best time – In April and May weather is warm and moderate. There are many entertaining festivals and events organized.
Get around – Public transit is meager and undependable but you can download rideshare app or rent a car.
Travel tip – Memphis has multiple historical sites and attractions, so it is great to hike and explore or bike around the city on wheels.
Attractions not to miss
Check live music scene on https://wearememphis.com/, so that you don’t miss out on your trip. There are phenomenal museums, which take you through Southern history, its civil right movements, and its people. The place also has some rare animal spotting, which can’t be seen elsewhere.
Music
- For live music Lafayette’s Music Room and Neale Street in midtown.
- Tour Elvis Presley’s home in Graceland.
- Walk in Sun Studio to listen to unreleased songs of Elvis.
Museums Civil Rights
- Museum reveals past and existing civil right struggles.
- Mississippi River Museum hold a replica of river on which you can walk and learn about its ebb and flow actions.
Rare animals
- Memphis Zoo has Pandas.
- Shelby Farms Park has buffalo herd, which is not found anywhere in the country.
Food & drink
- Memphis is popular for its barbeque but you can find taco, burgers, pizzas and more in every neighborhood.
- Rendezvous serves Memphis-style meat.
- Non-meat eaters can visit Broad Street and Cooper Young, where there are many table to farm restaurants.
- Memphis city has more than dozen craft breweries.
- High Cotton Brewing Co. have their personal tap rooms, where tourists can try all the kinds of beers, enjoy love music and food, simultaneously.
Where to stay?
Downtown holds majority of attractions, restaurants, bars, and great views. If you book a hotel in downtown then you can visit and explore many places on foot. There are plethora of boutiques and chain hotels. The downside is it can be crowded, loud and dark. You may not feel secure walking, at night.
East Memphis is convenient. You will find family friendly accommodations and there are many parks, museums, zoo, arty neighborhood Cooper Young as well as mid-town.
Money saving tips
- Memphis has top parks like Overton Park, Mississippi River Park and the Shelby Farms Park that is free to public.
- Free summer concerts are held at Levitt Shell in the Overton Park.
- Museums are pricey but select free days like Dixon Gallery and Gardens is free on every Saturday [10 a.m. to noon].
- Walking down the Beale Street and watching Sunset over Mississippi River is free of charge.
- Free shuttle transport between Graceland, Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum and Sun Studio is free but entrance gets charged.
- At the Pyramid, take ride on tallest freestanding glass elevator to see Mississippi River and downtown views for just $10.
- You can pay homage to Elvis without paying a cent. Every morning for an hour visitor can walk to the Meditation Garden, where Elvis lays buried.