Best Things To Do in Memphis, Tennessee

Are you looking for what to do in Memphis?

  • Graceland: This is probably the best tourist attraction of Memphis. It is the dream destination for music lovers. It was the residence of the legendary Elvis Presley that is now opened to the public.
  • Sun Studio: This is a historic recording studio which gave a platform to budding artists who were later the ones to create history in the field of music.
  • The Museums: These are great options to get a look into the rich history of the city. The city being a center of the struggle of the African Americans and their civil revolution, has had an eventful past. Art and culture museums fill out the remaining sightseeing opportunities here.
  • The Memphis Zoo: The best place to enjoy nature and gorgeous animals in the same place. The zoo covers a large area and has a number of sections with animals and native plant species.
  • Tours: Enjoy the tours along the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers.

Below we have a list of things to do in Memphis and the places where you want to spend the best moments of your trip. At the same time, the city offers you the best neighborhoods to explore and new foods to try.

This list should help you in deciding and prioritizing what you should plan on your Memphis getaway. Find a mix of must-see tourist spots, underrated local hangouts, and maybe even a few new experiences you can try out.

Make the most of your trip to Memphis with confidence.

Tourist Attractions in Memphis

Here is the list of things to do in Memphis and tourist attractions in city.

  1. Graceland

    4.5 (1688 Votes)
    Graceland

    Observatory, Entertainment, Heritage Building

    This place was home to the evergreen singer, Elvis Presley. It was in the initial stage of the singer’s career that he bought a lovely house at Audubon Drive. As his fame started touching heights, the craze of fans outside his apartment started increasing and this started disturbing the neighbors. As a result of this the singer realized that a new home was much needed. The house of Gracel...Read more
  2. Sun Studio

    4.8 (1219 Votes)
    Sun Studio

    Observatory, Historical Site, Entertainment, Performance

    This is a recording studio in the heart of the city that was set up by the very famous rock pioneer Sam Philips. This studio was earlier known as The Memphis Recording Studio that shared the same location as the Sun Records Label Business. After Sam Philips recorded his first solo album naming it Sun Records in 1952 and since then the place was known as the Sun Recording Studio. From its very i...Read more
  3. National Civil Rights Museum- Lorraine Motel

    Hotel, Museum, History Museum, Historical Site

    This is a complex of museums and historic buildings controlled and administered by the Civil rights Society. The museum and buildings are the symbols of the Civil Rights Movement from the 17th century to the present. The place is significant also because Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in front of this motel. The first hotel here was a 16 room accommodation that was meant mostly to serv...Read more
  4. Beale Street

    Entertainment, Performance, Street Market, Street Food

    Rightly known as the heart of Memphis Music and Entertainment, this is one of the coolest places in the city. There are a number of clubs, restaurants, shops and beautiful buildings here. If you want to hear some good jazz, Rock ‘n’ roll, R&B, Delta Blues or gospel, there can be no better place other than this. This place was declared as a National Historic Landmark in the year ...Read more
  5. Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum

    Museum, Performance

    This is a beautiful music museum that shouts out the tragic but eventful past of the black musicians. These were such talents who overcame the barriers of racism and complexion inequality through the power of their music. You will get a complete package of the musical past of the city. This includes parts from- Porch music of the sharecroppers of the 30’s. Music depicting the beginning o...Read more
  6. Stax Museum Of American Soul Music

    Museum, Observatory, Entertainment, Performance

    This is one of the very few music museums dedicated to soul music. After the Stax records went bankrupt in the year 1976, it was sold off to the Church of God in Christ and started to be used as a small hotel. After that the hotel also closed and the place was left abandoned just to fall apart on its own. A few years passed and the people realized something should be done and they started raisi...Read more
  7. Gibson Factory

    4.5 (570 Votes)
    Gibson Factory

    Outdoors, Market, Exhibition , Specialty Shop

    This is a musical instrument shop as well as a guitar factory that is known in the whole country. The family of Gibson’s started a small workshop where they started making mandolins. The African – American musical wave hit the city so much that these instruments became very popular throughout US. At present they are the most important manufacturers of electric guitars. The most popu...Read more
  8. Mud Island River Park

    4.2 (232 Votes)
    Mud Island River Park

    Outdoors, Island, Park, River

    This is a small peninsula surrounded by the Mississippi River on the west and the West river harbor to the east. The park is known for its beautiful location and the biking trails, pedal boats and rafting facilities. One of the most important parts of the park is the place where maps of various small cities around are made and there are markers to explain you the locations and positions. There ...Read more
  9. The Peabody Ducks

    4.6 (487 Votes)
    The Peabody Ducks

    Hotel, Leisure, Fountain

    The Peabody hotel is one of the most important and oldest hotels in the city. The beautiful fountain on the rooftop is the main attraction here. As you go up you will find 5 ducks roaming on the rooftop there. This has an interesting story behind it. Long back in the 1930’s, the manager of the Peabody named Frank Schutt and a friend named Chip Barwick came back from hunting in the Arkansa...Read more
  10. Orpheum Theater

    4.7 (413 Votes)
    Orpheum Theater

    Entertainment, Performance, Theatre, Cinema

    The Orpheum Theatre has survived many bankruptcies, fire tragedy and demolition threats to be one of the very few surviving movie theatres of the 1920’s. The original theatre was built in 1907 and the renovated theatre was set up in 1928 and still is a prime part of the city that features broad way shows, concerts and even films. The theatre now stands in an even more beautiful look after...Read more
  11. Gibson Donuts

    4.7 (331 Votes)
    Gibson Donuts

    Bakery

    This is a confectionary store cum bakery cum dessert destination. They sell some of the lip smacking donuts and dessert dishes. The shop has gained so much popularity that its name has reached till other countries as well. Tourists make sure they pack some to last them after they come back from the city.
  12. B.b. King's Blues Club

    4.5 (304 Votes)
    B.b. King's Blues Club

    Club, Dance Club, Entertainment, Performance

    This is a favorite of the local people when it comes to enjoying evenings with classic rock, jazz or blues. Just get into the groove and dance with others to the music of the bands. The place is not only lit up by local singers and musicians but there comes guest bands quite frequently. The seats are very comfortable and there are levels for better views. Apart from just enjoying a musical even...Read more
  13. Elmwood Cemetery

    4.7 (212 Votes)
    Elmwood Cemetery

    Outdoors, Monument, Cemetery, Tomb

    The Elmwood Cemetery is a rich piece of history. A tour along this place takes you back to the past and the residents themselves seem to narrate their own stories. It is like knowing about the past of the beautiful city from the souls that rest here. A number of tours are organized along this large garden and cemetery to suit your choices. Along with the decorated gravestones and lovely flower ...Read more
  14. Slave Haven Or Burkle Estate Museum

    History Museum, Historical Site

    This is a historic house that is also said to be the last stop of the secret Underground Railroad. This road was the escaping path for the slaves and captivated people from the Black origin. This house was owned by a German immigrant by the name of Jacob Burkle who was a baker by profession. The slaves who were forcefully brought here and made to survive in pathetic conditions could escape via ...Read more
  15. Shelby Farms

    4.7 (98 Votes)
    Shelby Farms

    Outdoors, Hiking Trail, Golf Course, Educational Site

    Owned and maintained by a humanist reformer known as Frances Wright, this was known as the Nashabe Commune earlier on. This is one of the 20 largest parks in the whole world. The estate comprises of everything from lakes, natural forests and wetlands. The place has a natural habitat for a number of species that can sustain close to metropolitan environments. The most attractive among these is t...Read more