The Best Travel Guide to Memphis (UPDATED 2025) | ArrivalGuides.com

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Memphis

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North America United States Memphis

Overview

Memphis The guide was updated: 2025-04-07

In Memphis, the past doesn’t sit still—it sings and speaks. From the echoes of Elvis at Graceland to the blues-soaked blocks of Beale Street and the weight of history at the National Civil Rights Museum, the city hums with stories. Music spills from bars and porches, carried on the scent of slow-cooked barbecue. Travelers don’t just visit Memphis—they feel it deep in the bones, in every note, bite, and heartbeat.

Facts

Population:	City: 607,581 (2025) Metro area: 1,188,000 (2025)
Currency:	US Dollar (USD)
Emergency numbers:	911
Newspapers:	The Commercial Appeal: www.commercialappeal.com The Daily Memphian: dailymemphian.com Memphis Flyer: www.memphisflyer.com
Tourist information:	Tennessee Welcome Center 119 Riverside Drive, Memphis Opening hours: Daily 7am–10pm +1 901 543 6757

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Section in Memphis

Memphis is a city that lives and breathes music, history, and barbecue. Whether you're here for the legacy of Elvis, the blues clubs on Beale Street, or just some of the best ribs you'll ever eat, there's plenty to see and do. From museums and historic sites to live music joints and riverfront strolls, it's an easy city to explore—by riverboat, bus, or just walking around. And wherever you go, that unmistakable Memphis rhythm is always in the background.

Beale Street

Beale Street

Beale Street is the heart of Memphis nightlife and the "Home of the Blues." Lined with live music joints, bars, and BBQ spots, this historic street has been a music hub since the 1800s. It’s packed most nights with people bar-hopping, catching street performances, or just soaking in the energy. Beale Street is a must-see whether you're here for the blues, a cold beer, or one of the many festivals held throughout the year. Just be ready for some late-night crowds.

Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum

Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum

The Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum isn’t just about music—it’s about the people who made it. The exhibits dive into the stories of the musicians who broke barriers and shaped rock and soul, pushing through racial and social struggles to change popular culture forever. It’s a solid stop for anyone who wants to understand how Memphis became a music powerhouse.

Graceland

Graceland

Any true music fan, especially rock and roll, will have Graceland on the top of their bucket list. Fittingly located on Elvis Presley Boulevard, this former home of the music legend houses an interactive museum that explores the life, influences, and music of The King, and quite simply shouldn't be missed. Just next door is the Elvis Presley Automobile Museum, and just across the road, you can visit Elvis' tomb.

Stax Museum of American Soul Music

Stax Museum of American Soul Music

The Stax Museum of American Soul Music features state-of-the-art interactive exhibits, including videos, interviews, musical and recording instruments, and tons of memorabilia, all of which, when put together, tell the fascinating story of American soul music.

National Civil Rights Museum

National Civil Rights Museum

It is no accident that the National Civil Rights Museum is located at the Lorraine Motel, the site of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. It's hard to think of a more meaningful location for a museum that chronicles the civil rights movement, and which strives to shed a light on civil rights issues that affect our society today. It is a sobering and powerful visit, not to mention an extremely important one.

Sun Studio

Sun Studio

Sun Studio is often called the "Birthplace of Rock 'N' Roll," and for good reason. This is where Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, B.B. King, and countless other legends recorded some of their earliest hits. Opened in 1950, the studio still runs recording sessions at night, but by day, it offers tours that let you stand where music history was made.

Hattiloo Theater

Hattiloo Theater

Hattiloo is a modern 75-seat theater and performing arts venue that vehemently supports African-American culture, featuring black artists, playwrights, and actors from all over the country, and giving them a platform to tell their stories and have their voices heard.

Peabody Hotel Ducks

Peabody Hotel Ducks

Memphis has its fair share of unique attractions, and the Peabody Ducks are definitely one of the quirkiest. Every day at 11am and 5pm, a group of ducks struts through the lobby of the historic Peabody Hotel, making their way to and from the fountain where they spend their day. It’s a full-on ceremony, complete with a red carpet and plenty of onlookers. They even live in a rooftop "Duck Palace" when they’re off duty. It’s weird, it’s fun, and it’s pure Memphis.

Shelby Farms Park

Shelby Farms Park

Shelby Farms Park is one of the largest urban parks in the country, covering 4,500 acres (about 1,820 hectares) of green space, lakes, and trails. Once a prison farm, it’s now a massive outdoor playground with everything from hiking and biking trails to paddleboarding and zip-lining. You might even spot a small herd of buffalo roaming the grounds. Designed with input from the team behind NYC’s High Line, it’s a go-to spot for outdoor lovers looking to escape the city for a bit.

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