The Best Travel Guide to Memphis

All Travel Guides

United States

Memphis

Provided by: Philip Parker/Memphis CVB

Our travel guides are free to read and explore online. If you want to get your own copy, the full travel guide for this destination is available to you offline* to bring along anywhere or print for your trip.

*this will be downloaded as a PDF.

Price

€4,95

Purchase

North America United States Memphis

Overview

Memphis The guide was updated: 2023-02-16

Experience the authentic soulful blend of past and present in Memphis, where landmarks such as Graceland, Sun Studio, STAX, Beale Street, and the National Civil Rights Museum await your visit. Local musicians draw inspiration from legendary icons such as Elvis Presley, Aretha Franklin and Al Green, creating original and soulful music that captures the true essence of Memphis. In addition to the sounds, feast your senses on the culinary delights of the city. Memphis offers a truly unique experience that will leave you feeling inspired and satisfied.

Facts

Population:	632,040 (2022)
Currency:	1 US dollar (US$) = 100 cents
Emergency numbers:	911
Newspapers:	The Commercial Appeal – eu.commercialappeal.com The Daily Memphian – dailymemphian.com Memphis Flyer – www.memphisflyer.com
Tourist information:	Tennessee State Welcome Center 119 N. Riverside Drive, Memphis Opening hours: daily 9am–3pm +1 888 633 9099

Read more

Section in Memphis

The largest city in Tennessee, Memphis is a must-see destination for lovers of Elvis, music, history and barbecue. This vibrant and colorful destination offers everything from museums and galleries, to theater and nightlife, and it is super easy to navigate by riverboat, bus or on foot. From Beale Street with the best live blues to B.B. King's and many more restaurants and bars – Memphis continues to seduce travelers with its culinary specialties and, of course, its rhythm! Learn more at: www.visittheusa.se/experience/memphis-tennessee-music-history-and-food-birthplace-rock-n-roll

Beale Street

Beale Street

Better known as the "Home of the Blues", this iconic street (the most visited attraction in Tennessee) is home to countless blues clubs and restaurants, and also the locale for numerous events and festivals throughout the year. Created back in 1841, it is integral to the history of Memphis, as well as the history of the blues, making it a vital part of any visit to the city.

Memphis Rock N' Soul Museum

Memphis Rock N' Soul Museum

Created by the Smithsonian Institute, the The Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum, more than being about music, celebrates the lives and stories of the musical pioneers who created it and forever changed popular culture, despite fierce opposition and racial and social obstacles.

American Queen

American Queen

There are few more immersive and meaningful ways to discover the beauty and history of the South than by cruising down the Mississippi River. The historic American Queen Steamboat Company offers overnight cruises with authentic regional experiences along the way.

Graceland

Graceland

Any true fan of music, especially a fan of 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

Stax Museum

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, known throughout the music industry as "the Birthplace of Rock 'N' Roll", is yet another place of musical pilgrimage in Memphis. Tracing its origins back to 1950, it saw the likes of Elvis Presley, B.B. King, Johnny Cash and countless other legends sit in the recording booth. It still functions as a recording studio at night, while offering tours to the public by day.

Beer-Drinking Goats at Silky O'Sullivan's

Beer-Drinking Goats at Silky O'Sullivan's

Silky O’Sullivan’s, centrally located on Beale Street, serves great barbecue but the main attraction is the beer loving goats. Sit outside and watch the goats climb the goat tower and guzzle beer.

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

Modern Memphis has plenty of attractions to offer, especially for animal lovers. The Peabody, a famous five-star hotel in Memphis, is home to a regal brigade of ducks who spend their days basking in the ritzy hotel lobby fountain. Crowds gather daily at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. to watch the critters on their ceremonious march from their penthouse home to the fountain (and vice-versa in the early evenings).

Shelby Farms Park Conservatory

Shelby Farms Park Conservatory

The impressive Shelby Farms Park Conservatory is an 1,820-hectare converted prison farm that was designed by the team behind New York City’s Highline. Around 15 buffalo roam the Shelby Farms Park grounds year-round.

Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid

Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid

Explore the Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid to see its unique cypress swamp, located inside and featuring an alligator habitat. Then, take the nation's largest free-standing elevator to the top for an unforgettable view of Memphis.

Load more