Things to Do in Memphis
35 things to do in Memphis
Memphis is a city built on music, history, and the Mississippi River. Whether you're here to walk in Elvis's footsteps at Graceland, explore the soul of American music at Stax Museum of American Soul Music and Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum, or dive into the city's complex past at the National Civil Rights Museum, there's something that resonates with every traveler.
The energy of Beale Street draws crowds day and night, while quieter cultural experiences await at Memphis Brooks Museum of Art and the Slave Haven Underground Railroad Museum. Outdoor lovers can spend time at Shelby Farms Park or Overton Park, catch a show at Overton Park Shell, or climb to the observation deck at Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid for river views. South Main and Cooper-Young offer galleries, vintage shops like A. Schwab, and local restaurants scattered throughout neighborhoods that feel lived-in and genuine.
Sun Studio remains a pilgrimage site for music fans, and The Cotton Museum at the Memphis Cotton Exchange tells the story of the commodity that shaped the region. Between museums, parks, and streets thick with musical heritage, Memphis rewards curious exploration.
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National Civil Rights Museum
Must-seeThe museum at MLK's assassination site is Memphis's defining historical landmark and pilgrimage destination.
450 Mulberry Street, Memphis, Tennessee 38103, United States - 2
Graceland
Must-seeElvis's mansion and Memphis landmark; pilgrimage site for music lovers globally.
Graceland, Elvis Presley Blvd, Memphis, TN 38116, USA - 3
Beale Street
Must-seeHistoric Blues epicenter and Memphis's defining entertainment district; essential visit.
Beale Street, Beale St, Memphis, TN, USA - 4
Elvis Presley's Memphis
Must-seeGraceland is Elvis's home and Memphis's defining cultural landmark; essential for first-time visitors.
3717 Elvis Presley Blvd, Memphis, TN 38116, USA - 5

Sun Studio
Must-seeBirthplace of rock and roll; Elvis, Cash, B.B. King recorded here; National Historic Landmark.
Sun Studio, 706 Union Ave, Memphis, TN 38103, USA - 6
Shelby Farms Park
Must-seeMajor urban park offering genuine escape from city, free access, diverse activities for various interests and ages.
6903 Great View Dr N, Memphis, TN 38134, USA - 7
Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum
Must-seeMemphis's defining cultural contribution; essential for understanding American music history.
Just South of Beale at FedExForum, 191 Beale St, Memphis, TN 38103, USA - 8
Stax Museum of American Soul Music
Essential Memphis landmark; Stax shaped American music and civil rights history directly.
926 E McLemore Ave, Memphis, TN 38106, USA - 9
Sun Studio
Historic recording studio where Elvis, Cash, and B.B. King recorded; essential for music history.
Sun Studio, 706 Union Ave, Memphis, TN 38103, USA - 10
Slave Haven Underground Railroad Museum
Rare surviving Underground Railroad site offering direct historical experience of Civil Rights history.
826 N 2nd St, Memphis, TN 38107, USA - 11

Mississippi River (Memphis)
Essential Memphis experience: the river shaped the city's identity, history, and culture fundamentally.
Memphis, TN - 12
Blues Hall of Fame Museum
Essential for understanding Memphis's defining role in American blues and music history.
421 S Main St, Memphis, TN 38103, USA - 13
Big River Crossing
Iconic pedestrian bridge with unique river views and memorable experience; Memphis's riverfront centerpiece.
Big River Crossing, Memphis, TN, USA - 14
Crosstown Concourse
Iconic adaptive reuse project showcasing Memphis's revitalization through art, makers, and community.
1350 Concourse Ave, Memphis, TN 38104, USA - 15
Cooper-Young
Authentic local neighborhood with independent shops and galleries; essential for understanding Memphis culture.
Cooper-Young, Memphis, TN, USA - 16
Memphis Brooks Museum of Art
Strong regional art museum with free admission, thoughtful curation, Egyptian collection, and accessible layout.
1934 Poplar Ave, Memphis, TN 38104, USA - 17
Memphis Zoo
Well-established 125-acre zoo with conservation focus; strong draw for families but not Memphis's primary tourist attraction.
2000 Prentiss Pl, Memphis, TN 38112, USA - 18
Overton Park Shell
Historic 1936 outdoor venue embodying Memphis's casual music culture and community spirit.
1928 Poplar Ave, Memphis, TN 38104, USA - 19
Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid
Iconic pyramid landmark with free observation deck; Memphis's most distinctive riverfront architecture.
1 Bass Pro Dr, Memphis, TN 38105, USA - 20
Fawn
937 Cooper St, Memphis, TN 38104, USA - 21

Tom Lee Park
Prime Mississippi River waterfront with views and major festival venue; essential for riverside context.
Tom Lee Park, Riverside Dr, Memphis, TN 38103, USA - 22
South Main
Authentic arts district with galleries, live music venues, and genuine neighborhood character.
South Main, Memphis, TN, USA - 23
The Cotton Museum at the Memphis Cotton Exchange
Essential Memphis history museum in landmark building; unflinching account of cotton's human costs.
65 Union Ave, Memphis, TN 38103, USA - 24

The Food
1782 Madison Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee 38104, United States - 25
Overton Park
Excellent urban park for respite; worth visiting if time permits or staying in Midtown.
1914 Poplar Ave #202, Memphis, TN 38104, USA - 26
Woodruff-Fontaine House Museum
Authentic 1870s mansion with exceptional preservation; strong regional architectural significance.
680 Adams Ave, Memphis, TN 38105, USA - 27
Overton Square
Historic neighborhood with authentic local shops and galleries; worth visiting if exploring Cooper-Young area.
2101 Madison Ave, Memphis, TN 38104, USA - 28
Memphis Botanic Garden
Beautiful gardens worth visiting if you have time, but not a defining Memphis sight.
750 Cherry Rd, Memphis, TN 38117, USA - 29
Mud Island
Unique scale model of Mississippi River; worth visiting if time allows, but not essential.
Mud Island, Memphis, TN 38103, USA - 30
Dixon Gallery & Gardens
Strong Impressionist collection in intimate setting; essential for art lovers, optional for general visitors.
4339 Park Ave, Memphis, TN 38117, USA - 31
Withers Collection Museum & Gallery
333 Beale St, Memphis, TN 38103, USA - 32

Memphis Sports
5012 Park Ave, Memphis, Tennessee 38117, United States - 33
Beale Street
Must-seeMemphis's defining blues and nightlife destination; live music every night year-round.
Beale St, Memphis, TN 38103, USA 
Art Galleries and Museums
1934 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee 38104, United StatesA. Schwab
163 Beale St, Memphis, TN 38103, USA
Things to Do in Memphis: FAQ
What are the must-see music attractions in Memphis?
Graceland, Sun Studio, Stax Museum of American Soul Music, and Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum are the pillars of Memphis music tourism. Beale Street is where you'll hear live performances throughout the day and night.
Where should I spend a day outdoors in Memphis?
Shelby Farms Park and Overton Park offer plenty of space to walk, picnic, or relax. For river views and unique experiences, Mud Island and Tom Lee Park sit along the Mississippi, and Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid offers an unusual vantage point over the water.
What neighborhoods are best for exploring galleries and local shops?
South Main and Cooper-Young are the heart of Memphis's gallery and indie retail scene. You'll find everything from contemporary art to vintage finds like those at A. Schwab.