The Best Memphis Travel Guide 2023

Memphis Travel Guide: When to Visit

Memphis can get pretty humid due to it’s proximity to the Mississippi. Memphis for the most part also experiences a true four different seasons. Therefore, it is important for you to figure out the best time of the year to visit here. The months in between April and May, which fall in the spring, can be considered as the best time of the year for the people to visit Memphis due to the mild weather. However, the summertime is the most popular time among tourists to visit Memphis. May is also a great time to visit Memphis because there are lots of festivals, the biggest one is called Memphis in May which lasts just about the whole month.

Memphis Travel Guide: How to Get There

The best way to reach Memphis is by flying unless you are close enough to drive. It is possible for you to find direct flights to Memphis from major destinations such as New York, Washington, Chicago, Toronto, etc. If you want a really unique way to travel to Memphis you could also take a riverboat!

Memphis Travel Guide: Where to Stay

The best way and safest area to stay in will be the downtown area. Anything on the South Main area will work. The two popular hotels are the Madison and the Peabody. However, they fill up fast and can be expensive. There are also other chain hotels in the downtown area which will be cheaper. There are also a good amount of lofts/condos on Airbnb for a decent price. Downtown is a great location for tourists because it’s close to many attractions, good restaurants and it’s safe. Most of Memphis’ attractions can be found in the vicinity of its Midtown and Downtown so Midtown could be another option as there are lots of Airbnb options in this area. 

Memphis Travel Guide: Getting Around

Memphis has a public transit system and the trolly system downtown is great.  However, to get around the entire city it might be best to rent your own car, so that you will be able to overcome frustration when getting from one place to another. You can also use rideshare services such as Lyft and Uber as well.

Memphis Travel Guide: Travel Tips

Experience the live music scene. Memphis is the home to a large number of iconic music venues. Hence, you can think about visiting those venues during the time that is being spent in here. Beale street is a great place to catch live music.

Relax and enjoy the riverfront view.  In Memphis, you will be able to find 11 amazing riverfront parks. All these parks provide great views of the Mississippi River.  

Try the Memphis Style BBQ!. You should definitely go ahead and enjoy a plate of Memphis style ribs. You can do it dry or wet and the best place to try it is at the Bar-B-Q Shop.

Think about if you really want to see Graceland. When you are in Memphis, the biggest tourist attraction that comes up is Graceland. Around half a million people tend to visit Memphis every single year and most visit Graceland.  This is by far the most crowded attraction in Memphis and expect large crowds during peak season. You will have to spend close to $50 for the entrance as well. If you are a huge Elvis fan than sure it’s probably a must but if not there are better things that Memphis has to offer. 

Don’t waste your money or time at the Bass Pro Pyramid observation tower. There is an observation tower at the top which costs about $10 to go to the top for a panoramic view. The line is typically long as well. Instead if you are seeking a good view almost every downtown hotel (such as the Madison) has an equal or better view. There are also some rooftop bars around the city with nice views as well. The Bass Pro itself might be worth seeing as it’s pretty ridiculous inside but if you have a limited time in Memphis, I would skip it.

Memphis Travel Guide: Typical Costs

Price Range for Hotels

Memphis is not the cheapest destination when it comes to hotels. Most the hotels in the popular downtown area can get expensive. They can range from $150 to $200 on average. There are higher end hotels as well such as the historic Peabody Hotel which is worth checking out even if you aren’t staying there. 

Cost of Meals

Meals are not too bad compared to cities such as New York and L.A. For example you can get a huge amazing tasting BBQ platter with ribs and pulled pork for around $20. Other meals also tend to be fairly priced.