Over the previous decade, we’ve visited Memphis 16 instances to hold with our household and discover the town. When my sister Kate & brother-in-law Will moved right here from Los Angeles, everybody was a bit skeptical. “Isn’t that the deep south?” “What’s there apart from Graceland,” individuals scoffed.” Grind Metropolis is completely misunderstood by outsiders, and even those who go to, typically simply go to Beale Road for dwell music and BBQ, then depart with out a clue. It isn’t stylish or polished like Nashville; it’s refreshingly uncooked and actual.
Music runs deep within the metropolis’s soul. It’s the place whole genres had been invented…rock n’ roll, soul, and the blues. Grind Metropolis was a lynchpin within the Civil Rights Motion and in the present day it’s house to 6 websites on the US Civil Rights Path. It’s surrounded by nature, with the mighty Mississippi River and one of many largest city parks on the planet. CNN Cash acknowledged Memphis as one of many 10 finest locations within the U.S. for startups, and even massive firms like Ford’s e-vehicle operations are establishing store right here. In our 10 years of visiting, we’ve watched the town hit its stride with extra entrepreneurs, artists, cooks, brewers, and hoteliers creating so many cool spots. The humanities are one in all Memphis’ best strengths and the town has channeled or not it’s their unifier and catalyst for change.
Memphis has been our household hub for holidays and a little bit of a protected haven in our nomadic lives. After we received the compulsory go to to Graceland and the Civil Rights Museum underneath our belt, our Memphis journeys grew to become about hanging out and doing because the locals do. And once I say this, it doesn’t imply sitting in a rocker on the entrance porch. My sister and her husband are music lovers, foodies, outdoorsy, and social individuals, all the time seeking to attempt the newest haps and share one of the best of them with us. We put our heads collectively for this information on one of the best issues to do in Memphis to journey like a neighborhood.
GET ORIENTED
Earlier than we get into all the coolness native spots, Memphis has plenty of layers to unpack…Civil Warfare historical past, music legends, civil rights monuments, and a layer of grit that may make it exhausting to see Memphis clearly. These are the important excursions and museums to get your bearings.
Backbeat Excursions
Overlook these tacky double-decker buses, and depart your Memphis introduction to the historians and musicians at Backbeat Excursions. Began by Invoice Patton (writer of The Information to Historic Downtown Memphis), this tour firm is aware of how intrinsically tied Memphis historical past is to music, so the information has a microphone and guitar to offer a bit context to every website. Like singing early Elvis tunes in entrance of Lauderdale Courts the place The King of Rock n’ Roll spent his teenage years, and enjoying songs central to the civil rights motion in entrance of I AM A MAN Plaza, honoring the 1968 sanitation employees strike that introduced MLK to city. We hit the town highlights of historic Cotton Row, the Victorian neighborhood of Courtroom Sq., Central BBQ (with a tasting), Lansky Brothers (clothier to Johnny Money, BB King, and Elvis), and a bunch of different key websites. Enjoyable and informative, Backbeat’s Memphis Discovery Tour is one of the simplest ways to get oriented and have a good time. Additionally they do strolling and bike excursions masking a wide range of extra Memphis-specific matters.
Journey the Classic Road Vehicles
Memphis’ authentic streetcar community closed in 1947…however now the MATA trolley is again with beautiful heritage vehicles. Sourced in all places from Portugal to Australia, that is a powerful worldwide assortment of classic vehicles with intricate woodworking, vintage lighting, and chiming bells. After we got here to talk at TravelCon Memphis, we piled in with a dozen blogger buddies and had a selfie spectacular. Using the Predominant Road Line and the River Entrance Loop throughout the day offers a fantastic overview of city and a glance into native life, and by evening it’s a sensible technique to bar hop. Higher nonetheless, it’s $1 a experience and a neighborhood expertise! Be sure you chat with the conductors, each we’ve met is a Memphian, stuffed with allure and sass.
MUSEUMS & MUSIC HISTORY
Civil Rights Museum
Memphis has an unimaginable quantity of high-quality museums, a lot of that are the undisputed authority on the subject. Ensure that to see at the very least two of those!
You may name The Nationwide Civil Rights Museum a vacationer attraction, however it’s important schooling for each American. Set within the Lorraine Motel, the place Martin Luker King Jr. was assassinated, and expanded with state-of-the-art displays that earned them Smithsonian standing, this museum profoundly covers 5 centuries of African American historical past and race relations. Going with my household was an enchanting expertise, and sparked some deep conversations with our little niece who is essentially color-blind to race, and my mother who lived in San Francisco throughout the Civil Rights Motion. (Enjoyable reality, her faculty roommate was a Freedom Rider, and she or he noticed her within the museum’s photograph of a jail lineup!)
Considerate signage, a whole lot of artifacts, and greater than 40 movies cowl matters from slavery, the rise of Jim Crow, and constructive adjustments of the late 20th century, to the challenges we face in the present day. You possibly can even stroll into the resort room MLK spent his ultimate hours, and go throughout the road to the buildings linked to the assassination and the mysteries round it. Throughout our go to, the King of Ghana and his dignitaries simply occurred to be touring the museum, which provides you a way of how internationally revered the Civil Rights Museum actually is.
Stax Soul Museum
With regards to soul music, Stax is the middle of the universe. On the unique website of Stax Information, which produced 900 singles and launched legends like Otis Redding and Issac Hayes, is the world’s solely museum devoted to American soul music. Celebrating their 20th anniversary in 2023, they’ve simply renovated with new displays and interactive shows, now totaling 2,000 gadgets of memorabilia, from costumes to basic vehicles.
On our current journey, we heard concerning the Tuesday live shows with the Stax Academy Alumni Band (the Soulsville Basis has two spectacular faculties nurturing native expertise), so we introduced my mother and nieces for some enjoyable. Energetic eight-year-old Maisie ran forward and sprinted again, saying “Aunt Anne, they’ve a disco dance flooring!” We proceeded to spend the following 20 minutes booging to episodes of Soul Practice underneath the stage lights. Then got here time for the eight-piece alumni band; they had been soooo good, that they had everybody within the aisles shaking a tailfeather. I didn’t know my mother was a soul fan, however these songs completely introduced her again and had her buzzing Aretha for days and saying, “That was a lot enjoyable!”
Blues Corridor of Fame, Solar Studio & Extra Music Museums
Whether or not you’re a soul, blues, or rock n’ roll fan, Memphis has a top-notch museum to get your foot tappin’.
Memphis Music Corridor of Fame: Do you know 20 % of the early inductees within the Rock ‘n’ Roll Corridor of Fame got here from inside a 100-mile radius of Memphis? From Tina Turner to Justin Timberlake, meet the hometown heroes.
Solar Studio: Birthplace of Rock n’ Roll & the Million Greenback Quartet (Johnny Money, Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, and Jerry Lee Lewis)
Memphis Rock n’ Soul Museum: What it seems like, however even higher, with its Smithsonian-accredited shows.
Graceland: The house of all issues Elvis (mansion, vehicles, airplanes, jumpsuits, and the total story of his legacy. (Expensive, however value it!)
Blues Corridor of Fame Museum: Homage to the House of the Blues and the way far its sound has traveled.
MUSIC VENUES & ROCKIN’ BARS
Our bro-in-law, who is aware of that Mike & I love dive bars and dwell music, would make a degree to take us to a brand new gem every time we had been on the town. Incomes true dive bar standing in Memphis doesn’t simply imply you have got neon beer indicators, it means your partitions can discuss. Facet word and wacky reality: Memphis liquor legal guidelines are such that if a bar doesn’t promote exhausting alcohol, and the institution is cool with it, you may convey your personal!
Better of Beale Road
The place W.C. Helpful revealed the blues, the place Elvis and BB King received their begin, and the place the following massive acts reduce their tooth, Beale Road is eternally glowing in a neon halo. This strip of juke joints, blues halls, and bars has vacationers for a purpose, however there are nonetheless spots that locals go. The ladies and I all the time have enjoyable popping into A. Schwab (est 1876), with its old-time soda fountain, variety-store treasures, and artifacts from its Nineteen Seventies stint as The Beale Road Museum. We typically go as much as Patio Bar for the unimaginable people-watching, or get out of the fray with a frosty one on the native brewery, Ghost River Faucet Room. And after we really feel like some Blues in Blues Metropolis, there may be the Itta Bena Bar above B.B. King’s.
Blues Metropolis Cafe’s Band Field
With regards to music on Beale Road, we love the Blues Metropolis Cafe. That is clearly not a hidden gem if acts like Queen Latifah & Rufus Thomas have graced the stage, and friends like President Invoice Clinton & Samuel L. Jackson have popped in for a present, however this place is legit. One in every of Kate & Will’s favourite bands, The Eskimo Brothers frequently performs right here and we all the time attempt to catch them. To present you an concept of how cool these guys are and the way intimate this venue is, The Eskimo Brothers really took the time to name me from the stage when my sister mentioned I used to be late for the present. It’s simply that form of place.
Hernando’s Cover-A-Method
A spot Elvis performed within the Fifties and the place Jerry Lee Lewis visited so typically within the ’80s he known as it his “workplace,” is the “World Well-known Hernando’s Cover-A-Method.” Resurrected in 2018 to honor their rockabilly and honkey tonk previous, they’ve dwell music Wednesday by Saturday, and inventive cocktails like The Johnny Money Smash and All Shook Up Daiquiris. It’s a throwback dream, definitely worth the Uber experience a bit out of downtown.
Wild Invoice’s Juke Joint
After we noticed this bar title title written on wood boards, in black marker, and lined with Christmas Lights, we immediately knew Wild Invoice’s can be good. A dwell blues dive bar situated within the Vollintine-Evergreen district, Wild Invoice’s is just 5 minutes from world-famous Beale Road, however nearly fully missed by vacationers. Of their quarter-century historical past, they’ve pulled a number of the South’s largest names and are all the time bringing in rising expertise. After we went, there was a 70-year-old girl killing it on electrical guitar and a singer who would have made W.C. Helpful proud.
Earnestine & Hazel‘s
Arguably one of the best dive bar in America (featured in Esquire, Playboy, and 9 films), this former Thirties pharmacy-turned-barber-shop-turned-brothel-turned-bar, has (ghost) tales to inform. Earnestine & Hazel’s really went up on the market lately and our brother-in-law thought-about shopping for it for safekeeping! Excellent news, it’s within the palms of excellent buddies respecting the legacy of this place, leaving its creaky flooring and chipping paint, and providing good dwell music and luxury meals (together with the nationally acknowledged Soul Burger). Should you see the outdated “Sundry Retailer” signal exterior and suppose this place seems shady, you’ve arrived.
RIP: Wind Jammer
We now have to pour one out for the best Karaoke bar of all time, a spot so divey it sadly met its demise (possibly having the car parking zone double as the lads’s lavatory was going too far.) After we went for his or her closing social gathering, one of the best singers on the town got here to honor this plywood home of music, everybody was dancing like an enormous hug, and PBR flowed just like the Mississippi.
Live performance on the Overton Park Shell
This venue isn’t just scenic and enjoyable, however the place historical past was made. The very first time Elvis carried out his loopy idea of Rock ‘n Roll was right here, on the now Overton Park Shell. Right now, this open-air amphitheater is utilizing music as a technique to construct neighborhood and rejoice range. Come for his or her signature free dwell music live shows that run from Could by October, a number of days every week. A night at this small venue underneath the shady bushes and dancing alongside Memphians is all the time a pleasure. Come to the park a number of hours earlier than a present and take a look at the neighboring Memphis Brooks Museum of Arts.
MEMPHIS OUTDOOR FUN
Shelby Farms
At 4,500 acres, Shelby Farms Park is greater than 5 instances the dimensions of Central Park! Among the many largest city parks on the planet, it’s received 20 our bodies of water, 40 miles of paved and single-track trails, and nearly each outside exercise…disc golf, ziplining, kayaking, horseback driving, and extra. My sister and her household go right here each month, so we requested them to explain their excellent Shelby Farms day they mentioned, “Biking round Hyde Lake, getting a chunk at Coastal Fish Firm, and watching the bison roam.” (Sure, Shelby Farms is house to a herd of bison.)
Wolf River Seashore
Our favourite Memphis nature day of all time was taking a stroll by the Lucius Burch Jr. Forest for a Wolf River Seashore Day. Whereas we women had been swimming and constructing sand castles, the boys went mountain biking within the surrounding forest, then all of us reunited for a picnic and a sport of river bocce. Having nature like this only a bike experience away from downtown made us admire the town much more. For extra intense mountain biking, do the six-mile Tour de Wolf single-track loop.
Sundown on the Mississippi River
The mighty Mississippi is likely one of the world’s main river techniques and a waterway that has related the middle of the nation for the reason that daybreak of time. It’s the stuff of legend, evoking the phrases of Mark Twain, the songs of Tina Turner, and the origin story of Memphis. By day, you may see it’s the hard-working river it’s all the time been, however by sundown, the magic of the Mississippi shines in golden hues. Take pleasure in it from high-flying rooftop bars like Beck & Name, Hu. Roof, or the historic Peabody Lodge. To be even nearer to the water, head to Beale Road Touchdown or Mud Island.
Memphis Pink Birds Ball Recreation
Going to a baseball sport has change into a dear and commercialized affair—not on the Memphis Redbird’s stadium. This Triple-A crew, an affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals, nonetheless has the fun-loving spirit of baseball. You will get tickets for $6 and lay out your picnic blanket on their grassy bluff seating, whereas consuming pulled pork nachos. In current information, we love to listen to that AutoZone Park has been named a Prime 10 Vegetarian-Pleasant Ballpark and that they swapped out their VIP suites for an all-inclusive membership.
Data Quest Group Occasions
On our 16th journey to Memphis, we had been in search of contemporary methods to discover the town and got here throughout Data Quest’s South Memphis Group E-biking Occasion. We rapidly realized this wasn’t only a scenic experience to the Mississippi River, this was one in all KQ’s many common occasions and brokers for social change in inner-city Memphis. Modern packages like their three-acre city instructing farm, Teen Tech Heart, and common wellness occasions—from Tai Chi to beekeeping—are revolutionizing this neighborhood and provoking others. Our experience throughout city, stroll by the natural instructing farm, and chats with the founder Marlon Foster had been so invigorating! Try KnowledgeQuest.org for how one can take part of their occasions (or be a part of us in making a donation)!
BEER GARDENS & SUNDAY FUNDAYS
Being within the Solar Belt, Memphis has delicate winters, pretty springs, scorching summers, and colourful autumns…all conducive to spending a lot of the yr outdoor with a drink in your hand! In consequence, the town has a bunch of beer gardens, many household and pet-friendly.
Railgarten
Midtown Memphis is a hip native neighborhood, with cute retailers, eating places, and bars. Nevertheless, if there may be one midtown institution that wraps all that coolness into one bundle, it’s Railgarten. Unfold throughout 1.5 acres of outside area, outdated transport containers are actually bars, eateries, and levels. Within the center, you’ve received a correct volleyball court docket, an outside display for large video games and film nights, and seating with firepits or umbrellas to maintain the enjoyable going irrespective of the climate. My sister and I’ve a robust volleyball connection (it’s how we communicated in our feisty teenage years and not directly how we each met our husbands). We love coming right here as a household (Lexie Canine included), to hit the ball round, have a number of beers, and catch new bands. Test their schedule for enjoyable music and occasions.
Tom Lee River Park
The much-anticipated grand reopening of Tom Lee River Park is poised to be the last word hangout spot alongside the Mississippi. Greater than 1,000 new bushes and 50,000 native flora have been planted for this manicured inexperienced area with fountains, raised walkways, and suave playgrounds. There may even be a stage for dwell music and a number of eateries for enjoyable into the evening. Opening September 2023.
Loflin Yard
Hiding behind the railroad tracks in downtown Memphis is Loflin Yard, an oasis of historic buildings, eateries, bars, and outside areas, even a stream! Akin to Railgarten with dwell music, garden video games, and chill areas, however swankier.
Carolina Watershed
Simply throughout the road from Loflin Yard, Carolina Watershed has the prime spot overlooking two waterfalls with an enormous patio to take them in. And also you’ve gotta love their round bar inside a silo and luxury meals.
BEST RESTAURANTS IN MEMPHIS
With a wealthy culinary custom and an inflow of scorching new cooks, eating is among the many finest issues to do in Memphis. After all, you’ve gotta attempt each their wet- and dry-style BBQ however there may be a lot extra to Grind Metropolis delicacies. Lots of the beer gardens and bars we listed above even have nice meals (notably Blues Metropolis Cafe and Loflin Yard), however the next locations are all about good grub.
Brunch: Dawn Memphis
Restauranteur Ryan Trimm partnered with the world-famous Central BBQ to create this funky, feel-good diner. Identified to be “one of the best breakfast in Memphis,” this place has traces out the door for his or her McBetter Breakfast Sandwich, 3 Hermana Tacos, and Breakfast of Champions sriracha tofu bowl. Open from 7am till 1pm…as they are saying, “Stand up ‘n Grit-it!”
BBQ: The Bar-B-Q Store
We ate at this Midtown mainstay throughout our omnivore days and might vouch for its legit Memphis BBQ and downhome allure. The Bar-B-Q Store is my bro and sis’s #1 BBQ decide to at the present time. Strive their signature BBQ Spaghetti (it’s means higher than it sounds).
Vegan: Think about
Lastly, a restaurant that understands that simply because some of us don’t eat meat doesn’t imply we don’t need good BBQ! In actual fact, Think about is so good at Southern cooking, that their Vegan Memphis Sandwich Platter was featured in USA Right now’s Greatest BBQ within the States (in opposition to ALL BBQ)! And when my mother had the shrimp po’ boy, even the meat eaters on the desk had been asking for one more chunk.
Extra Vegan Eating places: Plant-Based mostly Warmth, Son of a Vegan, and Metropolis Silo (for its bountiful plant-based choices).
Tremendous Eating: ACRE
Trendy Southern delicacies with an Asian twist is an unexpectedly pleasant mixture that has earned ACRE awards. Set in a renovated home on a tree-lined road, this up to date area is tremendous inviting and romantic. As vegans, we had been impressed with the Hamachi Crudo cucumber and carrot ginger salad, the Roasted Carrots with Avocado, walnut, labneh, and white truffle honey French dressing, and meat eaters will certainly love this place too.
Tremendous Eating Honorable Point out: Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen
BEST BOUTIQUE HOTELS IN MEMPHIS
The Central Station Memphis
Actually atop the century-old (working) prepare station, the lately opened Central Station resort has saved its excessive ceilings, large home windows, and marble flooring for the right steadiness of hip and historic. Plus, it’s house to the improbable Southern-French fusion restaurant, Bishop.
Arrive
The industrial-chic Arrive Lodge has been the traveler hotspot since its opening in 2019. Punchy decor within the foyer is complemented by serene suites for a well-rounded appear and feel. Positioned within the South Predominant Arts District, it’s simply off the primary vacationer drag however nonetheless within the coronary heart of all of it.
James Lee Home
Set within the metropolis’s Victorian Village Historic District, this grand house from 1848 on the Nationwide Register of Historic Locations, is now an expensive and completely distinctive B&B. The James Lee Home will get the adore it deserves from everybody from Journey & Leisure to New York Journal.
Have you ever been to Memphis these days? It’s time for a getaway! Try our Tennessee Highway journey weblog for our itinerary from Knoxville to Memphis.
Particular because of Tennessee Tourism for supporting our storytelling and an enormous because of my household for sharing your Memphis world with us all these years!
