Memphis, Tennessee

Where the blues were born and barbecue reigns supreme

Memphis pulses with musical heritage, from the neon-lit clubs of Beale Street to the hallowed halls of Sun Studio. This riverside city serves up world-class barbecue, deep-fried soul food, and the raw, authentic sound that changed American music forever.

Best time to visit: April through June and September through November

Best for: Live blues music, Authentic barbecue, Music history

Where to eat in Memphis

Rendezvous Memphis Dry-Rub BBQ · Downtown · $$
Alley entrance, wood smoke, institution since 1948 Order: Half slab of dry-rub ribs with slaw and baked beans.
Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken Fried Chicken · South Main · $
Spicy, crispy, no equals Order: The fried chicken — it comes one way and it's perfect.
Central BBQ Memphis BBQ · Multiple Locations · $$
Reliable Memphis BBQ anchor Order: Pulled pork sandwich and the smoked wings.
The Four Way Soul Food · South Memphis · $
MLK ate here — decades of soul food history Order: Fried catfish, cornbread, and collard greens.
Arcade Restaurant American Diner · South Main · $
Memphis's oldest restaurant (est. 1919) Order: Sweet potato pancakes and the blue plate special.
Cozy Corner Memphis BBQ · North Memphis · $
No-frills neighborhood BBQ legend Order: Whole Cornish game hen smoked low and slow — nothing like it.
Alcenia's Southern / Soul Food · North Main · $
B.J.'s hugs are mandatory Order: Ghetto Aid (fruit punch) and the daily special soul food plate.
Gray Canary Progressive Southern · Edge District · $$$
Memphis fine dining pioneer Order: Wood-roasted whole chicken and whatever's in the charcuterie case.
Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen Italian · Midtown · $$$
James Beard-nominated Italian in Midtown Order: The handmade pasta and the wood-roasted vegetables.
Porcellino's Craft Butcher Italian Deli & Butcher · Midtown · $$
Memphis charcuterie and sandwich excellence Order: The mortadella sandwich and whatever they're curing this week.
Soul Fish Cafe Southern Seafood · Cooper-Young · $$
Catfish done right in a neighborhood spot Order: Fried catfish with hush puppies and the crawfish etouffee.
Young Avenue Deli Bar Food & Music Venue · Cooper-Young · $
Cooper-Young's neighborhood anchor Order: A cold beer and the sandwiches; catch a show in the back room.
Interim Restaurant Refined New American · Midtown · $$$
Midtown's neighborhood fine dining Order: The seasonal tasting menu or the duck breast.

Neighborhoods

Beale Street — Neon-lit tourist magnet with authentic blues roots Best for Live music and nightlife. Don't miss: Walking the length of the street with a cocktail in hand
South Main — Hip arts district with converted warehouses and galleries Best for Local culture and vintage shopping. Don't miss: The trolley ride down Main Street
Midtown — Eclectic mix of restaurants, shops, and tree-lined streets Best for Food scene and local hangouts. Don't miss: Overton Park and the Memphis Zoo
Cooper-Young — Bohemian neighborhood with vintage shops and cafes Best for Alternative culture and unique finds. Don't miss: The annual Cooper-Young Festival in September

Things to do

Graceland Historic site — Elvis Presley's iconic mansion and final resting place Tip: Audio tour is included and narrated by Lisa Marie Presley
Sun Studio Music history — The birthplace of rock 'n' roll where Elvis, Johnny Cash, and Jerry Lee Lewis recorded Tip: Stand where Elvis recorded his first song
National Civil Rights Museum Museum — Powerful museum at the Lorraine Motel where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated Tip: Allow 3-4 hours for the full experience
Stax Museum of American Soul Music Music museum — Celebrating the legacy of Stax Records and soul music legends Tip: Don't miss the replica of the original Stax recording studio
Mississippi River Walk Outdoor activity — Scenic walk along the mighty Mississippi with views of the Pyramid Tip: Catch sunset from Tom Lee Park for spectacular photos
Peabody Duck March Unique attraction — Daily march of the famous Peabody ducks from penthouse to lobby fountain Tip: Arrive 30 minutes early to get a good viewing spot

Drinks and nightlife

B.B. King's Blues Club Live music venue — Tourist-friendly blues headquarters
Silky O'Sullivan's Honky-tonk bar — Rowdy party atmosphere
Earnestine & Hazel's Dive bar — Legendary juke joint
The Peabody Rooftop Bar Hotel rooftop — Upscale with skyline views
High Cotton Brewing Company Brewery — Local craft beer spot

Hidden gems

Elmwood Cemetery — Beautiful Victorian cemetery with elaborate monuments and peaceful walking paths
Metal Museum — Only museum in America dedicated to metalwork, with working blacksmith shop
Mud Island River Park — Scale model of the Mississippi River you can walk along, plus great city views
Chucalissa Archaeological Museum — Reconstructed 1000-year-old Native American village with platform mounds

Annual events in Memphis

Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest May · Tom Lee Park, Riverfront
The Super Bowl of BBQ — 250+ teams compete over three days on the banks of the Mississippi River in what is unquestionably the world's most serious BBQ competition.
Beale Street Music Festival May (Memphis in May) · Tom Lee Park, Riverfront
Three days of rock, R&B, hip-hop, and soul on the Mississippi River — the anchor event of Memphis in May and one of the South's most eclectic lineups.
International Blues Challenge January · Beale Street clubs
Blues musicians from around the world compete on Beale Street over four days — the most authentic blues music week in America.
Cooper-Young Festival September · Cooper-Young neighborhood
One of the Mid-South's largest free music and arts festivals — live music on multiple stages and local art on the streets of Memphis's most creative neighborhood.
Indie Memphis Film Festival October · Crosstown Arts and venues citywide
25+ years of independent film — short films, features, and filmmaker conversations celebrating Memphis's growing creative scene.
South Main Trolley Night Monthly (last Friday) · South Main Arts District
Memphis's best monthly art walk — galleries, studios, and restaurants in the South Main Historic Arts District open late with the trolley running.
Memphis Greek Festival October · Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, Midtown
One of Memphis's most beloved annual traditions — three days of authentic Greek food, music, and dancing at Midtown's beloved church festival.
AutoZone Liberty Bowl December · Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium
One of college football's longest-running bowl games — a December tradition in Memphis with strong fan attendance and a raucous pre-game scene on Beale Street.