Memphis in 7 days

The home of the blues and rock 'n' roll: Beale Street, Graceland, soul food and Mississippi soul. Best time to visit: April-May & September-October (mild, festive). Average daily budget: $110 to $230 USD.

Day 1, Land & wander

Base: Downtown & Beale Street, The lively core around the famous music street, the riverfront, and the National Civil Rights Museum.

Morning: Tour Graceland. Visit Elvis Presley's iconic mansion and the sprawling entertainment complex across the road.

Afternoon: Explore Downtown & Beale Street, The lively core around the famous music street, the riverfront, and the National Civil Rights Museum.

Evening: Experience Beale Street. The legendary home of the blues, alive with live music, neon and clubs every night.

Eat: Memphis-style dry-rub ribs and pulled pork

Day 2, Iconic sights

Base: Midtown & Cooper-Young, An eclectic, artsy district of vintage shops, restaurants, bars and the Overton Park area.

Morning: Visit the National Civil Rights Museum. A powerful, moving museum at the Lorraine Motel where Dr. King was assassinated.

Afternoon: Explore Midtown & Cooper-Young, An eclectic, artsy district of vintage shops, restaurants, bars and the Overton Park area.

Evening: Record history at Sun Studio. Tour the small studio where Elvis, Johnny Cash and others launched rock 'n' roll.

Eat: Southern soul food and fried chicken

Day 3, Food & markets

Base: South Memphis (Graceland), Home to Elvis Presley's legendary mansion and its museum complex.

Morning: Feast on Memphis barbecue. Sample the city's famous dry-rub ribs and pulled pork at its legendary joints.

Afternoon: Explore South Memphis (Graceland), Home to Elvis Presley's legendary mansion and its museum complex.

Evening: The daily Peabody Hotel duck march across the lobby fountain.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Hot tamales, a Delta tradition

Day 4, Local neighbourhoods

Base: Overton Square, A walkable Midtown entertainment district of theatres, dining and nightlife.

Morning: Stax Museum of American Soul Music in the original studio.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Overton Square, A walkable Midtown entertainment district of theatres, dining and nightlife.

Evening: Sunset over the Mississippi from the riverfront or Mud Island.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Sweet tea and homemade pie

Day 5, Day trip

Base: South Main Arts District, A revitalised downtown area of galleries, boutiques and trendy restaurants near the river.

Morning: Live music and soul food beyond Beale in the local neighbourhoods.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore South Main Arts District, A revitalised downtown area of galleries, boutiques and trendy restaurants near the river.

Evening: Dinner at Memphis-style dry-rub ribs and pulled pork, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in South Main Arts District.

Eat: Memphis-style dry-rub ribs and pulled pork

Day 6, Hidden gems

Base: Downtown & Beale Street, The lively core around the famous music street, the riverfront, and the National Civil Rights Museum.

Morning: Slow start: coffee in Downtown & Beale Street, then an unhurried walk before the heat or the crowds.

Afternoon: Explore Downtown & Beale Street, The lively core around the famous music street, the riverfront, and the National Civil Rights Museum.

Evening: Dinner at Southern soul food and fried chicken, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Downtown & Beale Street.

Eat: Southern soul food and fried chicken

Day 7, Slow finish

Base: Midtown & Cooper-Young, An eclectic, artsy district of vintage shops, restaurants, bars and the Overton Park area.

Morning: Slow start: coffee in Midtown & Cooper-Young, then an unhurried walk before the heat or the crowds.

Afternoon: Explore Midtown & Cooper-Young, An eclectic, artsy district of vintage shops, restaurants, bars and the Overton Park area.

Evening: Dinner at Hot tamales, a Delta tradition, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Midtown & Cooper-Young.

Eat: Hot tamales, a Delta tradition

Hidden gems

The daily Peabody Hotel duck march across the lobby fountain.
Stax Museum of American Soul Music in the original studio.
Sunset over the Mississippi from the riverfront or Mud Island.
Live music and soul food beyond Beale in the local neighbourhoods.

Getting around

Downtown Memphis is walkable around Beale Street, the riverfront and the South Main district, and a vintage trolley runs along Main Street and the riverfront. To reach Graceland, Sun Studio, the Stax Museum and Midtown, however, a car or rideshare is the most practical option, as the sights are spread across the city. Most visitors find a car or rideshare essential for combining the downtown icons with Graceland and the wider music trail.

Safety

Memphis's main visitor areas, downtown, Beale Street, the South Main district and Graceland, are generally fine with normal big-city awareness, but the city has higher crime in some areas, so stay in well-trafficked districts, use rideshare between sights and after dark, and avoid wandering into unfamiliar neighbourhoods at night. Keep valuables secure, park in attended lots, and apply standard urban caution, which lets most visitors enjoy the city without trouble.

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