Memphis

Memphis is the second largest city in the state of Tennessee, after Nashville. The state rests in the southeastern portion of the United States. Memphis, with a population of more than 651,000 (2019), is also the county seat for Shelby County. The city's claims to fame include Graceland, the mansion Elvis Presley lived in during his later years. Perhaps more importantly, Memphis is considered by many to be the home of blues music.

For other places with the same name, see Memphis (disambiguation).

Understand

Although downtown Memphis has experienced quite a rebirth and renewal in the last few years, the center of the city is older; it is full of new development, teeming with change and coming into its own. In the past few years, the city has emerged to boast one of the largest downtown populations among US cities. Citizens again have a vested interest in making downtown a safe, exciting place to visit and relax in after decades of abandonment.

Memphis is extremely hot in the summertime, and the humidity can make you feel even hotter! Those who have trouble tolerating high heat and humidity may wish to avoid visiting in July and August.

Get in

Memphis is on the southwestern corner of Tennessee, with the Mississippi River and the state of Arkansas bordering it to the west and the state of Mississippi to the south.

By plane
  • Allegiant Air: Austin, Fort Lauderdale, Las Vegas, Orlando/Sanford
  • American Airlines: Charlotte, Chicago-O'Hare, Dallas-Fort Worth, Miami, New York-LaGuardia, Philadelphia, Washington-National.
  • Delta Air Lines: Atlanta, Cancun, Cincinnati, Detroit, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Minneapolis/St. Paul, New York-LaGuardia, Orlando, Salt Lake City
  • Frontier Airlines: Denver, Washington-Dulles
  • Southern Airways Express: Destin, Florida; Harrison, Arkansas; Jackson, Missouri; and Nashville
  • Southwest Airlines: Austin, Baltimore, Chicago-Midway, Dallas-Love, Houston-Hobby, Orlando, Tampa.
  • United Airlines: Chicago-O'Hare, Denver, Houston-Intercontinental, Newark.

By car
  • is a good route into town but doesn't go through Memphis; to get to the other side of 40 you take the north loop which is I-40, or the south loop, which is known as I-240 and is Memphis' beltway.
  • will take you right into town; just take the Riverside Drive exit from either direction to be at Beale Street in a minute.
  • Comes from Alabama, through Mississippi, and ends in Memphis.
  • Parking - Except for downtown, parking is usually free. If you're downtown, try a garage on Union Avenue or Front Street for around $2/hr, $7/day. Expect to hunt for cheaper parking if there's an event going on at the FedEx Forum, Beale Street or AutoZone Park. Parking vendors also appear to charge higher prices during these peak times.

By foot or bicycle

If bicycling or on foot from West Memphis, Arkansas, take the Harahan Bridge.

By train

Running along the Mississippi River, Amtrak's overnight City of New Orleans between Chicago and New Orleans, serves Memphis once daily. The 🌍 Memphis Central Station is on South Main St, which is just south of downtown.

By bus
  • Delta Bus Lines, (Greyhound bus depot) 3033 Airways Blvd (same location as Greyhound and the MATA Airways Blvd Transit Center at Brooks Rd & Airways Blvd, south of town and northwest of the airport), ☏ +1 662 335-2144, fax: +1 662 335-2174. Goes south along US Hwy 278 towards Cleveland, MS via Robinsonville, Shelby, Tunica and Clarksdale. Passengers transfer in Cleveland to continue towards Indianola, Greeneville, Jackson and other places in Mississippi and onwards to Baton Rouge, LA. (updated Dec 2017)
  • 🌍 Greyhound, (bus depot) 3033 Airways Blvd (same location as the MATA Airways Blvd Transit Center at Brooks Rd & Airways Blvd, south of town and northwest of the airport), ☏ +1 901 395-8770, toll-free: +1 800 231-2222. Travels primarily on Interstate 22/US Hwy 78 (Memphis - Tupelo - Birmingham AL); I-40 (Oklahoma City - Little Rock - Memphis - Nashville), with some variations of the route diverging from Little Rock to Dallas Ft Worth on I-30); I-55 (St Louis - Memphis and Memphis - Baton Rouge on two separate routes); and I-55/57 (Memphis - Effingham (Illinois) - Chicago). Passengers can transfer buses in Birmingham, Baton Rouge, Chicago, Dallas-Ft Worth, St Louis, Nashville or Oklahoma City to continue to other destinations. MATA bus routes 2 and 4 will take you downtown while route 64 (airport shuttle) takes you to the airport. (updated Jul 2015)
  • 🌍 Turimex Internacional, (Bus stop & ticket agency) El Rancherito Market @ 5070 Raleigh LaGrange Rd (Strip mall NE of intersection of Raleigh LaGrange Rd & Covington Pike), toll-free: +1 800 733-7330. I-30/40/55 (Chicago - Memphis - Little Rock - Dallas). Passengers transfer to their other buses in Dallas to continue to other destinations in the US and Mexico. (updated Sep 2017)

Get around
  • Driving: Travel by car is really the only way to get around Memphis if you want to do anything other than see Downtown.
  • Public Transit:
    • The Main Street Trolley operates along Main Street within the Downtown area.
    • Bus service provided by the Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA) is available across the city. Some routes are very poorly served in the evenings. At nights and weekends some buses take a different route than during the day which can be a trap for visitors.

Memphis is laid out in a more or less east/west fashion. Roads primarily go east/west and north/south. The expressway cuts directly through the city.

Downtown is on the west; it sits atop the bluffs, overlooking the mighty Mississippi River. (It is referred to as Downtown, not as West Memphis, which is a town just across the river in Arkansas.) Moving east you'll come to Midtown, a charming part of the city thought by some as the best part of Memphis. Beyond that, you will find East Memphis, and then the suburbs of Germantown, Collierville, Cordova, and Bartlett. The area between downtown and Midtown, referred to by locals as "Crosstown," is coming to life slowly but surely. There is a movement to turn it into an artist community. Members of this movement call the area "the Edge". However, most of the "art district" is on South Main.

See

Downtown
  • Downtown Memphis. Buy a ticket and take the trolley to get a good overview of the area.
  • 🌍 Beale Street. "Home of the Blues". Dozens of bars and clubs, most of them featuring live music. At night the street is closed to vehicles and you can drink on the street; some bars have "drinks to go" windows where you can get a 32-ounce cup of beer for $5 and go bar-hopping. Many bars have no cover charge. Peabody Place is largely a wasteland, as nearly all the stores inside have closed. 
  • 🌍 Blues Hall of Fame Museum, 421 S. Main St (opposite the Civil Rights Museum precinct). W–Sa 10AM–5PM, Su 1–5PM. Adult $10, student $8, 12 & under free. (updated Jun 2023)
  • 🌍 The Cotton Museum, 65 Union Ave, ☏ +1 901 531-7826. (updated Nov 2017)
  • Mississippi River. River tours available most days through a variety of providers. Tom Lee Park is a nice place to view the river.
  • 🌍 National Civil Rights Museum (Lorraine Motel), 450 Mulberry St (Near the Amtrak station.), ☏ +1 901 521-9699. W-M 9AM-5PM (closed Tu). The museum was built out of the Lorraine Motel, where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was fatally shot on April 4, 1968, and out of the boarding house across the street, from which came James Earl Ray's shot. The museum features exhibitions on the whole civil rights movement, segregation and slavery in American History from the 1800s to the 1960s including the life and works of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. amongst others in the civil rights movements. (ages-0-3) Free; (ages 4-17) $12; (ages 18+) $15 or $14 student discount with valid student ID. 
  • 🌍 Belz Museum of Asian & Judaic Art, 119 South Main St, ☏ +1 901 523 ARTS (2787). Tu-F 10:30AM-5:30PM; Sa Su noon-5PM. Downstairs from the Center for Southern Folklore, this wonderful museum holds a collection of over 900 Asian and Judaic artifacts. $6 for adults, $5 for seniors, $4 for students, free for children 12 and under. 
  • 🌍 Ornamental Metal Museum, 374 Metal Museum Drive. Tu-Sa 10AM-5PM, Su noon-5PM. Displays art jewelry, architectural pieces and sculpture. The grounds are full of permanent installations, and the museum boasts one of the best views overlooking the Mississippi River. They also have a working smithy. Adults $8. 
  • 🌍 Fire Museum of Memphis, 118 Adams Ave. M-Sa 9AM-5PM. An interactive museum designed to teach children and adults about fire safety. Also features a realistic room to show how much damage a dropped lit cigarette can do. Adults $6. 
  • 🌍 Mud Island Park, 125 North Front St. The park was once accessible by monorail, made famous by a chase scene in the movie The Firm, but it has not been running for years. The park contains a museum of the Mississippi River and a scale model of the river. Visitors used to be welcome to remove their shoes and wade through the replica mighty Mississippi, but it is now dry. The "Gulf of Mexico" is a large pool in which visitors may rent paddle boats. At the tip of the park is an excellent vantage point of the city and the river. The northern end of the island is occupied by HarborTown, a model community. Entry to the park is free. 
  • 🌍 Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum, 191 Beale St (corner of Third St; on the plaza of FedExForum). Daily 10AM-7PM (last admission 6:15PM). A short video is shown at frequent intervals and then you are given a headset so that you can listen to commentary and numerous songs as you walk through the exhibits. Sponsored by the Smithsonian. The museum used to be housed in the Gibson guitar factory across the street, which puts visitors right on the factory floor. Famous musicians periodically visit to pick up custom guitars or to play a set at the Gibson Lounge, in the west end of the building. Adults $13. 

The Edge
  • 🌍 Sun Studio, 706 Union Ave (Union and Marshall, a block west of the Health Sciences Park), toll-free: +1 800 441-6249. Numerous blues, rock 'n' roll, and rockabilly recordings were made here, including Elvis's and Johnny Cash's first recordings. Tours are available, usually given by wallet-chained and mutton-chopped local musicians. Tour tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the cafe and gift shop inside the front door of the studio. Free parking is available in the back of the building. 

Midtown
  • 🌍 Memphis Zoo, ☏ +1 901 333-6500. Pandas and other animals galore - consistently ranked as one of the top zoos in the country. Lots to do for children and adults. Seasonal events include numerous educational events, Zoo Lights in wintertime for all ages, annual Zoo Brews beer-tasting from around the world and Thursdays Unplugged at the Lodge, drinks and music in the Yellowstone-inspired Teton Trek Lodge for adults. 
  • 🌍 The Pink Palace Museum (Memphis Museum of Science & History), 3050 Central Ave (Central Ave & Lafayette Ave), ☏ +1 901 636-2362. M-Sa 9AM-5PM, Su noon-5PM. Built as a private residence by Clarence Saunders, the man who introduced Piggly Wiggly, the world's first self-service grocery store, the Pink Palace Mansion was later taken by the tax man and subsequently turned into a museum. (Saunders never actually lived in the house.) It is a very eclectic place, with everything from shrunken heads to animatronic dinosaurs with a life size copy of the first Piggly Wiggly in between. Also has an IMAX theater and a planetarium. Well worth a visit. Exhibit only $9 (ages 3-12); $12.25 (age 60+); $12.75 (ages 13-59); More for planetarium and/or CTI 3D Theater presentation. 
  • 🌍 Overton Park. Encompasses the Memphis Zoo, Memphis College of Art (MCA), the Brooks Art Museum, the Overton Park Golf Course, and the largest stand of old growth forest in a US city. (updated Mar 2019)
  • 🌍 Cooper-Young. This neighborhood of restored homes is centered around the intersection of Cooper Street and Young Avenue, known by some as "the intersection of Memphis." This intersection has several cool bars and restaurants, as well as numerous shops. Be sure to come for the free annual Cooper-Young festival in September. Also, just north of the Cooper-Young intersection is Black Lodge Video. This rental store in a house, has almost every video imaginable. Be sure to look for the "This is s••t--the worst we could find" section. (updated Mar 2019)
  • 🌍 Overton Square. Overton Square has undergone many changes over the years but is still the hottest place in midtown Memphis for locals and tourists who are looking for somewhere to eat, shop, or be entertained. 

East Memphis
  • 🌍 Lichterman Nature Center. Part of the Pink Palace family of museums, its 65-acres of lakes, meadows, and forests feature lush gardens with native wildflowers and trees and provide a home to a wide variety of plants, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and mammals. 
  • 🌍 Memphis Botanic Garden. with over 96 acres of natural woodlands and cultivated gardens, is also home to the seasonal outdoor concert series 'Live at the Garden' and the renowned Japanese Garden of Tranquility. New to MBG is 'My Big Backyard", a 2½ acre children's garden with a larger-than-life birdhouse, a tunneling adventure, a teaching pond, "leaping lawn", "critter creek", and many other spaces that cater to children of all ages. (updated Mar 2019)
  • 🌍 Shelby Farms Park, ☏ +1 901 222-7275. One of the United States largest urban parks, Shelby Farms is over five times the size of New York's Central Park. Visitors enjoy walking, fishing, mountain biking, horseback riding, sailing, canoeing, paddle-boating, disc-golf, and bird-watching. Its Woodland Discovery Playground includes a large treehouse, sand area, climbing nets and activities for children of all ages. The park is also home to a herd of American Bison. (updated Feb 2018)

South Memphis
  • 🌍 Stax Museum of American Soul Music, 926 E. McLemore Ave. Tu-Sa 10AM-5PM, Su 1-5PM. The promotional material says "no backpacks" but this is not so. In any case, they can keep your backpack at the front desk, as with cameras which are not allowed. Adults $13. 

Around town
  • 🌍 Graceland, 3734 Elvis Presley Blvd, ☏ +1 901-332-3322, toll-free: +1-800-238-2000. Home of Elvis Presley, "The King of Rock and Roll". It's no surprise that this is the number one tourist attraction in Memphis. Think "tacky tourist" trap but don't miss it – you might be pleasantly surprised. Although it is not advisable to venture in the suburbs surrounding the site, there is lots and lots of Elvis stuff to see here - the house itself (the upper floor, with Elvis' bedroom and Lisa Marie's nursery, is not open to the public), customized private airplanes, an automobile collection, gold records, costumes, and more. Elvis Week ("Death Week" to the locals) in early August, culminating in the candlelight vigil on the anniversary of Elvis' death, is a big deal, which can be a good thing or a bad thing, depending on your perspective. Check out the bizarre felt-pen scribblings on the fence, some hip-ironic, some of the psycho-lunatic-fan sort. If you happen to be in Memphis during Birth or Death Week – January and August, respectively – sit downtown for a few hours just to watch the Elvis fans. Not just on Halloween, but at any time of year, dress up like the King (or like Priscilla if you're a girl) and you'll instantly be a star in your own right! (updated Jun 2020)

Do
  • Riding a trolley around the downtown area is loads of fun, and a great way to get around.
  • Check out live music on Beale Street
  • Memphis Redbirds, 200 Union Ave, ☏ +1 901-721-6000. Minor League Baseball team that plays at 🌍 AutoZone Park, in the middle of downtown. They are the Triple-A affiliates of the St. Louis Cardinals. $9-75. 
  • 🌍 FedExForum, 191 Beale Street at Third Street. FedExForum is the largest public building construction project in Memphis history. Managed and operated by the Memphis Grizzlies, the facility is home to the Memphis Grizzlies of the NBA and the University of Memphis Tigers men's basketball team. 
  • Memphis Grizzlies. NBA team. 
  • Memphis Tigers. Teams representing the University of Memphis, which participate in NCAA competition as members of the American Athletic Conference. The most visible Tigers team by far is the men's basketball team, regularly a conference contender and occasionally a national contender as well. As noted above, the men's basketball team plays at FedExForum (though not the women's team, which plays on campus). The football team also plays off campus at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium on the Mid-South Fairgrounds. That stadium is also home to the Memphis Showboats, which play professional football in the spring in the United Football League. 
  • Memphis 901 FC, ☏ +1 901 721-6000, . One of the city's newer sports attraction is this men's soccer team, which has played in the second-level USL Championship since 2019. The team shares AutoZone Park with the Redbirds. 
  • Memphis Backbeat Mojo Tour, Picks up at Elvis Presley Plaza on Beale, toll-free: +1-800-979-3370. You can see most of Memphis' historic musical attractions on this fun, funky, educational bus tour. It's the only tour in town to put Memphis' musical heritage in the hands of real musicians, who will combine story, comedy, and live music in a one-of-a-kind show on wheels. Audience participation is encouraged with drums and other percussion pieces provided on the restored 1959 transit bus. Tour is 90 minutes, but if time allows, go for the extended 2½ hour version. Well worth the time and money. Tours sell out, so reserve online in advance. $25. 
  • 🌍 Memphis Hustle. The Grizzlies' affiliate in the NBA G League, playing at Landers Center on the Mississippi side of the border in Southaven. 
  • Take a carriage ride around downtown and see Beale Street, Court Square, Confederate Park, the Mississippi River, Hernando DeSoto bridge, several movie locations on Front Street, the original and the current Peabody Hotel, all while learning about the great city of Memphis
  • Fourth of July Fireworks, Tom Lee Park, Mississippi River: These fireworks have improved immensely since two fireworks shows merged into one at the river in 2007. There is also food, music, and other entertainment.
  • Memphis In May International Festival. Month-long festival featuring: 
    • Beale Street Music Festival - a showcase of over 40 national, regional, and local artists on multiple stages for three days, occurring the first weekend in May.
    • World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest - hundreds of teams compete for over $100,000 in prizes and bragging rights, and visitors can taste the country's best barbecue.
    • Sunset Symphony, a day of entertainment on the banks of the Mississippi River with local musicians, an air show with vintage and concept aircraft, and as the sun is setting, the Memphis Symphony Orchestra performs. After dark, as the symphony begins their last set, the sky fills with fireworks, thus marking the close of Memphis in May.
  • 🌍 Ghost River Brewing, 827 S. Main Street, ☏ +1 901-278-0087. Check out this great beer producer. You can tour the facility for free on any Saturday, but you must make reservations. Tours start at 1PM. (updated Nov 2017)
  • 🌍 Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park, 910 Riddick Rd, Millington, ☏ +1 901-876-5215. Forested area along the Mississippi for recreating and observing nature. 
  • 🌍 T.O. Fuller State Park, 1500 W Mitchell Rd, ☏ +1 901-543-7581. Daily 8AM-4PM. Another natural albeit smaller area, with a big pool, 4 mile hiking path along the Mississippi bluffs, and small nature center. It began as the Shelby County Negro State Park, seemingly a curious throwback to the days of segregation, but now is named after an African American educator and politician. 
  • West Tennessee Skydiving, 985 Laverne-Davis, Whiteville, ☏ +1 901 SKY-DIVE (759-3483). Jumps for beginners and the experienced. (updated Mar 2022)
  • Craft Axe Throwing (Axe, Hatchet or Tomahawk Throwing), 344 Floyd Alley, ☏ +1 901 295-2599, . A destination for axe-throwing, tomahawk, and hatchet enthusiasts. Craft beverages are available. Groups and parties welcome. Experts will guide you through axe-throwing, ensuring a safe and entertaining experience for all skill levels. (updated Oct 2023)

Buy

Downtown
  • 🌍 A. Schwab, Beale Street. Dry goods store whose motto is "If we don't have it, you don't need it." It's the place for souvenirs. It's been there forever, and is a breath of fresh air from the bulk of the establishments on Beale St, with live blues of its own during the day. Most family friendly store on Beale. (updated Oct 2021)

Midtown
  • 🌍 Wizard's, 1999 Madisan Ave, ☏ +1 901 726 6800. A fine gift shop with "smoking supplies" (wink-wink, nudge-nudge). (updated Oct 2021)
  • 🌍 Overton Square. A small shopping/entertainment district on Madison Avenue, near Cooper. 
  • 🌍 Burke's Books, 936 S. Cooper St (S Cooper & Young Ave in the Cooper Young District). M-Th 10AM-6PM, F Sa 10AM-8PM, Su noon-5PM. One of the oldest independent book stores in the country, Burke's has been selling new, used and rare books since 1875. A popular stop along book signing tours for authors ranging from John Grisham to Archie Manning and Anne Rice, Burke's has also been visited by celebrities such as Benecio Del Toro, Michael Jackson, Gene Hackman, REM and Matt Dillon. 

Out East
  • Collierville Town Center - Catch Poplar Ave. east to the town of Collierville and browse the interesting shops on the square. Very pretty in the holiday season. Small and quaint, this square boasts a setting and some shops that aren't found elsewhere in Memphis. A steam engine and a few private railcars are open to the public.

Graceland

Of all the places in the world one can buy Elvis souvenirs, none is better than Graceland.

Eat

Memphis is one of the cheapest places in the USA to live, and that includes going out to eat. Memphis is famous for two things: music and food. The local BBQ is well-known, and you can sample it "wet" (with spicy, tangy sauce) or "dry" (rubbed with spices before cooking), with rib tips being a well-known local specialty. Other options abound across the city, from Southern home cooking to international fare. You won't go wrong with famous names, but the adventurous will find real treasures in modest hole-in-the-wall joints that make up for their shabby appearance with fabulous flavor.

Downtown
  • 🌍 Arcade Restaurant, 540 South Main St (corner of G.E. Patterson Ave, across South Main St from the train station). A classic diner and the oldest restaurant in Memphis. One of the most Memphis-cultured places in town. Speros Zepatos founded the diner in 1919 after immigrating from Cephalonia, Greece. Traditional diner food with the addition of pizza and hummus sandwiches. Featured in several movies, including Jim Jarmusch's "Mystery Train". 
  • 🌍 Waffle Shop (Calvary Episcopal Church Waffle Shop), 102 N. 2nd St. Memphis TN (Enter from the awning or through the front doors; parking can be tricky.), ☏ +1 901 525 6602. during the season of Lent only, open for Lunch Tuesday-Friday 11am-1:30pm. Probably the oldest pop-up restaurant in the South. Serving waffles since 1928. Probably the only place you can get Tomato Aspic, Fish Pudding, Boston Cream Pie, or Chicken Hash for lunch. A la carte, $2-$10. (updated Feb 2018)
  • 🌍 Earnestine and Hazel's, 531 S. Main St, ☏ +1 901 523-9754. M-Th 5PM-2AM, F Sa 5PM-3AM, Su 7PM-2AM. Eclectic, unique atmosphere, a staff that defines cool and of course the Soul Burger. Visitors can request a special ghost tour upstairs of the one-time brothel and then enjoy the best burger in Memphis. With a jukebox loaded with classic hits and a staff full of colorful stories of its history, even Cameron Crowe couldn't resist including Earnestine and Hazel's in his film Elizabethtown. 
  • 🌍 Little Tea Shop, 69 Monroe Ave., ☏ +1 901 525-6000. M-F 11AM-2PM. Memphis' oldest eatery (1918). Boasts "Healthy Home Cooking." Family-owned; fast, friendly service. Traditional Southern "meat & three" with daily specials. Don't miss dessert! (Featured on the Food Network's Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives.) 
  • 🌍 Pearl's Oyster House, 299 S. Main (522-9070), ☏ +1 901 522-9070. 11AM Monday through Saturday. Closed Sundays. Excellent New Orleans/Florida Panhandle-influenced seafood. Variety of oyster styles, po' boys, gumbo, shrimp, crawfish, grouper, and fried pickles. Two bars and a patio out back. Atmosphere is casual. On the trolley line. (updated Oct 2021)
  • 🌍 Automatic Slims (Adjacent to the Peabody Hotel on 2nd Street). Kind of trendy, but nice wait staff and good food. Expect $25-$35/person. (updated Oct 2021)
  • 🌍 Blues City Cafe, Beale and 2nd Street. Good ribs. The garlic pan-seared shrimp is tasty, as well. Jean Paul's Last Call is a small bar attached to Blues City. It attracts server staff crowd after-hours. From $6-$18. (updated Oct 2021)
  • 🌍 Flying Saucer, 130 Peabody Pl. 90 beers on tap and ~120 in the bottle. Best beer selection in town. Serves typical bar food which is decent quality despite the Flying Saucer being a small chain. (updated Oct 2021)
  • 🌍 Texas De Brazil (Adjacent to the Peabody Hotel). Everything you expect in a Brazilian steakhouse. Expect $40-$50 per person for supper, but it's worth it. Lunch is the most economical time. Dressy attire--a dress shirt and slacks for men at the least--is strongly recommended. (updated Oct 2021)
  • 🌍 The Rendezvous, 52 S 2nd St. A Memphis legend. Excels at Memphis-style BBQ in a no-frills environment where some of the crusty wait staff have logged more than 30 years. Go early – this in-the-basement establishment has quite a following and a long wait is expected nearly every night. Dry-rub ribs are the trademark, but also give the sausage plate and BBQ nachos a try. Pricey given the decor (and the fact that you're eating BBQ). Expect $15-20 per person. 
  • 🌍 Bluff City Coffee (In South Main's Art District). Try their signature cup "The Real Cappuccino". (updated Oct 2021)
  • 🌍 Westy's. Bar/grill that occupies the site of the old North End restaurant. The North End was destroyed by arson in 1998, and Westy's took its place. Known for fried pickles, tamales, a wide selection of wild rice dishes and a popular fudge pie. Expect $7-12 pp, open late. (updated Oct 2021)
  • 🌍 Dyer's (On Beale Street almost directly North of the FedEx Forum and next to Alfred's). This retro diner it's got great burgers at a reasonable price. The only catch is that they are deep fried. It's definitely worth trying. Another recommendation is their chili cheese fries. (updated Oct 2021)
  • Huey's (Several locations). Blues, brews & burgers since 1970. Casual tavern with a custom of blowing toothpicks into the ceiling through straws. Burgers any way you can imagine earns it a perennial "best burger" win in local reader polls. Come on Sundays for jazz afternoons and blues evenings. 
    • 🌍 Huey's, 77 S. 2nd. (updated Oct 2021)
  • 🌍 Bardog Tavern, 73 Monroe Avenue. At Great bar scene with awesome food that is a cut above your average bar grub. It's also a bit cheaper than the touristy places, as you can eat here for under $10 easily. 
  • 🌍 Gus's World Famous Hot & Spicy Fried Chicken (Gus's fried Chicken), 310 S Front St (on Front, a few blocks south of Beale St), ☏ +1 901 527-4877. Su–Th 11AM-9PM; F Sa 11AM-10PM. Fried chicken. (updated Jan 2016)

Midtown
  • 🌍 Young Ave. Deli (In the Cooper-Young district of Midtown). Good place for bar food and/or rock shows. Try the fried dill pickles and of course the sweet potato fries. One of the biggest beer selections in town. (updated Oct 2021)
  • 🌍 Pho Saigon. Super yummy Vietnamese soup less than $10 for a bowl as big as your head. (updated Oct 2021)
  • 🌍 Molly's La Casita. Very good Mexican food priced around $10 per entree, with the best margaritas as voted by Memphis residents. (updated Oct 2021)
  • 🌍 Pho Hoa Binh, Madison Avenue. Hole-in-the-wall Vietnamese. Great tofu and wheat gluten dishes, so don't miss it if you're vegetarian. $5-10. (updated Oct 2021)
  • 🌍 Brother Junipers (U of M area). Open for breakfast and lunch. Great omelettes. Fair-trade coffee. Strange hours. Associated with the Juniper Bakery, all proceeds going to drug rehab. $5-$10. (updated Oct 2021)
  • 🌍 Bosco's (Overton Square). The only locally brewed beer in Memphis (also a national award winner). Great pizza, entrees, etc. Excellent jazz brunch on Sundays. $10-20. (updated Oct 2021)
  • 🌍 Huey's. A Memphis landmark, the original Huey's offers one of the best burgers in town. $6-12. (updated Oct 2021)
  • 🌍 Dino's (On Mclean near North Parkway intersection). Serves reliable versions of basic "American-style Italian food", being open for breakfast, lunch (offering sandwiches and plate lunches) and dinner six days a week. $6-20. (updated Oct 2021)
  • Corky's - One of the most well known barbecue places in Memphis. 3 or 4 locations within the city; $6-$20 per person. You can purchase their barbeque sauce too and have ribs shipped.
  • 🌍 The BBQ Shop, Madison Ave. Another of the best barbecue places in Memphis. Popular barbecue with good service. A sandwich with two sides will run you about $7. (updated Oct 2021)
  • 🌍 Bayou Bar and Grill (near Studio on the Square). Great Cajun food at moderate prices. Tuesday is $3 pint night. The Gumbo and spicy chicken sandwich is great. (updated Oct 2021)
  • 🌍 Central BBQ, 2249 Central Ave or 4375 Summer Ave., ☏ +1 901 272-9377, +1 901 767-4672. This is yet another great BBQ place. There are two locations, but the original on Central Ave. is said to be the best by locals. BBQ nachos and ribs are must-haves. 

East Memphis
  • 🌍 Folk's Folly, 551 South Mendenhall Rd. Consistently voted "Best Steak," by readers of all four major Memphis publications, Folk's Folly pairs fine dining with a cozy, comfortable atmosphere. This Memphis landmark embodies an unwavering commitment to quality by offering corn-fed prime steaks, and fresh seafood. From $100. 
  • 🌍 Belmont Grill (At Poplar and Mendenhall). Hole-in-the-wall bar and restaurant that serves great food. Try the shish kebobs. $10-20. (updated Oct 2021)
  • 🌍 Germantown Commissary (On Germantown Road between Poplar and Poplar Pike (which is in Germantown)). Some of the best ribs Memphis has to offer. $10-20. (updated Oct 2021)
  • The Half Shell. Good seafood is hard to come by in Memphis, but Half Shell scores. Extensive menu, with a Cajun tilt to most dishes. Fresh gulf oysters, King Crab, Champagne brunch on the weekends, and menu "front page" items that change frequently. The kitchen is open until 2AM (1AM on Sunday). There is also an abbreviated menu available at the Rhythms Cafe & Bar in Concourse B, near Gate 35 at the Memphis International Airport. Half Shell is also known for its live music on the weekends and its lively late-night bar crowd. Entrées $9 and up. 
    • 🌍 The Half Shell (Mendenhall/Poplar). (updated Oct 2021)
    • 🌍 The Half Shell (Winchester/Centennial (near Southwind)). (updated Oct 2021)
  • 🌍 Buckley's. Steakhouse. (updated Oct 2021)
  • 🌍 Muddy's Bake Shop. Delightful neighborhood bakery with delicious baked goods--don't miss the cupcakes, with names as creative as the cupcakes are delicious--and wonderful, welcoming staff. Light lunch served as well, menu changes weekly. Voted best birthday cake in memphis by Nickelodeon Parents Connect. Lunch Items $6 and under. Cupcakes $1.50. 

Elsewhere
  • 🌍 Jerry's Sno Cones (Corner of Wells Station and Reed Ave). Jerry's has some of the best Sno Cones you'll find anywhere, with a huge selection of flavors. They also have a hot food menu featuring burgers, and fried bologna sandwiches. You can get a full meal sandwich, fries, drink, and dessert all for under $10. (updated Oct 2021)
  • 🌍 Coletta's, 1063 S. Parkway E.. One of the oldest restaurants in Memphis, with excellent American-Italian food. Don't miss the barbecue spaghetti or pizza. 
  • 🌍 Jim Neely's Interstate Barbecue, 2265 S. Third Street. No ambiance to speak of, but the barbecue is outstanding even by Memphis's high standards. The Interstate Barbecue in the B terminal of the Memphis airport is just as good. There's always a line, but it's worth it. There will be another plane later. 

Pizza
  • Aldo's Pizza. Big slices, round pies, tender crust; Brooklyn style pizza. "The Memphis" features pulled pork, onions, and coleslaw from nearby Central BBQ. Rooftop seating with fans and shade. (updated Oct 2021)
    • 🌍 Aldo's Pizza Midtown (At Cooper/Central). (updated Oct 2021)
    • 🌍 Aldo's Pizza Downtown, South Main St. (updated Oct 2021)
  • 🌍 Broadway Pizza, Broad Ave. local pizza and beer joint in a classic location. (updated Oct 2021)
  • Exline's - A Memphis chain serving up some big ol' round pizzas cut into square pieces. The toppings are huge (as in large bits). The cheese on the cheese fries is nacho and it comes from a can; super fantastic. ~$10.
  • 🌍 Camy's. Want to just hang out in your hotel? Call Camy's for the best pizza delivery in town. Only delivery. 
  • 🌍 Memphis Pizza Cafe (Overton Square, also on Park Av., and a couple in the 'burbs). Tasty Pizza (BBQ chicken is good). Cold beer. All you really need. $10-15.. (updated Oct 2021)
  • 🌍 Garibaldi's (U of M area (back behind the YMCA)). Great 70s atmosphere, great 70s style pizza. $5-10. (updated Oct 2021)
  • Fox Ridge Pizza (2 locations: Fox Meadows & Cordova). Round pizza, square cut, unique sauce and cheese. Also excellent hamburgers. $10-$20. (updated Oct 2021)
  • 🌍 Mellow Mushroom. Brilliant! A real pizza place in Memphis (Germantown). This place also has and extensive craft brew beer menu. $10-30.. (updated Oct 2021)

Variations of Quick

Memphis has a tradition of hiding its best food at the back of convenience stores. For instance:

  • 🌍 Kwik Check, Madison Ave (Near Overton Square). Best deli sandwiches in Memphis. Try the "Cheesy Muff" (vegetarian muffeletta) or "My Bleeding Heart" (spicy spicy hummus pita). $5-10. (updated Oct 2021)

Listen

Soul, R&B, and rock 'n' roll have deep roots in Memphis, and destinations abound for good music today.

  • Beale Street in downtown Memphis makes sense as a first destination. A dozen clubs pipe their music onto the street.
  • 🌍 Hi-Tone Cafe, 412-414 N. Cleveland. Featured musical acts could be anybody, from reggae to country-western acts – all of them party bands, to be sure. Make sure you show up ready to move a little, and drink a little. (updated Oct 2021)
  • 🌍 Wild Bill's Lounge, 1580 Vollintine Ave. It sits unassumingly in a strip mall three miles northeast of Beale Street, where, as if out of an old movie, the boisterous Memphis Soul Survivors, led by the boisterous Miss Nicki, play to a boisterous crowd. Night hours on F-Su. As they pay the $10 cover, patrons are greeted at the door by Wild Bill himself. (updated Oct 2021)
  • 🌍 Minglewood Hall, 1555 Madison Ave. Memphis' newest music venue, in Midtown at the former location of Strings 'n' Things. (updated Oct 2021)

Drink
  • Wine is sold in grocery stores, and liquor stores.
  • Beer can be found in grocery stores, liquor stores, and gas stations.
  • 🌍 Buster's Wine (On Highland at Poplar, near the University of Memphis). Also has a good selection of harder liquor and high-test beer. This place is very popular and always packed on the weekends, but has a fantastic, efficient staff that get you in and out quickly. Open every hour it's legal: M-Sa 8AM-11PM. (updated Oct 2021)
  • 🌍 Joe's Liquor. Speaking of booze, if you need packaged goods and you're in midtown, head to Joe's (Poplar and Belvedere) as much to see Sputnik (the vintage, spinning, twisting neon star) as for the beverages. Go at dusk for maximum effect. (updated Oct 2021)
  • 🌍 Great Wine And Spirits (Is out east). Probably has one of more extensive wine stocks in Memphis liquor stores. (updated Oct 2021)
  • 🌍 Boscos, Overton Square, 2120 Madison Ave, ☏ +1 901-432-2222. Brew pub and food. Featured on many "Best Of" lists. (updated Dec 2016)
  • 🌍 Newby's, Highland Street (called the Highland Strip, near The University of Memphis). "Playboy" magazine rated Newby's the "Best place to party like a Rock Star!" (updated Oct 2021)
  • 🌍 Bluff City Coffee, 505 S. Main. The latest addition to the Art District of Downtown Memphis. Specializing in Italian style espresso based coffee. The coffee shop features comfort and conference style seating for meetings, free wireless internet, and print/copy/scan/fax capabilities to keep you productive throughout your day. Make sure to bring your laptop and stay a while. This coffee shop also feature a collection of Don Newman's vintage black and white photographs from the 30s, 40s, and 50s. (updated Oct 2021)
  • 🌍 Otherlands, 641 Cooper St, ☏ +1 901-278-4994. A social hub for Memphis' art and music community. Espresso by day and beers at night when the coffee shop hosts intimate folk/rock shows. (updated Dec 2016)
  • 🌍 RP Tracks, Walker Ave (Near the University of Memphis). This is a nice and moderately priced bar/restaurant. It's a good place to start the evening on the Highland strip. They have many types of beer at reasonable prices (about 7 bucks for a pitcher) and have some veggie-friendly selections on their menu. (updated Oct 2021)
  • 🌍 The Oasis Lounge, 663 S Highland St, ☏ +1 901-729-6960. A great place to come relax and have a cup of coffee and enjoy a nice hookah. This is a private club due to the smoking factor so be prepared to pay a $6 membership fee and to be carded (this is an 18 and up establishment). It's got a very nice, laid back atmosphere and also has free Wi-Fi. It's on South Highland next to McDonald's. This is a coffee shop, and there is no alcohol on premises. A DJ plays there on Saturday nights. (updated Dec 2016)
  • 🌍 Mollie Fontaine Lounge, 679 Adams Ave, ☏ +1 901-524-1886. Wednesday- Saturday 5pm 'til the spirits go to sleep. Victorian mansion-turned-lounge featuring potent drinks and an innovative, varied menu in a chic atmosphere. Explore all the rooms, each unique in theme and decor, full bars upstairs and downstairs, and a piano bar with amazing jazz singer weekend nights. Make sure not to miss the mac 'n' cheese, chocolate brioche sandwiches for dessert and the delightful mojitos. (updated Dec 2016)

Sleep

There is limited choice but the city offers some affordable and decent lodging.

  • 🌍 Super 7 Inn, 1117 E Brooks Rd. The Super 7 Inn is just 10 minutes’ drive from the Memphis International Airport. This property is less than 7 mi from Memphis city center and Beale Street. $66. (updated Nov 2021)

Budget

Mid-range
  • 🌍 Doubletree Downtown Memphis, 185 Union Ave, ☏ +1 901 528-1800. A few blocks from Beale Street; a relaxing accommodation. 
  • 🌍 Best Western Gen X Inn, 1177 Madison Ave. (Madison Ave & N Bellevue, east of I-240 from the downtown medical complex.), ☏ +1 901 692-9136. Downtown near Memphis Medical Center. 
  • 🌍 Hampton Inn, Beale Street, 175 Peabody Place (SW of Peabody Pl and B.B King Blvd in the historic Beale Street District.), ☏ +1 901 260-4000, fax: +1 901 260-4012. This is right on Beale Street--as opposed to the Holiday Inn and the Peabody, both of which are a few blocks away. The room prices are average, but beware: it is noisy. If you want to party then this is the place, but for a quieter getaway, stay a few blocks away. 
  • 🌍 Hyatt Place Memphis/Wolfchase Galleria, 7905 Giacosa Place (Off of the Germantown Pkwy exit from I-40 (Exit 16A from the eastbound lanes an 16B from the westbound lanes)), ☏ +1 901 371-0010, toll-free: +1 901 371 9988. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: Noon. A hotel adjacent to Wolfchase Galleria Mall. Offers a pool, 24-hour fitness center, on-site dining and free wifi. (updated Mar 2016)
  • 🌍 Marriott Memphis East, 5795 Poplar Avenue (Off of the Poplar Ave exit from I-240 (Exit 15A, follow signs for Poplar Ave EAST)), ☏ +1 901-682-0080. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. Offers indoor pool, 24-hour fitness center, a restaurant and lounge. (updated Mar 2015)
  • 🌍 Country Inn & Suites, 2270 N Germantown Parkway (Along Germantown Pkwy south of I-40, south of Ikea Way/Varnavas Dr), ☏ +1 901 386-1110, toll-free: +1 800 830-5222, fax: +1 901 386-8801, . 

Splurge
  • 🌍 Peabody Hotel, 149 Union Ave (Along Union between S 2nd & B.B. King, a couple blocks east of AutoZone Stadium in downtown.). Don't miss the ducks in the lobby fountain and their daily procession (11am and 5pm); you don't have to stay to see them. Luxury extras, sheets and service in a historically and architecturally significant hotel. 
  • 🌍 River Inn of Harbor Town, 50 Harbor Town Square (NE of the A.W. Willis Bridge and Island Dr roundabout at west end of A.W. Willis Bridge on Harbor Town Island), ☏ +1 901 260-3333, toll-free: +1-877-222-1531. Overlooks the Mississippi River, offering luxury in a delightful boutique hotel atmosphere. 
  • 🌍 Hu.Hotel Memphis (formerly Madison Hotel), 79 Madison Ave (Madison & S Center Ln in downtown), ☏ +1 901 333-1200. Downtown near the river, it is a modern boutique hotel with clean lines, contemporary vibe and stylish luxury. (updated Jan 2021)

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Stay safe

Violent crime has been a growing problem in Memphis. In 2021, the city had the highest homicide rate in the entire US. It is wise to stay away from areas in North and South Memphis, as these areas have very high rates of crime. Neighborhoods like Riverside, Orange Mound or Binghampton struggle with poverty, urban decay and crime. Even completely suburban areas like Frayser and Raleigh have crime-related problems. Nonetheless, safety in downtown Memphis has greatly improved in the last few years. Throughout the day, especially at night, there is usually a large police presence downtown, especially in the area around Beale Street. Use common sense when traveling in Memphis, just as you would anywhere else. Leave no valuables in plain sight in your car, and be mindful of where you are, especially at night.

Stay healthy

Memphis has some of the best hospitals in the region. Methodist, Baptist, and Saint Francis are the main hospitals in the city. The Regional Medical Center at Memphis (The Med), a city owned hospital, has one of the best trauma and burn centers in the Mid-South. There are many clinics in the area as well, many of which are operated by the hospital systems. Some of the hospitals in the city, though, can have long lines in emergency rooms. If you are not seriously injured, it would be best to go to one of the minor medical clinics or to drive to one of the hospitals in the suburbs of Memphis such as Methodist Germantown, Baptist East, or Saint Francis Bartlett. The Saint Jude Children's Research Hospital is world-renowned for its treatment of children's cancers.

Go next
Routes through Memphis
Champaign ← Carbondale ←  N  S  → Greenwood → Jackson
Little Rock ← West Memphis ←  W  E  → Bartlett → Nashville
St. Louis ← West Memphis ←  N  S  → Southaven → Jackson
Cape Girardeau ← West Memphis ←  N  S  → Tunica → Clarksdale
Searcy ← West Memphis ←  W  E  → Bartlett → Chattanooga
Little Rock ← West Memphis ←  W  E  → Bartlett → Nashville
END ←  W  E  → Corinth → Huntsville
END ←  W  E  → Olive Branch → Tupelo
Clarksville ← Bartlett ←  N  S  → West Memphis → Pine Bluff


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