Memphis Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Memphis featuring a bridge and a river or creek
Memphis
Memphis
Memphis
Memphis

A mecca for music lovers and the barbecue-obsessed, this soulful Southern city manages to preserve tradition while maintaining a forward-looking spirit.

Memphis is a city forever associated with music. Elvis fans flock here to see the King’s over-the-top mansion, and the recording studio where he, together with the likes of Johnny Cash and B.B. King, all made music. When you’re not paying homage to Memphis’ musical greats, visit the city’s historic sites, explore top-notch museums and feast on succulent smoked meats.

Start your musical pilgrimage at Graceland, the former home of Elvis Presley. Examine his record collection, view the animal print and plant-dotted Jungle Room and pay your respects at his grave, which is located on the grounds. Music fans can also peek inside the venerable Sun Studio, where the likes of Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis and others all recorded their tracks. Browse the exhibits at the Memphis Rock'n'Soul Museum and Stax Museum of American Soul Music.

Educate yourself on Memphis’s history at a range of key locations. Top of any traveler’s list should be the National Civil Rights Museum, which is housed in the Lorraine Motel where Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in 1968. Also worth a look is the family-friendly Pink Palace Museum, where exhibits are devoted to history, culture and science. The Slave Haven Underground Railroad Museum educates visitors on life in the pre-Civil War South.

For kids, Memphis offers a couple of superb animal-oriented attractions. Bring little ones to see the fountain-splashing ducks at the famous Peabody Hotel and the giant pandas at the Memphis Zoo. For adults hoping to experience the city’s legendary nightlife, take a stroll down the bar and blues club-lined Beale Street in downtown Memphis.

Memphis is located near the Mississippi River on the southwestern border of Tennessee. To get to Memphis, fly into Memphis International Airport. Use the trolley and public buses to navigate Downtown and Midtown. If you plan on exploring outside these neighborhoods, it’s advisable to rent a car. Plan your visit for spring or fall when the weather is warm but has yet to reach the sizzling summer highs of July and August.

Where to stay in Memphis

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Downtown Memphis

4/5(51 area reviews)

Downtown Memphis is a destination visitors seek out for its ample dining options, fascinating museums and great live music. You might also want to check out attractions like Statue of Elvis or Orpheum Theatre while you're exploring the neighbourhood.

Downtown Memphis
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East Memphis

3.5/5(3 area reviews)

Travellers to East Memphis praise its popular shops. If you've got some more time to explore, be sure to stop by Galloway Golf Course and Theatre Memphis.

East Memphis
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Midtown

3.5/5(6 area reviews)

Theatres, live music and museums are some highlights of Midtown. Make a stop by Minglewood Hall or Memphis Brooks Museum of Art while you're exploring.

Midtown
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Whitehaven

3.5/5(55 area reviews)

The ample dining options and great live music are top of the list for many visitors to Whitehaven. A stop by Graceland or Full Gospel Tabernacle Church might round out your trip.

Whitehaven
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Southwind

Southwind is popular for its abundant dining options, and if you're looking for more to see and do, you might think about a trip to Mike Rose Soccer Complex or TPC Southwind.

Southwind
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Wolfchase

Restaurants and shopping are notable features of Wolfchase. You might consider stopping by Wolfchase Galleria while you're exploring the neighbourhood.

Wolfchase
Memphis Vitality Hotel

Memphis Vitality Hotel

4 out of 5
2625 Thousand Oaks Blvd, Memphis, TN
The price is ₹7,360 per night from 17 Aug to 18 Aug
₹7,360
₹9,729 total
17 Aug - 18 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Memphis. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Popular attractions Dixon Gallery and Gardens and ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (827 reviews)
"Would recommend this hotel for a stay. Clean and comfortable."

Reviewed on 15 Jul 2025

Memphis Vitality Hotel
Hu. Hotel

Hu. Hotel

3.5 out of 5
79 Madison Avenue, Memphis, TN
The price is ₹8,010 per night from 4 Aug to 5 Aug
₹8,010
₹9,922 total
4 Aug - 5 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Memphis. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the bar and the helpful ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,288 reviews)
"Very good price for downtown Memphis"

Reviewed on 17 Jul 2025

Hu. Hotel
The Guest House at Graceland

The Guest House at Graceland

4 out of 5
3600 Elvis Presley Blvd, Memphis, TN
The price is ₹19,444 per night from 7 Aug to 8 Aug
₹19,444
₹24,857 total
7 Aug - 8 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star luxury hotel in Memphis. Enjoy an outdoor pool, 3 restaurants and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the pool and the restaurant in ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (2,869 reviews)
"This is a beautiful place to stay. We loved it"

Reviewed on 14 Jul 2025

The Guest House at Graceland
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
The Rambler

The Rambler

4 out of 5
400 S Main St, Memphis, TN
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Memphis. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, laundry facilities and an in-room coffee maker. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff ...
9/10 Wonderful! (460 reviews)
"Loved this property. So close to everything and street parking was pretty easy to find."

Reviewed on 11 Jul 2025

The Rambler
The Stallion

The Stallion

4 out of 5
436 S Front St, Memphis, TN
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Memphis. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Beale Street and National Civil Rights ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (74 reviews)
The Stallion Memphis
"This was an awesome find. It felt spacious and like we were at home. Very safe environment and close to everything. We had an amazing trip. This hotel was a major part of that. Communication was awesome. The chain in the toilet broke and it was fixed very quickly. Highly recommended this spot anytime ..."

Reviewed on 15 Jul 2025

The Stallion
stayAPT Suites Memphis-Cordova-Wolfchase

stayAPT Suites Memphis-Cordova-Wolfchase

4 out of 5
1667 Chickering Ln, 75, Cordova, TN
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly aparthotel in Cordova. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Wolfchase Galleria and ...
9/10 Wonderful! (21 reviews)
"Everything was wonderful. Only complaints were WiFi wasn’t good and the TV in bedroom didn’t stay on - I’m assuming that had to do with the WiFi also. The one in living area was Fine."

Reviewed on 10 Jul 2025

stayAPT Suites Memphis-Cordova-Wolfchase
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Reviews of Memphis

4.2
Top destination
5 - Excellent
31
5 - Excellent 40%
4 - Good
33
4 - Good 42%
3 - Okay
12
3 - Okay 15%
2 - Disappointing
2
2 - Disappointing 3%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Love toùring graceland and elvis complex its they place to be if elvis crazy

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Highly recommend the Peabodys Duck March. Beautiful setting and packed with history.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Enjoyed our stay 100%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Beale Street is lively and seeing Graceland and Sun Studio was amazing to see. The surrounding areas though are very run down and a lot of businesses have closed down. A little investment is needed to bring the city back into shape again

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Do not book with Expedia the hotel does not exist

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

Great for Graceland and Sun Studios for Elvis fans, and a short visit to Beale Street is ok. But a day is enough.