Where to Play, Eat, and Stay in Memphis, Tennessee

Memphis is a soulful and historic city that’s become something of a magnet for young creatives and movers and shakers. It makes sense: The former stomping grounds of blues legend BB King, funkmaster Isaac Hayes, and rock-and-roll king Elvis Presley (whose Graceland mansion is open for tours) has a lot going for it, from live music and classic Southern cuisine to major landmarks like Beale Street. It’s also less than a four-hour drive south from Nashville.

Summer is a popular time to visit Memphis (and not just because of Elvis Week in August). Fall, when the scorching temperatures start to drop and the summer-break crowd heads back to school, also has its merits. Whenever you choose to come, here’s what you’ll want to see, do, and eat in Tennessee’s second largest city.

Things to do in Memphis

National Civil Rights Museum

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Formerly the Lorraine Motel, where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated, the National Civil Rights Museum still has Dr. King’s hotel room intact among a collection of historical artifacts significant to Black history. You can see them yourself with a general admission ticket, which also offers access to the museum’s Young and Morrow Building (the alleged location where Dr. King’s assassin confessed to shooting him) across the street from the main site.

National Civil Rights Museum: 450 Mulberry St, Memphis, TN 38103

Graceland Mansion Tour

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While Elvis may have left the building and is sadly no longer with us, the icon’s biggest fans can tour his former home to experience an enduring piece of his legacy. The interactive tour invites ticket holders into Presley’s personal space, including his living room, his parents’ bedroom, the Meditation Garden where he and some of his family members are buried, and other recognizable corners of the famous property on the aptly Elvis Presley Boulevard.

Graceland: Elvis Presley Blvd, Memphis, TN 38116

Stax Museum of American Soul Music

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Vintage records, nostalgic photographs, and Isaac Hayes’ gold-plated Cadillac are all exhibited at this former home of Stax Records, the recording studio where several American soul hits — including Otis Redding’s “(Sittin’ On) the Dock of the Bay” — were produced. This groovy museum showcases 2,000+ artifacts that once belonged to the label and its recording artists, from stage costumes to actual studio equipment and instruments that the artists used.

Stax Museum: 926 E McLemore Ave, Memphis, TN 38126

Memphis Zoo

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The first you’ll notice about the Memphis Zoo in Midtown is its Egyptian-inspired theme. It’s hard to miss as the entranceway wall is shaped like an Egyptian temple and covered with hieroglyphics. The highlight of my visit was feeding snacks to the giraffes (my favorite animal and something that I’ve always wanted to do). Depending on the time of year, you may get lucky and catch other seasonal experiences, such as the zoo’s springtime butterfly exhibit.

Memphis Zoo: 2000 Prentiss Pl, Memphis, TN 38112

Memphis Brooks Museum of Art

Photo: Julian Harper

At this museum, you’ll find artistic displays of world history and Memphis. Visit on a Saturday between 10 AM and 2 PM for free admission, or come on Sundays to avoid the crowd. Give yourself a decent amount of time to wander all three floors in one visit. The can’t-miss exhibitions when I visited were Memphis on the Mississippi, Summer Art Garden: Creatures of Paradise, and Andrea Morales: Roll Down Like Water. There’s even more art to explore outside the museum, including regal marble sculptures and eye-catching exterior paintings. You can also grab a coffee or quick snack at the onsite cafe.

Memphis Brooks Museum of Art: 1934 Poplar Ave, Memphis, TN 38104

Overton Park

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Home to the Memphis Zoo, the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, and several other Midtown Memphis mainstays, this centrally located 342-acre park puts you within walking distance (or a short Uber drive) from some of the city’s most treasured shops, restaurants, and tourist hot spots. Whether you’re in the mood for retail therapy, a high tea at 17 Berkshire, a sweet treat at Sweet Noshings, or live music at Lafayette’s Music Room or the Overton Park Shell, you don’t have to travel very far to have a good time.

Overton Park: 1914 Poplar Ave #202, Memphis, TN 38104

Where to eat and drink in Memphis

Complicated Pilgrim

Photo: Johnaé De Felicis

The Complicated Pilgrim is a coffee-to-cocktail bar that serves regional favorites with an international flair, from smoked pulled pork pot stickers to North African lamb ribs. Start your day at the Complicated Pilgrim (inside The Memphian Hotel) with a sunny-side-up breakfast, venture over in the afternoon for a midday lunch, or wine and dine at night while sharing meaningful dialogue with friends, colleagues, or your significant other.

Complicated Pilgrim: 21 Cooper St, Memphis, TN 38104

Babalu

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Samba over to Overton Square and you’ll find this casual dining spot where salsa meets good Southern eating. Perfect for Latin food lovers, the menu includes made-from-scratch tacos, quesadillas, Mexican street corn, or seafood, chicken, steak, or pork, plus guacamole that’s made fresh right in front of your table. There’s also a second location in East Memphis.

Babalu: 2115 Madison Ave, Memphis, TN 38104

Huey’s Midtown

Photo: Andrea Zucker

At this self-proclaimed world-famous burger joint, you’ll grub on some of the finest American cuisine in Memphis. Huey’s “Prescription” menu includes just what the doctor ordered for hungry travelers: specialty burgers, sandwiches, seafood platters, and chicken plates. Alternative ingredient substitutes (like gluten-free buns) and vegan-friendly options (including black bean and Beyond patties) are also on offer.

Huey’s Midtown: 1927 Madison Ave, Memphis, TN 38104

Tiger and Peacock

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Located in The Memphian Hotel, this prestige rooftop bar adds a cosmic twist to adult beverages and classic bar bites. Its astrological-themed menu includes bites like the “solstice salad” and a 12-drink collection of zodiac-inspired cocktails.

Tiger and Peacock: 21 Cooper St, Memphis, TN 38104

The Second Line

Photo: Alex Shansky

When you’re craving a hearty brunch or a taste of New Orleans away from the French Quarter, march your way to The Second Line. It’s a top Memphis destination for Louisiana comfort food, from chicken and andouille gumbo to the fried gulf oyster po’ boy sandwich. Try to stop by for brunch one late morning — the menu features Southern breakfast staples like gulf shrimp and grits, the chicken and waffle, and the avocado-crab Benedict.

The Second Line: 2144 Monroe Ave, Memphis, TN 38104

City & State

Photo: Andrea Zucker (left) + Alex Shansky (right)

This coffee shop and boutique hybrid is a crafting coffee lover’s dream. Order an espresso to go with a pastry, oatmeal, or protein bar while you’re at it for a morning refuel. The shop also doubles as a retail boutique where you’ll find thoughtful gifts and adorable decor.

City & State: 2625 Broad Ave, Memphis, TN 38112

Where to stay in Memphis

The Memphian Hotel

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Standing tall and pretty in Overton Square, this Midtown Memphis hotel (part of Marriott’s Tribute Portfolio collection) sits in the middle of it all. A brief stroll will get you to The Second Line and many other local restaurants, shops, and sights. You can also stay put at the hotel and take a short elevator ride to one of its on-site dining spots: the trendy Complicated Pilgrim or the oh-so-fierce Tiger and Peacock bar. As a disclaimer: There’s nothing basic about The Memphian (and I mean that in a good way). It may as well be called an art gallery because every floor is decked out with maximalist decor, from the lobby’s vibrant pop art and rainbow-colored fish bobbin chandelier to Tiger and Peacock’s animal-esque ambiance.

The Memphian: 21 Cooper St, Memphis, TN 38104

Getting to and around Memphis

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Several airlines service Memphis International Airport (MEM), including United, American, Delta, Southwest, Frontier, and Spirit. Once you’re in town, navigating Memphis is a literal walk in the park, especially if you’re in the Midtown area where Overton Square is located. Most of the city’s hot spots are within a short distance from there, whether you’re trying to get to the Memphis Zoo in Overton Park or Beale Street in Downtown Memphis. For anything else, Memphis has a comprehensive public transportation service (MATA) and easy access to rideshares.

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