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Marriott’s collection of modern boutique hotels known as Aloft will officially open its first Memphis location this year. The hotel offers robotic bellhops, a full-service restaurant, and a private-viewing movie theater. Built in 1906, renovated Hotel Pontotoc will open its new apartment-hotel units and restaurant this fall. The building has gone through many transformations having once been a Turkish bathhouse, followed by a recording studio, night club, and a private residence. 

Memphis will welcome back the 35th Annual Southern Heritage Classic. The annual celebration showcasing HBCUs football programs is set for Saturday, September 14. Tennessee State and The University of Arkansas Pine Bluff will continue their rivalry when they face off at the Simmons Bank Liberty Bowl Stadium. A host of events are scheduled ahead of the 35th annual football game, including a golf tournament, fashion show at the Guest House at Graceland, a battle of the bands, and a concert starring Patti Labelle at the Orpheum Theatre. 

From live music and fine arts, to food and wine, every neighborhood has a festival to experience this fall. Hundreds of artisans from across the country are expected to attend the 36th Annual Cooper-Young Fest on September 14. The neighborhood festival brings music, arts, crafts and delicious food to thousands of visitors each year. Gonerfest, a lively multi-day rock festival, returns for another year at Midtown’s railyard venue, Railgarten. Over 30 bands, DJs and MCs from Memphis and around the world will perform at this year’s event on September 26-29. Mempho Music Festival is returning to Radians Amphitheater at the Memphis Botanic Gardens from October 4-5. Cody Jinks, Trey Anastasio, and Queens of the Stone Age are set to headline the 3-day music festival. The Edge District is revving up for the 5th Annual Edge Motor Fest, with 150+ cars competing for awards on Oct 12. RiverArtsFest returns to the downtown riverfront for a two-day celebration of original art and live music on October 19-20. The festival is considered to be the largest fine arts festival in the region. Travel through the Memphis Zoo for the annual Zoo Rendezvous on September 7. Grab bites and a cocktail from dozens of local restaurants and see live performances as well as hundreds of wildlife exhibits. 

As the days grow shorter, the list of fall activities in Memphis grows. Zoo Boo is back at the Memphis Zoo. On select nights, kids are invited to dress and trick-or-treat their way through the zoo. Parents can grab a stein during Zootoberfest every Saturday and Sunday in October. History comes to life at Elmwood Cemetery - Memphis’ oldest active cemetery. Each October, visitors can take special tours and attend Soul of the Cemetery where long passed residents of Elmwood return to tell their stories. BackBeat Tours shares more historically spooky tales with walking ghost tours, which travels through some of the most haunted places in Memphis. 

Black history is Memphis’ history. From the struggles to the triumphs, experience the music and movements, and discover the legends and unsung heroes of Black History. The National Civil Rights Museum, the site of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s assassination, is one of the nation’s most premiere museums with exhibits from the Civil Rights Movement from 1619 to present day. It is one of eight historical locations in Memphis designated in the U.S. Civil Rights Trail. Currently, a portion of the museum's campus is under construction for an expansive exhibition at the Boarding House. The project is expected to be completed in 2025. Each year, King Day is recognized city-wide with volunteer efforts and a celebration at the museum to reflect, honor, and celebrate Dr. King’s legacy on his birthday, January 16. This upcoming King Day would have been Dr. King's 95th birthday. 

The region’s sole Black theatre, Hattiloo Theatre, features plays and musicals year-round. As one of the largest dance companies in the country, Collage Dance Collective increases the diversity of dance with expanded access to classical training to communities of color. The historic Clayborn Temple, the organizing site of the 1968 sanitation workers’ strike that brought Dr. King to Memphis prior to his assisination, finished phase one of a massive renovation project. Phase two begins in 2024. Once complete, it will serve as a premier cultural arts center and museum. Take a ride in A Tour of Possibilities to discover all the Black historical and cultural gems in Memphis.

The historic Withers Collection Museum & Gallery, located on Beale Street, has been designated as a new site on the U.S. Civil Rights Trail. This marks the 15th site in Tennessee and Memphis' eighth location. The Withers Collection Museum & Gallery features the work of acclaimed civil rights photographer Ernest C. Withers. His most famous work includes coverage of the Memphis Sanitation Workers Strike in 1968, the events that culminated in the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. While most known for documenting the Civil Rights Movement, Withers' 60+ years of work also documented everyday life including sports, music, and politics. It is estimated that the collection entails 1.8 million photographs including notable figures like Dr. Martin Luther King, Jackie Robinson, Aretha Franklin, Elvis, and B.B. King.

Memphis was named one of the best places to travel in May by Travel + Leisure. The publication also features Memphis as one of 4 American cities with new and improved waterways to explore. Memphis was named one of the top five places to visit in 2024 in Travel Lemming’s annual 50 Best Places to Travel list. Arrive Memphis, a boutique hotel located in the historic South Main Arts District, earned a spot on Fodor’s Travel 20 Best Hotels in the United States, Canada, and Central America. The hotel was selected for its Southern bohemian meets approachable luxury ambiance. Hustle & Dough and Bar Hustle cocktail bar are also a part of the Arrive Memphis experience. From the barbecue capital of the world, two Memphians were recently inducted into the American Royal Barbecue Hall of Fame: Flora Payne, of Payne’s and a legacy posthumous induction for Bill Arnold, of Blues Hog Barbecue Sauce.

New Eats

The food scene in Memphis continues to grow at accelerated levels with several dozen recent restaurant openings. Amelia Gene’s in downtown is Memphis’ newest fine-dining restaurant with a contemporary American and French infused menu. Another fine-dining restaurant to join the scene is JEM Dining in Memphis' historic Edge District. Their vision is make fine-dining approachable and comfortable. One of the newest restaurants to open in 2024 with great anticipation was Kinfolk, located in Harbor Town. This country kitchen is a celebration of southern ingredients and one of the best spots to get a delicious biscuit. Vegan options continue to grow with the addition of Arnold’s Smokehouse and a restaurant with two kitchens to offer bbq and vegan menus, Shroomlicious' first storefront All three businesses are Black-owned. Memphis' West African food scene is growing with the addition of Mande Dibi West African BBQ Grill. The only truck driver themed bar in the United States, Momma’s, reopened after a lengthy renovation and patio expansion. 2023 also saw the introduction of new food options with Memphis’ first entirely authentic Sichuan restaurant, Petals of a Peony, which now has a second location in Overton Square. Craving something sweet? South Main Arts District has two new dessert spots with Zio Matto Gelateria serving up artisanal Italian gelato, and Dvour Desserts, the perfect spot to satisfy for any cheesecake craving.

Memphis has a growing outdoors scene with new experiences and activities and a revitalized riverfront. Tom Lee Park allows the public to walk, run or bike along the Mississippi River, play recreational activities, and connect with family and friends all in Downtown Memphis. A new outdoor experience, Mississippi River Expeditions offers guided canoe trips during the day and overnight camping trips - giving the public the opportunity to engage directly with the river. Shelby Farms Park has several outdoor activities to choose from. From bike riding and paddle boarding to kayaking and zip lining, there's plenty to explore in one of the largest urban parks in the country. Big River Crossing is the longest public pedestrian bridge across the Mississippi, and it allows visitors to view the Memphis skyline from a new perspective.

The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll’s legacy in Memphis continues to this day with Graceland the most visited homes in the United States second to the White House. Recently, Graceland opened a newly expanded exhibit for Elvis' late-daughter Lisa Marie. The Lisa Marie: Growing Up Presley exhibit reopened in honor of her 56th birthday on February 1, 2024. It features never before seen items from her childhood, outfits, and shares stories and memories through home movies and photos. Jailhouse Rock is another latest addition to Elvis Presley’s Memphis – a 200,000 square foot entertainment complex featuring museums, restaurants, and more. It tells the story of Elvis’ Hollywood career through artifacts and cellblock photo ops. Elvis Week, August 9-17, 2024, is when fans from all over the world make a pilgrimage to Memphis to honor Elvis on the anniversary of his death. The week features live music performances, behind-the-scenes tours, special appearances, and the candlelit vigil at his grave in the Meditation Garden. 

Fans are also invited to celebrate his birthday every year on January 8th. 2025 will mark Elvis' 90th birthday. Graceland celebrates the holidays in style, decorating the home as it was when Elvis was alive. It’s considered to be the Best Holiday Historic Home Tour by USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. Beginning May 1, a new tour option will be added for Graceland visitors. Inside the Graceland Archives UVIP Tour gives guests a look behind-the-scenes at the work being done to preserve Elvis' precious collection. The Graceland archives is home to more than 1.5 million artifacts.