Couple enjoying live music at the Overton Park Shell

Why We Love Memphis

The #WeLoveMemphis Story

Our story belongs to everyone. We have a lot to be proud of and so much to say about why millions of people come to Memphis to play, work and live. Here are the main messages we know Memphis is known for:

#WeLoveMemphis Music & Culture

Memphis is the city of music and the home of the Blues, Soul and Rock ‘n’ Roll. The greats—from Elvis Presley, B.B. King, Johnny Cash and Isaac Hayes to Three 6 Mafia, Moneybagg Yo and Justin Timberlake—all honed their sounds here in Memphis.
Our iconic Beale Street is where millions of visitors enjoy our live music and restaurants every day of the week, while musicians jam at numerous studios around the city.
Visit the world-famous Sun Studio (birthplace of rock ‘n’ roll), Stax Museum of American Soul Music, the Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum, Memphis Music Hall of Fame and the Blues Foundation's Blues Hall of Fame.
Memphis is well known for its music festivals like Mempho set in Memphis Botanic Garden, Riverbeat Music Festival along the Mississippi River in revitalized Tom Lee Park, Gonerfest in the historic Cooper-Young District and numerous concerts at the Overton Park Shell.

Nighttime exterior shot of the Stax Museum of American Soul Music in Memphis, TN

Discuss: Do we want to set up each category of talking points as a slideshow, giving each point an image? Or is the point to offer a downloadable library of assets via this component?

Shopping for records inside Goner Records in Memphis, TN

A timelapse image of The Orpheum in Memphis, TN

#WeLoveMemphis Civil Rights

Our National Civil Rights Museum is one of the nation’s premier heritage and cultural museums. It is located at the historic Lorraine Motel, the site of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968.
Of hopes and dreams, of challenges and change: This is an American story told by generations through to the present day in Memphis, where history and heritage are part of our DNA.
Exciting events, extraordinary speakers and special guests bring this story to life at the National Civil Rights Museum, while seven additional sites on the U.S. Civil Rights Trail make Memphis a singular place to experience American history. These sites include the Withers Collection Museum and Gallery, Stax Museum of American Soul Music, Beale Street Historic District, Clayborn Temple and I AM A MAN Plaza, Mason Temple and WDIA Radio Station.

Julian Harper

National Civil Rights Museum exterior sign

#We Love Memphis BBQ & Soul Food

What other city has a barbecue tradition so rich, it can claim more than 100 barbecue restaurants . . . and two cooking competitions in just one month?! Memphis barbecue is known for the spotlight it shines on low- and slow-cooked meat, from char-grilled, dry-rubbed ribs at Charlie Vergos' Rendezvous to pulled pork sandwiches at local-favorites like Payne's. But spins on Memphis 'cue, like barbecue spaghetti and nachos, are equally cravable. About those fests? In May, Memphis welcomes world-renowned competitive cooking teams for the World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest and SmokeSlam.
When it comes to soul food, Memphis restaurants serve up the classic "meat and three," featuring a main entree like golden-fried chicken accompanied by homestyle sides that range from well-seasoned macaroni and cheese to saucy greens. For a taste of Memphis' soul food tradition with a side of history, sit down at The Four Way, once frequented by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and other Civil Rights-era activists, plus Stax Records musicians.

#WeLoveMemphis Green Spaces

Like many great cities of the world, Memphis is situated on an iconic body of water; in this case, the banks of the Mississippi River. Discover riverboat cruises, kayaking trips, bike trails and the longest-of-its-kind bridge walk over the Mississippi, known as Big River Crossing.
Visit Shelby Forest State Park for hiking among thousands of acres of forest or paddling beneath bald cypress trees. Or, experience one of the largest urban parks in the country, Shelby Farms Park, as well as the newly transformed Tom Lee Park in downtown Memphis.