Memphis Cheat Sheet

Must-Dos, Must-Sees and Must-Eats

1. GET A DOSE OF MEMPHIS MUSIC HISTORY

Whether or not you’re an Elvis fan a pilgrimage to Graceland is the perfect choice. If you don’t have the time or budget for Graceland, we recommend a visit to:
• Sun Studio
• Stax Museum of American Soul Music
• Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum
• Memphis Music Hall of Fame
• The Blues Foundation's Blues Hall of Fame

2. EAT BBQ

Barbecue is the official cuisine of Memphis. Try:

• Charlie Vergos' Rendezvous for ribs or the sausage and cheese plate
• Central BBQ for a pulled pork sandwich or barbecue nachos
• The Bar-B-Q Shop for ribs and a side of barbecue spaghetti
• Corky's BBQ for ribs dry or wet and banana pudding for dessert
• Payne's BBQ for the barbecue bologna sandwich

For non-barbecue dining recommendations, keep reading.

3. LIVE MUSIC

If you’re looking for the live and mostly local music scene, try:
• B.B. King's Blues Club
• Alfred's
• Silky O'Sullivan's
• Rum Boogie
• Earnestine & Hazel's
• Loflin Yard
• Mollie Fountaine Lounge
• The Bluff
• Goner Records
• Young Avenue Deli
• Lafayette’s Music Room
• Hi-Tone Cafe
• Minglewood Hall
• Bar DKDC
• The Green Room at Crosstown Arts
• Railgarten

During spring, summer, and fall, catch a free concert at the Levitt Shell. And of course you'll always find a ton of live music on Beale Street.

4. PHOTO OPS

• Stop by Beale Street Landing and Tom Lee Park for views of the mighty Mississippi and the iconic bridge.

• The historic Peabody Hotel has a beautiful lobby, a rooftop with a great view, and two daily duck marches that the kids will love.

• Take a daytime stroll on historic Beale Street, then stop in A. Schwab for a sundae. At night, enjoy live music and drinks, and watch the Beale Street Flippers do their thing.
• Ride on the tallest free standing elevator in the country found in the Bass Pro at the Pyramid for a birds eye view of the Downtown Memphis skyline.
Walk across on the Big River Crossing, the only pedestrian/bike bridge that spans the the mighty Mississippi River.

• Take a photo in front of an I Love Memphis mural. Check out the full list here.

5. ANNUAL FESTIVALS & EVENTS

Food:
• Memphis Brewfest (April)
• Overton Square Crawfish Festival (April)
• Southern Hot Wing Festival (April)
• Wold Championship BBQ Cooking Competition (May)
• Cooper-Young Beerfest (October)
• Memphis Food & Wine Festival (October)
• Carribean Jerk Festival (July)

Music:
• International Blues Competition (January)
• Elvis Week (August)
• Beale Street Music Festival (May)
• Mempho Music Fest (October)

Cultural:
• Africa in April (April)
• Memphis in May International Festival (May)
• Memphis Music & Heritage Festival (September)
• RiverArts Fest (October)
• Indie Memphis Film Festival (October)

Sports/Outdoors:
• Liberty Bowl (January)
• St. Jude Classic golf tournament (June)
• Outdoors Inc. Canoe and Kayak Race (June)
• Southern Heritage Classic (September)
• St. Jude Marathon Weekend (December)

6. ATTRACTIONS AND TOURS

• Memphis Zoo, consistently rated #1 in the country and one of 4 zoos with pandas
• The National Civil Rights Museum, an interactive museum focused on the Civil Rights movement
• NBA team the Memphis Grizzlies play home games at FedExForum, adjacent to Beale Street in downtown Memphis
• Crosstown Concourse, Memphis' vertical urban village, features live music, art exhibits, fantastic eats and so much more
• Backbeat Tours: musical sightseeing bus tours, walking ghost tours
• Memphis Hop: hop-on, hop-off shuttle with 10 stops
• Historical Haunts ghost tours
• A Tour Of Possibilities and Heritage Tours focuses on Civil Rights and African American history
• Ride in style in vintage cars and your personal tour guide with Rockabilly Rides and American Dream Safari
• City Tasting Tours will satisfy your taste buds

7. PLACES TO EAT AND DRINK IN MEMPHIS

Most restaurants in Memphis offer vegetarian options, and there are quite a few that cater to those looking for healthier choices. If you’re looking for choices by neighborhood, read on:

DOWNTOWN:

• Earnestine & Hazel’s (beer and soul burgers in the divey-est of atmospheres)

• The Majestic Grille (upscale, art deco atmosphere)

• Gus's Fried Chicken (world-famous spicy, crispy chicken)

• Felicia Suzanne’s (white-tablecloth Southern fare)

• Alcenia’s (soul food in the most hospitable atmosphere around)

• Maciel’s Tortas and Tacos (fresh, authentic Mexican)

For bar hopping/late-night eating:
• SOB
• Bardog Tavern
• Blind Bear
• Flying Saucer Draught Emporium
• anywhere on Beale Street

For breakfast:
• Arcade Restaurant
• Bardog Tavern
• Blue Plate Cafe

MIDTOWN:

• Beauty Shop (fusion food in a swanky atmosphere)

• Second Line (New Orleans-style food and craft cocktails)
• Soul Fish Cafe (soul food in a casual atmosphere)
• Aldo’s is a pizza joint next to Memphis Made Taproom
• Bounty (upscale farm-to-table)
• Local on the Square
• Tsunami (asian fusion)
• F arm Burger
• Next Door

For bar hopping/late-night eating:
• Young Avenue Deli
• Alchemy
• Sweet Grass Next Door
• Art Bar at Crosstown Arts

For breakfast:
• Cafe Eclectic
• weekend brunch at Celtic Crossing Irish Pub & Restaurant

EAST MEMPHIS:
• Hog & Hominy (Southern-Italian cuisine plus craft cocktails)
• One & Only BBQ (tasty ribs and more)
• RP Tracks (college bar with surprisingly great food . . . the barbecue tofu nachos are A+)
• Elwood’s Shack (folks love their barbecue, fish tacos and breakfast)
• Gibson’s Donuts (open 24 hours, a Memphis-must)

For breakfast:
• Another Broken Egg
• Blue Plate Cafe
• Brother Juniper's (expect a wait)