
1. GET A DOSE OF MEMPHIS MUSIC HISTORY
Whether or not you’re an Elvis fan a pilgrimage to Graceland is the perfect choice. To really understand the full scope of how Memphis became the birthplace of Americana music, you'll have to visit:
• 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
Note:Â While many Memphis restaurants have reopened for dine-in service, others are offering exclusive patio and take-out dining options. Please call or check a restaurant's social media before you go.
• 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 dessertÂ
• Payne's BBQ for the barbecue bologna sandwichÂ
For non-barbecue dining recommendations, keep reading.
3. LIVE MUSIC
Live music is everywhere in Memphis, from Beale Street to spring, summer and fall concerts at the Overton Park Shell. While some live music events are being presented virtually at present, follow these venues for updates (and a healthy dose of virtual concerts):
• 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 RoomÂ
• Hi-Tone Cafe
• Bar DKDC​
• The Green Room at Crosstown Arts
• Railgarten
4. PHOTO OPS
• 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.Â
5. ANNUAL FESTIVALS & EVENTS
Food:Â
• Memphis Brewfest (April)
• Overton Square Crawfish Festival (April)
• World Championship BBQ Cooking Competition (May)Â
• World Championship Hot Wing Contest & Festival (August)
• Cooper-Young Beerfest (October)
• Memphis Food & Wine Festival (October)
Here's the full list of Memphis food fests.
Music:
• International Blues Competition (January)
• Elvis Week (August)
• Beale Street Music Festival (May)
• Gonerfest (September)
• Mempho Music Fest (October)
Here's the full list of Memphis music fests.
Cultural:
• Africa in April (April)
• Memphis in May International Festival (May)
• Memphis Music & Heritage Festival (September)
• RiverArts Fest (October)
• Indie Memphis Film Festival (October)
Here's the full list of Memphis cultural fests.
Sports/Outdoors:
• Liberty Bowl (January)
• Outdoors Inc. Canoe and Kayak Race (June)
• FedEx St. Jude Championship golf tournament (August)
• Southern Heritage Classic (September)
• 70.3 Ironman Memphis triathlon (October)
• St. Jude Marathon Weekend (December)
6. ATTRACTIONS AND TOURS
• Memphis Zoo, consistently rated #1 in the country and one of 3 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 focuses on Civil Rights and African American history
• Ride in style in vintage cars and your personal tour guide with American Dream SafariÂ
• City Tasting Tours will satisfy your taste buds
7. PLACES TO EAT AND DRINK IN MEMPHIS
DOWNTOWN:
For bar hopping/late-night eating:Â
• SOB
• Bardog Tavern
• Blind Bear
• Flying Saucer Draught Emporium
• Anywhere on Beale Street
• 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)
• Farm Burger
For bar hopping/late-night eating:Â
• Young Avenue Deli
• Alchemy
• Art Bar at Crosstown Arts
• Cafe Eclectic
• Weekend brunch at Celtic Crossing Irish Pub & Restaurant​
EAST MEMPHIS:
• 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:Â
• Another Broken Egg
• Brother Juniper's (expect a wait)
8. WILD CARD
This one depends on your interests. Here are some options for a choose-your-own-adventure in Memphis:
If you’re the outdoorsy type, go to the Bass Pro Pyramid.
If you’re into craft beer, check out:
• Memphis Made Brewing
• Ghost River Brewing Co. Â
• High Cotton Tap Room
• Bosco’s Squared
• Hammer & Ale
• Crosstown Brewing Co.
With kids, check out:
• Fire Museum of Memphis
• My Big Backyard at Memphis Botanic Garden
• Rainbow Lake Playground at Overton Park
• The Children’s Museum of Memphis
• Memphis Museum of Science and History - MoSH