Memphis Cheat Sheet: Best Things to See, Do and Eat in Memphis

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

Barbecue is the official cuisine of Memphis. Try any of the following or all our 101+ barbecue restaurants citywide.

• 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 or chopped pork sandwich

For non-barbecue dining recommendations, keep reading.

Owner Eric Vernon showcases a platter of ribs at his Midtown Memphis restaurant, The Bar-B-Q Shop

Follow the Memphis BBQ Trail

Not sure where to start? Get the free Memphis BBQ Trail pass. It delivers recommendations, directions, hours and contact info directly to your mobile device (no app required). Check in at participating restaurants to earn points toward prizes, from stickers to a bottle of Memphis' secret-recipe barbecue sauce.

3. LIVE MUSIC

Live music is everywhere in Memphis, from Beale Street to spring, summer and fall concerts at the Overton Park Shel l. 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
• Graceland Soundstage
• Growlers

• Young Avenue Deli
• Lafayette’s Music Room
• Hi-Tone Cafe
• Bar DKDC
• The Green Room at Crosstown Arts
• Railgarten
• Minglewood Hall
• B-Side

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:
• World Championship Hot Wing Contest and Festival (April)
• Overton Square Crawfish Festival (April)
• World Championship BBQ Cooking Competition (May)
• SmokeSlam BBQ Festival (May)
• Craft Food & Wine Festival (June)
• Cooper-Young Beerfest (October)

Here's the full list of Memphis food fests.

Music:
• International Blues Competition (January)
• RiverBeat Music Fest (May)
• Elvis Week (August)
• 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)
• RiverArts Fest (October)
• Indie Memphis Film Festival (October)

Here's the full list of Memphis cultural fests.

Sports/Outdoors:
• Liberty Bowl (January)
• FedEx St. Jude Championship golf tournament (August)
• Southern Heritage Classic (September)
• St. Jude Marathon Weekend (December)

6. ATTRACTIONS AND TOURS

• Memphis Zoo, consistently rated top 5 in the country with 3,500+ animals
• 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
• City Brew Tours Memphis: hop on the Flagon Wagon and tour the local brewery scene
• Historical Haunts ghost tours
• A Tour Of Possibilities focuses on Civil Rights and African American history

7. PLACES TO EAT AND DRINK IN MEMPHIS

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)
• The Lobbyist (downtown's newest fine dining restaurant)
• Alcenia’s (soul food in the most hospitable atmosphere around)

• Maciel’s Tortas and Tacos (fresh, authentic Mexican)
• Central BBQ, Cozy Corner, Rendezvous (bbq!)

For bar hopping/late-night eating:
• SOB
• Bardog Tavern or Slider Inn
• Flying Saucer Draught Emporiu m
• Anywhere on Beale Street

For breakfast:
• Arcade Restaurant
• Bardog Tavern
• By The Brewery
• Hustle & Dough

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 (a local favorite pizza joint)
• Porch & Parlor (upscale steakhouse)
• Tsunami (asian fusion)
• Payne's BBQ

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

• Celtic Crossing
• Memphis Whistle

For breakfast:
• Cafe Eclectic
• Bayou (brunch)

EAST MEMPHIS:
• Bog & Barley (stunning, upscale Irish pub vibes)
• Hog and Hominy (Italian meets Southern cooking)

• Acre (fine dining meets comfort)
• 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
• Brother Juniper's (expect a wait)

• City Silo

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 this guide to Memphis breweries.