Between the neon lights that line Beale Street, the eclectic food options and the talented musical acts, Memphis, Tennessee, will dazzle your senses. The Gritty City is known for its rich rock ‘n’ roll history, and the legacy left by greats like Johnny Cash, B.B. King and Elvis Presley is evident everywhere you look (and listen).
Over three days, you’ll get a sense of the city’s Southern culture with visits to museums, nights out on the town and, of course, that famous barbecue. Throw so many colorful moments into one weekend and it’s no wonder Memphis feels like a rainbow of an experience.
As always, check for travel restrictions and closures before planning your trip.
Friday: Experience Beale Street and Barbecue
In Memphis, music is central to local culture 24 hours a day. It’s on-brand, then, to start with breakfast at the ’50s-diner-style Arcade Restaurant — the oldest restaurant in Memphis and a favorite of Elvis Presley.
Eat like the King with a PBB Sandwich (that’s peanut butter, bacon and banana, and don’t knock it till you try it). If you’re starving, opt for the “Eggs Redneck”: sausage, chicken or bacon served with biscuits soaked in gravy, plus eggs and hash browns.
Next up is a tour of the famous Sun Studio. Elvis put this place on the map in 1954, and it later became the recording home for Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, B.B. King and many more. Expect to spend an hour or two gawking at musical memorabilia and listening to outtakes from recording sessions.
Once you’re done, take a quick drive or 25-minute walk to the Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum, where you’ll learn about the blues and rock ‘n’ roll that originated in the area and how it’s influenced today’s music scene.
Take a break for lunch at Huey’s Downtown — you can’t go wrong with one of their massive burgers — before hopping on Main Street’s vintage trolley to get the lay of the land. And keep an eye out: This route takes you right past Beale Street and the Orpheum Theatre.
Hop on and off to wander through any shops, bars and spaces that stand out, then head back to Beale Street to snap photos of the iconic neon signs and pick up some so-campy-they’re-cool local trinkets.
After sunset, it’s all about barbecue. Charles Vergo’s Rendezvous is known for its expert take on classic Southern dishes and charcoal pork ribs.
With a full belly, head back out onto Beale Street to go bar-hopping and hear some talented local musicians. It’s easy to just pop into places that catch your ear, but if you need a good jumping-off point, Silky O’Sullivan’s, the Absinthe Room and Rum Boogie Café are all local institutions for a reason.
After some late-night partying, call it a night back at the Moxy Memphis Downtown, just a few blocks away.
Saturday: Explore Hip History
Kick off day two in the Cooper-Young neighborhood, where you’ll find several artisanal coffee shops for breakfast — Otherlands Coffee Bar, with its colorful, quirky vibe and house-made chai, is an excellent option.
If kids are in tow, head to the Children’s Museum of Memphis. The exhibits are super interactive — think flying model planes and trying on some firefighting equipment — and there is always some fun activity going on, like storytime in the museum’s theater.
Afterward, do a bit of shopping on Young Avenue. This area is filled with unique local specialty stores — hit up literary hub Burke’s Books, 901 Comics for old and new comic books and Goner Records for an incredible vinyl collection.
After working up an appetite, it’s time for more barbecue (naturally). Dig in to some slow-smoked, dry-rubbed ribs at the Midtown location of Central BBQ.
Walk it off as you make your way to the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art (driving is also an option, if the food coma is too intense). The museum’s extensive collection features antiquities and modern works from around the world, plus inventive and often boundary-pushing exhibitions — and while you’re there, don’t sleep on the outdoor sculpture collection.
You’re right on the edge of Overton Park, so allow yourself a quiet stroll around Rainbow Lake or head to the park’s northwest corner for a different kind of natural environment at the Memphis Zoo.
Make your way back to the Cooper-Young neighborhood for dinner. You’ve got a decision to make: Choose between Pacific-inspired seafood like spice-crusted tuna at Tsunami or low country cuisine at Sweet Grass (pimento cheeseburger anyone?). Once the bill is settled, pop over to Bar DKDC for after-dinner entertainment — this music lounge hosts a late show featuring local bands.
Sunday: Pay Your Respects to the King
Today, you’re heading to Graceland, Elvis Presley’s famous home. Before stepping into this storied abode, stop at the nearby Eggxactly Breakfast & Deli, a casual café known for its build-your-own breakfast bowls.
From here, it’s on to Graceland, where you’ll learn all about the King’s ascent from humble beginnings in Tupelo, Mississippi, to superstardom. Explore the King’s mansion on an audio tour and experience his audacious sense of style and personal flair in famous rooms like the Jungle Room.
Graceland is more than just a house tour — dyed-in-the-wool Elvis fans should block off plenty of time to explore the other buildings on the 13-acre grounds, which house the King’s car collection, private planes, a soundstage and memorabilia from his army and Hollywood days.
Check out Elvis’ bedazzled jumpsuits and other famous get-ups — there’s even a virtual dress-up exhibit where you can try on some of his iconic outfits (so silly, but so fun).
For lunch, order a fried catfish sandwich with cobbler and ice cream for dessert at Vernon’s Smokehouse on-site.
Hop in the car and drive 20 minutes north to Shelby Farms Park for the afternoon. Enjoy some hiking or biking (there’s a rental station at the visitor center) along the various trails, go kayaking in the lake or try a ropes course at Go Ape. Just make sure to keep an eye out for the American bison that live in the park.
When dinnertime hits, head back to Midtown. Reserve a table at Indian Pass Raw Bar for no-frills baked oysters and steamed crab legs served up on trays or Babalu for Cuban-inspired dishes like shrimp ceviche cocktail or fish tacos. Finish your last night in Memphis with a show at Playhouse on the Square, or motor back down to Beale Street for a final night of bar-hopping among the neon lights.
Related Articles
