The home of the blues and truly fantastic barbecue. We have to say, Memphis pleasantly surprised us. With a pedestrian-friendly downtown right on the Mississippi River, you can easily spend your days hopping from restaurant to restaurant, listening to music on Beale Street, and learning about the city’s rich history.
Where to Eat
- Central BBQ: This is THE barbecue restaurant to visit in Memphis. Even with our lofty expectations, we left blown away by the quality of the meats at Central BBQ. The ribs in particular are truly spectacular. We recommend getting a full rack that is half wet (i.e., covered in sauce) and half dry. If you have the appetite, you should also try the wings. They’re pretty awesome.
- Huey’s: Allegedly the best burger in Memphis, Huey’s didn’t disappoint. But how does it stack up against the best burger joints in other cities? Pretty well honestly. We got the standard Huey Burger to compare apples to apples, and it definitely holds its own.
- Arcade Restaurant: Known for being Elvis’ favorite diner, Arcade is a great breakfast spot in the city. They were somehow out of peanut butter when we visited (which is a complete travesty), so we couldn’t try Elvis’ favorite PB&J. Regardless, the breakfast combos are great, and the sweet potato pancakes and biscuits and gravy are super tasty.
What to Do
- Beale Street: This historic street in downtown Memphis is filled with restaurants and bars offering live blues music. No trip to the city is complete without a night out to visit a few of these establishments and hear the local musicians. Beale Street is also open container, so you can grab a drink from an outdoor stand to keep your thirst quenched as you walk around.
- National Civil Rights Museum: While we didn’t go inside the museum, the exterior in itself is worth the visit. Set at the Lorraine Motel where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was shot, the grounds have been meticulously preserved. The result is a powerful step back in time to that fateful day in 1968. There are also some placards and video screens around the exterior to provide some historical context and more information about MLK.
- Mud Island Park: Every night after dark, the Hernando De Soto Bridge puts on the Mighty Lights show for all of Memphis. It’s pretty cool seeing the different colors on display, so we recommend grabbing a good spot along the riverfront to relax and enjoy the show. If Mud Island Park is open that late, you can’t go wrong setting up some chairs there. Just be sure to bring bug spray. The Mississippi River attracts a TON of mosquitoes.
- Ghost River Brewery: Looking for something to do outdoors in the afternoon, we stumbled upon Ghost River Brewery. Within minutes we were very happy with our decision to stop in. The brewery has an awesome vibe with a large patio area, and the beer is delicious. They also have a variety of styles to appeal to all tastes. We highly recommend a visit.
- Street Art: Memphis is home to some really inspiring works of art occupying city walls. You’re bound to run into a number of paintings on your walks from Point A to Point B, but we recommend going a bit out of your way to take in this part of the city’s culture. There is even a handy map to show you which works are close by.
Other Tips & Tricks
- Where to Stay: Downtown Memphis is the place to be. The city is pretty walkable, so you’ll appreciate being a stone’s throw from restaurants, tourist attractions, and Beale Street. There are a number of chain hotels in the area, and there are also some solid Airbnb options if you are traveling with a group.
- Graceland: We unfortunately didn’t make it to Graceland during our trip, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t worth a visit! The former home of Elvis Presley is supposed to be quite a sight and offer some interesting information about the King of Rock and Roll.
- Getting Around: If you do end up visiting parts of the city that are not within walking distance, fear not. There is a surprising amount of free street parking in Memphis. There is also a trolley service that runs up and down Main Street if you’re looking to save some time.
Happy traveling!
Kitrina & Jordan