What are the best things to do in Memphis?
Top picks in Memphis include Blues Hall of Fame Museum, The Cotton Museum, National Civil Rights Museum, Belz Museum of Asian & Judaic Art. See the full list and itinerary on this Memphis travel guide.
🇺🇸 United States travel guide
North America · North America
Memphis Travel Guide
Memphis, United States
Photo: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0
Why visit Memphis
Travel guide for Memphis, United States — practical tips, places to visit, and planning help.
Memphis is a stop in United States, not a country-in-a-weekend. Plan about 3 days. If time is short, prioritise Blues Hall of Fame Museum, The Cotton Museum, National Civil Rights Museum instead of racing the whole list. Mid-range ground costs are about 120–280 USD per person per day, excluding international flights. Best time: Late spring and early autumn for pleasant temperatures. Rankings, stay length and cost bands on this page come from Global Itinerary’s trip-planning models.
Best time
Late spring and early autumn for pleasant temperatures
Weather
Diverse — temperate to subtropical
Experiences
Things to do in Memphis
1
Blues Hall of Fame Museum
2
The Cotton Museum
3
National Civil Rights Museum
4
Belz Museum of Asian & Judaic Art
5
The Metal Museum
6
Fire Museum of Memphis
7
Mud Island Park
Plan your trip
Memphis itinerary (3 days)
- 1
Day 1
Icons & landmarks
- Visit Blues Hall of Fame Museum
- Visit The Cotton Museum
- Visit National Civil Rights Museum
- Eat at Arcade Restaurant
- 2
Day 2
Culture & neighborhoods
- Visit Belz Museum of Asian & Judaic Art
- Visit The Metal Museum
- Visit Fire Museum of Memphis
- Eat at Waffle Shop
- 3
Day 3
Markets, parks & hidden corners
- Visit Mud Island Park
- Eat at Earnestine and Hazel's
Budget
Memphis trip cost
Budget
USD 55–90
per person / day
Mid-range
USD 120–280
per person / day
Luxury
USD 320–530+
per person / day
Typical on-the-ground spend in Memphis, United States. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury. Figures exclude international flights.
Trip budget estimator
Typical mid-range for Memphis
Estimated total (USD)
$3,300
≈ $1,650 per person · $471 per day group total
Ground costs ≈ $200/person/day (lodging + food + transport + activities)
Defaults match Memphis mid-range ground costs (budget 55–90 · mid 120–280 · luxury 320–530+ USD/day). Edit freely — flights vary by origin.
Where to eat
Local favourites
Arcade Restaurant
Waffle Shop
Earnestine and Hazel's
Automatic Slims
Blues City Cafe
Flying Saucer
Where to stay
Tourist favourites & top-rated
Super 7 Inn
Best Western Gen X Inn
Hampton Inn, Beale Street
Hyatt Place Memphis/Wolfchase Galleria
Marriott Memphis East
Shopping
- A. Schwab
- Overton Square
- Burke's Books
Nightlife
- Buster's Wine
- Joe's Liquor
- Great Wine And Spirits
- Boscos
- Newby's
- Bluff City Coffee
Museums & culture
- Blues Hall of Fame Museum
- The Cotton Museum
- National Civil Rights Museum
- Belz Museum of Asian & Judaic Art
- The Metal Museum
- Fire Museum of Memphis
In pictures
Memphis gallery
Photos: Quintin Soloviev, Bubbahotepblues, engraved by John Filmer, based on a work by another artist (A. R. W.), Thomas R Machnitzki ( ), Ceptember, Dclemens1971 — via Wikimedia Commons
Good to know
Memphis travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit Memphis?
Late spring and early autumn for pleasant temperatures.
How many days do I need in Memphis?
Plan at least 3 days in Memphis for the highlights on our suggested itinerary; add more time for day trips.
Where should I stay in Memphis?
Popular stays in Memphis include Super 7 Inn, Best Western Gen X Inn, Hampton Inn, Beale Street. Book central areas if you want to walk to major sights.
How much does a trip to Memphis cost?
On the ground in Memphis (excluding international flights), budget travellers often spend about 55–90 per person per day, mid-range about 120–280, and luxury about 320–530+ (USD). Typical on-the-ground spend in Memphis, United States. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury.
Keep exploring
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