Things to Do in Memphis: Neighborhoods, Food, Museums, and Outdoor Activities.
Sep 9, 2026 / Public Storage
Known as the birthplace of blues and rock ’n’ roll, Memphis offers experiences that hit every note of curiosity and fun. Start your journey on Beale Street the heart of Blues City, where neon lights flicker above live music venues, barbecue joints, and eclectic bars. The sounds of blues and jazz fill the air, inviting you to tap your feet, enjoy the atmosphere, and soak in the energy of this historic district.
Memphis offers blues music, barbecue, Civil Rights history, Mississippi River views, museums, and outdoor recreation. Plan your visit around Beale Street, Downtown, the South Main Arts District, Midtown, Overton Square, Graceland, and Shelby Farms Park to combine nearby attractions in one day.
Memphis Travel Essentials:
- Visit Beale Street, the National Civil Rights Museum, Sun Studio, and the Mississippi Riverfront.
- Tour Graceland and explore Elvis Presley’s home, exhibits, and music history.
- Visit Stax Museum of American Soul Music, Memphis Rock ’n’ Soul Museum, and local music venues.
- Try Memphis barbecue, fried chicken, soul food, banana pudding, and local bakeries.
- Explore Downtown, South Main, Midtown, Overton Square, Cooper-Young, and Crosstown.
- Spend time at Shelby Farms Park, Tom Lee Park, Overton Park, and riverfront walking paths.
- Use walking, buses, trolley service, rideshare, or a car based on your route.
Memphis Travel at a Glance:
What Are the Best Things to Do in Memphis?
The best things to do in Memphis include hearing live music on Beale Street, touring Graceland and Sun Studio, visiting the National Civil Rights Museum, trying Memphis barbecue, and spending time along the Mississippi River. Visitors can also explore local museums, walk through Downtown, or visit Shelby Farms Park.
Plan each day by area. Combine Beale Street, the National Civil Rights Museum, South Main, and the riverfront in one itinerary, then schedule Graceland, Midtown, or Shelby Farms Park for another day.
What Can You Do on Beale Street?
Beale Street is Memphis’s best-known entertainment district for live blues, music venues, barbecue, restaurants, and nightlife. The street is near Downtown attractions and works well as an evening stop after museums or riverfront activities.
Beale Street attractions include:
- Live blues and jazz venues
- Barbecue restaurants and casual dining
- Local bars and nightlife
- Street performers and seasonal events
- Music-history landmarks
- Nearby access to FedExForum and Downtown Memphis
Check venue schedules and age requirements before planning an evening visit.
What Music and Cultural Attractions Are in Memphis?
Memphis music attractions include Graceland, Sun Studio, Stax Museum of American Soul Music, Memphis Rock ’n’ Soul Museum, and Beale Street venues. The city also has major museums focused on Civil Rights history, local culture, and the Mississippi River.
What Can You Do at Graceland?
Graceland is Elvis Presley’s former home and a major Memphis music attraction. Visitors can tour the mansion and explore exhibits about Presley’s career, music, clothing, vehicles, and cultural influence.
Plan a separate half-day or full-day visit for Graceland. Check ticket options, tour times, and transportation details before arriving.
What Outdoor Activities Can You Do in Memphis?
Memphis outdoor activities include riverfront walks, biking, paddling, park visits, and seasonal events. Shelby Farms Park, Tom Lee Park, Overton Park, and Mississippi Riverfront paths provide common starting points.
Popular outdoor activities include:
- Walking along the Mississippi Riverfront
- Visiting Tom Lee Park for river views and open space
- Biking or walking at Shelby Farms Park
- Paddling on approved lakes and waterways at Shelby Farms Park
- Exploring Overton Park
- Taking a Mississippi River sightseeing cruise
- Walking through Downtown and South Main public spaces
Bring water, sun protection, and weather-appropriate clothing during warm-weather visits. Check weather, river conditions, park schedules, and tour details before outdoor activities.
What Can You Do at Shelby Farms Park?
Shelby Farms Park offers trails, lakes, open green space, biking, paddling, and family activities. It is a practical destination for visitors who want outdoor time away from Downtown Memphis.
Choose activities based on weather, available time, and current park conditions. A car or rideshare can make travel to Shelby Farms Park easier from Downtown.
What Food Is Memphis Known For?
Memphis is known for barbecue, ribs, pulled pork, fried chicken, soul food, banana pudding, and Southern desserts. Downtown, Midtown, Cooper-Young, Overton Square, and South Main offer varied dining options.
Common Memphis food experiences include:
- Memphis-style barbecue
- Dry-rub ribs
- Pulled pork sandwiches
- Fried chicken
- Soul food and Southern comfort food
- Banana pudding and chess pie
- Local bakeries, coffee shops, and casual restaurants
Plan meal stops around your route. Pair a Beale Street music visit with barbecue, or combine a Midtown or Cooper-Young walk with neighborhood dining.
Which Memphis Neighborhoods Should Visitors Explore?
Memphis neighborhoods offer different options for music, food, museums, parks, local shops, and nightlife. Downtown, South Main, Midtown, Overton Square, Cooper-Young, Crosstown, and the Graceland area are practical places to start.
Consider these areas:
- Downtown: Beale Street, museums, sports, riverfront parks, and restaurants
- South Main Arts District: Galleries, local shops, restaurants, museums, and public art
- Midtown: Restaurants, music venues, Overton Park, and neighborhood businesses
- Overton Square: Theater, food, live music, shopping, and nightlife
- Cooper-Young: Local restaurants, cafés, bars, music, and independent shops
- Crosstown: Food, arts, community spaces, and local businesses
- Graceland area: Elvis Presley history, tours, and music attractions
What Sports and Entertainment Can You Find in Memphis?
Memphis offers professional basketball, minor-league baseball, concerts, theater, blues clubs, and seasonal festivals. FedExForum and AutoZone Park are central venues near Downtown attractions.
How Should You Get Around Memphis?
Use walking, trolley service, buses, rideshare, or a car to get around Memphis. Downtown, Beale Street, South Main, and riverfront attractions are easier to explore on foot once you arrive.
A car or rideshare is useful for Graceland, Stax Museum, Shelby Farms Park, and destinations outside Downtown. Check parking, event schedules, and transit hours before traveling.
Plan Your Memphis Visit or Move.
Explore Memphis by combining music landmarks, Civil Rights history, barbecue, riverfront parks, and neighborhood stops into a clear daily route. Public Storage can help you put away permitted, clean, dry household items while you organize a move or settle into a Memphis home.
Start with the blues. Stay for the barbecue.
Memphis Travel FAQs
What Are the Best Things to Do in Memphis?
Popular Memphis activities include visiting Beale Street, Graceland, Sun Studio, the National Civil Rights Museum, Shelby Farms Park, and the Mississippi Riverfront. Visitors can also try barbecue, explore local museums, and attend a game or concert.
What Food Is Memphis Known For?
Memphis is known for barbecue, dry-rub ribs, pulled pork, fried chicken, soul food, banana pudding, and Southern desserts. Downtown, Midtown, Cooper-Young, Overton Square, and South Main offer varied dining options.
What Music Attractions Should You Visit in Memphis?
Visit Graceland, Sun Studio, Stax Museum of American Soul Music, Memphis Rock ’n’ Soul Museum, and Beale Street. These attractions cover Elvis Presley, blues, soul, rock ’n’ roll, and Memphis recording history.
What Outdoor Activities Can You Do in Memphis?
Memphis offers riverfront walks, biking, park visits, paddling, and sightseeing cruises. Shelby Farms Park, Tom Lee Park, Overton Park, and the Mississippi Riverfront provide common outdoor options.
Do You Need a Car to Visit Memphis?
You can walk, use trolley service, take buses, or use rideshare services for many Downtown Memphis attractions. A car or rideshare is useful for Graceland, Shelby Farms Park, and destinations outside central Memphis.
