Steal This Itinerary for a Weekend in Memphis, Tennessee

We’ve been to Memphis, Tennessee, a few times now, including month-long stays during Midwestern winters.

Brian has an even deeper connection to the Southern city. He spent quite a few of his formative years in the area, which means his barbecue opinions were shaped by the meats in Memphis.

This guide to a weekend in Memphis distills those experiences into an itinerary that will certainly show you a good time. It includes indulging in the city’s best eats, but it’s also about digging into its important history.

Is Memphis worth visiting?

Memphis is absolutely worth visiting. It’s a mecca for barbecue that some say is the best in the United States, with a rich history linked to the civil rights movement and several genres of music.

How many days do you need in Memphis?

Two full days will give you an overview of the best of Memphis. You’ll have a busy two days, but you’ll be able to see some of the city’s best musical and historical highlights and eat some good grub.

I’m warning you now, though, you’ll want to come back, especially if you’re on a road trip through the South.

How to Spend a Weekend in Memphis

You can spend a weekend in Memphis like this:

• Visit the National Civil Rights Museum.
• Find your favorite barbecue spot.
• Explore the Withers Collection Museum & Gallery.
• Meet the Peabody Ducks.
• Listen to live music on Beale Street.
• Tour Sun Studio.
• Learn about the greats at the Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum.
• Eat soul food.
• Visit the Stax Museum of American Soul Music.
• Stroll through Cooper-Young.

A Weekend in Memphis: Day 1

This guide assumes you have two full days to explore Memphis. If you’re arriving with some time to kill on a Friday afternoon, a stroll to Beale Street is never a bad idea.

If you have a third day dedicated to Memphis travel, you’re luckier than the Peabody ducks. (I’ll get into those guys in a bit.) Consider available day trips to Memphis or making a trip to Graceland happen.

There will be folks out there offended that I’d dare drop Graceland down to a potential third day in Memphis, but hear me out.

The place is expensive and will take up a good chunk of your day. If you have the time, you should see Graceland once in your lifetime, if only to see some of the oddities used as decor there.

If you’re an Elvis Presley superfan, by all means, bump up a Graceland visit to the top of your list. If you want to see what Memphis is really about, though, I urge you to keep following along.

The city’s soul doesn’t begin and end with Elvis alone on a weekend trip to Memphis.

Stop 1: Breakfast

Kick things off with a visit to the oldest cafe in Memphis: the Arcade Restaurant. The diner serves up all the usual breakfast fare, but if you’re looking for something more unique to the city, try the sweet potato pancakes.

Add some chocolate gravy if you’re feeling truly indulgent. It sounds just like something Elvis, who is said to have frequented this place, might have done.

If you’re not seeking something that substantial, try By the Brewery. They serve up delicious sweet and savory biscuits and excellent coffee to fuel the rest of your day.

Stop 2: National Civil Rights Museum

Most itineraries out there will have you starting out with the history of the Memphis music scene. We’ll get to all that, I promise.

The National Civil Rights Museum is an essential stop on any Memphis itinerary and a non-negotiable for me as far as places you need to visit while in Memphis.

The museum complex is centered around the Lorraine Hotel, the site of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., in 1968. Your visit will be sobering, but you can’t visit Memphis without confronting its past.

Note: The museum is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. As this is a weekend in Memphis itinerary, that likely won’t affect you, but it will if you’re using this to plot out weekday adventures in Memphis.

Stop 3: Lunch

Expect to spend up to three hours at the civil rights museum. If you had a lighter breakfast, you’ll likely be hungry by the time you get out. I highly recommend you do your barbecue at lunch, as I’m assuming you’re interested in trying it while in Memphis.

If you’re not interested, I’m confused as to why this was your chosen vacation destination.

In any case, yes, you may feel a little sluggish after, but you won’t have the lines at the most popular spots if you wait until dinnertime.

Our top three favorites at the moment are Charlie Vergos’ Rendezvous, The Bar-B-Q Shop, and Cozy Corner BBQ, in no particular order. If you want to try Brian’s childhood favorite, head to The Rendezvous.

I finally got to try it in person on a day trip from Little Rock, and it did not disappoint. The service was almost better than my juicy pulled pork shoulder.

Interested in whatever the heck barbecue spaghetti is? It’s The Bar-B-Q Shop for you with a side of their delectable glazed ribs.

Cozy Corner BBQ was a delight for its history alone…and those chicken wings.

Fun fact: Four generations of Robinsons have been feeding folks out of Cozy Corner BBQ since the 1970s. Current owner Desiree Robinson was the first Black woman inducted into American Royal’s BBQ Hall of Fame, so yes, she’s a big deal.

The only place I can’t recommend here is Central BBQ. Don’t get all bent out of shape. We may have just had a bad experience, but the meat tasted like it had been sitting under heat lamps all afternoon.

It’s on all of the “best of ” lists, though, so do with that what you will. I’d like to give it another shot, but there’s just SO much delicious barbecue that it’s just hard to justify a return.

Stop 4: Withers Collection Museum & Gallery

Continue your Memphis historical education with a visit to the Withers Collection Museum & Gallery, an art museum dedicated to the work of Ernest Withers.

The Black photojournalist was a fixture on the scene of not only the civil rights movement but the music scene in Memphis. You’ll see photographs of all the legends you’ll come to associate with the city.

READ MORE: If you’re here for all of that history, I have a detailed guide to the best museums in Memphis.

Stop 5: The Peabody Ducks

The Peabody Memphis is a historic hotel well worth a stop for its glitzy interior alone. You’re not here for all of that, though. You’re here for the Peabody hotel ducks, one of the most popular attractions in downtown Memphis.

I’m not even kidding. Their arrival and departure from their fountain playground each day is a major event. You’re here for their exit, which goes down at 5pm daily. Get there early if you want a good viewing spot.

Fun fact: If you time things differently on your own Memphis itinerary, you can also catch the ducks’ arrival at 11am.

If you don’t time things right and miss out on the duck parade, you can still go see the ducks. They’ll be looser when it’s not showtime anyway, playing around in the Peabody fountain, I imagine.

Stop 6: Beale Street

The draw on Beale Street for me is the people-watching, but if you want to linger, it’s a fun place to listen to some Memphis soul music or drown yourself in the blues.

This is where blues artists like Louis Armstrong, Muddy Waters, and B.B. King found a home for their unique sound. B.B. King’s Blues Club is a visitor favorite.

Be warned that things get wilder as the sun goes down. I’ve really only spent time here in the daylight hours, but you’ll hear music piping onto the street no matter when you visit.

If you want a dose of something a little different, visit Silky O’Sullivan’s. There’s a goat on the premises and that’s just something I know I can’t miss.

Stop 7: Dinner

If you’re here to party, choose any hoppin’ spot on Beale Street to build some sustenance for the rest of your night. Yes, these places will be touristy, but that’s what you are: a tourist.

The Rum Boogie Cafe and the Blues City Cafe both offer Southern comforts in a fun atmosphere. For a little something different, head to one of our favorite Memphis restaurants, Flight.

The wine bar isn’t barbecue-focused, but you can get a plate of fancy chicken and waffles here. They’re also known for their dessert flights if you’ve saved room. Reservations are recommended and available online.

Stop 8: Live Music

If you’re amped for a Memphis Saturday night from the incredible day you’ve had, head back to Beale Street for some live music events or explore the scene elsewhere.

Midtown is a good option outside of Beale Street as another hub for night entertainment. Lafayette’s Music Room is a big deal in those parts with bands playing seven nights ago.

A Weekend in Memphis: Day 2

Today is your day to embrace the Memphis music scene and the city’s importance in the history of rock and roll, soul, and the blues.

Yes, you can start with Graceland here. You can also fill your day with more variety. It’s truly up to you and the Memphis getaway you’d like to have for yourself.

Stop 1: Breakfast

Start off a little lighter after a day of barbecue and Beale Street. Hustle & Dough has a wonderful selection of pastries baked fresh daily and a cafe menu of healthy fare.

If you’re staying in East Memphis and driving into the city this morning, Ugly Mug Coffee serves up rare coffee beans and a drive-thru option if you want your java to go.

Stop 2: Sun Studio

Stand in the same place as some of the biggest names in music when they recorded all of your favorite songs.

Sun Studio is considered by many to be the birthplace of rock ‘n roll, home to Elvis Presley’s first recordings, and one of the best things to do in Memphis.

See memorabilia and hear clips from those recording sessions on a guided tour. The studio still operates as a professional recording studio in the evenings, so tours are limited to daytime hours.

If you want to visit during a set time, head over to Sun Studio first thing to reserve your preferred tour time.

I’ve been to this one twice now and each tour is just a little bit different, depending on the guide.

Stop 3: Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum

Get a complete picture of Memphis music at the Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum, one of my favorite activities in downtown Memphis.

I wandered into this one solo while Brian was out golfing, and I’m so glad I did if only to see Elvis jumpsuits without a drive out to Graceland.

See an original 1946 Wurlitzer jukebox, memorabilia, and stage costumes from the biggest Memphis artists. You’ll also see exhibits on how segregation affected the Black music experience in Memphis before, during, and after the civil rights movement.

Note: If you have a few extra minutes, don’t miss the MLK Reflection Park nearby. It’s small but moving, with black and white images of Dr. King to look at and benches for rest and reflection.

Stop 4: Lunch

If you’re just here for the weekend, get your hands on some soul food before you leave. For a side of history along with your fried everything, head to The Four Way, a humble eatery that has been serving locals since 1946.

This one was good enough for Dr. King and other civil rights leaders back in the day, so it’ll certainly be good enough for you.

READ MORE: If you’re on a tour of the Civil Rights Trail, you’ll want to visit Montgomery, Alabama. Start with my guide!

Stop 5: Stax Museum of American Soul Music

The Stax Museum of American Soul Music offers up a deep dive into another historic recording studio and record label: Stax Records. Jim Stewart, the founder of Stax, was actually inspired by Sun Studio head Sam Phillips and his success.

Unfortunately, changing times led to the demolition of the old studio by 1989.

Old employees and a renewed interest in Memphis preservation led to an effort to rebuild Stax as it once was and allow the public to hear the greats who recorded here. Do Isaac Hayes and Otis Redding sound familiar?

Just try not to boogie when you get to the Soul Train exhibit.

Stop 6: Cooper-Young

You’ve seen a lot today, but it’d be a shame to miss out on the more local side of Memphis with a stroll through the Cooper-Young neighborhood. Stick around through dinner for another chance to hear some live music before you head back home.

Cooper-Young is best enjoyed on a walking tour of your own making, but highlights include:

• Galloway House: The Galloway House may not look like much at first glance, but it holds an important piece of Memphis music history. Johnny Cash gave his first real performance here at what was then the Galloway United Methodist Church.
• Goner Records: Music stores are few and far between in many parts of the country, but Goner Records remains true to its roots as an old-school record store with both rare and popular vinyl for sale.
• Young Avenue Deli: Dozens of draft beers, bar games, elevated pub food, and a vibrant live music calendar make the Young Avenue Deli a favored spot for locals.

More Things to Do in Memphis

With more time in Memphis, you can explore even more of what makes this city so special. Here are a few more stops I’d recommend if you have three days or more in Memphis:

• The Slave Haven Underground Railroad Museum: You’ll need to time a visit on the hour to get on a tour of this one, but it’s well worth the effort. See a cellar used to house runaway slaves and an unvarnished retelling of slavery in Memphis.
• Mud Island Park: Watch the power of the Mississippi River on one side and follow a to-scale replica of the lower half on the other. Read interpretive signage along the way.
• Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid: Yes, it’s a Bass Pro Shops. It’s also one of the strangest places in Memphis. There are alligators and a pond full of large fish that resemble sharks but also have whiskers. Are they catfish? Come find out.
• Shelby Farms Park: Just east of downtown, explore over 40 miles of hiking trails, over 20 lakes for fishing and boating, and kid-friendly playgrounds at Shelby Farms Park. It’s a big ol’ dose of nature accessible with minimal effort.
• Victorian Village: This part of town was once known as Millionaires’ Row. Once you take a stroll, you’ll see why. This is where you’ll go to access the  Woodruff-Fontaine House Museum or the Mallory Neely House, two impression historic mansions.
• Graceland: Go get yourself some Elvis Presley history at Graceland. Book tickets in advance, especially if you’re seeking a VIP experience. Note that the basic tickets won’t get you into the mansion. You’ll need an upgrade to see the real goods inside.

Day Trips From Memphis

With more time, you can also consider a Memphis day trip away from the city. Here are a few of our favorites:

• Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park: This nature lover’s paradise is just half an hour outside of Memphis. The park offers hiking, biking, fishing, and kayaking along the Mississippi River.
• Hatchie National Wildlife Refuge: This refuge near Brownsville, Tennessee, is a great spot for birdwatching, fishing, and nature walks. You can get here in about an hour from Memphis.
• Oxford, Mississippi: Enjoy some university town vibes at the home of the University of Mississippi, or Ole Miss. Visit Rowan Oak, the former home of William Faulkner. Get here in about an hour and 30 minutes from Memphis.
• Clarksdale, Mississippi: Known as the birthplace of the blues, Clarksdale boasts some big musical history. Legend says Robert Johnson sold his soul to the devil for his musical talent. Get here in about an hour and 30 minutes from Memphis.
• Tupelo, Mississippi: See Elvis Presley’s birthplace or start your tour of the Natchez Trace Parkway, one of the region’s best scenic drives. Don’t miss Tupelo Hardware where Elvis got his first guitar. Get here in about an hour and 45 minutes.

When to Visit Memphis

The best time to visit Memphis is in the spring or fall when temperatures are mild and outdoor festivals are in full swing. May is especially popular for the Beale Street Music Festival.

Summers can be hot and humid but the party certainly doesn’t stop in Memphis as a result.

That all said, we’ve spent full months in Memphis during the winters. Fewer crowds and budget-friendly pricing can make winter a great time to visit if you don’t mind some wet weather.

Safety in Memphis

Unfortunately, Memphis has a higher crime rate than many cities in the United States and it’s often on top 10 lists of the most dangerous cities in America.

A lot of that has to do with economic disparities. Levels of povery are high in Memphis, and with that, crime rates often follow.

I’m not telling you this to dissuade you from visiting. We’ve always loved our time in Memphis, and as tourists, you’re unlikely to see crime while you’re exploring the city. It’s important to exercise commonsense precautions as you would in any larger city.

If you’re exploring the city’s music scene after dark in downtown Memphis or along Beale Street, stay vigilant. Don’t walk around with your head in your phone. Don’t leave any valuables in your cark, and park in secure lots.

If you’re visiting from Europe, don’t assume you can walk everywhere. Memphis neighborhoods can feel block-by-block as far as how comfortable you may feel exploring them. Have fun, but be smart about it!

Where to Stay in Memphis

I have a detailed guide to accommodations in Memphis, including information on the city’s safest neighborhoods. If you’d like to do some browsing on your own, check out the map below:

Memphis is more than Graceland.

It’s more than Beale Street, too, despite the fact that I tell you to spend some time in that touristy part of town.

While Memphis gets somewhat of a bad rap for rising crime and concerns about visitor safety, we’ve always had such a fantastic time in the city. Give this one a chance and you’ll uncover a city rich in history, both the musical and defining kind.

Spending more time in the South? Check these out next:

• A Guide to Things to Do in Baton Rouge, LA
• A 3-Day Itinerary for Nashville, TN
• A Guide to Savannah for Traveling Couples
• Hit the Road on These Day Trips from New Orleans
• How to Plan an Incredible Day in Charleston

I’m not done yet! Here are a few more guides for the South:

• A Guide to Date Nights in Charleston
• Plan an Itinerary for Hot Springs, Arkanasas
• Why You Should Visit Bayou La Batre
• What You Should Expect in a Hot Springs Bathhouse
• A Monster Guide to the Best of Tulsa, Oklahoma