Safe Areas to Stay in Memphis, Tennessee (+ Hotel Recs)

Memphis, Tennessee, is one of our favorite cities in the United States. Brian lived there for a few years as a kid, and we’ve always liked returning for the barbecue, music, and cultural scene.

For many, though, Memphis has a bad rap as an unsafe city. So is Memphis safe to visit or not? I’m not going to pretend like it’s the safest city in America when it’s clearly not. The violent crime and property crime rates in Memphis have been growing steadily.

That can be intimidating if you don’t know the city well and are looking for the best place to stay in Memphis.

The “good” news is that, as with big cities like Chicago, my hometown, most of the crime happens in areas that tourists don’t frequent. Downtown Memphis, for example, is heavily policed.

While you’ll need some situational awareness while you’re here, you shouldn’t let fear dictate whether you should come to Memphis.

The food scene is delicious, the Memphis museums are top-notch, and there are plenty of options for safe areas to stay in Memphis. I’ll get into all of that, plus tips on staying safe in Memphis during your visit to the Home of the Blues.

Downtown Memphis

Downtown Memphis is the best part of Memphis to stay in if you’re visiting for the first time. You’ll have easy access to the Beale Street Entertainment District and some of the city’s best museums.

That includes the National Civil Rights Museum, built around the former Lorraine Motel. This was the site of the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., and any visit here is going to be a somber one.

You’ll also be in the thick of it when it comes to the Memphis music scene. Access the Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum, the Memphis Music Hall of Fame, and The Stax Museum of American Soul Music from downtown Memphis.

READ MORE: I get into all of this and more in my detailed itinerary for a weekend in Memphis.

Is downtown Memphis safe? Downtown Memphis is safe for tourists with some situational awareness. Stay near well-lit, high-traffic areas, keep your head out of your phone while you’re exploring, and never leave anything in view in that rental car.

Note: You should never leave anything in full view on the seat of a car anywhere. That includes the safest cities in the world.

If you’re interested in staying downtown when visiting Memphis, ARRIVE Memphis is one of the safest hotels in Memphis, let alone downtown. Stay close to the Blues Hall of Fame with this pick on Main Street.

We’ve also stayed at the La Quinta by Wyndham downtown because it’s pet-friendly. That one is a short walk from Sun Studio, the pioneering record studio that you shouldn’t miss on a first-time visit.

Use the map below to browse more options in downtown Memphis:

Midtown

Is Midtown Memphis safe? Midtown’s Overton Square and Cooper-Young districts have a strong community presence and well-lit areas known as some of the safest parts of Memphis.

These historic neighborhoods are also known for their artistic vibes, trendy dining, and live music venues.

Midtown is just east of downtown Memphis, and it’s a great spot for those who are taking a deeper dive into the city. Access the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art and one of my favorite eateries in Memphis, while you’re there, The Bar-B-Q Shop.

Fun fact: This place is home to the original bar-b-que spaghetti. You’ll thank me later.

Midtown is nice for families, too. Many of the accommodation options are close to the Children’s Museum of Memphis, Overton Park, and the Memphis Zoo, a top pick for travelers with kids.

Midtown has all of the usual hotel chains, but you may be able to save some cash by staying at a short-term rental. This option has two bedrooms for travelers who need a little extra space. You’ll just have to meet the minimum three-night stay.

Note: Minimum night stays are not unusual in Memphis with apartment-style listings and houses for rent. Some hotels have even started adopting them to reduce turnover.

If I’ve talked you into Midtown, use the map below for more options:

East Memphis

This is where we stayed on our most recent visit. If you’re seeking the safest areas to stay in Memphis, it doesn’t get much better than this quiet residential area.

It’s also still close enough to the main attractions on most Memphis itineraries and some sites that aren’t on most Memphis itineraries.

READ MORE: Traveling elsewhere on your trip to the American South? Check out my two-week itinerary!

East Memphis is about a 20-minute drive from Beale Street. Access the Memphis Botanic Garden and the Memphis Museum of Science and History (MoSH) with accommodations in East Memphis.

Continue traveling east and you’ll hit the lovely Shelby Farms Park, an urban oasis in the city. I already shared the rental we liked, but you also have options for traditional hotels in East Memphis.

If you’ve been hoarding those Hilton points, the Hilton Memphis is a highly-rated option. You’ll be walking distance from the Crystal Shrine Grotto, an odd little place that has the only man-made crystal cave in the world.

To do more browsing in East Memphis, check out the map below:

Memphis Suburbs

Some of the safest areas in Memphis to stay are outside of the city in its near suburbs.

While we haven’t pulled this move yet, preferring to stay closer to the city center and all of its eating possibilities, it could be a smart move if you don’t mind relying on a car. Keep in mind that the average people live and work here. The ‘burbs aren’t known for tourism.

Here are a few options for Memphis suburbs with high marks for safety:

• Collierville: This one boasts a historic downtown, top-rated schools, and high-end shopping at Carriage Crossing. Collierville’s small-town charm and suburban feel make it an ideal spot for families and travelers seeking a quiet retreat.
• Germantown: This affluent suburb is known for its well-maintained parks and upscale shopping. It’s very family-friendly — much like Collierville, many move here for the schools — with a strong community presence.
• Lakeland: For supreme quiet, Lakeland is a growing suburb that has retained some rural vibes. Its lower population density and emphasis on outdoor recreation make this one a decent option for travelers here for a bit longer.

Should you stay in Graceland?

If you’re in Memphis for the primary purpose of checking out Graceland, you may think you should just stay in Graceland. Unfortunately, Graceland isn’t one of the safest areas in Memphis to stay. They’ve had a problem with petty and drug-related crime there.

It’s only about 20 minutes to Graceland from Midtown, a better neighborhood, so it’s really not necessary to put yourself out there.

What you’ll find in Graceland is likely overpriced, too. While there are quite a few hotels in the area, many come with awful reviews. It may be because they think if you want to stay near Graceland, you’ll be more concerned by price than surviving a horrible stay.

There are actually quite a few hotels near Graceland, but some of them come with some horrible reviews. (I’m looking at you, Days Inn.) It may be because they think if you want to stay near Graceland, you’ll be more concerned by price than surviving a horrible stay.

Fun fact: If you don’t want to leave Memphis proper but love all things Elvis, hit the Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum, instead.

Hotels Near Memphis International Airport

I was researching whether to include a separate section for hotels near Memphis International Airport, but it seemed unnecessary. Graceland is under 10 minutes away. You can get to downtown Memphis within 20 minutes from the airport.

You don’t get anything out of staying that close to the airport, and the hotel reviews near there are garbage.

I’m saying I don’t recommend staying near the Memphis airport, even if you’re only in the city for the day.

While it ticks the boxes for where to stay in Memphis that is safe and you’ll be close to the airport for your trip back home, it’ll be inconvenient and, frankly, boring.

Spend that day in any of the other neighborhoods I’ve mentioned above, instead. It won’t take you that much extra time to do so.

You have options for safe places to stay in Memphis.

Like many major cities, crime in Memphis tends to be concentrated in economically disadvantaged areas with limited resources. That means safety largely depends on location and circumstances. It’s a sad fact of life in America.

Memphis has done a decent job keeping well-touristed areas insulated from rising crime. Outside of the safest places to stay in Memphis, though, where to stay while you’re here can depend on your priorities.

If you’re visiting for the first time and want to be close to the action, downtown Memphis is likely the best area to stay in Memphis.

If you don’t need to be close to Beale Street, I don’t blame you. Memphis has quiet neighborhoods that offer a good night’s rest at the end of each night.