25 Best & Fun Things To Do In Memphis (Tennessee)

Whatever your reasons for visiting Memphis, Tennessee, you should know that it will live up to all of your expectations.

There’s a reason why Memphis is considered one of the top tourist destinations of the south.

More than 11 million people flock to it every year!

Are you ready to go walkin’ in Memphis?

Here are just a few of the best things to do when visiting this iconic city.

1. Graceland

You can’t visit Memphis without visiting Graceland.

As the former home of Elvis Presley, it’s one of the most famous buildings in the US.

It’s second only to the White House in terms of annual visitors!

Another amazing thing about Graceland is that Elvis was actually laid to rest on the grounds.

His grave is always decorated with fresh flowers, and if you visit on the anniversary of his death, you can attend a candlelit vigil with visitors from all around the world.

Address: Elvis Presley Blvd, Memphis, TN 38116, United States

2. Beale Street

Beale Street is the most iconic street in Memphis.

Not only does it host a number of shops, cafes, clubs, museums, music studios and other well-known tourist attractions, but it’s also brimming with history as a major landmark for the blues movement.

Today, Beale Street is home to everything from cheap nightclubs to expensive restaurants, but it hasn’t forgotten its roots.

There are a number of vintage attractions that include old theaters, historic houses and retro jazz halls.

Address: Memphis, TN 38103, USA

3. The Arcade Restaurant

You can see the Arcade Restaurant long before you reach it.

Its colorful neon signs are a vintage throwback to the diner era of the 1950s, and they flash like a beacon to hungry travelers in downtown Memphis.

The retro look continues inside of the restaurant.

Old-fashioned photos and posters line the walls; plush seats will make you think of ponytails and poodle skirts.

An “Elvis booth” commemorates where the king used to take his bacon and eggs every morning.

Its menu has everything that you’d expect from a southern restaurant, including ham, grits, biscuits and gravy, country fried steak and sweet potato pancakes.

Address: 540 S Main St, Memphis, TN 38103, United States

4. Shelby Farms

Shelby Farms stretches for thousands of acres across the Tennessee countryside with hills, forests and lakes as far as the eye can see, and it’s home to everything from rare birds to a wild bison herd.

If you like working up a sweat, you can go hiking, rowing or horseback riding; if you prefer more leisurely activities, you can enjoy the golf course or act as a spectator at the BMX park.

Even pets can enjoy themselves at Shelby Farms!

There’s an off-leash area where your fluffy companions can run in circles and sneeze in flowers to their heart’s content.

Address: 6903 Great View Dr N, Memphis, TN 38134, United States

5. Sun Studio

Known as “the birthplace of rock ‘n’ roll,” Sun Studio is where the world’s first rock song was recorded in the early 1950s, and it nurtured the careers of many young up-and-comers who would go on to become famous names.

Its hallways have seen everyone from Elvis Presley to Johnny Cash.

Tours are available every hour for people who want to soak in the history of rock music.

You’ll get to see things like the former recording booth of B.B. King and the microphone that was used by an 18-year-old Elvis to make one of his earliest hits.

You can also take a shuttle bus to the nearby Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum. It’s another great music museum in Memphis.

Address: 706 Union Ave, Memphis, TN 38103, United States

6. Memphis Zoo

The Memphis Zoo is a stunning menagerie that hosts more than 3,500 animals in hundreds of houses and habitats.

It’s won multiple awards for conservation, and it’s been ranked as the #1 zoo in the entire country by travel outlets like TripAdvisor.

Not only can you get up close and personal with rare, exotic creatures, but you can also explore different environments and ecosystems that mimic their natural habitats.

The Memphis Zoo is a must see for animal lovers.

Address: 2000 Prentiss Pl, Memphis, TN 38112, United States

7. Orpheum Theatre

Located in the heart of downtown Memphis, the Orpheum Theatre is one of the most prestigious and longest-running theaters in the entire state of Tennessee.

It’s the place to catch all of the latest Broadway shows, and it’s also the home of everything from ballet performances to international jazz festivals.

You should also know that the Orpheum Theatre is haunted!

It has a well-known ghost of a little girl who’s been watching over the artists and patrons since the 1920s.

People come to Memphis from all over just to take energy readings of the theater.

Don’t worry, however. She’s a friendly ghost.

Whether you’re into music, comedy, theater or paranormal sightings, it’s sure to give you goosebumps during your visit.

Address: 203 S Main St, Memphis, TN 38103, United States

8. A. Schwab

A. Schwab is a small, family-owned souvenir shop that’s tucked away in the vintage brick storefronts of Beale Street, and it’s filled to the brim with kooky knickknacks that aren’t available anywhere else in the city.

For example, have you ever seen the world’s largest pair of overalls?

They hang from the ceiling of A. Schwab.

You can also find trinkets, souvenirs, homemade crafts and black magic hoodoo charms.

If you get hungry, an old-fashioned soda machine can whip up some beer or ice cream.

If you want to take a snack with you, you can bag all sorts of kitschy candy from the candy station.

Address: 163 Beale St, Memphis, TN 38103, United States

9. Southland Casino

Located in West Memphis, a city that technically falls outside of state lines, Southland Casino is a haven for gamblers and ramblers.

It offers slots, cards, lotteries and table games without any of the usual restrictions.

You can even bet on greyhound races!

It has a good half-dozen restaurants where “tonight’s special” can range from cheap burgers to luxurious champagnes, so there’s always something tasty on the menu.

Live entertainment is a staple of the weekends; you can listen to singers or comedians while you sip your cocktail.

Address: 1550 North Ingram Blvd, West Memphis, AR 72301, United States

10. Memphis in May

Memphis in May is a celebration of art, food, music and culture that lasts an entire month!

Vendors come from all around the world to set up shopping and gaming booths.

Musicians fly in for outdoor concerts.

Chefs hold an annual barbecue championship.

Runners have a 5K marathon through the grounds.

Memphis in May is also known for its one-of-a-kind festivities.

Most of them have a Tennessee twist, including “sauce wrestling,” a fun but messy event where participants wrestle each other in 40 gallons of barbecue sauce.

There are also hog runs, potato sack races and pie-eating contests.

11. AutoZone Park

As a small-time stadium, AutoZone Park isn’t as grand as some of the others that you might see near Memphis.

What it lacks in size, however, it makes up for with atmosphere.

Its cozy seating means that you’re always at the forefront of the action, and its vintage decor will take you back to the days when you could buy peanuts and hot dogs for 10 cents.

Its special amenities include an on-site playground for kids and two open-air party decks for adults.

When it isn’t hosting baseball games, it’s rented out for festivals, music events and haunted houses.

Address: 200 Union Ave, Memphis, TN 38103, United States

12. Mud Island

Mud Island is a small peninsula located a few miles north of Memphis, and it can only be accessed by driving across a bridge or taking a suspended monorail over the water, so its scenery has a pure, untouched quality that hasn’t been tainted by civilization.

There are all kinds of things to see and do, including hiking, biking, rafting, picnicking and renting a pedal boat.

It’s one of those fun places where everyone can find something to do.

If you’re willing to travel a little outside of Memphis for your Memphis attractions, consider a trip to Mud Island.

Address: 125 N Front St, Memphis, TN 38103, USA

13. South Main Arts District

Located along the southern border of downtown Memphis, the South Main Arts District is one of the most iconic locations in the city.

You might even recognize it before you go.

It’s been featured in multiple Hollywood films, including Walk the Line, Hustle and Flow, Great Balls of Fire and Elizabethtown.

What makes South Main so special?

For starters, it has an old-fashioned look with a daily trolley winding through brick shopfronts and colonial townhouses.

It also has an artistic edge with painted murals on the walls and vendors selling their arts and crafts on the sidewalk.

You can grab a bite to eat at one of the local, family-owned diners, or you can hop on the trolley and visit one of the nearby museums.

14. Pink Palace Family of Museums

The Pink Palace Family of Museums is a chain of museums located in the greater Memphis area.

They’re some of the best in the business, especially if you’re looking for places to visit that will be fun for the whole family.

Here are the museums in the network:

• The Pink Palace Museum and Planetarium is a science and engineering museum that houses a state-of-the-art planetarium.
• The Coon Creek Science Center and the Lichterman Nature Center are nature museums filled with fossils, gardens, arboretums and wildlife exhibits.
• The Mallory-Neely House and Magevney House are history museums built into old homes in Memphis’s “Victorian Village.”

As you can see, each museum offers something different for Tennessee travelers, but they’ll all provide an entertaining and educational experience.

If you’re wondering what to do on your Memphis vacation, hit up the Pink Palace Family of Museums!

Address: 3050 Central Ave, Memphis, TN 38111, United States

15. Memphis Botanic Garden

Memphis Botanic Garden is a beautiful, tranquil place where you can escape the grind of the city by walking among the wildflowers and listening to the songs of the brooks and streams.

Despite the singular name, there are multiple gardens at the Memphis Botanic Garden.

Some are filled with roses, ferns or herbs; others have bamboo plants and water wheels to mimic a zen garden.

The most spectacular is the butterfly garden where you’ll be surrounded by hundreds of colorful, ever-fluttering butterflies that might just land on you if you sit still enough.

Address: 750 Cherry Rd, Memphis, TN 38117, United States

16. National Civil Rights Museum

Memphis was at the forefront of the Civil Rights Movement, especially after the assassination of Martin Luther King at a Memphis motel in 1968.

Rather than brushing over its ugly heritage, the city decided to use the motel as a foundation for cultural and historical education, and the National Civil Rights Museum was built around it.

You’ll need several hours to take in everything at the museum, and even that might not be enough.

It’s filled with photos, documents, artifacts and exhibitions that showcase the long and painful struggle for equal rights in Tennessee.

However, the Civil Rights Movement is an important part of our heritage that shouldn’t be forgotten, and this Memphis museum is dedicated to the preservation of history and the education of its visitors.

Address: 450 Mulberry St, Memphis, TN 38103, United States

17. Tom Lee Park

Located a few miles west of downtown Memphis, Tom Lee Park sits at the heart of multiple walking, jogging, biking and dog-walking trails.

The views from Tom Lee Park are absolutely incredible.

When you turn in a circle, you’ll be able to see everything from the Memphis Pyramid to the Memphis Bridge, and the glittering skyline of the city will loom even beyond that.

You can also participate in fun events and activities at Tom Lee Park.

It’s hosted things like the Beale Street Music Festival, the Sunset Symphony concert and the World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest.

Its central location and panoramic views make it something of a hot spot for festivities.

Address: Riverside Dr, Memphis, TN 38103, United States

18. C.H. Nash Museum at Chucalissa

Tennessee has always stayed in touch with its indigenous roots, and the C.H. Nash Museum at Chucalissa is one of the best places in the region to learn more about the Native Americas that once occupied the lands of Memphis.

The museum is housed in a series of huts made of mud, straw and other natural materials.

These are replicas of the real settlements used by the native people of Chucalissa.

Once you’re inside, you’ll be treated to displays and exhibits that showcase their art, history, music, language and craftsmanship.

Tour guides are available if you’d like a lecture, or you can take a self-guided walk of the facilities to examine everything at your leisure.

The C.H. Nash Museum at Chucalissa will let you step back in time and see how people lived before the age of computers and smartphones, and it’s a pretty remarkable sight.

Address: 1987 Indian Village Dr, Memphis, TN 38109, United States

19. Memphis Music Hall of Fame

You’ve probably figured out that Memphis is a mecca for music lovers, but nowhere is this more apparent than the Memphis Music Hall of Fame.

It celebrates the achievements of many different Memphis-born or Memphis-living musicians, and with its zany sense of humor, it’ll provide a rollicking good time for all.

Billed as a museum that’s “just as outrageous as our inductees,” the Memphis Music Hall of Fame isn’t a dull place where you squint at gold plaques hanging on the walls.

Instead, it offers photos, interviews, video performances and interactive exhibits where you can really sink your teeth into the musical heritage of its stars.

Furthermore, you might be surprised by some of the names on the list of famous Memphis musicians.

For example, everyone knows that Elvis lived in Graceland, but were you aware that Justin Timberlake was born in the Shelby Forest area?

Address: 126 S 2nd St, Memphis, TN 38103, United States

20. The Memphis Pyramid

Towering more than 300 feet high, the Memphis Pyramid is one of the most iconic landmarks in Tennessee.

During the day, its steel walls glint with sunlight from every angle; at night, it becomes a rainbow of multicolored LED lights that can be seen for miles.

The Memphis Pyramid was originally an entertainment venue for concerts and sports games, but it was converted years ago into a gigantic plaza for shopping, dining and lodging.

Address: Memphis, TN 38105, United States

21. Children’s Museum of Memphis

Children’s Museum of Memphis throws out the usual “museum” experience and trades it for fun, hands-on interaction that’s sure to delight your little ones.

Does your daughter love dinosaurs?

Send her to an excavation where she can dig up fossils and gemstones with real archaeology equipment.

Does your son dream of becoming a pilot?

Put him in the driver’s seat of a plane, train or fire truck with touchable controls.

Other activities include a rock wall, sand pit, art studio and car garage.

There’s a splash pad for hot days and a carousel when it’s too wet or cold to play outside.

Address: 2525 Central Ave, Memphis, TN 38104, United States

22. Go Ape Zip Line and Treetop Adventure

Taking you high into the trees of Tennessee’s natural scenery, Go Ape Zip Line and Treetop Adventure is sure to get your blood pumping as you climb, swing, jump and zip through the canopies of Shelby Forest.

Instructors will guide you through the basics of using your pulleys and harnesses.

The one downside of Go Ape Zip Line and Treetop Adventure is that it isn’t suitable for children under 10 years old.

It’s meant for older kids and adults, so your littlest monkeys will need to sit this one out.

Address: 651 N Pine Lake Dr, Memphis, TN 38134, United States

23. Crosstown Concourse

Officially called an “urban village,” Crosstown Concourse is a cross between an underground neighborhood and a giant indoor shopping complex.

Its labyrinth-like corridors are packed with bars, gyms, restaurants, boutiques, offices and markets.

Drop by Crosstown Concourse today and experience the magic for yourself!

Address: 1350 Concourse Ave, Memphis, TN 38104, United States

24. Golf and Games Family Park

The fun never stops at the Golf and Games Family Park.

Offering everything from batting cages to arcade games, it’s one of the best amusement centers in the city.

You’ll enjoy hours of entertainment as you unleash your inner child in a whirlwind of games, rides, events and activities.

A mini-course is available for anyone who wants to pick up a putter and try their luck on the green.

Address: 5484 Summer Ave, Memphis, TN 38134, United States

25. The Peabody Hotel

With its large, square building looming over the downtown area, Peabody Hotel is one of the most recognizable attractions in Memphis, and it’s known for its top tier luxury living.

Not only will it provide one of the best experiences that you can have in Memphis, but it might even provide one of the best experiences that you ever have in Tennessee.

The amenities are self-indulgent to the max.

The location is highly centralized; you’ll be able to walk out the front doors and immediately head to any number of famous Memphis attractions.

The inside of the Peabody is just as fabulous as the outside, too.

It has an expensive marble lobby that has been used in everything from local commercials to famous films, and its centerpiece is an ornate water fountain filled with live ducks.

Every day at 11 AM and 5PM, the ducks march down the lobby of the hotel while tourists snap photos like they’re celebrities on a red carpet.

Book your room, take advantage of the Peabody Hotel’s wonderful amenities and prepare yourself for an amazing vacation in Memphis!

Address: 118 S 2nd St, Memphis, TN 38103, United States

Start Planning Your Trip To Memphis

These are just a few of the best things to see when you’re in Memphis, Tennessee.

Whether you’re planning an extended vacation or a quick weekend getaway, you’ll want to be prepared for everything that the city has to offer if you want to make the most of it.

Good luck!