Memphis is one of those “gotta go more than once” cities. But if you haven’t been, get the first trip under your belt soon! Being in the middle of the country, it’s an easy destination for most of the US, only 2.3 hours from Denver, 3 hours from New York, and 1.5 hours from the Fort Worth/Dallas market.  Nonstops are available from most major US cities. The airport is in the south end of town but only about 15 minutes from downtown. A rental car is recommended as you may want to venture around town. There are a lot of “touristy” things to do in Memphis which aren’t all that bad as they are quite unique and still have a fun factor.

I enjoy staying downtown as I want to be close to the Beale Street scene and be able to walk there as opposed to driving/rideshare. The Peabody Memphis, opened in 1869, is a grand hotel with the flare of the period. As a bonus, this is home to the Peabody Duck Parade, a daily tradition that see a group of ducks come out of the elevator and down a red carpet to the fountain in the middle of the lobby where they hang out for the day then back to the elevator in the late afternoon to their rooftop penthouse accommodations.  It’s a tradition that started in the 30’s and is fun especially if you have kids. Apart from the ducks – the Peabody Memphis is just a grand hotel that is comfortable and perfectly located for a stay in Memphis. Other downtown hotels that have great locations are Holiday Inn Memphis and Hyatt Centric Beale Street. 

When it comes to being a tourist in Memphis, there is no better kitschy thing to do than visit Graceland, the home of Elvis Presley. Elvis may not be on your Spotify play list right now, but there was a long time when he ruled the charts and was one of the country’s first “influencers” on a grand scale. More than just a museum of Elvis memories/awards/life the home is presented EXACTLY as it was when Elvis lived there. Very 70’s with a media room that consists of 3 TV’s, shag carpet on some walls and a state-of-the-art (for the ‘70’s) kitchen. It’s a rare look at what was considered the height of home fashion of the time, garish, bold colors, insane ceiling treatments all in pristine condition. The tour includes several other buildings housing Elvis’s gold records, stage costumes, recording studio and finally the Meditation Garden where the family is buried. You can also see cars and planes that are owned by the estate if you wish. A visit here will take several hours, and I suggest buying your tickets in advance.

From blues to rock and roll to country music Memphis has held a place throughout the evolution of music in the US. Beale Street and the surrounding area is a living work of musical art offering not only a nightly party but a crash course in live music. Live music events happen daily in the bars and clubs of Beale Street and if you are lucky or plan in advance, the Orpheum Theatre or The New Daisy Theatre might be hosting a big act. Beale Street itself is enough to keep your nights filled with fun. 

Other things you may want to consider during your trip are varied but one of my favs was the Haunted Memphis Walking tour, something I look for in many cities I visit…This one gives you some great history along with the spooky stories. About 2 hours long throughout downtown (starting at the Orpheum Theatre on Beale Street) be sure to stick close to the guide…As with most of these walking tours, the city noises can interfere with hearing the guide if you are not right next to them!

If you don’t get enough excitement in Memphis proper, Tunica Mississippi is only a 45-minute drive south and you can gamble along the river till you win big, or lose it all.  Several different casinos are available, and you can usually find a cheap rate for an overnight stay instead of driving all the way back into town.  

All in, Memphis is a nightly party with some funky daytime things to do…It’s worth a trip for a weekend or short stay.