Start here
National Civil Rights Museum
The essential Memphis visit, housed at the Lorraine Motel. Give it real time and do not treat it as a quick stop between barbecue meals.
Best for: History, Museum, Essential
Destination guide
Things to do in Memphis
Memphis has enough to fill a trip without trying to cover every corner. Start with the places that fit the way you want to spend the day, then keep nearby choices together.
Places to put on the list in Memphis
Build around a few anchors, then choose nearby additions that match your pace. The main Memphis guide has itinerary ideas if you want help putting those pieces in order.
Start here
Graceland
Elvis Presley’s home is unabashedly theatrical, deeply specific, and worth your visit for first-timers who can embrace the full cultural machine.
Best for: Music, History, Iconic
Start here
Sun Studio
The compact birthplace-of-rock-and-roll tour has more electricity than its size suggests. Book the guided visit rather than merely photographing the facade.
Best for: Music, Tour, Historic
South Main and Downtown
National Civil Rights Museum
The essential Memphis visit, housed at the Lorraine Motel. Give it real time and do not treat it as a quick stop between barbecue meals.
Best for: History, Museum, Essential
Before you go: Check the official details before you commit the day.
Morning$$Plan ahead
Visit official site 
Slave Haven Underground Railroad Museum
A strong history addition that fills a genuine gap in Memphis's current top-attractions mix and works naturally in guides, itineraries, and map recommendations.
Best for: History, Local favorite
Before you go: Check current hours and access before you go.
Morning$$
Visit official site Whitehaven and Graceland
Graceland
Elvis Presley’s home is unabashedly theatrical, deeply specific, and worth your visit for first-timers who can embrace the full cultural machine.
Best for: Music, History, Iconic
Before you go: Reserve before you build the rest of the day around it.
Morning$$Reserve ahead
Visit official site Downtown and Medical District
Sun Studio
The compact birthplace-of-rock-and-roll tour has more electricity than its size suggests. Book the guided visit rather than merely photographing the facade.
Best for: Music, Tour, Historic
Before you go: Reserve before you build the rest of the day around it.
Morning$$Reserve ahead
Visit official site Beale Street and Downtown
Beale Street
A loud, imperfect, indispensable strip for live blues and people-watching. Go for one set and a drink, not an all-night obligation.
Best for: Live music, Nightlife, Historic
Before you go: Check current hours and access before you go.
Evening$$
Visit official site 
Memphis Rock n Soul Museum
A concise primer on the city’s music history at the edge of Beale Street; it is particularly handy before a first live-music night.
Best for: Music, Museum, Downtown
Before you go: Check current hours and access before you go.
Morning$$
Visit official site 
Metal Museum
A high-signal arts and culture stop that adds a distinct indoor option to the destination's existing activity mix. Build it into the day when this is the part of Memphis visitors would otherwise miss.
Best for: Arts and culture, Rain-safe
Before you go: Check current hours and access before you go.
Morning$$
Visit official site Soulsville and Midtown
Stax Museum of American Soul Music
A richly told soul-music museum in the original Stax neighborhood, best for travelers who want Memphis music history beyond the Elvis story.
Best for: Music, Museum, Soul
Before you go: Check current hours and access before you go.
Morning$$
Visit official site East Memphis and Shelby Farms
Shelby Farms Park
The reset button: broad lake views, trails, and room to move after downtown’s indoor history and late-night noise.
Best for: Park, Outdoors, Family
Before you go: Check current hours and access before you go.
Morning$
Visit official site Midtown and Overton Square
Memphis Zoo
Memphis Zoo is a family or animal-lover half-day in Overton Park, more fitting as the day’s anchor than a rushed add-on to Midtown wandering.
Best for: Zoo, Family, Park
Before you go: Check the official details before you commit the day.
Morning$$Plan ahead
Visit official site 
Overton Park Shell
A low-key outdoor music landmark with a real place in rock history; check the current calendar and let it replace a generic nightlife plan when it fits.
Best for: Music, Outdoors, Local
Before you go: Check current hours and access before you go.
Evening$
Visit official site Downtown Riverfront
Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid
Part observation deck, part retail spectacle, part proof that Memphis will happily be weird on its own terms. Go at sunset for the river view.
Best for: Views, Landmark, Offbeat
Before you go: Check the official details before you commit the day.
Late Afternoon$$Plan ahead
Visit official site Plan the rest of your Memphis trip
See neighborhoods, trip ideas, and the full destination planner in one place.
Hours, tickets, seasonal access, and reservation policies can change. Check the official source before you go. Last destination review: 2026-07-27.