Memphis: travel tips and best time to visit

Memphis on the Mississippi is a must-stop for music fans. Elvis Presley lived here, rock 'n' roll was helped into the world here at Sun Studio, and on Beale Street the blues still plays today. Memphis is not a glamorous big city, rather rough, but its music history is world famous. For many it is a stopover on the way from New Orleans to Nashville.

On Beale Street, the famous music strip of Memphis.

Graceland

The most important thing in Memphis is Graceland, the estate of Elvis Presley. The tour through his home and around the grounds is interesting and well done, a must for fans and a nice insight into a legend for everyone else too.

Beale Street and Sun Studio

Beale Street is the historic music strip, in the evening full of live blues and neon. In nearby Sun Studio, Elvis, Johnny Cash and others recorded their early songs, the place is considered a birthplace of rock 'n' roll.

Civil rights history

In the Lorraine Motel, where Martin Luther King was shot in 1968, today stands the National Civil Rights Museum. A powerful, moving place that tells the story of the American civil rights movement.

By the great river

A walk along the bank of the Mississippi is lovely, right near the Lorraine Motel. The broad river and the bridges are part of the picture of Memphis.

Die wichtigsten Sehenswürdigkeiten

What you shouldn't miss.

1

Graceland

The estate of Elvis Presley, with a tour through his home. The centerpiece of a Memphis visit.

Directions with Google Maps

2

Beale Street

The historic music strip, in the evening full of live blues, neon and Southern atmosphere.

Directions with Google Maps

3

Sun Studio

Where Elvis and Johnny Cash recorded their early songs, a birthplace of rock 'n' roll.

Directions with Google Maps

4

National Civil Rights Museum

In the Lorraine Motel, where Martin Luther King was shot. A moving place of civil rights history.

Directions with Google Maps

Practical tips from the forum

Concrete advice from travellers who were there.

Plan the Graceland tour properly. There's the Elvis Experience tour, which you can combine with the airplane tour. Every visitor gets a tablet hung around their neck, you can set the language, and the whole walk takes a good three hours.
from the USA-TALK.DE forum

On Wednesday evenings a huge number of motorcycles gather on Beale Street, including some seriously tricked-out machines. It's really worth seeing if you time your day right.
from the USA-TALK.DE forum

Besides Graceland, Sun Studio, where Elvis was discovered, and Mud Island are worth it. A river cruise on the Mississippi is an experience too, there are short trips and dinner cruises with a BBQ buffet and music.
from the USA-TALK.DE forum

Staying Downtown, you're within walking distance of Beale Street, about a five-minute walk, with restaurants and shops nearby. Keep in mind that many central hotels only offer expensive valet parking, but there are cheaper parking garages close by.
from the USA-TALK.DE forum

Voices from the community

What travellers experienced on the spot.

For me Memphis is above all the Elvis estate Graceland. The tour through the house is nice and interesting, but it did not blow me away. Honestly, Memphis does not have much more to offer.
from personal experience

A walk along the Mississippi was lovely, right by the Lorraine Motel and the Civil Rights Museum, where Martin Luther King was shot.
from personal experience

In Memphis, on Wednesday evenings a huge number of motorcycles always gather on Beale Street, some very souped up. Really worth seeing.
from the forum USA-TALK.DE

Memphis and Nashville were not particularly impressive as cities, but you should not miss Graceland all the same.
from the forum USA-TALK.DE

At first I was skeptical about the exploitation of this icon, but when I stood in the house and especially in the Jungle Room of Graceland, it was a real wow moment. Fortunately there were no waves of tourists around that day, so you could really enjoy it.
from the forum USA-TALK.DE

The tour through the mansion at Graceland is absolutely remarkable, the audio guide is very helpful. You learn things about Elvis and his family that are not so well known. At his grave in the garden I actually had watery eyes.
from the forum USA-TALK.DE

Even though hundreds of thousands of tourists are herded through Graceland every day, you should not miss it. We are not really Elvis fans, yet it was a really lovely day, even our grown-up children liked it very much.
from the forum USA-TALK.DE

After the three hours at Graceland we also went to Sun Studio, where Elvis was discovered back then. In the evening we ventured into the nightlife of Beale Street, but honestly almost nothing was going on. The band at Alfred's was not really motivated for all of five guests, and after one beer we left.
from the forum USA-TALK.DE

On the second attempt too, the pubs and bars on Beale Street were fairly empty. The atmosphere here catches on more for enthusiasts, it is only two or three blocks of blues clubs.
from the forum USA-TALK.DE

I have been to Memphis before and I just liked it a lot, for me the city is a must. The Beale Street Festival is also great, if you happen to catch the timing.
from the forum USA-TALK.DE

Have you been here? Share your impression

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Climate through the year

Average temperatures, day and night. Large value °C, small value °F.

9°48°F0°32°F

Jan

12°54°F2°36°F

Feb

17°63°F6°43°F

Mar

23°73°F11°52°F

Apr

27°81°F16°61°F

May

32°90°F21°70°F

Jun

34°93°F23°73°F

Jul

33°91°F22°72°F

Aug

29°84°F18°64°F

Sep

23°73°F11°52°F

Oct

16°61°F5°41°F

Nov

11°52°F2°36°F

Dec

Map with viewpoints

Park, entrances and the best viewpoints at a glance.

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Distances and driving times

How far it is to the key places nearby.

From	Distance	Drive time
Nashville	210 mi (340 km)	approx. 3 hrs
New Orleans	400 mi (640 km)	approx. 7 hrs
Atlanta	385 mi (620 km)	approx. 6 hrs
Great Smoky Mountains	405 mi (650 km)	approx. 6.5 hrs

Where to stay

Right in the middle of things, or cheaper a bit further out.

Downtown and Beale Street

right in the middle

Close to Beale Street, the river and the Civil Rights Museum, all easy on foot.

Midtown

a little outside

Quieter, with restaurants and parks, quickly in town by car.

Near Graceland

in the south

Handy when Elvis is the focus, with its own hotels around the estate.

Insider tips and common mistakes

What was worth it and what to skip.

Insider tips

Graceland in the morning, Beale Street in the evening, a walk along the Mississippi in between. One day is plenty.
Plan in the National Civil Rights Museum in the Lorraine Motel, a striking place of history.
Take Memphis nicely as a stopover between New Orleans and Nashville.

Common mistakes

Planning too many days. You can see the most important places well in one day.
Only thinking of Graceland. Beale Street, Sun Studio and the Civil Rights Museum are part of it.
Being inattentive at night away from the busy corners, better to stick to the lively spots.

Photos

Click to enlarge.

Videos

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Frequently asked questions

How much time do I need?

One day is plenty for Graceland, Beale Street and the Civil Rights Museum.

Is Graceland worth it for non-fans too?

The tour is nicely done and an insight into a legend. Die-hard Elvis fans get the most out of it.

What is the National Civil Rights Museum?

A museum in the Lorraine Motel, where Martin Luther King was shot in 1968. It powerfully tells the story of the civil rights movement.

Does Memphis fit on a Southern route?

Very well, as a stopover between New Orleans and Nashville, following the music from blues to country.

Nearby

Easy to combine on a road trip.

Music City

Tennessee

Nashville

Live music on every corner, honky-tonks and the sound of country.

New Orleans

Jazz, French Quarter flair and the most fun-loving city in America.

Great Smoky Mountains

Misty ridges, deep forests and America's most visited national park.

Memphis

Graceland

Beale Street and Sun Studio

Civil rights history

By the great river

Die wichtigsten Sehenswürdigkeiten

Graceland

Beale Street

Sun Studio

National Civil Rights Museum

Practical tips from the forum

Voices from the community

Have you been here? Share your impression

Climate through the year

Map with viewpoints

Distances and driving times

Where to stay

Downtown and Beale Street

Midtown

Near Graceland

Insider tips and common mistakes

Insider tips

Common mistakes

Photos

Videos

Memphis in 2 Days and Graceland

Top 10 in Memphis

Beale Street, Walking Tour 4K

Downtown Memphis, Travel Guide

Frequently asked questions

Nearby

Nashville

New Orleans

Great Smoky Mountains