Memphis
United States · Americas
About Memphis
Memphis (, MEM-fis) is a city in Shelby County, Tennessee, United States, and its county seat. Situated along the Mississippi River, it had a population of 633,104 at the 2020 census, making it the second-most populous city in Tennessee, the fifth-most populous in the Southeast, and the 29th-most populous in the US. Memphis is the largest city proper on the Mississippi River and anchors the Memphis area that includes parts of Arkansas and Mississippi, the 45th-most populous metropolitan area in the U.S. with 1.34 million residents.
European exploration of the area began with Spanish conquistador Hernando de Soto in 1541. Located on the high Chickasaw Bluffs, the site offered natural protection from Mississippi River flooding and became a contested location in the colonial era. Modern Memphis was founded in 1819 by John Overton, James Winchester, and Andrew Jackson. The city thrived due to its river traffic and cotton-based economy, becoming one of the largest cities in the Antebellum South. After the American Civil War, it remained a key hub for the cotton and hardwood industries. Memphis is also notable for its role in the American Civil Rights Movement; Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated there in 1968, and the city is now home to the National Civil Rights Museum, a Smithsonian affiliate.
Memphis is one of the nation's leading commercial centers in transportation and logistics. The largest employer is FedEx, which maintains its global air hub at Memphis International Airport, one of the world's busiest cargo airports. The Port of Memphis also hosts the fifth-busiest inland water port in the U.S. Memphis is home to several large financial institutions, including First Horizon Bank, which is the second largest bank with its primary headquarters located in Tennessee. Memphis is also known for its music scene, with Beale Street central to the development of Memphis blues and a broader legacy that includes soul, rock and roll, and hip-hop. Cultural landmarks include Graceland, Sun Studio, the Memphis Pyramid, and the Stax Museum of American Soul Music. The city is also famed for its Memphis-style barbecue and hosts the annual World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest. It is home to the Memphis Grizzlies of the NBA and several colleges and universities, including the University of Memphis, LeMoyne–Owen College, and Rhodes College.
In the 2020's, after experiencing several decades of high crime rates and incremental population loss, Memphis has begun to revitalize through redevelopment and a renewed focus on crime reduction, with Downtown Memphis being the primary target for renewal. Several projects are in the planning stages or have already begun construction, with a new 16-story research facility being developed on the St. Jude Campus, the renovation of the biggest hotel in downtown, and the redevelopment of the tallest tower in West Tennessee, 100 North Main. Tom Lee Park, the riverside park located downtown, completed a massive renovation in 2023 that cost more than $60 million dollars and includes ballcourts, walkable trails, and bike stands. The park also includes a flyway that stretches out nearly to the Mississippi River and was opened several years after the park's completion.
Memphis travel guide
Understand
Although downtown Memphis has experienced quite a rebirth and renewal in the last few years, the center of the city is older; it is full of new development, teeming with change and coming into its own. In the past few years, the city has emerged to boast one of the largest downtown populations among US cities. Citizens again have a vested interest in making downtown a safe, exciting place to visit and relax in after decades of abandonment.
Climate
Memphis is extremely hot in the summertime, and the humidity can make you feel even hotter! Those who have trouble tolerating high heat and humidity may wish to avoid visiting in July and August. Daytime summer temperature average around 92 °F (33 °C). Heat indices tend to average around 98 °F (37 °C) during the day and 77 °F (25 °C) at night in the summer. It's not unheard of for heat indices to climb upwards to 110 °F (43 °C) and not go below 85 °F (29 °C) at night on some particularly hot and sweltering days.
Tourist information 'Memphis Travel website
Getting there
Memphis is on the southwestern corner of Tennessee, with the Mississippi River and the state of Arkansas bordering it to the west and the state of Mississippi to the south.
By plane 1 Memphis International Airport (MEM IATA). Despite its name, it does not serve international passenger flights, though the main international hub of global shipping giant FedEx is based here. (updated Mar 2019) Allegiant Air: Austin, Fort Lauderdale, Las Vegas, Orlando/Sanford American Airlines: Charlotte, Chicago-O'Hare, Dallas-Fort Worth, Miami, New York-LaGuardia, Philadelphia, Washington-National. Delta Air Lines: Atlanta, Cancun, Cincinnati, Detroit, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Minneapolis/St. Paul, New York-LaGuardia, Orlando, Salt Lake City Frontier Airlines: Denver, Washington-Dulles Southern Airways Express: Destin, Florida; Harrison, Arkansas; Jackson, Missouri; and Nashville Southwest Airlines: Austin, Baltimore, Chicago-Midway, Dallas-Love, Houston-Hobby, Orlando, Tampa. United Airlines: Chicago-O'Hare, Denver, Houston-Intercontinental, Newark.
By car is a good route into town but doesn't go through Memphis; to get to the other side of 40 you take the north loop which is I-40, or the south loop, which is known as I-240 and is Memphis' beltway. will take you right into town; just take the Riverside Drive exit from either direction to be at Beale Street in a minute. Comes from Alabama, through Mississippi, and ends in Memphis. Parking - Except for downtown, parking is usually free. If you're downtown, try a garage on Union Avenue or Front Street for around $2/hr, $7/day. Expect to hunt for cheaper parking if there's an event going on at the FedEx Forum, Beale Street or AutoZone Park. Parking vendors also appear to charge higher prices during these peak times.
By foot or bicycle If bicycling or on foot from West Memphis, Arkansas, take the Harahan Bridge.
By train
Running along the Mississippi River, Amtrak's overnight City of New Orleans between Chicago and New Orleans, serves Memphis once daily. The 2 Memphis Central Station is on South Main St, which is just south of downtown.
By bus Delta Bus Lines, (Greyhound bus depot) 3033 Airways Blvd (same location as Greyhound and the MATA Airways Blvd Transit Center at Brooks Rd & Airways Blvd, south of town and northwest of the airport), ☏ +1 662-335-2144, fax: +1 662 335-2174. Goes south along US Hwy 278 towards Cleveland, MS via Robinsonville, Shelby, Tunica and Clarksdale. Passengers transfer in Cleveland to continue towards Indianola, Greeneville, Jackson and other places in Mississippi and onward
Getting around
Driving: Travel by car is really the only way to get around Memphis if you want to do anything other than see Downtown. Public Transit: The Main Street Trolley operates along Main Street within the Downtown area. Bus service provided by the Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA) is available across the city. Some routes are very poorly served in the evenings. At nights and weekends some buses take a different route than during the day which can be a trap for visitors. Memphis is laid out in a more or less east/west fashion. Roads primarily go east/west and north/south. The expressway cuts directly through the city. Downtown is on the west; it sits atop the bluffs, overlooking the mighty Mississippi River. (It is referred to as Downtown, not as West Memphis, which is a town just across the river in Arkansas.) Moving east you'll come to Midtown, a charming part of the city thought by some as the best part of Memphis. Beyond that, you will find East Memphis, and then the suburbs of Germantown, Collierville, Cordova, and Bartlett. The area between downtown and Midtown, referred to by locals as "Crosstown," is coming to life slowly but surely. There is a movement to turn it into an artist community. Members of this movement call the area "the Edge". However, most of the "art district" is on South Main.
See
Downtown Downtown Memphis. Buy a ticket and take the trolley to get a good overview of the area. 1 Beale Street. "Home of the Blues". Dozens of bars and clubs, most of them featuring live music. At night the street is closed to vehicles and you can drink on the street; some bars have "drinks to go" windows where you can get a 32-ounce cup of beer for $5 and go bar-hopping. Many bars have no cover charge. Peabody Place is largely a wasteland, as nearly all the stores inside have closed. (updated Dec 2024) 2 Blues Hall of Fame Museum, 421 S. Main St (opposite the Civil Rights Museum precinct). Tuesday – Saturday 10AM–5PM, closed Sunday and Monday. Adult $15, student $10, 12 & under free. (updated Jun 2026) 3 The Cotton Museum, 65 Union Ave, ☏ +1 901-531-7826, [email protected]. M-Sa 10 AM - 5PM. Adults $10; students, teachers, and seniors $9; children (6-12) and military/first responders $8; children under 6 free. (updated Jun 2026) Mississippi River. River tours available most days through a variety of providers. Tom Lee Park is a nice place to view the river. 4 National Civil Rights Museum (The Lorraine Motel), 450 Mulberry St. (near the Amtrak station), ☏ +1 901-521-9699. Wednesday - Monday 9AM - 6PM (closed Tuesday). The museum was built out of the Lorraine Motel, where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was fatally shot on April 4, 1968, and out of the boarding house across the street, from which came James Earl Ray's shot. The museum features exhibitions on the whole civil rights movement, segregation and slavery in American History from the 1800s to the 1960s including the life and works of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. amongst others in the civil rights movements. Adults (18+) $25; children (5-17) $22; seniors (65+) and college students $23. (updated Jun 2026) 5 Belz Museum of Asian & Judaic Art, 119 South Main St, ☏ +1 901-523-ARTS (2787), fax: +1 901-523-8603, [email protected]. W-F 10AM-5PM; Sa Su noon-5PM. Downstairs from the Center for Southern Folklore, this wonderful museum holds a collection of over 900 Asian and Judaic artifacts. $6 for adults, $5 for seniors, $4 for students, free for children 5 and under. (updated Jun 2026) 6 The Metal Museum (formerly the National Ornamental Metal Museum), 374 Metal Museum Dr, ☏ +1 901 774-6380, [email protected]. Tuesday - Sunday 11AM-5PM. Displays art jewelry, architectural pieces and sculpture. The grounds are full of permanent installations, and the museum boasts one of the best views overlooking the Mississippi River. They also have a working smithy. Adults $8; seniors (62+) $6; students
Do
Check out live music on Beale Street Memphis Redbirds, 200 Union Ave, ☏ +1 901-721-6000. Minor League Baseball team that plays at 1 AutoZone Park, in the middle of downtown. They are the Triple-A affiliates of the St. Louis Cardinals. $9-75; $8 parking. (updated Jun 2026) 2 FedExForum, 191 Beale Street at Third Street. FedExForum is the largest public building construction project in Memphis history. Managed and operated by the Memphis Grizzlies, the facility is home to the Memphis Grizzlies of the NBA and the University of Memphis Tigers men's basketball team. Memphis Grizzlies. National Basketball Association (NBA) team that plays at the FedExForum (updated Jun 2026) Memphis Tigers. Teams representing the University of Memphis, which participate in NCAA competition as members of the American Conference. The most visible Tigers team by far is the men's basketball team, regularly a conference contender and occasionally a national contender as well. As noted above, the men's basketball team plays at FedExForum (though not the women's team, which plays on campus). The football team also plays off campus at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium on the former Mid-South Fairgrounds. (updated Jun 2026) Memphis Backbeat Mojo Tour, Picks up at Alfred's on Beale and B.B. King, ☏ +1 901-527-9415, toll-free: +1-877-230-0331. You can see most of Memphis' historic musical attractions on this fun, funky, educational bus tour. It's the only tour in town to put Memphis' musical heritage in the hands of real musicians, who will combine story, comedy, and live music in a one-of-a-kind show on wheels. Audience participation is encouraged with drums and other percussion pieces provided on the restored 1959 transit bus. The 90-minute tour is well worth the time and money. Admission must be purchased in advance online or by phone. Without Sun Studio or Stax Museum Admission package: adults $40; children (5-12) $20; children 4 and under free. (updated Jun 2026) 3 Memphis Hustle. The Grizzlies' NBA G League affiliate plays at the Landers Center on the Mississippi side of the border in Southaven, MS. (updated Jun 2026) Take a carriage ride around downtown and see Beale Street, Court Square, Fourth Bluff Park, the Mississippi River, Hernando de Soto bridge, several movie locations on Front Street, and the original Peabody Hotel, all while learning about the great city of Memphis. Enjoy Fourth of July Fireworks at Tom Lee Park on the Mississippi River: These fireworks have improved immensely since the two fireworks shows merged into one in 2007, becoming Independence Day on the River
Buy
Downtown
1 A. Schwab, 163 Beale Street, ☏ +1 901-523-9782. Sunday - Thursday 11AM - 5PM; Friday - Saturday 11AM - 7PM. Dry goods store whose motto is "If we don't have it, you don't need it." It's the place for souvenirs. It's been there forever, and is a breath of fresh air from the bulk of the establishments on Beale St, with live blues of its own during the day. Most family friendly store on Beale. (updated Jun 2026)
Midtown 2 Overton Square. A small shopping/entertainment district on Madison Avenue, near Cooper. 3 Burke's Books, 936 S. Cooper St (S Cooper & Young Ave in the Cooper Young District). Monday - Thursday 10AM-6PM, Friday and Saturday 10AM-9PM, Sunday noon-5PM. One of the oldest independent book stores in the country, Burke's has been selling new, used and rare books since 1875. A popular stop along book signing tours for authors ranging from John Grisham to Archie Manning and Anne Rice, Burke's has also been visited by celebrities such as Benecio Del Toro, Michael Jackson, Gene Hackman, REM and Matt Dillon. (updated Jun 2026)
Out East Collierville Town Square (Town Center) - Catch Poplar Ave. east to the town of Collierville and browse the interesting shops on the square. Very pretty in the holiday season. Small and quaint, this square boasts a setting and some shops that aren't found elsewhere in Memphis. A steam engine and a few private railcars are open to the public.
Graceland Of all the places in the world one can buy Elvis souvenirs, none is better than Graceland.
Eat
Memphis is one of the cheapest places in the USA to live, and that includes going out to eat. Memphis is famous for two things: music and food. The local BBQ is well-known, and you can sample it "wet" (with spicy, tangy sauce) or "dry" (rubbed with spices before cooking), with rib tips being a well-known local specialty. Other options abound across the city, from Southern home cooking to international fare. You won't go wrong with famous names, but the adventurous will find real treasures in modest hole-in-the-wall joints that make up for their shabby appearance with fabulous flavor.
Downtown
1 Arcade Restaurant, 540 South Main St (corner of G.E. Patterson Ave, across South Main St from the train station). Daily 7AM-3PM. A classic diner and the oldest restaurant in Memphis. One of the most Memphis-cultured places in town. Speros Zepatos founded the diner in 1919 after immigrating from Cephalonia, Greece. Traditional diner food with the addition of pizza and hummus sandwiches. Featured in several movies, including Jim Jarmusch's "Mystery Train". (updated Jun 2026) 2 Waffle Shop (Calvary Episcopal Church Waffle Shop), 102 N. 2nd St. Memphis TN (enter from the awning or through the front doors; parking can be tricky), ☏ +1 901-525 6602. during the season of Lent only (February-March), open for lunch Wednesday-Friday 11AM-1:30PM. Probably the oldest pop-up restaurant in the South. Serving waffles since 1928. Probably the only place you can get Tomato Aspic, Fish Pudding, Boston Cream Pie, or Chicken Hash for lunch. ~$10-15. (updated Jun 2026) 3 Earnestine and Hazel's, 531 S. Main St, ☏ +1 901-523-9754. M-Th 5PM-2AM, F Sa 5PM-3AM, Su 7PM-2AM. Eclectic, unique atmosphere, a staff that defines cool and of course the Soul Burger. Visitors can request a special ghost tour upstairs of the one-time brothel and then enjoy the best burger in Memphis. With a jukebox loaded with classic hits and a staff full of colorful stories of its history, even Cameron Crowe couldn't resist including Earnestine and Hazel's in his film Elizabethtown. (updated Jun 2026) 4 Automatic Slims (adjacent to the Peabody Hotel on 2nd Street). Kind of trendy, but nice wait staff and good food. Expect $25-35/person. (updated Oct 2021) 5 Blues City Cafe, 138 Beale St, ☏ +1 901-526-3637, [email protected]. Sunday - Thursday 11AM-1AM; Friday Saturday 11AM-3AM. Good ribs. The garlic pan-seared shrimp is tasty, as well. ~$15-$20. (updated Jun 2026) 6 Flying Saucer, 130 Peabody Place, ☏ +1 901-523-8536. Sunday - Thursday 11AM-11PM; Friday Saturday 11AM-midnight. 90 beers on tap and ~120 in
Drink & nightlife
Wine is sold in grocery stores, and liquor stores. Beer can be found in grocery stores, liquor stores, and gas stations. 1 Buster's Wine (on Highland at Poplar, near the University of Memphis). Also has a good selection of harder liquor and high-test beer. This place is very popular and always packed on the weekends, but has a fantastic, efficient staff that get you in and out quickly. Open every hour it's legal: M-Sa 8AM-11PM. (updated Oct 2021) 2 Joe's Liquor. Speaking of booze, if you need packaged goods and you're in midtown, head to Joe's (Poplar and Belvedere) as much to see Sputnik (the vintage, spinning, twisting neon star) as for the beverages. Go at dusk for maximum effect. (updated Oct 2021) 3 Great Wine And Spirits (Is out east). Probably has one of more extensive wine stocks in Memphis liquor stores. (updated Oct 2021) 4 Boscos, Overton Square, 2120 Madison Ave, ☏ +1 901-432-2222. Brew pub and food. Featured on many "Best Of" lists. (updated Dec 2016) 5 Newby's, Highland Street (called the Highland Strip, near the University of Memphis). Playboy magazine rated Newby's the "best place to party like a Rock Star!" (updated Oct 2021) 6 Bluff City Coffee, 505 S. Main (Art District of Downtown Memphis). Specializing in Italian style espresso based coffee. The coffee shop features comfort and conference style seating for meetings, free wireless internet, and print/copy/scan/fax capabilities to keep you productive throughout your day. Make sure to bring your laptop and stay a while. This coffee shop also feature a collection of Don Newman's vintage black and white photographs from the 1930s, 40s, and 50s. (updated Oct 2021) 7 Otherlands, 641 Cooper St, ☏ +1 901-278-4994. A social hub for Memphis' art and music community. Espresso by day and beers at night when the coffee shop hosts intimate folk/rock shows. (updated Dec 2016) 8 RP Tracks, Walker Ave (near the University of Memphis). This is a nice and moderately priced bar/restaurant. It's a good place to start the evening on the Highland strip. They have many types of beer at reasonable prices (about $7 for a pitcher) and have some veggie-friendly selections on their menu. (updated Oct 2021) 9 The Oasis Lounge, 663 S Highland St, ☏ +1 901-729-6960. A great place to come relax and have a cup of coffee and enjoy a nice hookah. This is a private club due to the smoking factor so be prepared to pay a $6 membership fee and to be carded (this is an 18 and up establishment). It's got a very nice, laid back atmosphere and also has free Wi-Fi. It's on South Highland next to McDonald's. This is a coffee shop
Sleep
There is limited choice but the city offers some affordable and decent lodging.
1 Super 7 Inn, 1117 E Brooks Rd. The Super 7 Inn is just 10 minutes’ drive from the Memphis International Airport. This property is less than 7 mi from Memphis city center and Beale Street. $66. (updated Nov 2021)
Budget 2 Hostel Memphis, 1000 South Cooper St (along Cooper at Felix in SE part of town.), ☏ +1 901-273-8341. (updated Aug 2017)
Mid-range 3 Doubletree Downtown Memphis, 185 Union Ave, ☏ +1 901-528-1800. A few blocks from Beale Street; a relaxing accommodation. 4 Best Western Gen X Inn, 1177 Madison Ave. (Madison Ave & N Bellevue, east of I-240 from the downtown medical complex), ☏ +1 901-692-9136. Downtown near Memphis Medical Center. 5 Hampton Inn, Beale Street, 175 Peabody Place (SW of Peabody Pl and B.B King Blvd in the historic Beale Street District), ☏ +1 901-260-4000, fax: +1 901-260-4012. This is right on Beale Street--as opposed to the Holiday Inn and the Peabody, both of which are a few blocks away. The room prices are average, but beware: it is noisy. If you want to party then this is the place, but for a quieter getaway, stay a few blocks away. 6 Hyatt Place Memphis/Wolfchase Galleria, 7905 Giacosa Place (Off of the Germantown Pkwy exit from I-40 (Exit 16A from the eastbound lanes an 16B from the westbound lanes)), ☏ +1 901-371-0010, toll-free: +1 901-371-9988. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. A hotel adjacent to Wolfchase Galleria Mall. Offers a pool, 24-hour fitness center, on-site dining and free wifi. (updated Mar 2016) 7 Marriott Memphis East, 5795 Poplar Avenue (off of the Poplar Ave exit from I-240 (Exit 15A, follow signs for Poplar Ave East)), ☏ +1 901-682-0080. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. Offers indoor pool, 24-hour fitness center, a restaurant and lounge. (updated Mar 2015) 8 Country Inn & Suites, 2270 N Germantown Parkway (along Germantown Pkwy south of I-40, south of Ikea Way/Varnavas Dr), ☏ +1 901-386-1110, toll-free: +1 800-830-5222, fax: +1 901 386-8801, [email protected].
Splurge
9 Peabody Hotel, 149 Union Ave (along Union between S 2nd & B.B. King, a couple blocks east of AutoZone Stadium in downtown). Don't miss the ducks in the lobby fountain and their daily procession (11am and 5pm); you don't have to stay to see them. Luxury extras, sheets and service in a historically and architecturally significant hotel. 10 River Inn of Harbor Town, 50 Harbor Town Square (NE of the A.W. Willis Bridge and Island Dr roundabout at west end of A.W. Willis Bridge on Harbor Town Island), ☏ +1 901-260-3333, toll-free: +1-877-
Go next
Nashville, Tennessee Oxford, Mississippi Tunica, Mississippi West Memphis, Arkansas
Overview adapted from Wikipedia, travel guide fromWikivoyage (CC BY-SA)。Photography via Wikimedia Commons.