Memphis 3 Day Itinerary

3-Day Itinerary for Memphis, Tennessee

Day 1: Exploring Downtown Memphis

Morning:

  1. Breakfast at The Blue Plate Cafe (249 S Cooper St.) - A local favorite serving Southern classics with a modern twist.
  2. National Civil Rights Museum (450 Mulberry St.) - Start your day by learning about the American civil rights movement at this powerful museum, located at the Lorraine Motel, where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated.
  3. Memphis Rock ’n’ Soul Museum (191 Beale St.) - Dive into the birthplace of rock ’n’ roll and soul music.

Afternoon:

  1. Lunch at Central BBQ (2249 S Cohen Ave.) - Taste some delicious Memphis-style barbecue.
  2. Beale Street (Beale St.) - Experience the historic home of the Blues with live music, shopping, and dining.
  3. Memphis Zoo (2000 Prentiss Pl.) - Spend the afternoon at one of America’s best zoos, featuring giant pandas, a great apes’ habitat, and more.

Evening:

  1. Dinner at Hog & Hominy (707 W Brookhaven Circle) - Enjoy modern Italian dishes with a Southern twist.
  2. Sun Studio (706 Union Ave.) - Visit the birthplace of rock ’n’ roll, where legends like Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash recorded their first hits.
  3. End your day at the Peabody Hotel (149 Union Ave.) - Witness the famous Peabody Duck March, where ducks march from the elevator to the fountain in the lobby each day at 11 AM and 5 PM.

Day 2: Graceland and the Arts District

Morning:

  1. Breakfast at Biscuitville (Multiple Locations) - Enjoy a Southern breakfast at this popular chain offering biscuit sandwiches, grits, and more.
  2. Graceland (Elvis Presley Blvd.) - Spend the morning exploring Elvis Presley’s iconic mansion, including his memorabilia-filled home and museums.

Afternoon:

  1. Lunch at Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken (145 S Cleveland St.) - Try some of Memphis’ best fried chicken at this legendary spot.
  2. Memphis Brooks Museum of Art (1934 Poplar Ave.) - Visit the largest and oldest art museum in Tennessee, featuring works from American artists as well as European and Asian artists.
  3. Memphis Botanic Garden (750 Cherry Rd.) - Relax at this beautiful 96-acre garden, with over 14 gardens and a number of sculptures and art installations.

Evening:

  1. Dinner at The Majestic Grille (145 South Main Street) - Enjoy a modern take on classic American cuisine in the historic Majestic building.
  2. Orpheum Theatre (203 S Main St.) - Catch a show at this beautiful historic theater, which has hosted acts like Elvis Presley and B.B. King.

Day 3: Memphis’ Outlying Neighborhoods

Morning:

  1. Breakfast at Waffle Champion (Multiple Locations) - Start your day with delicious waffles, omelettes, and other breakfast favorites.
  2. Overton Park (1910 Poplar Ave.) - Explore this 342-acre park, featuring a golf course, bike trails, the Memphis College of Art, and more.

Afternoon:

  1. Lunch at Corky’s Ribs & BBQ (Multiple Locations) - Try another famous Memphis barbecue spot.
  2. Stax Museum of American Soul Music (926 E McLemore Ave.) - Learn about the history of soul music and the Stax Records label at this museum, housed in the original Stax studio.
  3. Mud Island River Park (125 N Front St.) - Walk along a scale model of the Mississippi River, learn about its history, and enjoy views of the city skyline.

Evening:

  1. Dinner at Cozy Corner (746 N Plough Bluff Rd.)) - End your trip with some iconic Memphis barbecue at this local favorite.
  2. Germantown Commissary (3975 Farmington Rd.) - Grab a beer or cocktail at this historic building that once served as a World War II commissary and is now home to multiple restaurants, bars, and shops.

Transportation:

  1. Renting a car is the best way to get around Memphis, but you can also use Uber, Lyft, or local buses (MATA).
  2. Parking can be tricky downtown, so be prepared to walk or use parking garages.
  3. Bikes are available for rent through Memphis bike share.

Tips:

  1. Be sure to bring comfortable shoes as you’ll be doing a lot of walking.
  2. Don’t miss the free Beale Street Trolley, which offers transportation along Beale Street and stops at many popular attractions.
  3. Check out local events happening during your visit, such as concerts, festivals, and sports games.
  4. Enjoy the unique Memphis cuisine, including barbecue, catfish, fried pickles, and more!
  5. Memphis is known for its music, so be sure to catch some live blues or rock ’n’ roll performances during your trip.