Memphis 6 Day Itinerary

Memphis 6-Day Travel Itinerary (Markdown Format)

Day 1: Arrival & Downtown Exploration

  • Morning: Check-in at the Hotel Indigo Memphis Downtown, a stylish and centrally located hotel.
  • Afternoon: Visit the National Civil Rights Museum (Located at the Lorraine Motel, site of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination) and the adjacent Slave Haven Underground Railroad Museum.
  • Evening: Dine at Central BBQ, a local favorite for Memphis-style barbecue. Try the famous “3 Meat Combo”.
  • Night: Enjoy live music at Beale Street Entertainment District, the birthplace of Rock ’n’ Roll.

Day 2: Graceland & Sun Studio

  • Morning: Visit Graceland, Elvis Presley’s former home and final resting place. Book a guided tour for an immersive experience.
  • Afternoon: Head to Sun Studio, where legends like Elvis, Johnny Cash, and B.B. King recorded their early hits.
  • Evening: Dine at Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken for some Southern comfort food.
  • Night: Relax at Lafayette's Music Room, a small venue featuring local and national acts.

Day 3: Memphis Zoo & Stax Museum of American Soul Music

  • Morning: Spend the day at the Memphis Zoo, home to over 3,500 animals from around the world.
  • Afternoon: Visit the Stax Museum of American Soul Music to learn about the history and influence of soul music in Memphis.
  • Evening: Dine at Char for contemporary American cuisine with a Southern twist.
  • Night: Enjoy a show at the Orpheum Theatre, one of America’s most magnificent theaters.

Day 4: Mud Island & Mississippi Riverfront

  • Morning: Explore Mud Island River Park and its scale model of the lower Mississippi River.
  • Afternoon: Walk along the Memphis Riverwalk, enjoy river views, and visit the Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum.
  • Evening: Dine at Corky's Ribs & BBQ for some award-winning ribs.
  • Night: Take a scenic ride on the Big River Crossing, a pedestrian bridge that connects Arkansas and Tennessee.

Day 5: Overton Park & Brooks Museum of Art

  • Morning: Visit Overton Park for a stroll, bike ride, or to explore the Memphis Zoo’s satelite facility, the Memphis Zoo at Overton Park.
  • Afternoon: Check out the Brooks Museum of Art, featuring collections spanning American art from the 18th century to the present.
  • Evening: Dine at Hog & Hominy for contemporary Southern cuisine with a focus on pizza and pasta.
  • Night: Catch a Memphis Redbirds baseball game (Triple-A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals) or enjoy live music at one of the local bars in Midtown, such as The Buccaneer.

Day 6: Departure & Souvenirs

  • Morning: Have a leisurely breakfast at your hotel or try out a local café before checking out.
  • Afternoon: Pick up souvenirs, such as barbecue sauce, Memphis music records, and Graceland memorabilia at Tanger Outlets.
  • Departure: Head to the airport for your flight home, or continue on your journey through Tennessee!

Transportation: Memphis has a public transit system called MATA, but renting a car is highly recommended for exploring the city and its outskirts. Uber and Lyft are also widely available.

Things to Know: The weather in Memphis can be quite humid, so pack accordingly! Also, keep an eye out for live music events and festivals happening during your visit. Lastly, tipping is a significant part of the local culture, so budget extra for gratuities at restaurants and service industries.

Tips: Try the Memphis-style barbecue sauce on everything; visit local bars and clubs for live music experiences; be respectful when visiting sites related to the Civil Rights Movement and Elvis Presley’s life; and enjoy the unique blend of cultures, history, and modernity that makes Memphis a vibrant and welcoming city.

Enjoy your trip to Memphis!