Things to Do in Memphis — Tennessee: Top Attractions, Tours & Tickets

#1National Civil Rights MuseumMustSouth Main Arts District4.9(14,232)

This is Memphis's essential historical stop, set at the Lorraine Motel and extending to the boarding house across the street. Give it unhurried time: the wider story of slavery, segregation, organizing, and the civil-rights movement is as important as the assassination site.

2.5h Walk upGo near opening on a weekday; it is both quieter and easier to absorb.

Buy online if you want to avoid the admission line, but advance booking is not generally essential.

Pairs with: Blues Hall of Fame Museum · Withers Collection Museum & Gallery · Beale Street Entertainment District

#2GracelandMust4.5(26,000)

Even visitors who are not Elvis devotees will understand why this home is one of America's iconic music pilgrimage sites. Choose the basic mansion visit unless you are deeply interested in the larger Elvis collections, then leave time for the separate exhibition complex.

3h Timed entryTake an early daily slot before the mansion queues build.

Reserve a time online for weekends and busy periods; book well ahead for Elvis Week and the January birthday period.

Pairs with: Elvis Presley's Memphis · Stax Museum of American Soul Music

#3Beale Street Entertainment DistrictMustDowntown Core (Beale Street & Main Street)4.5(18,803)

Beale is the city's most direct live-music night out: wander rather than committing to one club, and follow the sound that suits you. It is more atmosphere than museum piece, best used after a daytime history or music stop downtown.

2.5h FreeGo in the early evening for live music with less of the late-night party crush.

Pairs with: Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum · Memphis Music Hall of Fame · Handy Park

#4Memphis Rock 'n' Soul MuseumMustDowntown Core (Beale Street & Main Street)4.6(1,644)

This compact Smithsonian-affiliated museum is a very effective primer on the musical and social currents that made Memphis matter. The headset and songs make it especially useful before going out on Beale Street or visiting the more specialized Stax museum.

1.5h Walk upVisit at opening or midafternoon, before heading to Beale Street for the evening.

Walk-up admission normally works; arrive before the last admission time.

Pairs with: Memphis Music Hall of Fame · Beale Street Entertainment District · Handy Park

#5Stax Museum of American Soul MusicMust4.8(3,504)

Stax tells the story of Memphis soul with enough depth and context to stand alongside the city's better-known Elvis sites. It is the essential complement to Sun Studio for anyone who wants to understand the city beyond rock 'n' roll.

2h Walk upGo at opening, especially on a weekend.

Walk-up admission is usually practical; allow enough time before closing to do the exhibits properly.

Pairs with: Sun Studio · Graceland

#6Sun StudioMustVictorian Village & Edge District

The small studio where pivotal early recordings by Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and others were made is one of the clearest tangible links to Memphis music history. The guided tour is the point, so treat this as a focused experience rather than a large museum.

1h Timed entryBook the first tour of the day for the smallest groups.

Tours run on a schedule; reserve ahead for weekends or if you need a particular time.

Pairs with: Stax Museum of American Soul Music · Woodruff-Fontaine House Museum · Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum

#7Elvis Presley's MemphisShould4.5(143)

This is the exhibition-and-entertainment complex across from Graceland, with Elvis artifacts, vehicles, and career displays. Treat it as an extension of the mansion ticket rather than a separate substitute for seeing Graceland itself.

1.5h Timed entryDo it after the mansion tour, ideally before midday.

It is usually covered by selected Graceland ticket packages; choose your package and time online in advance.

Pairs with: Graceland

#8Withers Collection Museum & GalleryShouldDowntown Core (Beale Street & Main Street)4.8(271)

The Ernest Withers collection supplies powerful photographic context for Memphis music, Black life, and the civil-rights era. It is a rewarding, more intimate companion to the National Civil Rights Museum for visitors who want to linger with visual history.

1h Walk upVisit on a weekday and confirm hours shortly before you go.

Check current opening hours before making a special trip; walk-up visits are typical when open.

Pairs with: National Civil Rights Museum · Blues Hall of Fame Museum · Beale Street Entertainment District

#9Memphis Botanic GardenIf time4.7(3,134)

A calm, attractive break from Memphis's music and history circuit, particularly worthwhile in pleasant weather or with children. It is not a core first-trip priority, but makes an easy low-key afternoon if your itinerary has room.

1.5h Walk upGo in the morning or late afternoon in warmer months.

Walk-up admission is normally fine; check the calendar for special events.

Pairs with: Memphis Museum of Science & History · Children's Museum of Memphis

#10The Mississippi RiverwalkIf timeDowntown Core (Beale Street & Main Street)4.2(194)

Use the riverfront for a stroll and a sense of Memphis's geography rather than expecting a destination packed with sights. It works best as connective time between downtown stops, especially around the parks and river views.

45m FreeWalk near sunset for softer light and better river views.

Pairs with: Fourth Bluff Park · The Cotton Museum at the Memphis Cotton Exchange · Beale Street Entertainment District

#11Elvis StatueIf timeDowntown Core (Beale Street & Main Street)4.5(409)

This is a quick downtown photo stop rather than a destination in itself. Catch it while moving between Beale Street, the Rock 'n' Soul Museum, and other music landmarks.

10m FreeDaytime is easiest for an unobstructed photo.

Pairs with: Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum · Memphis Music Hall of Fame · Beale Street Entertainment District

#12Memphis Museum of Science & HistoryIf time4.5(750)

The former Pink Palace is an eclectic local-history and science museum in a memorable former private residence, with exhibits ranging widely across Memphis life. It is strongest for families, rainy days, or travelers who enjoy regional museums over another music stop.

2h Walk upWeekday mornings are quietest, especially outside school holidays.

Buy exhibits and any planetarium or theater add-ons on arrival; check showtimes first.

Pairs with: Memphis Botanic Garden · Children's Museum of Memphis

#13Memphis Music Hall of FameIf timeDowntown Core (Beale Street & Main Street)4.3(500)

This small museum gives a quick, broad roll call of the musicians tied to Memphis. It is best as a compact add-on while downtown, not as a replacement for the richer Rock 'n' Soul, Stax, or Sun Studio experiences.

45m Walk upVisit in the afternoon before Beale Street comes alive.

Walk-up admission is generally sufficient.

Pairs with: Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum · Beale Street Entertainment District · Elvis Statue

#14The Cotton Museum at the Memphis Cotton ExchangeIf timeDowntown Core (Beale Street & Main Street)4.3(273)

This compact museum explains the commodity that shaped Memphis's commercial identity and the historic building it occupies. It is a worthwhile short stop for travelers interested in the city's economic history, but not a reason to skip the major museums.

45m Walk upA weekday visit is easiest, when the surrounding business district is active.

Walk-up admission is normally available during museum hours.

Pairs with: Fourth Bluff Park · The Mississippi Riverwalk · Beale Street Entertainment District

#15Blues Hall of Fame MuseumIf timeSouth Main Arts District4.6(332)

Across from the Civil Rights Museum precinct, this is a small, focused tribute to the artists and industry figures behind the blues. It is most rewarding for committed music fans or as a concise add-on after the Civil Rights Museum.

45m Walk upPair it with a weekday morning or afternoon at the Civil Rights Museum.

Walk-up entry is typical; note that it is closed Sundays and Mondays.

Pairs with: National Civil Rights Museum · Withers Collection Museum & Gallery · Beale Street Entertainment District

#16Handy ParkIf timeDowntown Core (Beale Street & Main Street)4.4(513)

This small park is part of the Beale Street scene, sometimes serving as a place to catch free or informal music. Use it as a breather and orientation point while exploring the entertainment district, not as a stand-alone sight.

20m FreeStop by in early evening when Beale Street activity is building.

Pairs with: Beale Street Entertainment District · Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum · Memphis Music Hall of Fame

#17Fourth Bluff ParkIf timeDowntown Core (Beale Street & Main Street)4.5(554)

This downtown bluff-top green space is a pleasant place to pause on a riverfront walk, with occasional programming and views. It works as scenery and breathing room between museums, rather than as a destination demanding dedicated time.

30m FreeCome in late afternoon or around sunset.

Pairs with: The Mississippi Riverwalk · The Cotton Museum at the Memphis Cotton Exchange · Beale Street Entertainment District

#18Memphis ZooIf timeMidtown & Overton Square

Widely regarded as a strong American zoo, it can justify a half-day for families and serious zoo-goers. On a short first trip without children, Memphis's music and civil-rights landmarks usually deserve priority.

3.5h Walk upArrive at opening, particularly in hot weather and on weekends.

Buy online on peak weekends or school holidays to simplify entry, but it does not normally require far-ahead booking.

Pairs with: Overton Park · Metal Museum

#19Metal MuseumIf time

This specialized museum is a distinctive choice for craft and design lovers, with working smithy activity, outdoor installations, and notable Mississippi River views. It is a satisfying detour if you have extra time, not a substitute for the core Memphis story.

1.5h Walk upGo late in the day for the river outlook, after confirming the museum's closing time.

Walk-up admission is normally available; check the schedule for demonstrations or special events.

Pairs with: The Mississippi Riverwalk · Fourth Bluff Park · Memphis Botanic Garden

#20Overton ParkIf timeMidtown & Overton Square

This large urban park gives visitors a greener, less tourist-oriented side of Memphis, including old-growth forest and access to the zoo and art institutions. Use it for a walk or to anchor a Midtown half-day rather than trying to see every feature.

1.3h FreeMorning is best for a forest walk and avoids the hottest part of the day.

Pairs with: Memphis Zoo · Memphis Museum of Science & History · Memphis Botanic Garden

#21Children's Museum of MemphisNiche4.6(3,008)

This is a hands-on, kid-focused stop rather than a general first-timer attraction. Families with younger children can make it a major outing; most adults without children should spend their limited time elsewhere.

2.5h Walk upArrive at opening on weekends and school-break days.

Walk-up tickets generally suffice, though weekends and school breaks are busier.

Pairs with: Memphis Museum of Science & History · Memphis Botanic Garden

#22Mallory-Neely HouseNicheDowntown Core (Beale Street & Main Street)4.6(86)

This Victorian house offers a niche look at domestic life and architecture in historic Memphis. Choose it if house museums are a personal interest; it is not essential on a short first visit.

1h Walk upCheck availability in advance rather than assuming daily access.

Check tour days and hours before going, as access can be limited.

Pairs with: Woodruff-Fontaine House Museum · Sun Studio

#23Woodruff-Fontaine House MuseumNicheDowntown Core (Beale Street & Main Street)4.8(264)

This ornate Victorian-era house museum is a strong pick for architecture and decorative-arts fans. It is a selective-interest diversion from Memphis's defining music and civil-rights story, but worthwhile if that is your interest.

1.3h Walk upWeekday or early-day visits are generally the least rushed.

Confirm tour hours before visiting; house-museum schedules can be limited.

Pairs with: Mallory-Neely House · Sun Studio

#24Belz Museum of Asian & Judaic ArtNicheDowntown Core (Beale Street & Main Street)

This small downtown collection is an unexpected, quiet change of pace, with Asian and Judaic artifacts rather than the city's familiar music narrative. Make it a short add-on only if the collection appeals or you need an indoor downtown stop.

45m Walk upVisit midday on an open weekday, when downtown is easiest to navigate.

Walk-up entry is typical, but verify its limited opening days and hours before going.

Pairs with: The Cotton Museum at the Memphis Cotton Exchange · Beale Street Entertainment District · Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum