Location: Memphis
Top Things to do in Memphis
10 Museums in Memphis That You Shouldn't Miss
Memphis is a pilgrimage for those wanting to visit the birthplace of the blues, of soul and of rock 'n' roll. On Beale Street, W.C. Handy put down on paper the first written blues music. Elvis, Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis and Johnny Cash all recorded at the historic Sun Records, which is now a museum. Graceland, the second most-visited home in America, welcomes visitors from around the world who yearn for a peek into the life of "the King." Beyond the music, Tennessee's largest city also offers much more. It has more sunny days each year than Miami, and combines southern tradition and hospitality with modern amenities. You'll enjoy great dining (be sure to sample the barbecued ribs), art galleries and exciting nightlife.
Restaurants in Memphis
1. National Civil Rights Museum - Lorraine Motel
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 8,750 reviews
At the place of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'S death in 1968 in Memphis, TN, the National Civil Rights Museum is a renowned educational and cultural institution. The Museum chronicles the American Civil Rights Movement with compelling presentations of iconic exhibits, oral histories of lesser-known civil rights foot soldiers, and visceral, in-the-moment experiences. Visitors will learn through emotionally charged, multi-user, multi-touch interactives, and a visually engaging, contemporary exhibit design that guides you through five centuries of history. Bring the whole family.
Reviewed By annmarieduffy - New York City, United States
National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorrainne Motel. Chilling seeing this famous site as we turned the corner to enter. Site of the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. etched in our memories. Amazing exhibitions, chronologically bringing you through-the Slave trade, many hero’s including educators & pastors, the Civil War, 13, 14 & 15 Constitutional Ammendments , Jim Crow, Rosa Parks, with both her bus & the burnt out bus of the Freedom riders & of course MLK & his speech’s, the hotel room to Obama’s election. It finished with all the Civil Rights hero’s throughout the world & then award winning Civil Rights workers including many different fields such as Gore for the environment, Marlo Thomas for St Judes children’s hospital, Jimmy Carter, Anwar Sadat, Gorbachev & of course Mandela. One of my biggest shock was that 5 million Africans were captured & enslaved in Brazil & another 5 million brought to the Caribbean. 388,000 were brought to North America & 9,000 to Europe. Now looking at the Slave Trade Database 10.7 million survived of the 12.5 million people transported. Horrific history.
2. Belz Museum of Asian & Judaic Art
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 272 reviews
Admission prices: $6 adult, $5 senior, $4 student. Free if 5 years old or under.
Reviewed By a-travelin-foodie
Absolutely amazing pieces of carved ivory - from full tusks (even ancient mammoths) to small pieces. The jades too are phenomenal. I have been in museums all over the world (biut not China!) and have never seen such a large collection of beautiful work! There are a number of other excellent pieces, too. For $6, well worth it for anyone to come take a look on a rainy day, even if it's not normally your thing. The Judaica was pretty impressive, too, including a huge collection of contemorary silver and some art. Loved that they included the "Living On" exhibition - a collection of photos and stories of Holocaust survivors relevant to Memphis. An easy walk from any location downtown, it's on the trolley line. In the basement, accessible by either elevator or stairs.
3. Withers Collection Museum & Gallery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 149 reviews
The Withers Collection Museum and Gallery houses and displays the collection of photographs taken by Ernest C. Withers, a prolific photojournalist who captured Memphis history for over 60 years.
Reviewed By kmz88 - Chicago, United States
It's a great place to see some great photographs, and learn a lot about the civil rights movement. There is also a bit about music.
4. Edge Motor Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 26 reviews
The Edge Motor Museum, Memphis’ only auto museum, highlights the rise and fall of the American sports car from “postwar to ‘74” in an exhibit called American Speed. Located just 600 feet west of Sun Studio, the museum is a short 2 minute walk down the street and features cars from the same era(s) that Sun highlights so well on their tours.
Reviewed By mbonnema - Grand Rapids, United States
Loved our stop in here on a rainy Sunday, the personal touch was much appreciated giving us a little background to the beautiful cars on display. Very much worth a visit!
5. Graceland
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 19,143 reviews
Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee, is the home of Elvis Presley, the King of Rock 'n' Roll. Elvis Presley's Graceland is open daily with tours of Graceland Mansion, Elvis’ custom jets and our new entertainment and exhibit complex, Elvis Presley’s Memphis. The complex includes a new automobile museum, Presley Motors, and Elvis: The Entertainer Career Museum, the world’s largest and most comprehensive Elvis museum in the world, as well as many more exhibits, restaurants and shops. The tour of Graceland Mansion features an interactive, iPad tour with additional enhancements including photos, video and more. Continue your experience with the all-new Graceland Exhibition Center, which features three rotating exhibits, the TCB Food Hall and Jungle Room Bar.
Reviewed By SpanishNeedle - Memphis, United States
A must do - if you're an Elvis fan...or not! The tours include - house tour, private plane viewing, meditation garden, then head across the street and select Elvis keepsake to memorialize your visit. Take lots of pictures that last a lifetime. Wonderful staff and service in addition to amazing tour guides! Great for all ages.
6. Sharpe Planetarium
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6 reviews
The Sharpe Planetarium is temporarily closed.
7. Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,299 reviews
Chronicling the artists and the music that shaped the legacy of "Memphis Sound," this museum features the Smithsonian's "Rock 'n' Roll: Social Crossroads" exhibition.
Reviewed By 851bobw
Being able to go through museum at your own pace and choose what audio points you wish to listen to and the additional opportunity to listen on your own audio music from the past was great
8. Memphis Brooks Museum of Art
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 202 reviews
Founded in 1916 and located at 1934 Poplar Ave. in historic Overton Park, Memphis Brooks Museum of Art is home to Tennessee’s oldest and largest major collection of world art. More than 10,000 works make up the Brooks Museum’s permanent collection, including works from ancient Greece, Rome, and the Americas; Renaissance masterpieces from Italy; English portraiture; American painting and decorative arts; contemporary art; and a survey of African art. The Brooks Museum enriches the lives of our diverse community through the museum's expanding collection, varied exhibitions, and dynamic programs that reflect the art of world cultures from antiquity to the present.
Reviewed By 291genej - Silver Spring, United States
After spending a long morning at the excellent zoo, its good we saved some time and energy for this recommended museum. We parked in their free lot facing the 1936 WPA band shell and walked around the 3 connected buildings (1916+1955+1989) to enter the Main Hall with its "Diva Ascending" display. Not all its 29 galleries were open but we moved between the open permanent and changing exhibit galleries. Several outstanding European paintings, then modern art, preserved furniture, Indigenous and African art, sculptures and decorative arts made for a well rounded collection. Our Covid-time entry was based on donations and we gave $10.
9. Fire Museum of Memphis
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 188 reviews
Memphis' Hottest Attraction!!! America’s premier interactive fire museum is in the legendary Fire Engine House No. 1 in downtown Memphis. Step back in time to a turn-of-the-century firehouse. Fight the flames of a burning skyscraper from a snorkel basket simulator. Take a look at the horse-drawn era of firefighting from the horse’s perspective! Test your ability to find an escape route to survive a fire. Feel the heat of the FEDEX Fire Room. Learn about the most devastating fires in the history of Memphis. Discover the proud history of Memphis’ first African-American firefighters. And many more hot attractions!
Reviewed By ronp227 - Boca Raton, United States
For all ages especially for children, Fire safety learning at its best The hands on fire simulation is very impressive and a must stop for all fire house enthusiasts.
10. Slave Haven / Burkle Estate Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 689 reviews
Visitors can tour the tunnels used by runaway slaves who stopped at this plantation, one of the stations of the Underground Railroad.
Reviewed By 24Long
Fascinating and heartrending story of a German immigrant businessman who offered his home and possibly his livelihood to provide a haven for runaway slaves during the run-up to the Civil War. Both guides, Greg and Asia, shared stories covering the slave trade, Memphis’ slave markets, how the Underground Railroad worked, to the system Mr.Burkle used to get runaways safely to Cairo, IL and beyond. Fascinating look at mid-18th century life in Memphis. Please create a pamphlet about the history this house represents. This story needs to be heard.
