Location: Memphis
Top Things to do in Memphis
Top 10 Things to do Good for Couples in Memphis, Tennessee (TN)
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. Memphis Zoo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,544 reviews
YaYa, a female Giant Panda that calls the Memphis Zoo home, enjoys a sunny day.
Reviewed By oldkmom - Jonesboro, United States
I visit the zoo in just about every city I visit and the Memphis zoo is in the top! From the giant pandas to the hippos, the animals are beautiful and well-cared for.
5. Overton Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 92 reviews
Overton Park is a 342-acre public park in Memphis, Tennessee. The park is home to two playgrounds, a dog park, an open Greensward for recreation, a Veterans Plaza, and the 126-acre Old Forest State Natural Area. It features more than eight miles of trails, including the Bike Gate arch and plaza trail. The park is managed by the nonprofit Overton Park Conservancy. Overton Park is also a major cultural attraction, home to a nine-hole golf course, Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, the Memphis Zoo, Memphis College of Art, and the Levitt Shell concert pavilion.
Reviewed By mebt2016 - Memphis, United States
Overton Park is a beautiful park in Memphis midtown. Old forest trail in the park offers several running paths with splendid forest views. Levitt Shell is an open-air amphitheater in the western side of the park at which you can enjoy plenty of free music concerts almost four night a week during Summer and Fall. Brooks museum in the western side of the park is a small good quality art museum with a neat coffee shop inside. The park is very close to Overton Square where you can find great restaurants and entertainment options in a lively environment as well. If you come to Memphis and would like to spend a few hours to relax in a park, enjoy the music, or run in the woods right in the heart of midtown, give Overton Park a shot and you will be satisfied.
6. 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.
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. Sun Studio
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 11,405 reviews
Sun Studio - The place where an 18 year old Elvis Presley recorded his first song. It’s well-known in the music industry as "The Birthplace of Rock 'N' Roll" and the most famous recording studio in the world. Opened by rock pioneer Sam Phillips in 1950, this national Historic Landmark is where superstar musicians like Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, B.B. King, Howlin' Wolf, Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison and countless others started their recording careers. Today, Sun Studio still serves as a recording studio in the evenings while hosting public tours during the daytime hours.
Reviewed By Sharonmarierose - Gardiner, United States
Made a visit to Sun Studios w my 10 year old Elvis obsessed son .. We Lucked out & got Lhana as our tour guide .... such an amazing spirit & she’s super passionate about the music & history of Sun. A great experience & memory , well worth everything :)
9. Memphis Botanic Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 409 reviews
Peaceful gardens offering beautiful scenery all year round.
Reviewed By Anthro2010 - Memphis, United States
Located inside Audubon Park, the Botanic Gardens offer a vast range of natural and designed garden spaces. Kids will love running around the children's garden, filled with hobbit-sized tree houses, fairy houses, music houses, and other delightful creations. A massive Japanese bridge over a large pond filled with koi is another favorite, as are the large rose garden, nature trail, and various fountains and water features. The indoor facility is well designed; I've attended weddings and meetings, and enjoyed the spaces. Free parking; small restaurant.
10. Dixon Gallery & Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 214 reviews
Art museum specializing in impressionist and post-impressionist painting, featuring work by Matisse, Renoir, Gaugin, Cassat and Turner.
Reviewed By charlu2013 - Southaven, United States
The gallery is delightful. The gardens are exquisite. They are undergoing a bit of construction now but when it is completed, the grounds will be pristine again. There are some delightful treasures of artwork tucked away in the gallery. I love the Impressionist paintings and have spent many moments enjoying their beauty.
