Founded in 1819, Memphis has certainly had its ups and downs, but through it all, its rich history and culture has left a definitive mark on the American landscape. In recent years it has gained popularity as a destination, because of this history and the abundance of Memphis attractions. Also because it is so readily accessible, due to its central location along the Mississippi River. If you have never been to the birthplace of rock and roll, perhaps a weekend in Memphis should be in your future!
Any 3 day Memphis itinerary will be jam packed, because there really are that many things to do in Memphis. There are several Memphis neighborhoods that have something special, and unique, to offer. (Anyone who tells you they did not enjoy a visit to the city probably never left the downtown area!) If you are the “gotta see it all” type, you may try to jam it all into your 3 days in Memphis, and our itinerary gives a good effort. However, I truly recommend slowing down the pace, and really enjoying the experiences. If you don’t get it all in, you will have a good reason for another Memphis weekend!
I’m Julie Diebolt Price, a freelance travel writer, and photographer. I enjoy deep-diving into the culture and history of every town that I visit because every place is exciting, and everyone has a story. A recent road trip allowed five days in the Memphis area, and it left me wanting more. You might also love a road trip through Tennessee, starting with a weekend in Memphis, 2 or 3 days in Nashville, and winding up with 2 or 3 days in Chattanooga. It is non-stop music, good eating, and outdoor adventure!
I put together this Memphis 3 day itinerary to get you out into the Memphis neighborhoods, and include all of the Memphis must dos that incorporate the historic, cultural and natural sites in the city. It is definitely not all inclusive, as there are many other things to do in Memphis, but it is packed.
This Memphis Weekend Itinerary includes:
- A bit of Memphis history
- Getting to Memphis
- Memphis neighborhoods overview
- Our 3 days in Memphis itinerary
- Day 1- Driving Tour of Memphis Neighborhoods-
- Uptown
- Midtown – The Edge
- Midtown – New Pathways
- South Memphis
- Central Gardens Historic District
- Cooper Young
- Day 2- On the River Front and Downtown
- The Riverfront – French Fort Neighborhood
- Downtown
- Downtown – Front Street Arts District
- Day 3- Big name attractions
- East Memphis
- Airport/Whitehaven neighborhood
As you see, this 3 days in Memphis really is jam packed! If you have more than a weekend, you will have no problem finding things to do! If you’re ready, let’s head on down south to the Grind City.
A Bit of Memphis History
Memphis, named after the ancient capital of Egypt, is rich in the culture and history of the United States. More than a dozen museums tell the stories of this Mid-Southern city with many landmarks listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Memphis developed into a major cotton trading center in the 1800s because of the large plantations in the region. And, because of its geographic location on the Mississippi River, it became a leader in the transportation and shipping industry (think barges and then steamboats and rails). Memphis International Airport today is the world’s second-busiest cargo airport after Hong Kong. It is also the central hub for FedEx.
In the 1950s and 60s, many musicians got their start in Memphis. Aretha Franklin, Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, Roy Orbison, Isaac Hayes, Al Green, B.B. King, Otis Redding, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, are just a few luminaries on the list. American music genres such as rock and roll, gospel, blues, soul, and country music were founded here.
The Civil Rights Movement was centered in Memphis during the 1960s. The city sanitation workers struck in 1968, which brought Martin Luther King, Jr. in support of the workers, and sadly, it is where he was assassinated.
Famous authors hail from Memphis. Shelby Foote, Civil War historian, and John Grisham, a novelist with many books set in Memphis, grew up in the area.
Novels made into movies set in Memphis were The Firm and The Client by John Grisham and The Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris.
Getting to Memphis
Daily, non-stop flights arrive and depart Memphis International Airport from the West, South, East, and Midwest, United States. There are even flights to and from Toronto, Canada, and Cancun, Mexico.
Once at the airport, ground transportation is provided by all the big-name car rental companies, ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft, taxis, and limousine companies. There are wheelchair access transport providers, as well as hotel shuttles. The public Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA) runs every hour from 6 am to 11 pm, with shorter hours on weekends.
If you are coming from elsewhere in the United States, you will likely come by car.
- Driving from the west through Arkansas, use Interstate 40 heading east. As you approach Memphis, stay on Highway 40 if your destination is Uptown Memphis. Branch off to Highway 55 if you are heading to the south side of Memphis.
- From the north driving from St. Louis, Missouri, or Chicago, Illinois, use Interstate 55S.
- From the northeast through Nashville, Tennessee, take Interstate 40W.
- From the southeast through Birmingham, Alabama, take Interstate 22W.
- From the south through New Orleans, Louisiana, and Jackson, Mississippi, use Interstate 55N.
- Highway 269 and 69 is a ring road around Memphis from the south and east.
Where to Stay in Memphis
Options for lodging are plentiful all over Memphis. I have two location recommendations, however, that bear consideration. In each case, using airport shuttles allows you to pick up your rental car the following morning when you are fresh and ready to navigate the freeways and city streets.
Lodging near the airport, if you are flying to Memphis, makes sense if you are arriving late on Thursday night. An airport shuttle to a local hotel makes quick work of your arrival. This itinerary is also designed to place you near the airport on Sunday evening for a 7 or 8 pm departure so you can take advantage of the late closing of Graceland Exhibit Center.
Budget hotel suggestions near the airport include Days Inn by Wyndham Memphis at Graceland, Holiday Inn Memphis Airport, Extended Stay America Airport. They are all close to Interstate 55.
Close to the airport, The Guest House at Graceland (3600 Elvis Presley Boulevard) offers moderately to mid-priced lodging with lots of amenities and within walking distance of Graceland.
You can stay right next door to Graceland in comfort, with live entertainment every night. Check prices, or reserve your room at the Guest House at Graceland now.
If you prefer to camp, Graceland’s RV Park & Campground is also an option within walking distance of Graceland and the Exhibit Center.
Downtown Memphis has many large chain hotels. With airport shuttles, you can easily become ensconced in your centrally-located hotel quickly from the airport. Downtown hotel lodging places you in the heart of all the action. You could dispense with a rental car and use the MATA or a ride-sharing service to reach outlying attractions.
Downtown hotels include DoubleTree by Hilton, Sheraton Memphis Downtown, Westin Memphis Beale Street.
Check prices, ratings and amenities on Memphis Downtown hotels now. You can even make a reservation!
The Peabody, world-famous for their Duck Parade, is historic, elegant and pricey. It is convenient to all Downtown Memphis attractions and might be worth the splurge for a special occasion. Most people who choose the Peabody say it was well worth the expense.
You can experience that elegance and luxury for yourself if you want to! Check the prices, or reserve your room at the Peabody now.
Generally, I prefer bed and breakfasts when I travel, and there are many in Memphis. Keep in mind that if you stay in a historic district, the buildings are old (some more than a century) and could be showing their years even though they been modernized. With that said, staying in a hip, an arty neighborhood like Cooper-Young adds an attractive charm to your stay.
Memphis Neighborhood Overview
Dividing Memphis by north, south, east, and west makes sense. However, more importantly, for our understanding of direction in Memphis, neighborhoods are key here:
Uptown (North Memphis), Midtown, Downtown (where a lot of the action is), South Memphis (bordered by Highway 55 and 69), Washington Heights (Stax Museum), Medical District (Victorian Village and Sun Studio), Central Gardens (historic neighborhood), Cooper-Young (trendy and artsy), West (Mississippi River and West Memphis across the river), East Memphis (Memphis Botanic Garden, Elvis’ family home in 1956, Shelby Farms Park), and Airport/Whitehaven (Graceland, Full Gospel Tabernacle Church).
This three-day itinerary is specially designed for your arrival on a Thursday evening and depart on a Sunday evening. While it can be done any day of the week, the Sunday morning Gospel experience is, of course, only on Sundays.
Note that this itinerary is intended in a particular order of execution. That’s so you don’t waste time backtracking or covering previously viewed territory. It’s streamlined for efficiently using your time during your visit to Memphis. Also, nature pursuits with early openings and late closings appear when specific attractions are closed so you can enjoy the city at all times of the day.
Weekend in Memphis Day 1 –
Driving Tour of Key Memphis Neighborhoods
Memphis Neighborhood-Uptown
Mud Island - Bonus Memphis Attraction
125 N. Front Street, Memphis, TN 38103
Mud Island is a peninsula about one mile from Downtown Memphis. The park is open from dawn until dusk except in winter. If you want an early morning walk or late afternoon stroll, you can cross on the footbridge at 125 N. Front Street or take the monorail. There are lots of things to do once you are there, like the Riverwalk, the Mississippi River Museum, or a paddleboat journey. All offer stunning views of downtown Memphis.
Bass Pyramid – The Lookout at the Pyramid – Bonus Memphis Attraction
1 Bass Pro Dr, Memphis, TN 38105
The Memphis Pyramid was initially built as an arena and is considered the tenth-tallest pyramid in the world. Over the years, it was used for professional basketball tournaments, musical performances, boxing matches, religious events, and filmmaking.
After being abandoned for several years, the Pyramid currently houses the Bass Pro Shop retail superstore with shooting and archery ranges, and a laser arcade. Also, in the building are a hotel, bowling alley, and saltwater aquarium, along with the tallest freestanding elevator in America that whisks you to a spectacular view of Memphis from the indoor and outdoor observation deck.
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital - Bonus Memphis Attraction
262 Danny Thomas Pl, Memphis, TN 38105
Opened in 1962, Founder Danny Thomas established St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Run by donations and individual contributions, this facility researches and treats catastrophic pediatric diseases.
Memphis Neighborhood – Midtown/The Edge
Victorian Village – Memphis Must Do
Bordered by Danny Thomas Boulevard, Poplar Avenue, N. Manassas Street, and Madison Avenue.
Once refered to as “Millionaire’s Row,” Victorian Village is a collection of 19th-century mansions, and some converted into museums. Worth a drive through the neighborhood on your way to Sun Studio.
Sun Studio - Memphis Must Do
706 Union Avenue, Memphis, TN 38103
Sun Studio should be the first attraction you visit in Memphis. The Sun Studio tour is informative and offered seven days a week. It sets the stage for the music genres influencing the world. The careers of Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, BB King, Jerry Lee Lewis, Aretha Franklin, and many others launched at Sun Studio – the birthplace of Rock and Roll. You can even touch, but don’t kiss, the microphone Elvis used. It is still in use today.
Memphis Neighborhood – Midtown/New Pathways
I Am A Man Plaza – Memphis Must Do
Next to Clayborn Temple, Hernando Street, Memphis, TN 38126
The I AM A MAN Plaza, created to honor the cost of justice, was unveiled in April 2018. The plaza commemorates the sanitation strike of March 1968, where workers took a stand in favor of higher wages and better working conditions. The marble wall surrounding the plaza holds the names of the 1,300 participating sanitation workers.
Clayborn Temple – Memphis Must Do
294 Hernando Street, Memphis, TN 38126
Initially, this Romanesque Revival ecclesiastical-style church belonged to the Second Presbyterian Church, built in 1888. The building, sold in 1949, became Clayborn Temple and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Throughout the 1960s, it was the staging place for the Civil Rights Movement.
Stax Museum of American Soul Music – Memphis Must Do
926 E. McLemore Ave., Memphis, TN 38126
Memphis Neighborhood – Central Gardens
Central Gardens Historic District - Memphis Must Do
Bordered by York Avenue, Eastmoreland Avenue, Rembert Street, and Cleveland Street.
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Central Gardens was a subdivision for wealthy middle-class residents enjoying the cotton boom between 1850 and 1930. Worth a drive through on your way to Cooper-Young.
Memphis Neighborhood – Cooper-Young
Cooper-Young – Memphis Must Do
Bordered by S. McLean Boulevard, Southern Avenue, East Parkway South, and Central Avenue.
Pubs, beer bars, and eateries share the neighborhood with quirky shops that sell everything from drum kits, handmade chocolates, and vintage fashions. Cooper-Young is a trendy, stylish locale distinctly different from Downtown.
Celtic Crossing Irish Pub - Bonus Memphis Attraction
903 Cooper Street, Memphis, TN 38104
Weekend in Memphis Day 2 –
On the River Front and Downtown
Memphis Neighborhood – French Fort
Big River Crossing – Bonus Memphis Attraction (free and hours 6 am – 10 pm)
Parking at Channel 3 Dr., Memphis, TN 38103
Big River Crossing is the longest public pedestrian/bike bridge across the Mississippi River. It connects Main Streets in Memphis and West Memphis and joins natural, rural, and urban areas for many recreational options. The nightly Mighty Lights LED display is one of the largest light implementations in the country.
Metal Museum – Memphis Must Do
374 Metal Museum Drive, Memphis, TN 38106 (free street parking)
The National Ornamental Metal Museum preserves, promotes and advances the art and craft of fine metalwork. Housed on the bluff overlooking the Mississippi River, the grounds include three historic buildings that were formerly a U.S. Marine Hospital dating back to 1798. These buildings have become a residence for artists, a museum, and a library.
The hospital that opened on the grounds in 1884 consisted of six buildings and was used to treat Civil War veterans and conduct research to find a cure for yellow fever. One of the Civil War buildings, in sad disrepair, can be seen up close on the property.
The ornamental entrance gate is a fascinating collection of many artists’ contributions. No two decorations are alike, and close examination reveals the intricate handiwork and skill required to make such pieces.
The foundry offers demonstrations, or you can watch and ask questions of metal artists if they are working during your tour.
Our self-guided tour of the Metal Museum was a fascinating experience because we watched molten, white-hot metal formed into real art pieces. Not merely horseshoes shaping to entertain the tourists.
Chickasaw Heritage Park – Memphis Must Do
Metal Museum Drive, Memphis, TN 38106
This Native American burial mound is across the street from the Metal Museum. Once the fortress and ceremonial mounds of Chickasaw Chief Chisca in the 1500s, during the Civil War, one of the mounds was hollowed out and used for gun and munitions storage.
Memphis Neighborhood- Downtown
Memphis Riverboats - Memphis Must Do
251 Riverside Dr., Memphis, TN 38103
One interesting fact: Memphis sits atop four natural aquifers, which are 350 to 1,100 feet underground. This 2,000-year-old artesian water source stores groundwater in layers of sand and gravel. It is pumped to Memphians by an artesian well system. Imagine the pure drinking water delivered to your faucet!
Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken – Memphis Must Do
310 S. Front St., Memphis, TN 38103
Be prepared to wait in line for a seat in Gus’s. The very casual dining room and Take Out Orders line create a bustling atmosphere. The meal of spicy fried chicken with fried green tomatoes, coleslaw, and beans is everything they say it
is.
After lunch at Gus’ find a good parking, as the rest of the afternoon can be done on foot. All of the downtown Memphis attractions are within walking distance. However, if you get worn out, you may want to take your car when you go to the National Civil Rights Museum, as it is several blocks. You can also try the Memphis Trolley.
The Cotton Museum - Bonus Memphis Attraction
65 Union Avenue, Memphis, TN 38103
The Memphis Cotton Exchange building, circa 1939, is a museum that exhibits the history of cotton and slavery.
The Peabody Memphis - Memphis Must Do
149 Union Avenue, Memphis, TN 38103
This grand and elegant hotel is rich in history. Opened in 1869, the Peabody Hotel is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and offers 1 hour tours of the hotel. The world-famous Duck Parade occurs at 11 am & 5 pm in the lobby. Arrive early to get a good seat.
Tip: Sit or stand at the railing upstairs to get the best view of the duck parade. Kids usually take up the floor space next to the red carpet at the entry to the lobby.
Tip: A party on the roof on Thursday nights helps to get the weekend started. Partying like this may be an excellent way to meet Memphians.
Beale Street Entertainment District - Memphis Must Do
Beale Street, Memphis TN 38103
One of the most musically significant streets in the world. If you enjoy the nightlife scene, you will want to return after the sun goes down. When you get home from your weekend in Memphis, friends will ask about Beale Street.
Memphis Music Hall of Fame - Memphis Bonus Attraction
126 S. 2nd St., Memphis, TN 38103
The Memphis Music Hall of Fame is a museum that honors many of the greatest musicians in the world.
Elvis Statue – Memphis Must Do
115 Beale St., Memphis, TN 38103
Great for a selfie, this is a giant bronze statue of Elvis Presley playing his guitar.
Sidewalk of Stars/Orpheum Theater - Memphis Must Do
53 Beale St., Memphis, TN 38103
Names of celebrity stars are embedded in the sidewalk outside the Orpheum Theater.
B.B. King’s Blues Club – Memphis Bonus Attraction
143 Beale St., Memphis, TN 38103
Live music and Southern food draw blues fans to this famous club.
Memphis Rock ‘n Soul Museum - Memphis Bonus Attraction
191 Beale St., Memphis, TN 38103
Created by the Smithsonian Institution, this exhibition tells the story of the musical pioneers who overcame racial and socio-economic barriers to create their music.
Sprock n’ Roll - Memphis Bonus Attraction
315 Beale St., Memphis, TN 38103
The Sprock n’ Roll Party Bike is a 16 seater pedaling contraption otherwise called a pedal tavern, mobile bar, bar bike, beer bike, pedal club, cycle pub, trolley pub, pub crawler, and pedal wagon. This vehicle, furnished with a designated driver, is a party on wheels and is a 2-hour pub crawl tour. No doubt, these partyers have fun because we saw a couple of the wagons with some wild merrymaking!
Memphis Neighborhood – Downtown/Front Street Arts District
National Civil Rights Museum and Lorraine Motel - Memphis Must Do
450 Mulberry St., Memphis, TN 38103
The National Civil Rights Museum, a Smithsonian Affiliate, displays permanent exhibits that include artifacts, films, oral histories, interactive media, and external listening posts. They teach about five centuries of history from the beginning of slavery to the fight for equality today.
The museum complex includes the Legacy Building with a tunnel timeline, the Lorraine Motel, Founder’s Park, and Museum Courtyard.
The Lorraine Motel is a heritage building where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated. A wreath hangs on the railing in memorial. All furnishings and vehicles in and surrounding the room have been preserved in their exact location at that moment.
Allow 2 – 3 hours to experience this exceptional museum.
A Protester on the Corner
Corner of Butler and Mulberry Street, Memphis, TN 38103
Part of the landscape at the National Civil Rights Museum is the protester on the street corner. Jacqueline Smith has been protesting this museum since 1988. She was the last low-income tenant of the Lorraine Hotel and was forcibly removed. She has a tent, displays signs, and printed materials where she’s posted herself on the same block for many years. By city ordinance, she cannot be displaced. She does not work but is well-groomed and seems to live on donations for the cause.
Ms. Smith feels the museum complex has become a Disney-style tourist attraction. She states that the museum doesn’t focus on real issues of the poor and disadvantaged and uses the word “gentrification” in her printed materials and on her website.
Central BBQ – Memphis Must Do
147 E. Butler Avenue, Memphis, TN 38103
No weekend in Memphis could be complete without some of the renowned dry rub barbecue. Central BBQ was some of the best I ate in Memphis!
1866 Memphis Massacre Historic Marker - Memphis Bonus Attraction
Army Park, S. 2nd Street, Memphis, TN 38103
The marker commemorates the cause for the adoption of the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
The Arcade Restaurant – Memphis Must Do
540 S. Main Street, Memphis, TN 38103
Memphis Railroad & Trolley Museum - Memphis Bonus Attraction
545 S. Main St., #121, Memphis, TN 38101
This museum features Memphis’ railroad history and hosts Model Railroad Association conventions.
Memphis Farmers Market – Memphis Bonus Attraction
567 S. Front St., Memphis, TN 38103
Saturday farmers market offering local crafts, food trucks, produce and live music. It’s open seasonally, so check before you go.
Weekend in Memphis Day 3-
Sunday in East Memphis and Whitehaven
Elvis Presley’s 1956 home – Memphis Bonus Attraction
1034 Audubon Drive, Memphis, TN 38117
A quick stop on your way to the Memphis Botanic Garden will take you by the house Elvis bought for himself and his parents in 1956. The family only lived there for about a year. Elvis became a multiple hit recording artist, and he was having trouble with fans camping on the front lawn and otherwise invading his privacy.
Memphis Botanic Garden – Memphis Bonus Attraction (Hours 9 am – 4:30 [winter] 6 pm [summer] daily)
750 Cherry Road, Memphis, TN 38117
The Memphis Botanic Garden is located on 96 acres with 31 specialty gardens on the east side of town. A visit would be a relaxing and delightful way to start your day.
Memphis Neighborhood – Whitehaven
Full Gospel Tabernacle Church – Memphis Must Do (service at noon, arrive early)
787 Hale Road, Memphis, TN 38116
Graceland Mansion and Exhibition Center - Memphis Must Do
Parking at: 3717 Elvis Presley Boulevard, Memphis, TN 38116
Graceland Mansion was the private retreat for Elvis and his family. It is also the burial site for Elvis and his parents. Learn about his life, achievements, and his legacy with tours of the mansion and the new Exhibition Center.
Tip: Afternoon tours of the mansion are much less crowded. After the estate closes in the afternoon, you still have time to dine and tour the Exhibition Center until 7 pm on Sunday.
Tip: If you want to visit the gravesites only, every morning from 7:30 – 8:30 am, the gates open, and visitors are welcome to walk up the driveway to the Meditation Garden. The entry is free.
Tip: Bring your magic marker so you can write a fan message on the brick wall around the property.
Ready for A Weekend in Memphis??
Three days in Memphis is undoubtedly not enough time. So many of the Memphis neighborhoods have something special and unique. Your experience here will profoundly impact your awareness, understanding, and appreciation for the United States, its history, and music.
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About the Author
Julie Diebolt Price, owner of JDP Photography, is an award-winning photographer, educator, travel writer, guide, and a passionate traveler. Along with extensive travel in the United States, she has many European, Mexican, and Chinese stamps in her passport. She enjoys planning, researching, creating and sharing experiences. Julie is a member of TravMedia, PPA and ITWPA. You can read more from Julie on her website, JDP Travels. You can also find her on Instagram @JDPtravels, or @JDPphotoBIZ, on Facebook, and on Twitter.
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