Things to do in  Memphis

This storied entertainment district in downtown Memphis is generally considered the birthplace of a distinctly American music genre: the blues. From 1920 to 1940, artists descended on Beale Street to collaborate, creating this new music style that blended smooth jazz with hard-charging rock ‘n’ roll. Today, this National Historic Landmark District is home to clubs where legendary greats such as BB King, Louis Armstrong, and WC Handy once played.

The second most-visited home in the United States (behind only the White House), Graceland was home to Elvis Presley during the height of his career. Touring the wacky rooms of this 17,552-square-foot (1,630-square-meter) estate offers insights into the life and mind of The King of Rock, who is buried in Graceland’s Meditation Gardens.

Built around the former Lorraine Motel—where civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in 1968—the National Civil Rights Museum immediately conveys its cultural and historical significance to all who visit. Exhibits chronicle some of the most important episodes of the Civil Rights Movement, including the landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision, the Little Rock Nine, Montgomery Bus Boycotts, and the famous sit-ins of the 1960s.

Peabody Hotel has some unique permanent guests in the famous "Peabody Ducks," who live on the hotel’s rooftop and perform a march toward the Grand Lobby twice daily. The tradition dates to 1933 when the general manager returned from a hunting trip and placed several live duck decoys in the hotel’s fountain. The guests’ positive response prompted their stay.

A veritable icon of music and a Memphis landmark, Sun Studio is known as the birthplace of rock ‘n’ roll. In fact, the very first rock single (“Rocket 88”) was recorded here in 1951, when it was called the Memphis Recording Service. The former recording studio’s musical heritage—made famous thanks to the superstardom of artists such as Elvis and Johnny Cash—and collection of one-of-a-kind memorabilia make it an unforgettable stop in Memphis.

The opulent Orpheum Theater has rocked Memphis since 1928. Opened in 1890 as the Grand Opera House, it once hosted vaudeville performances. The historic theater became the Orpheum in 1928 and received a facelift in the 1980s, expanding its stage and backstage areas that continue to showcase concerts, shows, and special events year-round.

The music of Memphis fills the airwaves around Handy Park, a greenspace in the Memphis Historic District named for W.C. Handy, the local musician many consider the “Father of the Blues.” It’s a favorite gathering place for local musicians, both amateur and professional, and hosts free concerts regularly.

Victorian Village, an historic neighborhood once known as Millionaire’s Row, is lined with grand mansions dating back to the mid to late 1800s. Some of these Victorian-era estates, including the Mallory Neely House, James Lee House, and Woodruff-Fontaine House, have been converted into museums, inns, and even a nightlife hot spot.

Court Square, a National Historic Place, is a 2-acre urban plaza in downtown Memphis. It is the only of the city’s four original parks still unchanged. Planned in 1819, the Hebe Fountain was donated in 1876 as the park’s centerpiece. Today, the shady gazebo and benches are still a popular gathering spot for locals.

A. Schwab is a historic general store founded in Memphis in 1874. It’s located on the famous thoroughfare Beale Street and opened its doors 30 years after Beale Street was established. Today, it’s the last remaining original store on Beale Street, acting as one of the oldest existing 19th-century landmarks in the city.

Located on Memphis’s legendary Beale Street (famous for its melting pot of music genres), Memphis Music Hall of Fame pays tribute to the stars who’ve shaped modern music—including Otis Redding, Johnny Cash, B.B. King, and Elvis Presley. On a visit to the museum, you can see unique memorabilia, rare video performances, and interviews.

No trip to Memphis, Tennessee—often called the birthplace of rock and roll—would be complete without learning about its music history, and the Memphis Rock ’n’ Soul Museum is just the place. Originally a Smithsonian Institute research project, the collection focuses not only on the music itself, but also the artists and socio-economic and racial struggles that led to its creation.

Discover the story of soul music at the historic home of Stax Records, now the Stax Museum of American Soul Music. The museum lays out the legacy of one of soul music’s top record labels while also unraveling the evolution of soul music in America. Along the way, discover the backstory of artists ranging from Otis Redding to Aretha Franklin.

Music, art, wildlife, and outdoor recreation collide at Overton Park, Memphis’ 342-acre (138-hectare) public park. It draws both locals and visitors looking to relax, explore, picnic, or see where Elvis Presley performed in 1954, in what is considered to be the first ever rock ‘n’ roll show.

Part of what was once Memphis’ Millionaire Row, the Woodruff-Fontaine House Museum lies on Adams Avenue, and its inside is even more impressive than its brick-layered French Victorian exterior, complete with high windows. The 5-story mansion was restored to its glory in 1962 with red-carpeted staircases, extravagantly crafted chandeliers, intricate wood carvings, and antique period pieces that make a self-guided visit well worth it.