Walking in Memphis: Guide to Exploring Downtown Memphis Attractions

Hard Rock Cafe - Memphis, TN

Hard Rock Cafe Memphis

The historic Hard Rock building, set on boogie street Beale, has done time as a recording studio and a saloon- the perfect combination for an electrifying menu that'll make you stomp and shout.

While you're feet won't necessarily be "ten feet off of Beale" when you're walking in Memphis, you probably will feel a certain energy surging through this blues-infused city on the river. Although the Greater Memphis metropolitan area offers plenty of fantastic attractions and excitement, you can spend several days just exploring the wonders of the downtown area. To help get you started, we've designed a guide to exploring Downtown Memphis.

AutoZone Park - Memphis Redbirds

• If you're in town with Memphis' boys of summer are hitting the field, be sure to catch a baseball game at AutoZone Park. The field was completed in 2000 and is located in the heart of Downtown Memphis. You'll be sure to enjoy top sporting action as the stars of tommorrow compete on the St. Louis Cardinals' AAA farm team, and the incredible red-brick structure is sure to keep you coming back for more hot baseball action!

Beale Street

• As one of the most famous streets in America, Beale Street is the embodiment of the blues, rock 'n' roll, and year-round fun! As you stroll along this hoppin' street, the flashing lights of blues clubs, shops, restaurants, and more beckon you to stay just a little longer.
• Enjoy some of the best barbecue and hot tamales in the South at the Blues City Cafe, or add a rough edge to your dining experience at the Hard Rock Cafe.
• You'll also want to be sure to visit A. Schwab' s Dry Good Store, a Memphis mainstay that is in much the same order as it was during its grand opening in 1876.
• Follow the glow of neon to enjoy live music at B.B. King's Blues Club, the Rum Boogie Cafe, or one of nearly a dozen clubs and lounges along this stretch of Memphis street.

Gibson Guitar Factory

• Tour the home of the world's most famous guitars as you see magic being made first-hand. You'll tour more than one dozen "stations" that mark various points along the way in the creation of a note-perfect Gibson Guitar. Located in the heart of the downtown area, parking is a breeze as several garages and lots are located within walking distance of the factory.

Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum

• Trace the history and evolution of American music at the Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum, which is the only permanant exhibit operated by the Smithsonian Institute outside of the nation's capital. Trace the rural, Southern music of the 1930s through the changing decades that brought us to where we are today. You'll enjoy exhibits about Sun Studio greats like Jerry Lee Lewis and Johnny Cash, as well as artists from a variety of genres and generations.

Mud Island River Park

• Experience life on the Mighty Mississippi at Mud Island River Park, which features outdoor activities, the Mississippi River Museum, a complete walking model of the river, a unique Swiss-made monorail, and much more. Located along the shore on the north end of Downtown Memphis, your admission to Mud Island will include a ride on the monorail, a guided-walking tour of the river model, and admission to the museum!

National Civil Rights Museum

• Located at the site of the former Lorraine Motel with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr was tragically assassinated, The National Civil Rights Museum highlight the history of the movement toward equality and fairness. You'll enjoy exhibits dedicated to key players, landmark events, and other important aspects of the Civil Rights Movement. The museum has been awarded a variety of accolades, including be ranked among the top two museums in Memphis!

Stax Museum of American Soul Music

• Explore more than 2,000 artifacts and items that trace the history of soul music in the United States at the Stax Museum of American Soul Music. Explore the Hall of Records, a winding hallway that showcases the incredible music that was recording at one of the top studios and labels of its time. Start at the replicated Mississippi gospel church to learn about the music's earliest days before heading into exhibits that highlight the popular sounds of the genre. Step onto the Soul Train Dance Floor to shake your groove thing, then explore the exhibits dedicated to pioneering artists like Ike & Tina Turner, James Brown, and more.

Sun Studio

• See the birthplace of rock 'n' roll as you explore the history-laden walls of Sun Studio. You'll see artifacts and items left behind from the studio's glory days, when musical legends like Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison, and many others spent hours making history within this unassuming building. From Elvis' microphone to the instruments belonging to these fundamental rock pioneers, the exhibits include items that will humble and amaze any fan of American music!

Although this guide by no means covers all of the attractions and landmarks that highlight downtown Memphis, it does give visitors a sampling of the city's musical, cultural, and family-friendly offerings. Best of all, you'll find it all located along the Mississippi River as you walk the streets of Downtown Memphis!