Memphis, Tennessee holds a variety of fun things to do, see, and experience during your visit. With something for all ages, you and your family will have a wonderful time in this cultural and vibrant city. Explore museums, historical locations, art galleries, and fun nature areas on your next getaway.
Popular Activities
The Zoo
Get in touch with your wild side at the Memphis Zoo to see all of the beautiful wild animals up-close and personal. A stop at the Zoo is the perfect activity for the whole family to enjoy on your next vacation, the zoo is home to a variety of animals to explore from all over the globe including lions, tigers, bears, pandas, snakes, farm animals, fish, monkeys, penguins, birds, hippos, and so much more. While at the zoo, you can enjoy a variety of dining options when hunger sets in so you can spend all day at this fabulous zoo, seeing and learning about each amazing animal. Don’t forget to stop by the gift shop before you leave for amazing souvenirs of your time spent at the zoo.
Guided Bus Tours
Enjoy these Guided Bus Tours for an amazing overview of the city. With a variety of tours to choose from, you can see many of the popular landmarks, sites, and more. Locations along the tours can include the Mississippi River, Beale Street, Victorian Village, Sun Studios, Graceland, the Pyramid, and the location where Martin Luther King Jr was assassinated. Along the way, your guide will provide a wonderful commentary about the history, information, and stories of each notable location throughout the tour.
Sun Studio Guided Tour
Experience the legacy in Sun Studio with this amazing guided tour. Known as the popular recording studio that launched a multitude of careers for many famous artists including Elvis, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and so many others. This 45-minute guided tour allows you to see the historic location and many memorable artifacts including the microphone that Elvis used to record his very first song and rare original recordings of many famous musicians. Your knowledgeable guide will provide tons of amazing information along the way as you learn about this historical music location on your next getaway.
Pink Palace Museum
This amazing museum and learning center provides a great way for all ages to explore the history and science of the Mid-South through interactive exhibits and displays to enjoy. Explore a variety of exhibits at the museum including skeletons, dinosaurs, geology, history of slavery and the Civil War, and so much more. The museum also has a gift shop for souvenirs and an attached Imax theater and planetarium to see an intense documentary and explore the stars during your visit.
Historic Attractions
Levitt Shell
Located in Overton Park, this open-air amphitheater has provided great entertainment for many years with live performances. The amphitheater is well-known for the site of Elvis Presley’s first paid performance, known for what many call as the first-ever rock and roll show. The Levitt Shell was built in 1936 and has stood as an amazing piece of history. Catch many free performances throughout the year at this historic location.
National Civil Rights Museum
Located in the former Lorraine Motel, the site where civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated, The National Civil Rights Museum allows you to experience centuries of history for the battle of Civil Rights. You can explore over 260 artifacts, 40 films, interactive media, and more to learn all about the history of this pressing issue in society. The museum allows you to learn how far we have come as a nation, what many activists did for their fight for equal rights, and how we can learn from these issues in today’s modern times.
Graceland
This historic mansion is a highlight to many visitors. The Graceland Mansion was the home of rock and roll singer, musician, and songwriter Elvis Presley. The home is now open to the public as a museum where you can see the historic rooms, artifacts, memorabilia, and more from Elvis’ life.
Beale Street
This 1.8 mile street located in downtown is a well-known location to the history of blues music. The street was a notable location for bars and live entertainment throughout many eras. The street is still home to many amazing bars, night clubs, stores, and restaurants to enjoy featuring live performances for a great experience while on your next vacation.
Experience Nature
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Botanic Garden
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Shelby Farms Park
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Mud Island River Park
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Overton Park
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Court Square
The Arts
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Belz Museum of Asian & Judaic Art
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Withers Collection Museum & Gallery
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Brooks Museum of Art
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Art Museum of the University of Memphis
Restaurants
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Flight Restaurant and Wine Bar
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Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken
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B.B. King’s Blues Club
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Seasons 52
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Marlowe’s Ribs & Restaurant
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