Things to Do in Memphis
50 curated spots from Memphis itineraries
Activities & Attractions
30 curated experiences
Memphis Botanic Garden
Wander through dozens of themed garden spaces with ponds, woodland paths, and lush plantings; the Japanese Garden, arboretum-like areas, and small lakes are particularly tranquil and photogenic.
2h 30m · $12-15
National Civil Rights Museum
Spend time in this powerful museum built around the former Lorraine Motel; move at your own pace through exhibits on the Civil Rights Movement and recent history.
2h 30m · $18-20
National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel
Spend 2–3 hours walking through immersive exhibits on the history of the civil rights movement, culminating at the preserved Lorraine Motel balcony where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated.
2h 30m · $20-25
Memphis Zoo
Visit one of Memphis’s biggest attractions with a lush, green setting and plenty of easy walking.
2h · $20-30
Stax Museum of American Soul Music
Explore the story of Stax and the soul music legacy that shaped Memphis; it is compact, well-curated, and very worth the time.
2h · $15-20
Beale Street Entertainment District
Walk the neon-lit corridor, listen to live music from outside venues, and keep the evening flexible; it is easy to just show up.
2h · Free
Shelby Farms Park
Rent bikes or walk 4,500-acre park with lake views (15-min drive)
2h · $10 bike rental
South Main Arts District Free Explore
Wander along South Main Street for galleries, murals, boutiques, and photo-friendly brick storefronts; pop into small shops and grab coffee.
2h · Free (shopping extra)
Dixon Gallery & Gardens
Visit this art museum and surrounding gardens featuring European and American works in an elegant, manageable space.
2h · $10
Graceland
Tour the Elvis complex, museums, and exhibits; go at a measured pace and focus on the core mansion + museum experience if time is limited.
3h · $50-80
Graceland Mansion Tour
Tour Elvis Presley’s famously decorated mansion, including the Jungle Room, grounds, and Meditation Garden with his grave and family memorials.
2h 30m · $50-80 (depending on tour level)
Memphis Brooks Museum of Art
American and European art collections in Overton Park area (short trolley ride)
1h 30m · $13
Memphis Rock ’n’ Soul Museum
Learn how blues, soul, and rock grew out of the Mississippi Delta and Memphis, with audio guides and great music.
2h · $15
Mississippi Riverfront & Tom Lee Park
Walk the newly refreshed Tom Lee Park along the Mississippi River, with winding paths, native plantings, and plenty of benches. Go in the morning or near sunset for softer light, greenery meeting river views, and a romantic, slightly wild riverside feel.
1h 30m · Free
Mississippi Riverfront and Riverwalk
Take a scenic family walk by the river, pause for photos, and enjoy open space after several museum-heavy days.
1h 30m · Free
Overton Park Old Forest & Greensward
Walk the shaded Old Forest Loop trail and relax on the open Greensward lawn; bring water and take it slow.
2h · Free
Overton Park Old Forest & Trails
Walk through the Old Forest State Natural Area’s shaded dirt paths under tall trees right in the city.
2h · Free
Overton Square Free Explore
Wander this compact entertainment district filled with colorful murals, quirky public art, and leafy patios; browse a few shops or just sit with a drink and people-watch.
1h · Free (shopping extra)
South Main Arts District Free-Explore
Wander the brick-lined streets, check out murals, peek into galleries, and browse small shops along South Main Street at your own pace.
2h · Free (plus any shopping)
Sun Studio
Tour the small but legendary recording studio where Elvis, Johnny Cash, and others made music history.
1h 30m · $20-25
Audubon Park & Nearby Greenways
Before or after the Botanic Garden, walk around Audubon Park’s lake and wooded sections; sit under the trees or have a simple snack on a bench.
1h · Free
Audubon Park Stroll
Take a gentle walk around the park next to the Botanic Garden, with ponds, trees, and open lawns.
1h · Free
Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid & Indoor Swamp
Explore the massive glass Pyramid’s indoor cypress swamp, huge aquariums, and tree‑like decor, then ride the glass elevator (paid) up to the observation deck for river views.
2h 30m · $8-15 for observation deck; exploring store is free
Beale Street & Handy Park
Walk the short stretch of Beale Street, listen to live blues spilling onto the sidewalks, and pause in Handy Park where trees and benches give a slightly calmer, greener pocket off the main drag.
1h 30m · Free (music cover charges optional)
Beale Street & Handy Park (Daytime Stroll)
Visit the famous blues street by day, listen for live music drifting from doorways, and let the kids play a bit in Handy Park’s open space in the center of Beale.
1h · Free
Beale Street Evening Stroll
Walk past neon signs and blues clubs, step into a venue for live music if it feels right, or just enjoy the atmosphere from the street.
1h · Free (cover charges for some venues)
Beale Street Historic District
Walk the neon‑lit street, listen to live blues pouring from open doors, and enjoy the energy; you can stay outdoors and people‑watch if you prefer to avoid bars.
2h · Free (cover charges for some clubs)
Beale Street Landing and River Walk
Start with an easy riverside walk and note the public spaces, benches, and views rather than trying to over-schedule the morning.
1h · Free
Beale Street Morning Walk
See the historic neon signs and music clubs in the soft morning light, when it’s quiet and family-friendly.
1h · Free
Beale Street Stroll (Early Evening)
Walk Beale Street around early evening to experience neon lights, street performers, and blues music drifting from bars; you don’t need to go into loud venues to enjoy the atmosphere and people-watching.
1h · Free (drinks/music extra)Restaurants & Food
20 local favorites
The Second Line
Order the vegetarian breakfast options or egg dishes; confirm halal-friendly preparation and choose no-pork menu items.
1h · $15-25 per person
The Arcade Restaurant
Historic diner with leafy views out the windows; stick to vegetarian options like pancakes, waffles, omelettes with veggies, hash browns, and fruit, and confirm they’re cooked separate from any pork.
1h · $15-20 per person
Brother Juniper's
Artisan breakfast sandwiches and coffee; try the Southern Benedict
45m · $12-20 per person
Café 1912
Choose the vegetarian pasta, salads, or seafood options; ask for halal-friendly ingredient guidance and avoid any pork-based dishes.
1h 15m · $20-35 per person
City Silo Table + Pantry
Bright, plant-heavy café focusing on vegetarian and health-forward dishes; order smoothie bowls, avocado toast, grain bowls, and cold-pressed juices—everything is easy to keep halal by avoiding any egg/meat add-ons you don’t want.
1h · $12-20 per person
Imagine Vegan Cafe
Cozy vegan cafe on a leafy corner with a slightly eclectic, homey feel. Everything is vegan and therefore halal-safe—go for the country-fried “steak,” BBQ “ribs,” or loaded nachos, and enjoy the casual, community vibe.
1h 15m · $15-25 per person
Mulan Asian Bistro
Look for vegetarian stir-fries, tofu dishes, seafood-free noodle options, and request halal-friendly preparation with no alcohol-based sauces. Keep it straightforward and confirm ingredients when ordering.
1h 15m · $25-45 per person
RP Tracks
Casual, leafy, student-area spot with plenty of vegetarian and seafood items; choose veggie tacos, black bean burgers, or fish dishes while avoiding non-halal meats.
1h · $15-25 per person
Abyssinia Ethiopian Restaurant
Cozy, plant‑filled Ethiopian spot; order the vegetarian combo platters (yetsom beyaynetu) or fish dishes, all cooked without pork, and ask clearly for halal‑friendly options and no alcohol in cooking.
1h 15m · $18-25 per person
African Place Restaurant & Lounge
West African spot with hearty stews and rice; stick to fish dishes and vegetable stews and confirm which meats are halal and whether any alcohol is used in cooking.
1h 15m · $20-30 per person
Alchemy
Tapas and craft cocktails; try Southern charcuterie
1h 30m · $25-45 per person
Amerigo Italian Restaurant
Choose pasta with tomato-based sauces, salads, and vegetable sides; halal-friendly options are easy if you skip meat and focus on seafood or vegetarian dishes.
1h 15m · $20-45 per person
Another Broken Egg Cafe
Fancy brunch like beignets and shrimp 'n grits
1h · $15-28 per person
Arcade Restaurant (Vegetarian-Focused Choices)
Historic diner with some leafy, retro corners; order meat-free items like grilled cheese, salads, or veggie omelets and avoid griddled meat to maintain halal-friendly eating.
1h · $15-20 per person
Babalu
Order vegetarian tacos, guacamole, and salads, and confirm no pork or alcohol-based sauces; keep to clearly halal-compatible items. The lively setting suits a fun couple’s dinner.
1h 15m · $25-45 per person
Babalu - Overton Square
Trendy, plant-accented space with a lively patio; order vegetarian small plates (guacamole, veggie tacos, salads) and clearly marked non-alcoholic drinks, avoiding pork and alcohol in your food choices.
1h 15m · $20-35 per person
Babalu – Overton Square
Trendy spot with lots of wood, leafy decor, and a buzzy patio. For halal-friendly choices, build a meal from vegetarian tapas such as guacamole, black-bean dishes, veggie tacos without meat, and salads, and avoid pork or alcohol-marinated meats; confirm sauces are alcohol-free when ordering.
1h 30m · $20-35 per personBabalu Memphis
Choose tacos with chicken, shrimp, or vegetarian fillings, plus salads and sides; good halal-friendly choices if you skip non-halal meats.
1h 15m · $18-35 per person
Babalu Tapas & Tacos (Overton Square)
Trendy spot with greenery and a lively patio; build a halal-friendly meal from guacamole, vegetarian tacos, fish tacos, and salads—avoid pork and non-halal meats, and ask about lard-free tortillas.
1h 30m · $20-35 per person
Bardog Tavern
Pub fare with local twists like BBQ nachos
1h · $18-30 per person