Top Things to Do in Memphis
Most of us have misconceptions of a city before we actually visit. I honestly didn’t know much about Memphis but my expectations were not too high.
What we’ve discovered throughout our road trip is the great value in knowing a local who can show you around. They’ve already put in the time to discover what is worthwhile and what’s not.
So in a place like Memphis, which has been slowly revitalizing itself, we were able to skip ahead to the places that outshone the rest. Overall, we were pleasantly surprised.
Updated: Nov 2023. Originally published: May 2014.
Update: I’m delighted by the great response from Memphians to this post! I want to encourage readers to check out all of their additional recommendations in the comments section at the bottom of the page, and feel free to add your own. Thanks!
Things to Do in Memphis TN
Below, I’m sharing my brother’s top recommendations for things to see and do in Memphis. Some we saw for ourselves and others we didn’t have time for.
Top BBQ: Central BBQ
Central BBQ is the cream of the crop when it comes to BBQ in Memphis. Their slow smoked, dry rub flavors paired with fun decor is worth the trip.
Best Pizza: Pyro’s
It was a close race but Pyro’s Pizza came out on top, according to our local experts. They’re known for their fun atmosphere, quick service, and delicious, customizable gourmet pizzas.
Must Do Cultural Experience: National Civil Rights Museum
The Lorraine Motel in downtown Memphis, the tragic site of Martin Luther King Jr’s assassination, is now part of the renowned National Civil Rights Museum.
Exhibits cover the era of slavery through the non-violent protests in the South up to a recreation of MLK’s last hours in the Lorraine Motel. Well worth the visit.
For a Funky Time: Earnestine & Hazel’s
Earnestine & Hazel’s is one of those quirky dive bars that brings the phrase “hole in the wall” to life.
On the surface, the place looks like it’s falling apart and you get the sense that the upstairs might be haunted. But this diamond in the rough in the South Main Street district is living up to its potential as a great place to bring the community together.
Top Pick for the 4am Crowd: Paula & Raiford’s Disco
Raiford‘s is the place to be for late night dancing in downtown Memphis. They feature handprints on the walls, a fog machine, light-up dance floor, and true boogie music from the 70’s and 80’s.
Nicest Place to Run or Walk: Mud Island
Whether you want to follow along the Mississippi via Island Drive, watching barges float by, or weave your way through nice neighborhoods of Harbortown, Mud Island is the prime location for a safe and enjoyable jog.
While there, you can also check out the park and museum which features a cool outdoor re-creation of the Mississippi River.
Cool Alternative to Beale St: South Main
Most visitors flock to Beale Street, known for its live music and neon lights. There is, however, much more that the city has to offer when it comes to night life, good restaurants, fun bars, and hip galleries.
Perhaps the best way to experience the South Main district is on Trolley Night.
The last Friday of every month from 6 to 9pm, shops along South Main Street set up an outdoor festival with live music and even free wine!
But you don’t have to wait for the last Friday to discover what this area has to offer. Just stroll around or take a trolley ride to get a more leisurely view.
I was fascinated by the mix of colors and textures along South Main, especially in the doorways.
It really shows the contrast that is so apparent in Memphis between the worn-out and abandoned and the emerging, creative revitalization.
Archived Activities in Memphis
Best View: Twilight Sky Terrace
Update: Now closed. Experience beautiful views of the Mississippi River at sunset from this downtown rooftop bar.
With its sophisticated-yet-casual vibe, the Twilight Sky Terrace pairs the best of Memphis’s urban flavor with natural beauty.
Honorable Mention: For a more exciting rooftop experience, check out The Peabody‘s rooftop parties on Thursday nights throughout the summer.
The hotel (made famous for the ducks that march through its lobby) hosts a series of open air concerts which include a snack buffet, drink specials, and a big dance party.
Community Venture: Tennessee Brewery Untapped
Update: Now Closed. We at Intentional Travelers are suckers for community-led initiatives that make something amazing out of nothing. That’s why we couldn’t get enough of Tennessee Brewery Untapped.
To discover the untapped potential of an abandoned, historic property, some folks in Memphis got together and transformed an empty space into a truly unique venue. With a simple bar inside, a food truck in the terrace, a few games like darts and air hockey, and plenty of open space to hang out in an unexpected setting with old friends or new acquaintances.
We spent a good half hour just walking around in admiration of it all.
Best Downtown Restaurant: Rizzo’s Diner
Update: Now Closed. High end restaurants are relatively scarce in Memphis, but Rizzo’s southern-inspired cuisine does not fall short. In fact, it was absolutely delightful.
We always like to share dishes so everybody in our group got to try everything that was ordered. The restaurant itself is bigger than it looks, so don’t be dissuaded if the front room looks full. It wouldn’t hurt to call ahead for a reservation just in case.
Top Tours in Memphis
If you’re interested in visiting Memphis with a local guide, check out the following top rated activities and tours:
Since Memphis is not an area we normally would be passing through, we’re really glad we had the chance to visit at a time when my brother was living there and could show us the ropes!
Have you been to Memphis? What other things to do in Memphis do you recommend to visitors?
Great article and so wonderful to see other “Memphians” both resident and non be proud of their town and all that it has to offer. All the restaurants mentioned are great and you will get a different answer about BBQ from everyone. As a Memphian who comes home to visit often I have to give kudos to the best place to stay while your visiting, the Talbot heirs Guest House!! Right across the street form the Peabody, excellent art work and the most knowledgeable host in all the mid-south!
Thanks for your recommendation, Stuart! We’ve had really great feedback from Memphians on this post.
Mollie Fontaine’s is my favorite place in Memphis — Love that place!
This is an awesome article. Thanks for posting. Now I gotta share it with my friends.
What a lovely article! I’m glad you decided to keep an open mind and hang out for a while. If you (or your brother since he’s living here) need help finding some great restaurants next time, just follow any of the wonderful suggestions here from my fellow “Memphibians” or drop me a line or Tweet @ilovememphis. Thanks again for stopping by our fair city and taking the time to write a post.
No problem, Holly. And thanks for your offer.
Memphis is a great town with a rich music history! For delicious food at reasonable rates and a great patio bar, try Bhan Thai Restaurant on Peabody. Molly, Aaron and the gang will show you a great time!!
Hi Charlene. Thanks for your suggestion!
More things to check out!
SIDE STREET BAR & GRILL- (off of overton square) the BEST martinis ever! Huge selection and they’re $5 on Mondays
ABSINTHE ROOM- (hidden upstairs on beale street by kings palace) the best small mellow place to shoot pool and conversate without as much of the beale street crowd. (And yes they do sell absinthe there!)
HAVANA MIX- (right next to beale street, next to the Peabody parking garage) Cigar shop/ smoke shop
OUTLOOK- (Mississippi river, Tom lee park) newly built outlook hill to look over the river with a gift shop underneath 🙂
SPIN STREET- (poplar/highland) one of the best music memorabilia/merch stores around! Wide a range of cds, movies, records, band merch, and random things!
OVERTON PARK-(poplar/Memphis zoo) The BEST playground to take your kids! Newly built it has many many different activities for the kids to interact with. It’s big, fenced in and right next to the zoo! Highly recommend anyone with kids to go there.
HAPPY MEXICAN-(south 2nd street downtown) looking for the only authentic Mexican restaurant downtown? Here ya go! I work downtown and i always hear questions of the closest Mexican restaurant.. they’re delicious!
WET WILLIES-(beale street) the south is horrible in the summer with the heat. So go here and you can choose from 17 flavors of alcoholic daiquiris/slushes. You can ask the bar bartenders what they suggest because you are able to mix as many as you want together for one flat rate price. So look at the menu and pick a suggested mixed slush concoction or come up with your own! They are delicious!
My favorites: “Bob Marley” strawberry, mango, sour apple, “Summertime Rehab” margarita, sour apple, shock treatment (lemonade), and… “the Superwoman” (their strongest drink) Callacab, attitude improvement, shock treatment, (all three of these flavors have 190 proof grain alcohol… be careful!)
Kristi, thanks so much for adding your suggestions. They sound amazing!
Fine dining? Memphis has some top notch restaurants like:
Erling Jensen’s
Iris
Andrew Michael Kitchen
McEwen’s
River Oaks
BBQ is a tough one. Everyone has a fave. Other tasty options: Corky’s, Tops, BBQ Shop come to mind. Hole in the wall spots sometimes sport some amazing smoked morsels.
Places to walk, hike, get sporty. Overton Park, Shelby Forest. Shelby Farms is one of the largest, multi-use parks in the US.
Memphis is home to the National Ornamental Metal Museum. It overlooks the Mississippi and is at the southern end of downtown.
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital calls Memphis home. This facility treats childhood cancers. Patients come from around the world. No one is turned away for inability to pay. They offer tours.
Memphis is home to a lot of funky, off best restaurants. Kwik Chek in Midtown has the ambience of a convenience store. They serve up some tasty Korean and Mediterranean fare. That is not a mistyping. Where else can I get a kick ass bi bim bop and a fab mufaletta? And buy a six pack of quality brew to wash it down with? The food rocks. The ambience… What ambience? I was busy eating my bi bim bop.
Chucalisa, the Blues Highway…. Gosh. So much to offer.
Memphis is an interesting place. It’s been my home for 16 years now. I’m glad I came and stayed.
Susan. Wow, awesome recommendations. Thanks so much for sharing!
Thanks for all of the positive remarks about Memphis! It is my hometown, that is used to getting a lot of negative feedback if you don’t take the time to check out all of the great things this city has to offer. I love living here & the people are great!!! My favorite place you mentioned was Rizzo’s Diner — incredible food & service, with a cool location of the South Main Arts district! Thank you!!!! That is one of my favorite restaurants & feel it isn’t mentioned enough! Hope you tried the lobster pronto pups featured on the Food Network’s, Diners, Drive-Ins, & Dives!!!!!!! 🙂 They are incredibly delicious! Hope you visit again!
Hi Scarlett. Thanks so much for your feedback. Rizzo’s Diner was awesome!
Hog & Hominy- amazing restaurant. I have been doing my residency down here for the last 4 years and somehow missed this place until last month- unbelievable.
Also BBQ Shop has some d@mn good barbecue that rivals Central 🙂
Next time you visit go to Mollie Fontaine Lounge, since I first moved here my favorite place for cocktails and people watching in a very unique space.
Thanks for the post! I’ve grown to love this city and I will miss it when I return to the Midwest
Thanks so much for your suggestions! Sounds like some great places to add to the list.
You rock! Thanks for the #goodStuff you posted about Memphis.
We have the Best Zoo in the country. I second the thanks for the great article. We came in second to New Orleans in Southern Living for the best restaurants in the south.
Camille, that’s awesome. We love zoos so hopefully we’ll get the chance to go back and see that some day.
I always recommend Stax. It’s easily one of Memphis’ best attractions. The zoo is fantastic too.
Cool. Thanks for your suggestions!
Glad to hear you had fun downtown! Tell your friends they need to start researching Midtown and East Memphis for the next time you’re here. There’s a lot more to Memphis than what you can throw a rock at from the river!
Thanks, J.B. Glad to hear people are passionate about their city. I’ll encourage my brother to keep expanding their horizons. 😉
SO glad y’all went to Central BBQ. Memphis is one of my favorite cities, I wanna go back 😀
Central BBQ was pretty cool. I didn’t know you were such a fan of Memphis- I guess we were just out of touch being from the West Coast. Hope you’re doing well in JA!
You completely left out Paulettes on the river, one of the finest dining experience s you wil ever have.
Come back and visit again! My only correction is that there are many, many fine places to eat in Memphis ranging from stand-and-dribble on your shirt food trucks to black tie dinners. You picked some good ones. Make sure you catch some local music next time. Travel safe
Thanks, Phill. I didn’t mean to diminish the great restaurants that are there in Memphis. We were very impressed with the few that we did see in person.
next time you’re in town visit Kooky Canuck on S. 2nd Street – right across from the Peabody Hotel – it’s my brother’s place and it’s always super fun!
Cool, thanks, Sheri!
Glad you got to visit! Some other great places to visit are the newly revitalized Overton Square, Broad Avenue, Cooper Young areas, La Michoacana on Summer Ave, Jerry’s Sno Cones, Sun Studios, Wiseacre’s tap room, The Growler, Kwik Chek, and so many more. Contact us if you’d like more ideas!
Ditto that to my friend Amanda!
For your next trip to the 901, make your reservation to Restaurant Iris by Chef Kelly English. Make it about 2 weeks in advance – that’s about as early as you can make it.
Also, you need to:
-Ride the Greenline
-Eat some tacos at Chiwawas – and have the best guacamole in the city (This coming from a native San Antonian)
-Explore the gothic architecture of Rhodes College
-Get the best burger in town at Local (a highly contested claim, to be sure)
-Catch a FREE SHOW at The Levitt Shell
-And before you watch that show, check out art at nearby Brooks Art Museum – the oldest and largest art museum in Tennessee
Wow, thanks for your great recommendations, Jimmy! I’m definitely going to pass this along to my brother so he can take advantage while he’s still in residency there.
So glad you added The Levitt Shell. 🙂
Hi Amanda. Thanks so much for your suggestions. I just might have to add a “reader’s recommendation list” to this post. I love to hear Memphians so pumped about their city.
Let me know if you do, I have so many more 🙂
Glad you guys enjoyed your visit here. Loved the article. Major kudos on picking Central BBQ and avoiding the tourist trap mentioned in one of the aforementioned posts. Hope you have the chance to come back.
Thanks, T. Really appreciate that!
Hmmm…. Mud Island has a wonderful concert venue. Small, but big enough that major acts like Eric Clapton and Norah Jones have played there. I don’t see Sun Studios listed. if you are a music fan, going there is like going to church. BBQ? Central is fine, but people come from all over the world to eat at the Rendezvous. There’s more, but… 🙂
Hi Ray. Thanks for visiting our blog and thanks especially for adding your input. Really appreciate it!