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3 Days in Memphis: Itinerary 2026
Start your first day in the heart of Memphis. Visit the National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel (450 Mulberry St, open 9am to 5pm, tickets $18). Then walk to Beale St… 🗺️ Day 1: Downtown
Start your first day in the heart of Memphis. Visit the National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel (450 Mulberry St, open 9am to 5pm, tickets $18). Then walk to Beale Street for lunch at the iconic Dyer's Burgers (205 Beale St, $8 to $12). In the afternoon, explore the Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum (191 Beale St, $12.50) and the Gibson Guitar Factory (145 Lt. George W. Lee Ave, tours $15).
🌆 Day 1 Evening: Riverfront
As the sun sets, head to Tom Lee Park along the Mississippi River for a scenic stroll. For dinner, try the famous barbecue at Rendezvous (52 S 2nd St, open 4:30pm to 10pm, ribs $20 to $25). Afterward, catch live music at the Orpheum Theatre (203 S Main St, showtimes vary, tickets from $30). End the night with a drink at the Peabody Hotel's rooftop bar (149 Union Ave, open until midnight).
🚌 Day 2: Midtown
Take the bus 50 from downtown to Midtown, about 15 minutes. Start at the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art (1934 Poplar Ave, open 10am to 5pm, $15). Then visit Overton Park and the Memphis Zoo (2000 Prentiss Pl, open 9am to 5pm, $20). For lunch, stop at the local favorite Huey's (1927 Madison Ave, burgers $10 to $14). In the afternoon, explore the quirky shops and galleries on Cooper Street.
🎸 Day 2 Evening: Music
Spend your evening in the Cooper-Young district, known for its vibrant music scene. Have dinner at the Beauty Shop (966 Cooper St, entrees $15 to $25), a converted salon with a retro vibe. Then catch a show at the Hi-Tone Café (1913 Poplar Ave, cover $10 to $20). If you prefer a quieter night, grab a craft cocktail at the Bar-B-Que Shop (1782 Madison Ave, open until 11pm).
🏛️ Day 3: Graceland
Dedicate your final day to Graceland, the home of Elvis Presley (3717 Elvis Presley Blvd, open 9am to 4pm, tours from $35). Take the 30-minute drive from downtown via the I-55 or the Memphis Area Transit Authority's Graceland shuttle. The mansion tour includes the jungle room and the trophy building. Afterward, visit the nearby Elvis Presley's Memphis entertainment complex, which has restaurants and shops.
🍽️ Day 3 Local Eats
For a true Memphis meal, try the fried chicken at Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken (310 S Front St, $8 to $12). Or sample soul food at the Four Way (998 Mississippi Blvd, open 11am to 4pm, plates $10 to $15). Don't leave without tasting a pork sandwich at Central BBQ (2249 Central Ave, $9). Save room for dessert: a slice of coconut pie at the Arcade Restaurant (540 S Main St, $6).
🚇 Getting Around
Memphis has a limited public transit system, but the Main Street Trolley is a fun way to travel downtown (ride is $1, runs every 15 minutes). For longer trips, use ride-sharing services like Uber or Lyft, which cost about $10 to $15 within the city. Renting a car is convenient for visiting Graceland and other outlying areas, with rates around $40 per day. Parking downtown is usually $5 to $10 per lot.
💡 Local Tips
Book Graceland tickets online in advance to avoid long lines, especially on weekends. The best time to visit Beale Street is after 7pm, when the music gets going. Carry cash for smaller vendors and tips. Memphis summers are hot and humid, so bring water and sunscreen. Finally, don't miss the sunset at the Mississippi River, it's free and unforgettable.
the four way is a great call but note they close early and the hours can be a little unpredictable, so call ahead or go right at 11 when they open. the fried chicken there is different from gus's, it's more of a home style smothered thing, and the mac and cheese is the real deal.
since you're already at the arcade for pie, grab a milkshake too, they make them old school with the metal cup. and if you're downtown on a weekday morning, the trolley is fun but the trolley tracks on main street can be a bit slow, sometimes the bus on front street is faster for getting to the civil rights museum.
for the riverfront, skip the main tom lee park path and walk south toward the harahan bridge, there's a little overlook near the old train tracks that most tourists don't find, it's quiet and you can see the barges up close. the peabody rooftop is worth it for one drink but the drinks are pricey, so do that as a finale, not a regular stop.
honestly this itinerary is solid, especially day 2. the cooper-young move is the right call, but skip the hi-tone if you want something more chill. go to the lamplighter lounge on cooper instead, it's a dive with a jukebox that actually plays good soul cuts, no cover most nights. also, the brooks museum is underrated but check if the overton park shell is doing a free concert that evening, that's a better vibe than any bar.
one thing you missed: the arcade restaurant is great for pie, but go there for breakfast too, it's the oldest diner in the city and the biscuits are legit. also for day 3, the graceland shuttle is fine but honestly driving is easier, and stop by the schilling farms market on the way back for some local honey or jam, it's a nice break from the elvis overload.
and if you're doing rendesvous, get there right at 4:30, it fills up fast and the wait gets brutal. the ribs are worth it, but the brisket is actually my favorite, most people sleep on it.
yeah this is a pretty solid plan, ngl. one thing i'd add is hit up the crosstown concourse if you have any spare time, it's this old sears warehouse turned into a food hall and shops, the bakery there is unreal. also for day 1, skip the orpheum if the show's not your thing, the purple church on south main has cheaper shows and a way more local vibe.
Things to Do in Memphis (2026)
Kick off your Memphis visit on Beale Street, the historic home of blues and rock 'n' roll. Visit the iconic A. Schwab dry goods store at 163 Beale Street, open daily from… 🎸 Start on Beale Street
Kick off your Memphis visit on Beale Street, the historic home of blues and rock 'n' roll. Visit the iconic A. Schwab dry goods store at 163 Beale Street, open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., and catch live music at B.B. King's Blues Club, where cover charges range from $5 to $15. For a quieter daytime experience, go before 5 p.m. to avoid the heaviest crowds.
🏛️ Museums and Civil Rights
The National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel, 450 Mulberry Street, is a must-visit for its powerful exhibits on the American civil rights movement. Plan for at least three hours, and book tickets online in advance; admission is $20 for adults. Nearby, the Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum at 191 Beale Street offers a deep dive into the city's musical heritage, with $14 tickets and audio guides included.
🎤 Sun Studio and Graceland
Sun Studio, where Elvis, Johnny Cash, and Jerry Lee Lewis recorded, offers 45-minute tours daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. for $15 per person. About 15 minutes south, Graceland Mansion at 3717 Elvis Presley Boulevard is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; the Elvis Experience tour starts at $32. To avoid lines, arrive right at opening or book the VIP tour for an extra $20.
🌳 Parks and River Views
Tom Lee Park, along the Mississippi River, is a 30-acre green space perfect for a morning stroll or a picnic with views of the river and the Memphis-Arkansas Bridge. The park is free and open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. For a more secluded spot, head to Overton Park, home to the Memphis Zoo and the Old Forest, where you can walk the 2-mile nature trail.
🍖 Barbecue and Soul Food
No trip to Memphis is complete without barbecue. Try the dry-rub ribs at Charlie Vergos' Rendezvous, 52 South Second Street, open Tuesday through Saturday from 4:30 to 10 p.m.; expect to pay around $20 for a full slab. For soul food, visit Alcenia's at 317 North Main Street, where the owner serves up fried chicken and peach cobbler from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday to Friday.
🚌 Getting Around
The Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA) runs buses and a trolley system; the Main Street Trolley is a charming way to get downtown, with a $1 fare. Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft are widely available, and most attractions are within a 10-minute drive of downtown. If you're staying near Beale Street, walking is often the easiest option, but be mindful of the heat in summer.
🌃 Evening Entertainment
For a unique evening, catch a show at the Orpheum Theatre, 203 South Main Street, which hosts Broadway tours and concerts; tickets start at $25. Or visit the rooftop bar at the Hu. Hotel, 79 Madison Avenue, for craft cocktails and skyline views, open until midnight. For live music beyond Beale Street, check out the Hi-Tone Café at 1913 Poplar Avenue, where cover charges are usually under $10.
🛍️ Local Shopping and Souvenirs
Browse for vintage vinyl and Memphis memorabilia at Goner Records, 2152 Young Avenue, open daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. For handmade crafts and local art, visit the Memphis Farmers Market at 119 Riverside Drive, held Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., April through October. Pick up a jar of local barbecue sauce or a pair of custom cowboy boots at Lansky's, 126 Beale Street, a favorite of Elvis.
You've got the essentials covered, but I'd add the Metal Museum on the riverfront. It's a small spot under the bridge where working blacksmiths do live demos, and the outdoor sculpture garden overlooks the Mississippi. Admission is around $10, and it's a chill way to kill an hour without the tourist crush, plus the gift shop has handmade pieces that beat any souvenir on Beale.
For coffee, skip the chains and hit Bluff City Coffee on South Main. The cold brew is strong, the pastries come from a local bakery, and it's a quiet spot to regroup before the Orpheum. Grab a window seat and you can watch the trolley roll by while you plan your evening.
Good list, and I'd add one thing: don't skip the Ghost River Brewing taproom on South Main if you're already downtown. It's a short walk from the Orpheum, and their local brews are a nice break from the tourist bars. Try the Gotta Get Up to Get Down coffee stout, it's a local favorite.
For a quieter music fix, the Center for Southern Folklore on Main Street has free blues performances most afternoons, and it's a tiny room where you're basically sitting on the stage. No cover, no drink minimum, just old guys picking guitars and telling stories. I've caught some of the best musicians in the city there by accident.
The guide is solid, but it misses one of my favorite spots: the Shelby Farms Greenline. It's a 10.5 mile paved trail that cuts through Shelby Farms Park, and you can rent bikes or just walk a stretch. It's a totally different vibe from downtown, all trees and open fields, and it's free. I'd swap an hour of Beale Street crowds for a morning there any day.
Also, for barbecue, the Rendezvous is a classic, but if you want something less touristy, drive a few minutes east to Payne's Bar-B-Q on Lamar Avenue. It's a tiny cinder block building, but their chopped pork sandwich with the hot slaw is the best thing I've eaten in this city, and it'll cost you about six bucks. They usually sell out by early afternoon, so go for lunch.