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If you’re looking for sites to check out Memphis, look no further. Our comprehensive list will help you as you plan your trip!

1. Visit The National Civil Rights Museum – Lorraine Motel

The National Civil Rights Museum was established in 1991, in the Lorraine Motel, where Martin Luther King was assassinated. This museum has numerous exhibits showcasing the Civil Rights Movement and where Martin Luther King stayed when he was here. It’s a really powerful place and worth the visit.

2. Visit the Ducks at The Peabody Hotel

The Peabody Hotel is a luxury hotel, which is famous for its ducks. Every day, the ducks come down on a red carpet to the fountain in the center of the hotel. This is a great activity for kids, some of whom may be picked to roll out the red carpet. This is also a free activity, even for tourists who don’t stay at the hotel. There is also a bar in the lobby that is worth checking out.

The ducks in the fountain of the Peabody Hotel

3. Get Drinks at the Old Dominic Distillery

Domenico Canale created his famous toddy after migrating from Memphis in 1859. However, the recipe would eventually be lost. His descendants would later discover a bottle in the 2010s. Although, it had gone bad, they knew there was potential there, so they reverse-engineered how it was created. In 2013, they planned a distillery to open in downtown Memphis. 

Today, you can take a tour of the distillery or sip cocktails in its cozy bar. The tour is really fun and comes with samples of their delicious spirits. Although they do have Tenessee whiskey, vodka, and gin, the toddy remains a crowd favorite. It is a spirit you can sip on and enjoy, with a hint of clove.

Toddy from the Old Dominic Distillery

Sample Tasting from the Old Dominic Distillery

4. Walk to Arkansas

If you don’t feel like you’ve done enough “walking in Memphis”, you can head over to Arkansas. We recommend either taking a bike or a segway from Downtown (it’s a far walk), but you can stand on the state line in the middle of the river. You also have great views from the bridge.

5. Visit Graceland

Graceland is where Elvis used to live. You can take a tour of his estate and explore 120 acres dedicated to the King of Rock and Roll. There are also a lot of live events here. The museum is open from 9am-4pm daily (excluding holidays).

6. Go to Beale Street

Beale Street is an iconic place in Memphis, filled with bars and restaurants. We usually go to BB King’s and Silky O’Sullivans (which has live music and goats). This is a great place to barhop and spend a Friday or Saturday night.

7. Check out the Bass Pro Shop

The Bass Pro Shop sits along the Mississippi and is a memorable part of the Memphis skyline. It has a pyramid shape with an observation deck at the top. The inside is fun to explore, too, even if you’re not into hunting or camping. There are alligators, games, and an interesting layout, in addition to shopping.

Alligators in the Bass Pro Shop

The Bass Pro Shop

8. Visit the Arcade

The Arcade was frequented by Elvis and his booth is still marked by his picture. It may be a while before you grab his booth, but it’s still a cool place with good food. We recommend their breakfast or beginning your night here with an alcoholic shake.

9. Try Dinstuhl’s Chocolates

Dinstuhl’s has been around for over 100 years and they have a chocolate store in downtown Memphis. I really like their dark chocolate bar, but they also have gifts and truffles that you can get.

10. Participate in the St. Jude Race

The St. Jude annual race takes place in Memphis every year in December. It’s the biggest fundraiser for the hospital and the whole city gets involved every year. If you’re looking for a race to add to your calendar.

Final Thoughts

Have you been to Memphis? What other sites should we include in our list. Leave these in the comments below.

Frequently Asked Questions about Memphis

How do you spend a day in Memphis?

How you spend the day in Memphis is entirely up to your interests. There are river cruises on the Mississippi, music museums, and Beale Street. 

Is it worth visiting Memphis Tennessee?

The city of Memphis has a lot of history and interesting sites to explore. It’s definitely worth visiting. 

Is Memphis a walkable city?

Downtown Memphis is very walkable, with sites very close by. There is also some public transportation downtown. However, if your hotel is located further away from downtown, you may need a car or to Uber.

What is the most famous street in Memphis?

Beale Street is the most famous street.

What is Memphis best known for?

From being the birthplace of rock and roll to monumental in jazz music, Memphis has been a cornerstone in the development of music.