About Memphis
Memphis is a city in Shelby County, Tennessee, United States, and its county seat. Situated along the Mississippi River, it had a population of 633,104 at the 2020 census, making it the second-most populous city in Tennessee, the fifth-most populous in the Southeast, and the 29th-most populous in the US. While being the most populous single municipality on the Mississippi River, Memphis anchors the third largest metropolitan area by population behind only the Twin Cities and St. Louis. Metropolitan Memphis includes parts of Arkansas and Mississippi, the 45th-most populous metropolitan area in the U.S. with 1.34 million residents.
Places to visit in Memphis
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Graceland
Historic · 7 mi from centreElvis Presley's mansion, preserved with original furnishings, the Jungle Room and his grave in the Meditation Garden. An adjacent complex displays his cars, costumes and memorabilia.
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National Civil Rights Museum
MuseumBuilt around the Lorraine Motel where Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated, this museum chronicles the American civil rights movement with powerful exhibits, artifacts and recreated scenes. Allow plenty of time.
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Beale Street
EntertainmentA downtown street famous for its blues clubs, neon signs and live music spilling onto the sidewalks. The heart of Memphis nightlife and a key piece of musical history.
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Sun Studio
HistoricThe recording studio where Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash and others made early hits. Guided tours share stories in the original studio room where rock and roll took shape.
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Stax Museum of American Soul Music
Museum · 2 mi from centreA museum on the site of the original Stax Records studio, celebrating soul music with costumes, instruments, a restored church and Isaac Hayes's gold-trimmed Cadillac. A must for music lovers.
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Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum
MuseumA museum near Beale Street tracing how rural and urban musicians, Black and white, created rock and soul music in Memphis. An audio guide loaded with classic recordings accompanies the exhibits.
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Memphis Zoo
Zoo · 3 mi from centreA large zoo in Midtown's Overton Park with themed areas from Africa to Asia, featuring big cats, primates, hippos and a distinctive Egyptian-style entrance. A good family half-day outing.
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Shelby Farms Park
Park · 12 mi from centreA very large urban park on the city's east side, with lakes, miles of trails, a bison herd and paddle and bike rentals. A great place for cycling, picnics and outdoor recreation away from downtown.
Things to do in Memphis by type
14 tours, tickets and experiences across 3 categories. Pick a type to see what is available for your dates.
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Tickets & Attraction Passes 6 experiences Graceland Tour -
City tours 6 experiences Beale Street - Guided Walking Tour -
Art & culture 4 experiences Edge Motor Museum Admission Ticket
- 1-3 hours 5
- 3-6 hours 1
- Up to 1 hour 1
- Over 6 hours 1
- Flexible 1
- Senior 4
- Youth 4
- Families 4
- Couples 4
- Wheelchair accessible 1
- Private 1
Top experiences in Memphis
Tours, tickets and experiences you can book with Destina Holidays, from 14 available.
Graceland Tour
From $85 per adult
Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum & Memphis Music Hall of Fame Combo Ticket
From $17 per adult
Memphis rock 'n' Soul Museum
From $11 per adult
Edge Motor Museum Admission Ticket
From $9 per adult
Memphis Music Hall of Fame
From $6 per adult
From Memphis: Official Elvis Presley Birthplace Tour of Tupelo
From $99 per adult
SmartSIM USA - eSIM All Access Pass
From $10 per adult
NBA Game: Memphis Grizzlies at FedEx Forum - Ticket
From $111 per adult
Mojo Tour: The Best of Memphis - Guided Sightseeing Bus Tour
From $34 per adult
Memphis Discovery Tour with Optional Rock´n´Soul Museum and Cruise
From $39 per adult
Memphis Ghost - Guided Walking Tour
From $26 per adult
Beale Street - Guided Walking Tour
From $20 per adult
Where to stay in Memphis
Popular hotels in Memphis, out of 172 properties you can book.
Comfort Inn Memphis Downtown
From $126 per night
The Peabody Memphis
From $290 per night
River Inn Of Harbor Town
From $381 per night
The Guest House At Graceland
From $272 per night
Hotel Hu
From $107 per night
voco Hotel Napoleon Memphis by IHG
From $133 per night
La Quinta Inn Suites By Wyndham Memphis Downtown
From $121 per night
Hilton Memphis
From $146 per night
Hilton Garden Inn Memphis Downtown Beale Stree
From $146 per night
Holiday Inn Express Memphis Medical Center Midtown
From $116 per night
Hampton Inn & Suites Memphis-Beale Street
From $142 per night
SpringHill Suites Memphis Downtown
From $161 per night
Best time to visit Memphis
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Memphis is October, when average daytime highs are around 76°F and rain falls on about 5 days a month.
Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.
Memphis weather forecast
- Wed 21 Oct 78° 48° 1%
- Thu 22 Oct 82° 61° 0%
- Fri 23 Oct 82° 62° 0%
- Sat 24 Oct 81° 63° 0%
- Sun 25 Oct 78° 62° 0%
- Mon 26 Oct 79° 61° 0%
Know before you go
- Currency
- United States dollar (USD)
- Language
- English
- Calling code
- +1
- Driving
- On the right
- Time zone
- America/ChicagoUTC−5
- Capital
- Washington, D.C.
Upcoming public holidays in United States
- Veterans Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- Christmas Day
- New Year's Day
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
- Presidents DayWashington's Birthday
Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.
Getting to Memphis
These are the airports closest to central Memphis. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.
- MEM Memphis International Airport8 mi (13 km) from the city centre
Getting around Memphis
Memphis is laid out in a more or less east/west fashion. Roads primarily go east/west and north/south. The expressway cuts directly through the city.
Memphis travel FAQ
When is the best time to visit Memphis?
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Memphis is October, when average daytime highs are around 76°F and rain falls on about 5 days a month.
What is the weather like in Memphis?
July is usually the warmest month in Memphis, with average highs of 90°F (32°C). January is the coolest, with average lows of 30°F (-1°C). The wettest month is typically April, with about 203 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Memphis?
Memphis International Airport (MEM) is the closest airport, about 8 miles (13 km) from the centre of Memphis.
What time zone is Memphis in?
Memphis uses the America/Chicago time zone (currently UTC−5). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.
How do I get around Memphis?
Memphis is laid out in a more or less east/west fashion. Roads primarily go east/west and north/south. The expressway cuts directly through the city.
What are the best places to visit in Memphis?
Top sights in Memphis include Graceland, National Civil Rights Museum, Beale Street and Sun Studio. Elvis Presley's mansion, preserved with original furnishings, the Jungle Room and his grave in the Meditation Garden. An adjacent complex displays his cars, costumes and memorabilia.
What are the top things to do in Memphis?
Popular experiences you can book in Memphis include Graceland Tour, Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum & Memphis Music Hall of Fame Combo Ticket and Memphis rock 'n' Soul Museum. Destina Holidays offers 14 tours and activities here.
What kinds of tours and activities can I book in Memphis?
The most popular types of experiences in Memphis are tickets & attraction passes (6), city tours (6), art & culture (4) and shows, sports and special events (1). Filter by type when you search to compare prices and availability for your dates.
Where should I stay in Memphis?
Popular areas for hotels in Memphis include Downtown, Gracelands Area and East Memphis. Well-reviewed options include Comfort Inn Memphis Downtown and The Peabody Memphis.
How many hotels can I book in Memphis?
Destina Holidays currently lists 172 properties in and around Memphis, from budget stays to luxury hotels. Search your dates to see live prices and availability.
