Ultimate 3-Day Memphis Itinerary: Best Things to Do & See

Start your Memphis adventure at the iconic Beale Street, the heart of Memphis’ blues scene, where you can stroll among historic clubs, vibrant murals, and early-morning music echoes.

Beale Street

Fuel up with a classic Southern breakfast at The Arcade Restaurant, Memphis’s oldest café, serving up sweet potato pancakes and diner nostalgia since 1919.

The Arcade Restaurant

Explore the powerful exhibits at the National Civil Rights Museum, built around the Lorraine Motel, where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated—a must for understanding Memphis’s role in American history.

National Civil Rights Museum

Stroll over to South Main Arts District to browse vibrant murals, indie boutiques, and local galleries in this revitalized historic neighborhood.

South Main Arts District

Experience legendary Memphis barbecue at Central BBQ, known for its slow-smoked ribs, pulled pork, and tangy sauces beloved by locals.

Central BBQ

Catch live music at the storied Rum Boogie Café on Beale Street, where blues, rock, and soul fill the night air.

Rum Boogie Café

Begin your day at Graceland, Elvis Presley’s lavish mansion and the ultimate pilgrimage for music fans, featuring the King’s home, car museum, and dazzling memorabilia.

Graceland

Head to Sun Studio, the legendary “Birthplace of Rock ‘n’ Roll” where Elvis, Johnny Cash, and B.B. King recorded—take the guided tour for fascinating stories and photo ops with vintage microphones.

Sun Studio

Grab a creative, locally sourced lunch at The Liquor Store, a trendy retro diner on Broad Avenue known for its Cuban-inspired brunch, cocktails, and vibrant midcentury décor.

The Liquor Store

Take a sunset stroll through Overton Park, home to ancient trees, the Memphis College of Art, and sculptures dotting the lush greenspace.

Overton Park

Dine at The Beauty Shop, a quirky restaurant in a converted 1950s beauty parlor, serving globally inspired dishes beneath vintage hair dryers—once frequented by Priscilla Presley herself.

The Beauty Shop

Begin with coffee and a pastry at Bluff City Coffee, a cozy neighborhood spot in the South Main area, perfect for people-watching and planning your day.

Bluff City Coffee

Take in the river breeze at Tom Lee Park, a scenic stretch along the Mississippi River, ideal for peaceful walks, cycling, and stunning skyline views.

Tom Lee Park

Delve into soul music’s roots at the Stax Museum of American Soul Music, housed in the original Stax Records, with interactive exhibits, Isaac Hayes’ gold-plated Cadillac, and a recreated 1906 Mississippi Delta church.

Stax Museum of American Soul Music

Lunch at Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken is a Memphis rite of passage—taste their perfectly crispy, spicy fried chicken in a low-key local haunt.

Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken

Unwind with a craft cocktail at the stylish Bar DKDC in Cooper-Young, an eclectic spot known for world flavors, live music, and a funky, intimate vibe.

Bar DKDC

Cap off your Memphis journey with a sunset view from Big River Crossing, the longest pedestrian bridge over the Mississippi, offering city lights and river vistas.

Big River Crossing