Graceland’s Elvis Presley home (purchased 1957, $102,000) preserved exactly as on death day 1977 with wonderful ’70s splendor, ranking among America’s most visited homes where visitors experience intimate looks at the man behind the icon through mansion, private gardens, aircraft tours creating unforgettable encounters. Sun Studio’s legendary “birthplace of rock ‘n’ roll” small building with huge impact where visitors hold Elvis’ mic touring the studio space where “That’s Alright” was recorded, creating moving experiences for music fans in this history-making recording location. Beale Street’s historic blues district where Mississippi Delta’s soulful music first reached urban audiences, now Memphis’s busiest entertainment district with live blues performances preserving the street where blues found its voice. Music heritage epicenter mentioned in 1,000+ song lyrics and titles (more than any city worldwide), while barbecue capital reputation spans 100+ dedicated restaurants, two annual cooking contests, unique specialties from charcoal-smoked ribs to pulled pork nachos. Mississippi River’s world’s longest pedestrian bridge, Bass Pro Shops pyramid (world’s ninth largest) featuring indoor swamp, underwater bowling, glass-bottom observation deck, plus National Civil Rights Museum and seven U.S. Civil Rights Trail stops. Stax Museum’s Isaac Hayes gold-plated Cadillac completing 60+ attractions where birthplace of rock ‘n’ roll meets home of blues across this culturally-rich Tennessee music capital.
The destination guide
Memphis
City in United States, North AmericaUpdated
- Overall6/10
- Best forBudget travelers, Couples
- PeakApr, May, Jun, Oct
- CurrencyUSD
Memphis gave us Elvis, blues on Beale Street, and dry-rubbed BBQ that doesn’t need sauce — a Tennessee city where every block sounds like a different era of American music.
Travel guides for Memphis
Things to do (1)
More guides featuring Memphis (4)
At a glance
- English
- Mississippi River
- Bluff city
- Cotton fields
- Blues heritage
- Music history
- Civil Rights movement
- Southern cuisine
- Elvis Presley
How Memphis scores
Character
Editorial scores on a 10-point scale, weighed against destinations of the same kind.
Travel safety snapshot
SafePlace indicators use their source 100-point scale; higher is more favourable. Planning context, not a live travel advisory — check official government guidance before you go.
When to go
Best months to visit: April, May, September, October and November.
- January: 0.9 to 9.6 degrees Celsius, 123.3 millimetres of rain, best-time score 2 out of 5.
- February: 3.2 to 13.1 degrees Celsius, 162.1 millimetres of rain, best-time score 2 out of 5.
- March: 7.6 to 17.8 degrees Celsius, 160.7 millimetres of rain, best-time score 3 out of 5.
- April: 11.2 to 21.5 degrees Celsius, 152.5 millimetres of rain, best-time score 5 out of 5.
- May: 16.7 to 26.6 degrees Celsius, 118.2 millimetres of rain, best-time score 5 out of 5.
- June: 21.1 to 30.9 degrees Celsius, 101.9 millimetres of rain, best-time score 3 out of 5.
- July: 23.6 to 32.5 degrees Celsius, 99.1 millimetres of rain, best-time score 2 out of 5.
- August: 22.6 to 31.2 degrees Celsius, 94.8 millimetres of rain, best-time score 2 out of 5.
- September: 19.7 to 29.4 degrees Celsius, 74.3 millimetres of rain, best-time score 4 out of 5.
- October: 13.6 to 23.7 degrees Celsius, 89.2 millimetres of rain, best-time score 5 out of 5.
- November: 6.9 to 16.5 degrees Celsius, 96.5 millimetres of rain, best-time score 4 out of 5.
- December: 3.5 to 12.2 degrees Celsius, 134 millimetres of rain, best-time score 2 out of 5.
Month-by-month conditions and packing advice
- January
- Cold, some rain January in Memphis: cool and quiet with chilly days, fewest crowds but gray and cold for outdoor time. Crowds: January in Memphis is workable with normal seasonal planning; build in layers, weather checks, and a mix of indoor and outdoor activities. Pack: Pack warm layers, a coat, and comfortable shoes for cold mornings and evenings. Add a rain jacket or compact umbrella.
- February
- Cool to mild, rainy February in Memphis: cold and low-season, with mild days but little outdoor appeal. Crowds: February in Memphis is one of the wetter periods, so museums, food stops, flexible reservations, and backup indoor plans make the trip easier. Pack: Pack layered clothing and comfortable walking shoes. Add a rain jacket or compact umbrella.
- March
- Cool to mild, rainy March in Memphis: spring begins with warming days, though it's the start of the rainy season. Crowds: March in Memphis is one of the wetter periods, so museums, food stops, flexible reservations, and backup indoor plans make the trip easier. Pack: Pack layered clothing and comfortable walking shoes. Add a rain jacket or compact umbrella.
- April
- Mild to warm, rainy April in Memphis: ideal spring weather in the mid-70s with low crowds, though pack rain gear. Crowds: April in Memphis is one of the wetter periods, so museums, food stops, flexible reservations, and backup indoor plans make the trip easier. Pack: Pack layered clothing and comfortable walking shoes. Add a rain jacket or compact umbrella.
- May
- Mild to warm, some rain May in Memphis: warm, pleasant, and lively before summer heat arrives, a top time to visit. Crowds: May in Memphis is workable with normal seasonal planning; build in layers, weather checks, and a mix of indoor and outdoor activities. Pack: Pack light clothing, sun protection, and comfortable walking shoes. Add a rain jacket or compact umbrella.
- June
- Warm to hot, some rain June in Memphis: peak season with hot, humid days climbing into the 90s and bigger crowds. Crowds: June in Memphis is workable with normal seasonal planning; build in layers, weather checks, and a mix of indoor and outdoor activities. Pack: Pack light clothing, sun protection, and comfortable walking shoes. Add a rain jacket or compact umbrella.
- July
- Warm to hot, some rain July in Memphis: hot and humid with intense heat and afternoon thunderstorms making outdoor time uncomfortable. Crowds: July in Memphis is workable with normal seasonal planning; build in layers, weather checks, and a mix of indoor and outdoor activities. Pack: Pack light clothing, sun protection, and comfortable walking shoes. Add a rain jacket or compact umbrella.
- August
- Warm to hot, some rain August in Memphis: sweltering and humid, the least comfortable month despite Elvis Week events. Crowds: August in Memphis is workable with normal seasonal planning; build in layers, weather checks, and a mix of indoor and outdoor activities. Pack: Pack light clothing, sun protection, and comfortable walking shoes. Add a rain jacket or compact umbrella.
- September
- Warm to hot, some rain September in Memphis: heat eases mid-month into pleasant early-fall conditions with thinning crowds. Crowds: September in Memphis is workable with normal seasonal planning; build in layers, weather checks, and a mix of indoor and outdoor activities. Pack: Pack light clothing, sun protection, and comfortable walking shoes. Add a rain jacket or compact umbrella.
- October
- Mild to warm, some rain October in Memphis: ideal fall weather with comfortable highs, good value, and lower hotel rates. Crowds: October in Memphis is workable with normal seasonal planning; build in layers, weather checks, and a mix of indoor and outdoor activities. Pack: Pack layered clothing and comfortable walking shoes. Add a rain jacket or compact umbrella.
- November
- Cool to mild, some rain November in Memphis: crisp, mild, and quiet with some of the lowest prices of the year. Crowds: November in Memphis is workable with normal seasonal planning; build in layers, weather checks, and a mix of indoor and outdoor activities. Pack: Pack layered clothing and comfortable walking shoes. Add a rain jacket or compact umbrella.
- December
- Cool to mild, rainy December in Memphis: cool and low-season, walkable but chilly outside the holiday buzz. Crowds: December in Memphis is one of the wetter periods, so museums, food stops, flexible reservations, and backup indoor plans make the trip easier. Pack: Pack layered clothing and comfortable walking shoes. Add a rain jacket or compact umbrella.
- May
- June
- April
- October
- January
- February
- November
- December
- March
Know before you go
Best time to visit
The best time to visit Memphis is during the spring (March to May) and fall (September to November) when temperatures are mild and comfortable. Summer can be hot and humid, but it is also when the city hosts many outdoor festivals and events. Winter is cooler, offering a quieter atmosphere for exploring the city’s attractions.
Getting there and around
Getting there
Memphis International Airport (MEM) serves as the primary gateway, located 10 miles southeast of downtown with a recent $245M upgrade of Concourse B. Airport transportation includes taxis ($30 to downtown), rideshare services ($20+), hotel shuttles, and public transit via MATA bus lines 39 and 28. The city is also accessible by Amtrak service to the South Main Arts District station, Interstate highways I-40, I-240, and I-55, and Greyhound bus service to downtown terminal.
Getting around
Getting around Memphis is relatively straightforward, though it helps to plan ahead depending on your itinerary. The Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA) offers a network of buses and the nostalgic Downtown Trolley, which is ideal for exploring Beale Street, the Riverfront, and Main Street on a budget. While walkability is decent in concentrated areas like Downtown and Midtown, other neighborhoods are more spread out and best accessed by car, taxi, or rideshare—Uber and Lyft are widely available and often more reliable than waiting on MATA’s limited schedules. If you’re relying on public transit, consider purchasing a day pass for unlimited rides, and always check the real-time MATA Tracker app since service can be inconsistent outside the city core.
Where to stay
The Peabody Memphis
79 Madison Ave, Memphis, TN 38103
Iconic luxury hotel on the Mississippi bluff with stately rooms, the Chez Philippe fine-dining restaurant, a spa, and a duck-march tradition dating to the 1930s.
Hotel Napoleon
149 Union Ave, Memphis, TN 38103
Boutique hotel in a restored 1902 bank building on historic Beale Street with 62 artfully designed rooms, a lobby lounge, and rooftop bar.
Hu. Hotel
250 N Main St, Memphis, TN 38103
Stylishly renovated hotel in the South Main Arts District with a curated art programme, a farm-to-table restaurant, and walkable access to the National Civil Rights Museum.
Editor-curated stays carried over from our original guide. Where we have reviewed the hotel, the card links to the review.
Tips from the field
Highlights
- Graceland
- National Civil Rights Museum
- Beale Street
- Memphis Zoo
- Shelby Farms Park
Best activities
- Tour Graceland, Elvis Presley's mansion
- Visit the National Civil Rights Museum
- Explore the Stax Museum of American Soul Music
- Stroll through the Memphis Botanic Garden
Practical tips
- Use the Memphis Trolley for downtown transportation
- Purchase a Memphis Music Attraction Discount Pass for savings
- Visit museums on weekdays to avoid crowds
Keeping it authentic
- Visit Beale Street for authentic blues music
- Explore the National Civil Rights Museum for genuine historical insights
Culture, customs and safety
Cultural heritage
Memphis serves as the cultural birthplace of blues music and American popular music innovation, where Mississippi Delta blues traditions, African American cultural expression, and recording industry development created one of America most musically significant cities. The city preserves the legacy of Sun Records, Stax Records, and Graceland while maintaining its role as center of American musical heritage and civil rights history. Memphis cultural heritage encompasses blues musical traditions, African American cultural contributions, American popular music innovation, and civil rights movement history that continues to influence global popular music and American cultural identity.
Local customs & etiquette
Memphis embodies deep Southern hospitality with strong musical traditions and barbecue culture. Locals take pride in their blues and soul music heritage, with live music venues integral to social life. The famous barbecue culture includes dry-rubbed ribs and pulled pork, best experienced at local joints like Central BBQ and Rendezvous. Sunday church traditions remain important, and visitors should dress respectfully when visiting civil rights sites. Tipping is standard (18-20%) and locals appreciate genuine interest in the city’s musical history. The pace is relaxed, and conversations about music, food, and local history are welcomed.
