Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Memphis?
Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Memphis?
Many travelers spend two to three days in Memphis during their visit. After all, the laid-back city has plenty to explore such as the live music, the restaurant scene, and the nightlife scene.
Memphis is a music loving city that sits on the Mississippi River. It has its roots in several music genres including the blues, soul, and rock 'n' roll and several notable musicians recorded such as Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley. In addition to its influence over music, the city has a great food scene with classic southern favorites such as barbecue.
Do you have one or two days to visit Memphis? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.
Is one day enough time in Memphis?
Memphis is a great place to visit if you want to avoid the tourist crowds. It has some interesting activities and attractions. So with one day, you'll probably feel rushed to see the main attractions. You really need more time to appreciate everything that the laid-back city has to offer. Many visitors prefer to have two to three days to fully enjoy the city. If you have one day or less, we still have some great ideas for what to do while you're in town.
How to spend a day in Memphis
Don't miss Elvis Presley's Graceland during your trip to Memphis, as it's one of this destination's most well-known attractions. You should make sure to set aside enough time to see it.
Live music is very popular in Memphis, so make sure you spend the evening exploring some of the more popular venues. There are plenty of live music venues in the downtown area that you can explore. Several of the most famous include B.B. King's Blues Club, Handy Park Pavilion, and Blues City Cafe. The city is known for its influential role in several music genres including the blues, soul, and rock 'n' roll. There are also many music related museums and attractions in town like Graceland, the Rock 'n' Soul Museum, the Blues Hall of Fame and Stax Museum of American Soul Music.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Memphis Music Scene: Private Half-Day Walking Tour ($220)
- Memphis Music Hall of Fame Admission Ticket ($8)
Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Memphis?
Since it's a medium-sized city, you'll probably need more than a weekend to take advantage of everything to do in Memphis. Two or three days still gives you a good amount of time to explore, though, as you'll have a chance to experience at least some of the major attractions. In addition to the great live music and fun food, visitors can enjoy the museums and landmarks, big city activities, and local culture by staying for a weekend.
Memphis, Tennesse
How to spend 2 days in Memphis
With a weekend (two to three days) in Memphis, you'll have a bit more time to enjoy everything that the city has to offer.
This city offers some good museums and historic landmarks, so it's worth your time to spend a day exploring a few of them. Pick the ones that appeal to you the most and get started. Many attractions in town are related to the city's history in music. There is the famed Graceland as well as the Rock 'n' Soul Museum, the Blues Hall of Fame and Stax Museum of American Soul Music. The city also has several art museums that are worth checking out.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Woodruff-Fontaine House Museum Admission Ticket in Memphis ($15)
- Memphis Discovery Tour National Civil Rights Museum Admission ($66)
- Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum Admission ($14)
You'll absolutely want to spend some time enjoying the food scene in this city, so make sure you spend time at one of the local restaurants where you can taste the delicious cuisine for a meal or two. The town has grown into a foodie destination with excellent barbecue and ribs. There are many award winning barbecue joints, but you'll also find casual bars that serve nachos, pizza, and other quick bites.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Memphis Brew Bus Tour with Three Local Breweries & Tastings ($65)
- Taste of Downtown Memphis Food Tour ($75)
More Info
If you're looking for more information about Memphis, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
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