Must Do Must See Memphis
The must dos and must sees for Memphis include numerous historic locations with intriguing anecdotes. The best part is that you are still able to enjoy these places today. How awesome that they have preserved and memorialized so much of the past to enhance their present and future. Memphis is thriving, welcoming and a blast to visit!
ARRIVE Hotel Memphis
This city is so diverse and rich with history. We even stayed in a hotel that was exactly that. ARRIVE Memphis had my heart as soon as we walked in the hotel. The ambience of the lobby drew us in with multiple seating areas hosting guests chatting, enjoying drinks And listening to the music. The rich hues, mismatched chairs, solid oversized furniture and dramatic lighting fixtures adorn this old warehouse building. Bar Hustle rounds out the lobby creating another social area, and of course cocktails.
After checking in, we go upstairs, and immediately I realize the room is beyond the typical. With a loft/industrial, but comfy vibe, it was full of personality. I was impressed not only with the finishes, but the clever design. The huge sliding closet door was actually the mirrored bathroom wall and backsplash to the sink. It will make more sense in this room tour video below.
Since we are traveling with our 16 year old Jack Russell, we decide to take him outside for a walk and to explore the area. We are on the quieter end of Main Street in a well lit area. The trolley line has a stop in front of our hotel. There is a fire station across the street as well as Lorraine Motel.
Lorraine Motel
Lorraine Motel is where Martin Luther King, Jr was asasinated. The motel is now part of the National Civil Rights Museum. The history of the motel and the civil rights movement bringing him to Memphis is fascinating.
ARRIVE Memphis Breakfast
The next morning, down in the lobby, it seemed part of the front desk had transformed overnite into a pastry and coffee pop-up shop.
These were actually resident bakery & cafe, Hustle & Dough and resident coffee shop, Vice & Virtue. They are permanent daily food sources for ARRIVE and had wonderful scones, breakfast sandwiches, coffee, etc available. I had a cheddar, apple and rosemary scone and hot chocolate with oat milk. Both delicious.
Music Rich Memphis
Memphis is rich with music history, is such an understatement. There is an enormous amount of blues, jazz, soul, rock and roll talent and music born here, but it’s also preserved here. When you visit Memphis, you will want to take in Beale Street and beyond.
Beale Street Memphis
In just a couple of blocks of Beale Street, you will experience an incredible amount of Blues past and present. Restaurants and clubs line the streets in tribute to the artists birthing the Home of the Blues. The sidewalks are stamped with music notes honoring these early musicians for an apt walk of fame.
Beyond Beale
All over Memphis you will have opportunities to visit iconic music related locations of the past and discover newer ones. This is definitely still a strong and vibrant music community.
Graceland
Rock and Roll has made a major and lasting mark on Memphis. The king of rock and roll, Elvis Pressley, made his home here at Graceland. The mansion, on Elvis Presley Blvd, is open for tours. You can also see his private planes and a museum of his auto collection.
Sun Studios
Historic sound studio owned and operated by Sam Phillips. The studio was first used by blues legends including B B King. Later came country and Rock N Roll artists Elvis, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Roy Orbison.
Stax Museum
Stax Museum of American Soul Music is found at the former location of Stax Records in Memphis. The Soulsville Foundation, which also operates the Star Music Academy and the Soulsville Charter School here, has kept this important era in soul music alive. The museum includes a replica of the Stax Recording Studio where Carla Thomas, Otis Redding, Isaac Hayes and so many more recorded. It contains memorabilia from the Stax Recording Studio like musical instruments, costumes, and interactive exhibits. The museum also houses a reconstructed Mississippi Delta church, which shows the gospel roots of soul music.
I AM A MAN
During the civil rights movement, two Memphis city sanitation workers were killed due to a malfunction on a city truck. This incident triggered a strike by the workers who had already been advocating for higher wages, recognition of their union and better equipment. The workers wearing sandwich signs, reading I AM A MAN, marched daily from Clayborn Temple. Martin Luther King, Jr came to Memphis in support of the Sanitation Workers Strike as part of the civil rights movement that was such a passionate cause to him. On his 3rd visit, and the night following his famed Mountaintop Speech delivered to the strikers and their supporters, he was shot and killed at the Lorraine Motel. The I AM A MAN Plaza at the Clayborn Temple site is an incredible memorial to this important part of civil rights history.
More Must Dos Must Sees
We immensely enjoyed our time in Memphis and can’t wait to go back and explore more. One day I would like to stay at The Peabody Hotel. Also, the huge Bass Pro Shop Pyramid looks intriguing. I’m sure there are plenty of other things we haven’t touched on, but hopefully this inspires you to visit and let’s you know what to expect. If you have other must dos and must sees for Memphis, please share in the comments.
About Us
We are Bud and Debbie Lilly, two travel lovers from Texas. Spending an enormous amount of time researching each location to find the best places to eat, sites to see and things to do is actually something I love to do. Not for everyone, I know. But, we are blogging our experiences to let you know what you can expect in each location and so you don’t have to redo the research. Let us know if you go on any of the same trips and if you find places that impress you. We would love to hear from you!
We feel so enriched by the people we meet and the places we see. Thank you for supporting our blog!
Awesome post guys! Seems like a nice place to visit!!
Yes so fun and interesting!
I’ve always wanted to visit Memphis to see Graceland, and looks like there’s a lot of other things to do there!
Yes, Natalie, so much to do! Hope you get to go soon!
I enjoyed reading your post. We had just one day in Memphis and chose to go to Graceland. Definitely plan to go back and see some of your suggestions. Thank you!
Great Suzannah! It’s a great place to go back to. There is just so much to explore there!
Went to Memphis 2 years ago and loved it. Missed the ducks at the Peabody so I have a good excuse to go back!
Yes, I’ve yet to see those ducks too!! Gotta go back!
Wow, Memphis looks awesome! It is on my bucket list and this article really helps with planning places to go and see. The hotel looks awesome, what a fabulous trip! I can’t wait to go there!
Glad you picked up some ideas! Enjoy Memphis!
I’ve only driven through Memphis. I really need to plan a destination trip to this fascinating city!
It is a fascinating city!!
One place I’d like to visit is Graceland .Been to Memphis but missed going there.
There’s so much to do for just one trip!
Man this looks like such a fun place to visit! I need to add it to my list of vacation spots in the future!
Yes, highly recommend!
Memphis has always been on my list! Thanks for the ideas!
Happy to share!
So fun! I want to go to Graceland so bad!
Hope you get to go soon, Ashley!
We did a day trip to Memphis a couple of years ago. We did Graceland as well as Beale Street. Both were awesome! My oldest loved it!
How fun Marianne!
Look like Memphis is a nice place to visit. I love your pictures.
Yes! Thanks Cecile!
So much to do!! What a great property you stayed at!
Really enjoyed our time there!
I’ve traveled through Memphis but haven’t had the opportunity to stop and explore. Would definitely love to do that someday!
It’s a great place to explore!
I’m adding Memphis to my list of places to visit.
Glad you were inspired, Cindy!
How cool! I’ve been to a BB Kings in FL, but this one is the real deal! Very cool!
You’ll have to go one day, Barbara!
That boutique hotel is right up my alley. Very cool!
Right?! We loved it!
I loved visiting Graceland. Learning all about Elvis was such a highlight!
I remember you had an awesome experience, Lisa!
Loved visiting Memphis! Can’t wait to go back – already saw Elvis’s house and Sun City – so will have to try a few other things on your list!
There’s just so much to see and do in Memphis!
I really want to go to Memphis and Graceland is a must-see for me for sure!
Hope you get to go soon, Chelsea!
Went to Memphis last year and saw just about everything you did. Especially loved Graceland and the Drake Hotel. Sorry to have missed the Peabody Ducks.
I would like to see those Ducks too! haha
I would love to go to Memphis! So much awesome music history.
Yes, and they still have such a music presence.
Looks like you had a fun trip.
We did!
Looks like Memphis is a hot spot and a must to visit. I want to go to Graceland!
Definitely a cool city,Jill!
I love Memphis! The people and things to do are always fun! The only thing here I have not done in a long time is Graceland…
I bet you have lots of great memories, Holly! Such a fun place.
I rarely travel in the South, but I will consider your recommendations if I find myself in Memphis.
Thanks Suz!
Memphis looks like a great time! So many places to see
Yes, we had a great time exploring the city!
I would love to visit Memphis! Looks like there is a lot to do there!
So much to do!!