When I was a child, our family traveled to Memphis, TN every summer to visit my grandparents. It was the one trip I looked forward to every year - I loved the city so much. Needless to say, when I got the opportunity to take a job in Memphis after undergrad, I jumped at it!
My list of favorite Memphis spots has grown immensely over the years. After a long process of elimination, I was able to narrow them down to just a few. If you and your family decide to head to the Bluff City for a weekend getaway, you have to visit at least one of these places.
Memphis is known worldwide for its barbeque and the Blues. The best place to catch both is our iconic Beale Street. Find a parking spot on one of the surrounding streets of downtown and take a quick hike to our city’s signature entertainment district. Grab some of the best barbeque in town and a plate of gumbo cheese fries (NBA great Chris Webber tweeted about these fries!) from the Blue City Café located at the top of Beale. Finish eating and venture out on to the street to be immersed in the culture of our city. Sit and watch live music in one of the allies, outdoor stage at Handy Park or in B.B. King’s Blues Club restaurant. If it’s not too crowded, you may catch sight of The Beale Street Flippers who are known for their acrobatic prowess. Walk down just a little further and catch the NBA’s Memphis Grizzlies at the FedEx Forum. Don’t forget to grab souvenirs!
Venture off Beale Street and tag these spots if you’re craving something sweet: Jerry’s Sno Cone, Sweet Noshings, Mempops. If you’re looking for a savory bite, check out Automatic Slims or Sage Memphis. Have I mentioned that food is a center point of the city! If you are in town on Saturday between April and October, bring your shopping bag and stop in at the downtown Memphis Farmers Market.
Our city is filled with places to take the family. If you enjoy music check out Elvis Presley’s Graceland, the Stax Museum of American Soul Music or the legendary Sun Studio. Should you prefer a laid-back stroll outside, consider heading to the Memphis Zoo where they house 3,500 animals representing over 500 different species. (Whether you have a full day or only a couple of hours it’s easy to plan thanks to their online map that offers suggestions based on your schedule.)
We love to take our visiting friends and family to The National Civil Rights Museum. Memphis was pivotal in catapulting the nation into the Civil Rights Movement. The museum is located at the former Lorraine Motel, where civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated. During your visit, you will walk-through history with the use of interactive exhibits. This experience will likely change how you may have always viewed civil rights and black history.
Now, here are some or our best kept secrets:
- Crystal Shrine Grotto – This man-made crystal cave, aka the Christian amusement park, located in the center of Memorial Park Cemetery is mesmerizing. It’s rumored to be the only man-made crystal cave in the world. Sounds just a little creepy, but it’s worth it!
- Malco Summer Drive-In – Yes, there still are drive-in movies! Take the whole family, load up on snacks and bring chairs to sit on the back of the truck or just stay tucked inside the car. Our Memphis drive-in is the largest drive-in in Tennessee
- The Hidden Beach at Shelby Farms Park – Most known by Memphis trail runners, the beach was outed during the pandemic and quickly became a daytime hangout for families, book-lovers and anyone out to get a little sun.
Let me know when you are coming, I’d love to show you my city!