11 Epic Things to Do in Memphis If You’ve Only Got 48 Hours
Memphis, Tennessee is a city bursting with music, history, and mouthwatering barbecue. When you’ve only got 48 hours to experience this soulful southern gem, you’ll need to plan carefully to hit the highlights. From Elvis Presley’s legendary home to world-class museums and vibrant entertainment districts, Memphis packs a powerful punch for weekend visitors.
1. Explore Beale Street
The neon lights of Beale Street beckon music lovers from around the world. This historic three-block entertainment district pulses with energy as blues, jazz, and soul pour from doorways of legendary venues like B.B. King’s Blues Club. Street performers add to the carnival atmosphere, while the scent of southern cooking fills the air.
Grab a drink in a plastic cup (yes, it’s legal here!) and stroll between clubs to soak up Memphis’s musical heartbeat.
2. Visit Graceland
Step into the fascinating world of rock royalty at Elvis Presley’s beloved mansion. Graceland offers an intimate glimpse into the King’s personal life with its preserved 1970s decor, including the infamous jungle room and meditation garden where Elvis rests.
Audio tours narrated by John Stamos guide you through rooms filled with gold records, jumpsuits, and personal treasures. The recently expanded complex houses his impressive car collection and private jets named after his daughter, Lisa Marie.
3. Walk the National Civil Rights Museum
Standing on hallowed ground at the Lorraine Motel where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated, this museum delivers a powerful emotional experience. Interactive exhibits trace the full arc of America’s civil rights struggle from slavery through modern times. Room 306, preserved exactly as it was on April 4, 1968, creates a poignant moment of reflection.
The museum masterfully balances historical tragedy with inspirational stories of courage, making it one of America’s most important cultural institutions.
4. Stroll Over to Sun Studio
Musical magic happened in this unassuming building where rock ‘n’ roll was born. The humble studio where Elvis recorded his first song still contains original equipment and feels frozen in time. Enthusiastic guides share stories about the “Million Dollar Quartet” jam session with Elvis, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Carl Perkins.
You’ll get goosebumps standing on the exact spot where musical history was made, marked by an X on the floor where Elvis once stood.
5. Catch a Sunset at Tom Lee Park
Locals know that Tom Lee Park offers Memphis’s most spectacular riverside views. This long, narrow green space hugs the Mississippi River and provides perfect vantage points for watching massive barges navigate the muddy waters. As the sun sinks behind the Arkansas shoreline, the sky transforms into a canvas of oranges and purples.
The Hernando de Soto Bridge lights up after dark, creating a magical backdrop for evening strolls along the riverfront promenade.
6. Feast on Memphis BBQ
Memphis-style barbecue isn’t just food—it’s a religious experience. The city’s signature slow-smoked pork ribs, dry-rubbed with secret spice blends or slathered in tangy sauce, have earned worldwide fame. Central BBQ’s fall-off-the-bone tender ribs attract lines of hungry pilgrims. Meanwhile, Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken offers the perfect crispy, spicy counterpoint to barbecue overload.
True enthusiasts should try the pulled pork sandwich at Corky’s, topped with creamy coleslaw in true Memphis fashion.
7. Check Out the Stax Museum of American Soul Music
Built on the original site of Stax Records, this museum celebrates the raw, gritty sound that defined Memphis soul. The recreated Studio A transports visitors back to where Otis Redding, Isaac Hayes, and the Staple Singers recorded their hits. Isaac Hayes’s gold-plated Cadillac rotates on display, symbolizing soul music’s flashy success.
Dance-ready exhibits let you groove to classic tracks while learning about the racial harmony that made Stax special during segregation—white and Black musicians creating timeless music together despite societal divisions.
8. Roam Over to Shelby Farms Park
Escape the urban bustle at this massive 4,500-acre green oasis, one of America’s largest urban parks. Adventure-seekers can rent kayaks to paddle across the 80-acre Hyde Lake or zip through the treetops on the Go Ape ropes course. The park’s bison herd grazes peacefully, providing unexpected wildlife viewing just minutes from downtown. Miles of paved trails accommodate cyclists, joggers, and casual walkers.
When summer heat intensifies, cool off at the splash pad before grabbing a bite at the lakeside Kitchen restaurant.
9. Discover the Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid
What happens when an iconic sports arena transforms into the world’s most extraordinary outdoor retail store? Pure spectacle! The gleaming Memphis Pyramid now houses an immersive Bass Pro Shops experience unlike any other. A 28-story freestanding glass elevator whisks visitors to the observation deck for breathtaking 360° views.
Inside, cypress swamps with live alligators, massive aquariums, and a luxury wilderness hotel create an indoor wonderland. Even shopping skeptics find themselves mesmerized by the sheer audacity of this architectural reinvention.
10. Experience the Memphis Zoo
One of only four U.S. zoos housing giant pandas, the Memphis Zoo combines world-class animal exhibits with beautiful landscaping. The rare pandas Ya Ya and Le Le steal the spotlight, lounging and munching bamboo in their specially designed habitat. The realistic Cat Country area lets you observe lions, tigers and jaguars up close.
When temperatures climb, the sea lion show provides splashy entertainment. Families particularly appreciate the well-designed Children’s Zoo where little ones can feed friendly farm animals.
11. Explore Overton Park
This verdant 342-acre refuge in midtown Memphis offers cultural attractions alongside natural beauty. The Memphis Brooks Museum houses impressive collections spanning ancient Egyptian artifacts to contemporary Southern art. Old-growth forest trails provide shady respite on hot days, with some trees predating the city itself.
The Levitt Shell amphitheater, where Elvis performed his first paid concert, now hosts free outdoor music series. Families gravitate toward Rainbow Lake Playground, while art lovers browse galleries at the Memphis College of Art.
