24 hours is never enough time to full explore any city, however I always try to make the most of whatever time I have in a destination, whether it be 10 hours in Manchester, 10 hours in Brussels, or 14 hours in Dubai.
My short weekend trip to Memphis, Tennessee in reality was a day and a half, however for the first half-day, I spent the entire time attending a wedding of an old friend of mine, which only left me with one full day to explore the city.
Below is an itinerary of all of the things that I accomplished during my short stay in Memphis as I tried to get to know the city the best that I could within the short time frame I had to work with.
I hope that this guide will be beneficial for you as you plan a trip to Memphis. If you have tips and suggestions, please feel free to share them in the comment section below!
9:30 am – Breakfast at Arcade Restaurant
Breakfast is said to be the most important meal of the day and I definitely wanted to eat my most important meal at one of the best places in Memphis.
After doing some searching on Foursquare, I came across Arcade Restaurant, which has been named one of the top three places to eat breakfast in Memphis.
Founded in 1919, the Arcade Restaurant is the oldest cafe in the city of Memphis. It has gained a lot of fame over the years after being featured on The Food Network and The Travel Channel. Additionally, Arcade Restaurant has been featured in movies such as ‘Great Balls of Fire’ and ‘Walk the Line’. One of the most notable things that makes the restaurant famous is that it was one of Elvis Presley’s favorite places to eat. When visiting, don’t pass up the opportunity to try their Sweet Potato Pancakes (pictured below) or their Eggs Redneck.
One of the most notable things that makes the restaurant famous is that it was one of Elvis Presley’s favorite places to eat. When visiting, don’t pass up the opportunity to try their Sweet Potato Pancakes (pictured below) or their Eggs Redneck.
Sweet Potato Pancakes at Arcade Restaurant, 540 S. Main Street
Looking for more breakfast options in Memphis? Check out this list of The Best Places to Eat Breakfast in Memphis, Tennessee by USA Today.
10:30 am – National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel
National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel, 450 Mulberry Street
The National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel is one of the most historic sights in the city of Memphis.
As the location where Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated on April 4, 1968, the motel now serves as a place where people can learn not only about the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., but also where they can learn the history behind the movement and how thousands of people fought for equality and civil liberties across the United States of America.
The museum covers everything from the history of the Slave Trade when Africans were transported to the New World against their will, to the Civil Rights Era, to the day when Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. lost his life.
Visiting this museum definitely should not be missed during a trip to Memphis!
12:00 pm – Snack Time at Central BBQ
Central BBQ (Downtown),147 E. Butler Ave
There are two cities that are constantly ranking highly on lists that feature the best BBQ cities in the America: Austin, Texas, and Memphis, Tennessee.
While Austin is known for making any kind of meat taste good after slow-cooking it for hours until the meat falls off of the bone, Memphis is known for their tender slow-cooked pork heated over hickory wood.
Beef Brisket at Central BBQ
I was intent on trying the Memphis-style barbecue that the city is famous for, so I headed to a restaurant that is popular with locals: Central BBQ, and I ordered their Beef Brisket Sandwich.
I would later find out after leaving Memphis that the Memphis barbecue that I ate was really served Texas Style, which means that I will have to try to find Memphis style BBQ all over again on my next trip to the city.
Looking for places to get barbecue in Memphis? Check out this list of the 15 Best BBQ Restaurants in Memphis by Thrillist.
12:45 pm – “I Am A Man” Mural
I Am A Man Mural
Located right around the corner from both Central BBQ and the National Civil Rights Museum is the ‘I Am A Man’ mural painted by Afro Urban Indigenous folk artist Marcellous Lovelace.
As a huge lover of street art, I was particularly drawn to this piece which depicts the 1968 Memphis Sanitation Workers Strike, where over 5,000 men marched in the streets of Memphis with signs reading “I Am A Man” as they demanded higher wages, safer working conditions, and recognition of their union.
To read more about the Memphis Sanitation Worker’s Strike, check out this informative piece by the Civil Rights Digital Library.
1:15 pm – Vance Park
The view from Vance Park
After leaving the I Am A Man Mural, hop in your car and head over to Vance Park for beautiful views of the Mississippi River, Downtown Memphis, and the beautiful Hernando de Soto Bridge, which connects Memphis with Arkansas.
2:15 pm – Sun Studio
Sun Studio, 706 Union Ave.
Hop in your car and head over to famous Sun Studio, which is known as being the birthplace of Rock and Roll.
Many well-known blues and rock-and-roll artists have recorded and produced music at this legendary studio including B.B. King, Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, and Jerry Lee.
Since I had limited time in Memphis, I opted to skip the 1.5 hour tour of Sun Studio, however if you are interested in what it is like to tour the studio, check out great article Sun Studio Tour – Why Is It the birthplace of Rock ‘N’ Roll? by A Brit & A Southerner.
3:15 pm – Peabody Hotel
Ducks hanging out in the fountain at the Peabody Hotel, 149 Union Avenue
After leaving Sun Studio, get back into your car, head back into downtown Memphis and over to the Peabody Hotel.
The Peabody Hotel is a luxury hotel located in downtown Memphis. Today, the hotel is most well-known for their Peabody Ducks, which waddle their way through the hotel twice a day (at 11 am and again at 5 pm) during their ‘March of the Ducks’. Between the hours of the ducks marching through the hotel, you can catch them hanging out in the fountain in the center of the hotel’s grand lobby.
If you are like me and you are not interested in spending your day watching ducks marching through the hotel, I still recommend paying a visit to the massive Peabody Hotel, which has a stunning interior. Additionally, you can head up to the roof of the hotel where you can witness sweeping views of the city of Memphis for free.
Interested in learning more about the Peabody Ducks? Check out this article about Duckmaster Donald and the Famous Peabody Ducks in this Forbes Travel Guide.
4:00 pm – Snack at Gus’s World Famous Hot & Spicy Chicken
Gus’s World Famous Hot & Spicy Chicken, 310 S. Front Street
When you visit the South, you must eat southern-style fried chicken (which you might remember reading a little bit about it in my article about Fried Chicken around the World).
I was told that Gus’s World Famous Hot & Spicy Fried Chicken (or simply Gus’s) was the best place in the city to eat fried chicken and so I decided that I had to try it before leaving Memphis.
Over 60 years ago Gus’s opened its first location just outside of the city of Memphis and today the restaurant has a total of 13 locations spread across the South and the Midwest. Gus’s is listed as one of the Top 3 restaurants in Memphis by Trip Advisor, was named one of the top 5 restaurants in the country by GQ Magazine, and was named the best fried chicken spot in America by MSN, so you know that their chicken has to be good.
When I went to Gus’s I ordered the 2 piece dark piece meal and I was not disappointed. The chicken had the perfect blend of crunch, spice, and flavor that chicken is meant to have and it was served with two slices of white bread.
Know Before You Go: The lines at Gus’s are known for being long and reservations are not accepted. If you want to order out, your best bet is to call ahead and pick up your meal.
Looking for more fried chicken options in Memphis? Check out this list of the 11 Best Places for Fried Chicken in Memphis by Thrillist.
4:45 pm – Rock N’ Soul Museum
Rock ‘N’ Soul Museum, 191 Beale St
After getting your fill of fried chicken, head over to the Rock ‘N’ Soul Museum, where you can learn about the history of rock music and soul music, and how the two styles of music joined together to create rock-and-roll.
The museum has a number of artifacts on display from the soul, rock, and rock-and-roll eras, but my favorite thing at the museum was the video that was shown at the beginning of the museum experience which painted a picture of the music whose heart and soul belongs to Memphis.
If you are a music lover, you will definitely be interested in learning about how soul, rock, and rock-and-roll have shaped so much of the culture of Memphis.
6:00 pm – Beale Street & Blues City Cafe
The legendary Beale Street in downtown Memphis
Beale Street has always played a major role in the city of Memphis, Tennessee.
In the 19th century, Beale Street was a major thoroughfare that was home to Jewish, Italian, Greek, and Chinese immigrants. It also became a place where Black American freedman started their lives in the city. During the 1920s, Beale Street turned into an entertainment and business district in addition to holding the title of being the capital of Black Memphis.
Beale Street took a turn for the worst in the 1960s as Black Americans struggled to fight against equality in the South and Beale Street fell into disrepair. Between the 1980s and 1990s, the city turned their eyes back to Beale Street and began to revive it into the lively home of jazz and blues that it is today.
Blues City Cafe, 138 Beale St
One of the most popular places to listen to live music while you put some South in your mouth is the Blues City Cafe.
Founded in 1991, the Blues City Cafe has hosted musical guests such as BB King, Jerry Lee Lewis, R. Kelly, Queen Latifah, Earl the Pearl, and Al Green.
In addition to their music, the Blues City Cafe is also known for having some pretty good food. Their ribs are quite famous, however, I decided to try their tamales and gumbo cheese fries, per recommendations on Foursquare; while the tamales did not hit the spot, I found the gumbo cheese fries to be both filling and delicious.
Late Night Snack: Gibson’s Donuts
Red Velvet Doughnut at Gibson’s Donuts, 760 Mount Moriah Rd (open 24 hours)
Two things that southerners are very good at making are fried chicken and donuts, and I definitely love a good donut!
Prior to traveling to Memphis, I heard that Gibson’s Donuts was known for having some of the best donuts in the city, so I knew that I had to include the donut shop on my list of food places to check out while I was in Memphis.
Keeping Memphis sweet since 1967, Gibson’s has amazing (and ridiculously affordable) donuts that will satisfy your sweet tooth and engrain itself in your memory for years and years to come – in fact, I think that their Red Velvet Doughnut may be the best doughnut I have ever had in my life.
Looking for something sweet to eat in Memphis? Check out Choose 901’s guide to 7 Places to Get Your Donut Fix.
Looking for additional things to do in Memphis? Consider checking out some of these options:
We loved Gus’s Fried Chicken! It was so good. Quite spicy though! There’s a great zoo in Memphis too. One of the best we have visited in the US.
Agreed Bethaney, it was delicious albeit on the spicy side 😀 Next time I get back I will have to add the zoo to my itinerary! 😀
Glad you had a great time! Let us know when you come back and we would love to give more suggestions on where to go & what to see.
Thanks so much Choose 901 – I definitely will let you know when I return 😀
I would love to visit based on the history and the BBQ! You packed so much in in 24 hours! I actually look forward to seeing the Peabody ducks lol. Good to know about the music museums!
I definitely feel like I squeezed in a lot Nadeen, especially when I went back to write about it! 😀
Thanks for stopping by Duffle Bag Spouse… I really enjoyed reading your comments. I went to the Lorraine Motel on a road trip with my family when I was young and can still remember how profound the experience was.
I would love to go on a southern road trip Stacey. Thanks for coming by! 😀
I’ve never been, but would love to. I would absolutely love to visit Sun Studios. So much history. The food looks awesome as well, and the museum would be nice to explore. So glad you had a great time.
Hey Kemkem, the next time I go back I will actually take time out to tour Sun Studios – Memphis is just boiling over with history and culture! 😀
Looks like you had a great time. I have never visited Memphis but it is on my bucket list. Thanks for the recommendations.
You’re welcome Ty and I did have a good time even though it was far too short! 😀
I love it! I need the chicken but I don’t know if I can do all the meat in one day lol I need a doggy bag.
Haha yeah I felt like I was constantly eating. I actually finished my chicken before my flight the following day!
All of this looks like places I’d like to see and food I’d like to eat. Memphis looks pretty dope!
It certainly is Jonna and I definitely need to get back 😀
Super good recap! I am loving all the food..I know Memphis is known for its BBQ and I want that donut!
Thanks Kiwi and the donut was so amazing – definitely the best I have ever had 😀
Awesome. You were able to fit in some great sites. Memphis is one place that I’d love to visit some day.
While looking back I am amazed at how much I squeezed in!
That chicken has me drooling over here. lol Looks like a great time.
Girl….. it was AMAZING. Cannot wait to get back and try some more, I have never had anything like it!
Great good choices.
I visited Memphis 3 or 4 times when I lived in nearby Mississippi. We loved Beale Street. I’ll have to check out those museums next time.
What were some of your favorite things to do in Memphis Joyce?
I have never been to Memphis before. You covered a lot of ground in one day.
Haha I certainly did Arlett! 😀
I’ve never been to Memphis but I sure as heck want to go now! lol I’ll keep this in mind. Thank you!
You’re welcome – have a great trip when you do make it down! 😀
Chanel, I thought the Stax Museum was more memorable than the Rock & Soul. Interesting how you skipped Graceland (I’m not complaining about that).
Hello BC 🙂 I definitely wanted to go to the Stax Museum as well, but unfortunately it could not be done within the 24 hour time period, especially since they closed so early – but definitely next time! Graceland was not of particular interest to me and I thought it was slightly overpriced, also many of the locals I spoke to told me it didn’t need to be squeezed into the trip 😀
As a music fan, I needed 3 days to really explore Memphis. I visited the sites on your itinerary, but Graceland & STAX took up a whole day since they are further out of the city. I remember going on a bubble tea search as well and buying an Otis Redding poster on Beale Street.
The next time I go back to Memphis, I definitely need to spend at least a couple of days there ! 😀
Very interesting 24h in Memphis.