Things To Do
National Civil Rights Museum
The museum is heavy and can take hours to navigate, but it's worth every second. It is housed at the Lorraine Motel, which is the site of the assassination of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. If you been before, be sure to go again--the museum has recently been remodeled and redesigned.
Sun Studio
This is a must-do while you're in Memphis! Legends such as BB King, Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Johnny Cash all recorded here. The history is incredible.
Huey's Downtown
Get the cheese fries. You won't regret it.
Graceland
Graceland is the home of Elvis Presley! You can drive by, see it from the street, and even pull into the little drive to sign your name on the wall. The tour isn't worth the money, though. If you're interested in knowing what the inside looks like, Ashley highly recommends the Hallmark classic "Christmas at Graceland." (The sequel is good, but includes fewer views of Graceland's interior.)
Charlie Vergos' Rendezvous Alley
Rendezvous is famous for their dry-rub "Memphis-style" ribs. They also serve the original BBQ nachos, which would be Ashley's recommendation!
Central BBQ - Downtown
Though it's newer to the Memphis BBQ scene (it opened in 2002), Central has quickly become a favorite for the locals. It's right next to the Civil Rights Museum, so you might consider pairing these two together!
Tops Bar-B-Q
Would it be a wedding in Memphis if we didn't suggest at least 3 BBQ joints for you to try? Tops is Papa Croft's "top" choice for BBQ!
Harbor Town
Harbor Town is a quaint development on Memphis' Mud Island that gives you an up close and personal taste of the Mississippi River. You can head over there to walk along the river and then pop into one of the cute bars for a drink or some delicious pizza!
Big River Crossing
We've never been, but we'll definitely be going soon! Here's what the website has to say: Together with its neighboring park and Big River Trail System, these projects create a new experience with the river that fosters a deeper appreciation of its significance and grandeur. Opened October 22, 2016, Big River Crossing is the longest public pedestrian/bike bridge across the Mississippi River, providing dramatic views of its ever-changing landscape. By connecting Main Streets in Memphis and West Memphis, the BRX ties together urban, rural, and natural areas and gives users recreation options unique to each setting. The nightly Mighty Lights LED display accentuates this iconic structure and is one of the largest light implementations in the country with the addition of the Hernando de Soto Bridge.
The Peabody Memphis
Go see the ducks! The ducks will march to the fountain at 11am and back to their palatial rooftop estate at 5pm daily. You'll want to get there about 30+ minutes before the march so you don't miss out on the action. At some point, we also recommend taking the elevator to the roof to see the duck estate and take in some of the best views in Memphis.
Beale Street
Beale Street is a great place to visit anytime--no need to wait for the afterparty! We recommend Jerry Lee Lewis, Rum Boogie, or Blues City Cafe. But you really can't go wrong!
Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid
For a real spectacle, check out Redneck Paradise at the Bass Pro Shop. Ashley spent a lot of time in the Pyramid as a child cheering on the Memphis Tigers basketball team and even attended her first concert (Kenny Chesney!) here. Now, it houses a hotel, some lakes, and more things we can't think of right now.