memphis in a weekend

memphis tennessee is known for its bbq, blues, and beale street.

i traveled to memphis in the summer of 2018 and spent a week there for work. i didn’t get to explore as much as i would have liked, but here are the highlights and how i would spend a weekend in memphis.

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getting to memphis

memphis is located in southwest tennessee. it isn’t very far from the missouri or arkansas border.

depending on where you are coming from, you can fly or drive to memphis. the airport is easy to navigate and roughly 20 minutes from downtown.

getting around memphis

once you get downtown, you probably won’t need a car. i had a rental car because i was driving to the plant every day for work but i don’t think it was absolutely necessary outside of driving for work. you can use uber or lyft to get around if needed.

there are a handful of locations that are farther out where having a car for a weekend might be a more cost effective option that a cab/etc. so be sure to keep total cost in mind.

where to stay in memphis

i would recommend staying downtown near beale street. there are a ton of hotels in this area that make a lot of the attractions walkable.

there are also options for airbnb not far from downtown. if you haven’t used airbnb before it is our favorite way to book accommodation. you get a more local feel and recommendations from your host. use this referral link to sign up and you get money towards your first booking (and we will get money towards our next trip at no cost to you),

day 1

when you arrive in memphis the first thing i would suggest is getting some famous memphis style bbq.

central bbq

this is a favorite among memphis locals. if you get there before 6 you probably won’t have to wait long, but the line can get very long a little later.

there is a beautiful outdoor patio that is perfect for large groups, or just enjoying the weather. they have a bar inside too where you can sit. it was raining while i was there so i stayed inside.

i got their ribs and pulled pork sandwich. the ribs were good, but i like the pulled pork better.

beale street

from here head on down to beale street for a night of music and people watching. on different nights in the summer there are free outdoor concerts along this street too.

beale street is similar to music row in nashville in that it is a street of bars with live music every night.

walk up and down the street and pop into any bar that catches your eye, or ear! order a drink and enjoy the music! there are some really great acts here.

day 2

once you’ve woken up and feel ready to take on the world after a nights on beale street, get some good breakfast.

the arcade restaurant

this restaurant is in an older area of memphis and is a cute old little diner. they claim to be the oldest restaurant in memphis, first opening in 1919.

i had the sweet potato pancakes which were great! i also had a side of hashbrowns because is there such a thing as too many carbs for breakfast?!

i didn’t have any, but they also have milkshakes and make their own chocolate milk to order.

graceland

next stop in memphis is graceland! i didn’t make it here during my trip because of that whole having to work thing, but if you love elvis you have to see graceland.

bass pro shop

this isn’t your ordinary bass pro shop, so don’t write it off immediately. this is one of the largest in the country.

the beauty shop

no, we aren’t getting our hair done. this is a great restaurant in a hip area of memphis. i ate there for dinner, but i’m sure their lunch menus is just as good.

in the restaurant there are old beauty shop chairs at some of the tables. there are also tables outside for when the weather is nice.

the food was amazing! they have unique combinations i never would have thought of but were absolutely delicious. i got there ealy for dinner and at at the bar, but it would be smart to make a reservation. they also have fun drinks to try.

bass pro shop

this isn’t your ordinary bass pro shop, so don’t write it off immediately. this is one of the largest in the country.

the outside is a pyramid and there is an elevator that takes you to the top where there is a viewing platform and restaurant.

inside besides the normal things to buy there are live fish, huge trees, and boats floating on the indoor lake!

peabody hotel

is anyone a fan of this is us? we sure are! this hotel is back in downtown memphis. you can see the walking of the ducks or just have a drink and admire the swanky interior design of this upscale hotel.

rendezvous bbq

walk over to the rendezvous for some more great memphis bbq. this was my favorite bbq in memphis. the entrance is actually in an alley just blocks away from beale street.

i am a bit of a snob when it comes to bbq. after growing up in texas and now living in kansas city for four years i know good bbq. let me tell you, this is the good stuff!

i had a platter but their ribs are what amazed me. they were so good i even bought some rub to bring home and try to convince nick to make some ribs for us!

beale street

i’m not normally one to do the same thing multiple times when on vacation, but beale street warrants it.

i’m sure you weren’t able to see everything in one night, so walk off some bbq and check out some new spots and hear some new music.

beale street is also great for people watching. i saw elvis so many times! there are also some fun statues throughout the street to see.

day 3

the majestic grille

head to the majestic for brunch on your last day in memphis. this restaurant is located in an old silent picture theater. they still play old movies on a big screen in the back.

they serve good dinners and have brunch on the weekend, so any time you want to go you won’t be disappointed.

other activities

there are a lot of things to do in memphis for you last day before heading back home. you can tour sun studio or the national civil rights museum or many other attractions.

gus’s chicken

if you need more food before leaving town, stop by gus’s. this hot chicken restaurant is a local favorite. fried hot chicken with home sides and desserts if great soul food. they even recently opened a location in kansas city so we can enjoy it here too!

memphis is a lively town with a great live music scene to experience why it is called the home of the blues. there are many things to see and great food to eat!

have you been to memphis? what’s your favorite memphis bbq?

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