7 Iconic Things to Do in Memphis (Even If They’re a Little Touristy)
Some things are famous for a reason. In Memphis, the touristy spots don’t just exist for Instagram—they pulse with history, music, and soul. Whether it’s the neon hum of Beale Street, the echoes of Elvis at Graceland, or the quiet gravity of the Lorraine Motel, these iconic sites are woven into the story of America itself.
Even if you usually avoid the beaten path, these seven stops are worth making time for. Go ahead—be a tourist. Memphis has a way of making it feel meaningful.
And if you’re looking for deeper cuts, you’ll find 5 more in-depth posts form my Ultimate Guide to Memphis , each one covering a different layer of the Memphis experience—from practical tips to soulful stops:
10 Things to Know Before Visiting Memphis
6 Cool Hotels in Memphis (and Why You’ll Love Them)
35 Off-the-Beaten-Path & Must-See Gems in Memphis
Where to Eat the Best BBQ in Memphis (2025 Guide)
A Brief History of Memphis: 7 Defining Chapters That Shaped the Soul of a City
Beale Street
Walk it, hear it, feel it—Beale Street is the heartbeat of Memphis nightlife. This legendary stretch of neon-lit blues bars, live music venues, and late-night energy might be touristy, but it’s also unforgettable.
Pop into B.B. King’s Blues Club for live performances and Southern food, or grab a cold drink and soak in the sounds spilling into the street. If you’re feeling adventurous (and it’s the right time of year), check out the Beale Street Music Festival – usually first week of May. For a more low-key experience, wander during the day when the street is quieter and the historic plaques tell stories of the legends who played here first.
Tip: Wear comfortable shoes—Beale Street is made for walking and dancing. And yes, you can carry drinks outdoors (as long as they’re in a plastic cup), thanks to the open-container law in this area.
Sun Studio
Often called the birthplace of rock ’n’ roll, Sun Studio is where legends like Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and B.B. King recorded some of their earliest tracks. What makes this place so powerful is its unassuming vibe—it’s not flashy, just sacred ground for music lovers.
The guided tour at Sun Studio is a must. It starts upstairs with vintage recording equipment and stories about the early days of the studio, but the magic happens downstairs in the actual recording room. That’s where Elvis recorded “That’s All Right” in 1954—a moment that many say changed the course of music history. You can even stand on the exact X where Elvis first recorded and hold one of the original microphones used by the greats.
National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel
Built into the site of the Lorraine Motel—where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in 1968—this museum is one of the most profound experiences in Memphis. You don’t just learn about history here; you walk through it.
From slavery and Jim Crow to the Montgomery bus boycott, each exhibit pulls you deeper into the American story—raw, emotional, and necessary. The preserved Room 306, where Dr. King spent his final hours, feels haunting and sacred, and standing just feet away from the spot where he took his last breath is something you don’t forget.
Across the street, the boarding house window where the assassin fired is also part of the museum, completing the arc of tragedy with unflinching honesty. Along the way, you’ll see powerful artifacts like Rosa Parks’ bus seat, audio recordings, oral histories, and interactive exhibits. Long after you leave, the museum lingers—an echo of grief, courage, and unfinished struggle. It’s not just a Memphis landmark; it’s a national touchstone for justice, memory, and change.
Stax Museum of American Soul Music
If you’re a music lover, Stax is non-negotiable. Built on the original site of the legendary Stax Records, this museum doesn’t just tell the story of soul music—it feels like soul. The journey starts in a replica of a Mississippi Delta church, setting the tone for everything that follows. Inside, you’ll find over 2,000 artifacts, from vintage stage costumes to the actual studio layout that shaped the iconic Stax sound.
One of the showstoppers? Isaac Hayes’ gold-trimmed, fur-lined Cadillac Eldorado, complete with a TV in the dash and a refrigerated mini-bar. But beyond the glitz, what makes Stax unforgettable is its history: it was one of the few integrated businesses in Memphis during the Civil Rights era, where Black and white musicians created together—side by side, note by note, hit by hit.
Graceland
Graceland is more than just Elvis Presley’s home—it’s a walk through the life of one of America’s biggest cultural icons. The mansion feels frozen in time, with shag carpets, mirrored ceilings, and the famously quirky Jungle Room still intact. You’ll pass through rooms where Elvis relaxed, entertained, and dreamed, then head outside to his final resting place in the peaceful Meditation Garden.
Beyond the house, the experience includes a peek into his car collection, his private jets, and museum-style exhibits showcasing his music, films, and larger-than-life legacy. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or just curious, Graceland is a surreal, fascinating glimpse into a very specific slice of American history.
Memphis Rock ’n’ Soul Museum
The Memphis Rock ’n’ Soul Museum, located right off Beale Street, tells the broader story of how soul, blues, and rock music emerged from the cotton fields of the South to shape global culture. While Stax focuses specifically on the Southern soul movement and its legendary label, Rock ’n’ Soul spans multiple genres and decades—covering everyone from sharecroppers with makeshift instruments to icons like Isaac Hayes, Elvis Presley, and Jerry Lee Lewis.
It was actually created by the Smithsonian, so expect top-tier curation and deep storytelling. One cool feature? The self-guided audio tour lets you explore at your own pace with over 100 songs built in—perfect for fully soaking in the music that made Memphis move.
The Pyramid & Bass Pro Shops
It’s weird. It’s massive. And yes, it’s a Bass Pro Shop inside a giant glass pyramid. I had passed this surreal structure several times on my drives through Memphis and finally decided to stop—and honestly, I was impressed.
What was once a basketball arena is now home to an over-the-top outdoor megastore, complete with a hotel, a bowling alley, an underwater-themed elevator to a lookout deck, and more taxidermy than you can count. It’s absurd in the best way. Whether you’re buying a camp stove, a pair of camo socks, or just gawking at the sheer scale of it all, it’s worth a visit for the novelty alone.
In Memphis, the “touristy” spots don’t feel hollow—they feel alive. These aren’t just landmarks for checking boxes or snapping selfies. They’re places with soul, where the past isn’t just preserved—it lingers. Beale Street buzzes with echoes of the blues. Sun Studio holds the scratchy heartbeat of early rock ’n’ roll. And the Lorraine Motel… well, it doesn’t just tell a story—it stops you in your tracks and asks you to carry it with you.
Graceland is strange and grand and surprisingly intimate. Stax vibrates with joy and resistance. The Rock ’n’ Soul Museum reminds you how much struggle and sound are intertwined. Even the Pyramid—over-the-top and unexpected—feels like a fitting symbol for a city that has always done things its own way.
Yes, these are the places that fill travel brochures. But in Memphis, they don’t feel staged. They feel like sacred ground. You walk away with more than a photo—you walk away feeling something. Maybe that’s the real magic of this city. It doesn’t just want to entertain you. It wants you to remember. To feel. To return a little changed.
