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Major city · United States

Memphis

Give Memphis 2 nights: one for Beale Street and the river, one for Graceland or the Civil Rights Museum. Skip July–August heat.

Memphis is a music and civil-rights city on the Mississippi, in the southwest corner of Tennessee. Downtown holds Beale Street, the National Civil Rights Museum and the river bluffs; Graceland sits 15 minutes south by car. Sights are spread out, so a car or rideshare covers more than the trolley and buses do.

basic guide: no trip line yet
More
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
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More ways in
Print / PDF guide
Local time, weather, currency, airports
Weather
see forecast
Currency
USD
Best months
Apr–May, Sep–Oct
avoid Jul–Aug (extreme heat and humidity)
Airport
Memphis (MEM)
Nights
2

About Memphis

Memphis is the second largest city in Tennessee, after Nashville, and the county seat of Shelby County. It sits in the southwestern corner of the state, with the Mississippi River and Arkansas to the west and Mississippi to the south. The city is known for Graceland, the mansion where Elvis Presley lived in his later years, and is regarded by many as the home of blues music.

Downtown sits on the bluffs above the Mississippi and has seen renewal in recent years, drawing one of the larger downtown populations among US cities. Beale Street is the center of the blues clubs, while the National Civil Rights Museum occupies the former Lorraine Motel. Sights are spread out, and driving is the practical way to reach anything beyond Downtown; the Main Street Trolley and MATA buses serve the center.

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide for Memphis: no airport-to-bed path, walking clusters or day plans yet. Fares and schedules here are unverified. What this page does cover
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
  • North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
  • North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
  • North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
  • United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
  • United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
  • United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
  • United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.

Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide

Checking your follows…
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾

Not in this guide yet

  • Walking areas with bag rules
  • Day plans checked against opening hours
  • Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
  • Field-checked times and prices

See

What is worth your time in Memphis.

  • Beale Street — Known as the home of the Blues, it holds dozens of bars and clubs, most with live music, and closes to vehicles at night.
  • National Civil Rights Museum — Built from the Lorraine Motel, where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was shot in 1968, it covers slavery, segregation and the civil rights movement.
  • Blues Hall of Fame Museum — A South Main Street museum devoted to blues music, open Tuesday to Saturday.
  • The Cotton Museum — A Union Avenue museum presenting the history of cotton in the region.
  • Belz Museum of Asian & Judaic Art — Holds a collection of more than 900 Asian and Judaic artifacts on South Main Street.

Do

  • Ride the Main Street Trolley through Downtown for an overview of the area.
  • Take a river tour on the Mississippi, or watch the river from Tom Lee Park.
  • Walk or cycle into town from West Memphis, Arkansas, over the Harahan Bridge.
  • Go bar-hopping on Beale Street at night, when the street is closed to vehicles.

Eat and drink

Specialities of this place.

  • Beer on Beale Street — Some bars sell drinks to go in 32-ounce cups, and many have no cover charge.

Customs

  • Memphis is considered by many to be the home of blues music.
  • Locals call the area between Downtown and Midtown "Crosstown"; an artist community there calls it "the Edge", though most of the art district is on South Main.
  • Summers are extremely hot and humid, with daytime averages near 33 °C (92 °F); July and August are hardest for visitors who struggle with heat.
Emergency numbers for Memphis911 ▾
  • Police, fire, ambulance911

Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.

EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about Memphis, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Show all 12 answers

Cost cheat-sheet

2026 desk estimate · check

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

  • Coffee$3–6
  • Street or quick mealBeer: draught in a Beale Street bar / can at a store$6–9$2–4
  • Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)5 km (3.1 mi) rideshareHigher on event nights.$12–20
  • Metro or bus rideMATA bus ride$1–2 (check)
  • SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week$10–25
  • Museum or sight ticketMuseum entry (Civil Rights Museum, Sun Studio, Graceland)$15–80 (check)
  • Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personUS$35
  • Mid-range bedDowntown or Midtown double room, a night, per roomUS$160
  • High-end bedDowntown or Midtown double room, a night, per roomUS$320

A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$70 · Mid US$130 · High US$220

Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →

DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Beale Street and the bluesGraceland (Elvis Presley's mansion)National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine MotelSun StudioMemphis-style barbecue
Airports
MEM Memphis International Airport (About 15–20 min by car to downtown; no international passenger flights despite the name. MATA route 64 runs to the airport.)

Map of Memphis

Where it is, and the guides within about 120 km.

West MemphisMarionBartlettSouthavenOlive BranchTunicaHolly SpringsHelena

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

  • Memphis
  • Basic guide

Directions in Google Maps · Apple Maps

Guides nearby

Best months at a glance

From the guide's best and avoid lists

  1. Jan

    not flagged

    11°C (52°F)

  2. Feb

    not flagged

    13°C (55°F)

  3. Mar

    not flagged

    18°C (64°F)

  4. Apr

    Best

    23°C (73°F)

  5. May

    Best

    28°C (82°F)

  6. Jun

    not flagged

    32°C (90°F)

  7. Jul

    Avoid

    33°C (91°F)

  8. Aug

    Avoid

    33°C (91°F)

  9. Sep

    Best

    30°C (86°F)

  10. Oct

    Best

    24°C (75°F)

  11. Nov

    not flagged

    17°C (63°F)

  12. Dec

    not flagged

    12°C (54°F)

Best: Apr–May, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →

Warmest Jul (33°C (91°F)), coolest Jan (1°C (34°F) low), wettest Mar (9 rain days), driest Aug (7). Averages, not a forecast.

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Memphis: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

11°C (52°F)

1°C (34°F)

8 rd

Feb

13°C (55°F)

3°C (37°F)

8 rd

Mar

18°C (64°F)

7°C (45°F)

9 rd

Apr

23°C (73°F)

12°C (54°F)

9 rd

May

28°C (82°F)

17°C (63°F)

9 rd

Jun

32°C (90°F)

21°C (70°F)

8 rd

Jul

33°C (91°F)

23°C (73°F)

8 rd

Aug

33°C (91°F)

23°C (73°F)

7 rd

Sep

30°C (86°F)

19°C (66°F)

7 rd

Oct

24°C (75°F)

12°C (54°F)

7 rd

Nov

17°C (63°F)

6°C (43°F)

8 rd

Dec

12°C (54°F)

2°C (36°F)

9 rd

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

A car or rideshare is the practical way to reach Graceland, Midtown and East Memphis. Downtown is walkable, and the Main Street Trolley runs along Main Street. MATA buses cover the city but thin out in the evening and some routes change at night and weekends.

See & doDay-trips, door to door

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time

Graceland

go

Door to door: About 30 min

Car or rideshare south on Elvis Presley Blvd, about 15 min from downtown

Dated, timed tickets; book ahead. Not a day trip — a half-day from a Memphis base.

Tunica, Mississippi (casinos)

caution

Door to door: About 1 h

Car south on US-61, about 45 min

Casino strip; only worth it if you gamble.

Clarksdale, Mississippi (blues)

overnight

Door to door: About 1.75 h

Car south on US-61, about 1 h 30 min

Blues clubs and the Delta; sleep one night rather than rush back.

Nashville

overnight

Door to door: 3.5–4 h

I-40 east, about 3 h 30 min by car; Vonlane luxury coach also runs the route

Too far for a return day; make it its own stop.

Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

Downtown (Beale Street and South Main)

Walk to Beale, the river and the Civil Rights Museum; loudest at night, priciest parking.

Midtown (Cooper-Young, Overton Square)

Local bars and restaurants; 10–15 min by car to downtown.

East Memphis

Quieter, near the zoo and botanic garden; car needed for everything.

PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
$70–110 excl. bed
Mid
$110–190 excl. bed
High
$190+ excl. bed

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
Downtown or Midtown double room1 × 2 nights × US$160US$320
Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × US$130US$520
Rideshare, downtown to Graceland, one way1 × US$20 · checkUS$20
Main Street Trolley day pass2 × US$3 · checkUS$6
eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15US$30
Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurgeUS$90
Trip total≈ US$247 per person per day, bed includedUS$986

2026 estimate in US dollars; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.

Prices of common things

Coffee$3–6
Barbecue plate (pulled pork or ribs)$12–22
Beer: draught in a Beale Street bar / can at a store$6–9 / $2–4
5 km rideshareHigher on event nights.$12–20
MATA bus ride$1–2 (check)
eSIM or data SIM, about a week$10–25
Museum entry (Civil Rights Museum, Sun Studio, Graceland)$15–80 (check)

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

Downtown and Midtown are busy and generally fine by day; use normal city care at night, stay in lit areas and take a rideshare rather than walk far after dark. Car break-ins are the more common problem — leave nothing visible.
  • Summer heat and humidity are severe: heat indices can pass 38 °C (100 °F) by day and stay near 29 °C (85 °F) at night.
  • Some MATA bus routes change after dark and at weekends: confirm the return trip before you go out.
  • Parking near Beale Street, FedExForum and AutoZone Park costs more and fills up on event nights.
  • Check opening days before you travel: several museums close one day a week (the Civil Rights Museum closes Tuesday, the Blues Hall of Fame closes Sunday and Monday).

Emergency numbers

Police, fire, ambulance
911

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

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Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

MemphisMemphis

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

To this address, pleaseTo this address, please

Emergency

  • Police, fire, ambulance911

Embassy

Most countries: consulates in Atlanta, Chicago or Houston, embassies in Washington, DC. Check your country's list before you travel.

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • MEM airport → downtown, rideshare: about $25–35, 15–20 min (check)
  • Main Street Trolley: about $1–2 a ride, day pass about $3 (check)
  • Rideshare downtown → Graceland: about $18–25, 15 min (check)

Say or show

  • Where is the trolley stop? — Where is the trolley stop?
  • Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
  • One ticket, please — One ticket, please
  • How much is it? — How much is it?
  • To this address, please — To this address, please

Tipping is expected: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 a drink, 15–20% for taxis and rideshares.

Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Memphis. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: Apr–May, Sep–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (extreme heat and humidity) · month by month →
  2. 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 4 day-trips, door to door
  6. 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. Airport-to-bed contract for MEM: last MATA route 64 times, rideshare fallback, overnight rung.
  2. Walking clusters with anchors: Beale Street and the river, South Main and the Civil Rights Museum, Midtown (Cooper-Young, Overton Square), East Memphis.
  3. Place pages with verified cutoffs (Graceland, National Civil Rights Museum, Sun Studio, Stax Museum) and barbecue pages with last orders.
  4. Heat and event-night fixtures so gates A–D can go green.

Meanwhile

Back to United States

Sources

Ask about Memphis

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