10 Things To Do In Memphis

Start your morning the right way by joining the local crowds at Gibson's Donuts for a blueberry cake donut or classic glazed. Later on in the day, stop into the ever-colorful, locally-owned Muddy's Bake Shop for a Prozac chocolate cupcake or slice of peanut butter pie. Muddy's is deemed "Memphis' happy place" for confections and conversations.

• Parking: Gibson's has a dedicated parking lot for customers, and Muddy's has plenty of street parking right outside the shop.

• Accessibility: Both Gibson's and Muddy's are wheelchair accessible.

• Hours: Gibson's is open from 5am to 12am, 7 days a week.  Muddy's is open from 10am-5:30pm Wednesday to Friday and 10am-4pm on Saturdays; they are closed Sunday to Tuesday. 

• Tips: Many locals recommend visiting in the early morning for the freshest and warmest selection of donuts and other baked goods. 

Big River Crossing is the longest public pedestrian bridge across the mighty Mississippi River. Get a new view of the city by biking, walking or running across the longest active pedestrian bridge in the nation. The bridge serves as a connection point between Memphis, Tennessee's many attractions with West Memphis, Arkansas. 

• Parking: Free parking is available on both the Memphis and Arkansas side of the bridge.

• Accessibility: Big River Crossing is wheelchair accessible. 

• Hours: Big River Crossing is open daily from sunrise to 10pm.

• Tips: At nearly a mile long, the Big River Crossing is the longest pedestrian bridge across the Mississippi. Leashed dogs are allowed on the bridge. And the bridge features over 100,000 LED lights that create static displays and dynamic color shows, often coordinated with the lights on the Hernando DeSoto Bridge; this show runs every 30 minutes from sundown to the 10:30pm finale. 

Memphis' craft beer scene not only comes with unique flavors and combinations (such as Wiseacre's "Gotta Get Up to Get Down" espresso and beer blend), but it also encompasses unmatched tap room atmospheres. Taste a beer flight from Memphis Made's Midtown warehouse, High Cotton's intimate hangout in The Edge District, Wiseacre's Broad Avenue bustling patio, and the Ghost River Brewing downtown tap room.

• Parking: Memphis Made Brewing Co. in Midtown has limited street parking is available around the brewery. It can get busy, especially on weekends, so allow extra time to find a spot. High Cotton Brewing Co. as its own dedicated parking lot, making parking relatively easy. Wiseacre has a dedicated parking lot adjacent to the brewery. And for Ghost River Brewing, parking can be a bit more challenging downtown. There is some street parking available, as well as paid parking lots and garages in the vicinity. Though be prepared to walk a short distance.

• Accessibility: Each of these taprooms is wheelchair accessible.

• Hours: Each brewery and taproom has differing hours; please check their websites for most up-to-date hours.

• Tips: Each of these taprooms often hosts food trucks on-site.

Take your pick or visit all the talent during a weekend evening in Memphis. Overton Park Shell presents more than 50 free concerts at Overton Park ranging from soul to opera with past performers ranging from Nikki Lane to The McCrary Sisters and Mike Farris. Loflin Yard is your casual, cool hangout that serves up burgers, brisket and wings with a side of live music performed by local artists. And, of course, historic Beale Street is where you'll find blues, soul and rock 'n' roll flood the streets from venues that flank both sides of the street. Follow your ears to the music that interests you for a night full of dancing and foot tapping. 

• Parking: Free parking is available at Overton Park.  At Loflin Yard, free street parking is available, but it can be challenging to find a spot since it's located downtown; be prepared to walk a bit.  For Beale Street, parking garages are available in the area. You can't park directly on Beale Street, but parking is available nearby.

• Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible restroom, parking, and entrance are available at Overton Park Shell and Loflin Yard.  It is possible to navigate a wheelchair on Beale Street; however, the sidewalks have cutouts at each end and can be uneven, so it may be difficult with crowds.

• Hours: Overton Park Shell hours depend on showtimes each day; check out their website for a full calendar.  Loflin Yard is open from 4pm-10pm on Wednesdays and Thursdays, from 11am to 1am on Fridays and Saturdays, and 11am to 10pm on Sundays; they are closed Monday - Tuesday. Beale Street is generally considered open year-round. However, the level of activity and accessibility varies significantly throughout the day and night, especially on weekends. 

Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid, located at the entrance of downtown Memphis, is one of the world's largest retail destinations. Go inside for an "underwater" Fish Bowl bowling experience, complemented by themed drinks and fare. There's also an extensive aquarium, alligator ponds, shopping, spa, Big Cypress Lodge - a luxury hotel inside the Pyramid with screened-in porches and more, the world's tallest freestanding elevator and more. 

• Parking: Free parking is available in a large parking lot at Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid.

• Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible restrooms, entrances, and parking are available. Some of the isles and area may be a little tight, but the main walking paths are smooth and wide. 

• Hours: The store is open from 9:00am to 9:00pm Monday through Saturday, and from 10:00am to 7:00pm on Sunday.

• Tips: Take a ride on the world's largest free-standing elevator to The Lookout at the Pyramid, where you can catch amazing views of downtown Memphis, and enjoy a specialty drink or meal at the restaurant. 

Memphis is as famous for its barbecue as it is for its rock n' roll and blues legends. Ask the locals their favorite spots and you'll instantly have a long list of barbecue restaurants serving up delicious dishes from ribs to chicken to died-and-gone-to-heaven pulled pork. Check out Tennessee's Barbecue Trail that travels through Memphis and across the state. 

• Parking: Parking situations vary greatly depending on the specific barbecue joint. Some of the more established locations might have their own dedicated parking lots, which can still get crowded during peak meal times. Smaller, neighborhood spots often rely on street parking, which can be limited and require some patience to find a space.

• Accessibility: Accessibility also varies. Newer or renovated locations are more likely to have wheelchair-accessible entrances and restrooms. Older, more traditional joints might have limited accessibility. It's always a good idea to check the specific restaurant's website or call ahead if accessibility is a concern.

• Hours: Hours vary from location to location, so double check their websites for when they are open.

• Tips: Be prepared for dry-rubbed ribs! While you can find wet (sauced) options, Memphis is most famous for its ribs seasoned with a blend of spices and often served "dry" with sauce on the side. Pulled pork is also a staple. "Barbecue Spaghetti" is another unique Memphis dish you might encounter – spaghetti tossed with barbecue sauce and pulled pork. It's a surprisingly popular local favorite.

Memphis farmers markets lure crowds, rain or shine, for fresh produce, food trucks and complementary live music performances 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday mornings April through October. Take a stroll through farm booths at downtown's Central Station location, Midtown's Cooper-Young Community Farmers Market, or East Memphis' Agricenter for locally-made products and foods to get a fresh taste of Memphis.

• Parking: Street parking is available in the Cooper-Young area. It's a popular neighborhood, so parking may require a short walk. The East Memphis Agricenter offers free parking in designated lots and often has shuttles provided for events. 

• Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible parking and entrance are available at both of these locations. 

• Hours: Cooper-Young Community Farmer's Market is open Saturdays from 8am to 12pm. The Agricenter is open Mondays through Saturdays, 8 AM - 5 PM. 

Experience the city's connectivity through a 10.8-mile urban bike and walking trail, welcoming locals and visitors for a natural tour through Memphis and its Greenline bookends - Shelby Farms Park, one of the largest urban parks in the nation with ziplines, miles of hiking trails, and even a buffalo herd.

• Parking: Shelby Farms Park offers ample free parking throughout its vast area. There are numerous parking lots located near the various attractions and trailheads within the park.

• Accessibility: Shelby Farms Park is committed to accessibility and offers wheelchair accessible trails, facilities, and more. 

• Hours: open from sunrise to sunset every day.

• Tips: You can enjoy a plethora of activities at Shelby Farms Park, including biking, hiking, running, horseback riding, kayaking, paddleboarding, fishing, and even ziplining. Hyde Lake offers opportunities for kayaking, paddleboarding, and fishing. You can often rent equipment on-site.

Understand Memphis' gripping yet uplifting Civil Rights Movement story at the National Civil Rights Museum which includes the Lorraine Motel room Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. stayed in the night before his assassination. The museum tells this story through interactive exhibits that are made for pause and reflection.

Memphis' music journey is told through impactful tours of the city's historical landmarks like at Sun Studio where rock 'n' roll was born thanks to Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis' iconic nighttime jam session. Elvis Presley's Graceland gives an inside look into the personal life of the King of Rock 'n' Roll while showing his expansive influence on music through museums and artifacts found at Elvis Presley's Memphis, a new entertainment complex that also houses his cars, airplanes, live entertainment, gift shops and themed restaurants. Stax Museum of American Soul Music traces the evolution of soul music and Stax's global music influence beginning in a circa 1906 Mississippi Delta church to Studio A, an exact replica of the recording studio at Stax. Couple that with a dance floor, interactive exhibits, loads of memorabilia and timeless artifacts along with the Wall of Sound which spans the albums and singles released by Stax (1957-1975). 

• Parking: At the National Civil Rights Museum, parking is available in the area, but it can be limited. Free parking is available at Sun Studio and Stax Museum of American Soul Music. Paid parking is available at Graceland. 

• Accessibility: National Civil Rights Museum and Stax Museum are both wheelchair accessible. Sun Studio is partially wheelchair accessible. The first floor is accessible, but the actual studio is down a few steps. Graceland Mansion is wheelchair accessible on the first floor only. The upper floors are not accessible. The other attractions, such as the car museum and planes, are generally accessible.

• Hours: Check the websites of each location for most up-to-date hours; some have special extended summer hours. 

• Tips: Allow several hours to tour the National Civil Rights Museum, it's a very moving and impactful experience. Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Carl Perkins all recorded at Sun Studio, often called the birthplace of rock n' roll.  Graceland has several tour options available, and you should buy your tickets in advance. 

Visit the FedEx Forum for an enthralling Memphis Grizzlies' home game, where the spirit of Memphis shines through every basket. If visiting during the offseason (May-October), represent the "Grit and Grind" mentality through a blue and gold t-shirt available throughout downtown retail stores.

• Parking: Several parking options are available near the FedEx Forum, including parking garages and surface lots. Prices vary, and it's advisable to check rates and availability in advance, especially for game days.

• Accessibility: FedEx Forum is fully wheelchair accessible. Accessible seating is available, as well as accessible restrooms and entrances.

• Hours: Open for specific events; doors open one hour before tip-off for Grizzlies games. 

• Tips: Check the FedEx Forum's website for a schedule of events and ticket information.

This is just a sampling of all the great things to do in Memphis. Explore more trip ideas while visiting the home of the blues, soul and rock n' roll.