Memphis, Tennessee, a city steeped in musical history and cultural significance, has long been hailed as the home of blues, soul, and rock ‘n’ roll. With its vibrant music scene, rich heritage, and mouthwatering culinary delights, Memphis offers a captivating experience for every traveler. This 3-day itinerary combines the best of the city’s renowned distilleries and tours, enlightening museums, delectable local foods, and, of course, Graceland. Get ready to immerse yourself in the rhythms of the South, indulge in authentic flavors, and embark on an unforgettable journey through the heart and soul of Memphis.
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Arrive Hotel – Check-In
ARRIVE Memphis is a 62-room boutique hotel located in the South Main Arts District. Rooms are modern, comfortable, and full of natural light. Featuring beds wrapped in Egyptian cotton, marble bathrooms, Hudson Made bath amenities, and AppleTVs. Everything you need for the perfect night away. While you’re staying with Arrive, try some freshly baked pastries from their in-house bakery, Hustle & Dough, or a craft cocktail from our intimate lobby bar, Bar Hustle. Or head downstairs to Longshot for some incredible food, frosty beers, and some of the city’s most competitive shuffleboard matches.
Day 1
Breakfast @ By The Brewery
Tucked away in the corner of Tennessee St and Butler, By the Brewery offers breakfast and lunch – with menu items ranging from chicken biscuits, pastrami on rye, a three-grilled cheese, and delicious salads. Stay for a while to people-watch, and then go for a stroll around South Main Memphis.
Mississippi River Renovation Update
Walk from By the Brewery to look at the renovations being done on Tom Lee Park, our Mississippi Riverfront. Tom Lee Park opens during Labor Day Weekend.
- Tom Lee Park
- 357 South Riverside Dr., Memphis, TN, US, 38103
Graceland
Graceland is so much more than a Mansion. It was the private retreat of the King of Rock ‘n Roll. It was where his family grew up, spent their time together, and enjoyed life. Today, you’re invited to explore Elvis Presley’s home, Graceland Mansion, and immerse yourself in his life and legacy at Elvis Presley’s Memphis Entertainment Complex.
Central BBQ
It is no easy task to stand out from the crowd in a town as discerning about their barbecue as Memphis, but Central BBQ has managed to do just that, attracting throngs of hungry Memphians with a decadent offering of ribs, hot wings, and most importantly, pulled pork sandwiches (they also have famously delicious side dishes). You’re likely to find a line outside Central BBQ but it moves quickly and is sure to be worth the wait.
Old Dominick Distillery & Tour
Steps away from the site of our original building, Old Dominick’s 150-year-old story is revived and ready to be shared. Our tour lets you see firsthand the dedication–and passion–put into every bottle. Experience our spirits for yourself and even learn recipes from our experts. See our state-of-the-art distillery and learn about what makes Old Dominick and turn-of-the-century Memphis so special. The Old Dominick Distillery tour is a 45-minute sensory journey that begins with the history of Old Dominick and our founder Domenico Canale, an up-close view of our extensive grain to glass craft distilling facility, and ends with a curated tasting of Old Dominick’s portfolio of spirits.
Cocktails at Beck & Call
Walk from Old Dominick to the Hyatt Centric Beale Street Rooftop for a cocktail overlooking the river.
Beck & Call is the Hyatt Centric hotel’s rooftop whiskey bar and lounge, with amazing views of the Mississippi River and downtown Memphis. Before dinner, stop to take in this view and appreciate the sunset.
Dinner at dory
dory is a small, chef-run restaurant in Memphis with a focus on sourcing the freshest ingredients as close to home as possible. Chef Dave Krog’s inspiration comes from the outside – the colors, the plants, the animals. He works closely with local farmers in creating his recipes. At dory, the menu will change with the seasons and with what is available to the restaurant, sometimes changing as often as daily.
Day 2
Breakfast @ Hustle & Dough, Vice & Virtue
Hustle & Dough is a bakery hosting local favorite Vice & Virtue coffee, so your caffeine fix is always handy. Their avocado toast is a favorite among locals!
- Hustle & Dough
- 477 South Main Street, Memphis, TN, US, 38103
Kayak at Shelby Farms
There are two locations where you can paddle the day away! To rent canoes, kayaks and stand-up paddleboards (SUPs), head the the Hyde Lake Boat House. For paddle boats, head to the Pine Lake Outpost. Proceeds from your rentals help support Shelby Farms Park and Shelby Farms Greenline!
Lunch @ Complicated Pilgrim
Streetside at The Memphian Hotel, Complicated Pilgrim serves as a quick-serve coffee shop, evening bar, and restaurant for midtown Memphians and beyond.
Stax Museum of American Soul Music
Memphis soul music: think Otis Redding, Booker T. & the MGs, Isaac Hayes, and more. Soulsville U.S.A. “where it all happened in the ’60s and ’70s.”
From 1959 – 1974, a tiny movie-theater-turned-recording-studio in South Memphis produced a string of hits that stirs souls today. Jim Stewart and Estelle Axton, a brother and sister duo, purchased the old Capitol Theater on McLemore Avenue to relocate their recording equipment. Without knowing, they would soon be part of a worldwide sensation dubbed American soul music. In a time when racial tension was high, this studio never saw race but rather focused on producing its own sound a Memphis sound, that would be heard around the world. The tour starts with a short introductory video (which alone is worth the price of admission!). From there you will see an amazing collection of more than 2,000 interactive exhibits, films, artifacts, items of memorabilia, galleries, and of course Isaac Hayes’ gold-plated, peacock-blue 1972 Superfly Cadillac El Dorado. While touring the museum, you will hear Stax hits including “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay” by Otis Redding, “Green Onions” by Booker T. and the MGS, “Do the Funky Chicken” by Rufus Thomas, and “Theme from Shaft” by Isaac Hayes. Soulsville U.S.A. needs to be part of your Memphis music pilgrimage.
High Cotton Brewing
Located in the Edge District of Memphis near Sun Studios, High Cotton Brewing Co. brews the finest beers in the Mid-south region, with a variety of options like the Mexican Lager and the River King IPA.
Visit Grind City Brewery
Grind City Brewery offers a diverse range of great-tasting craft beers, staying true to a process that ensures quality and goodness through and through. So no matter what style of drink you prefer, we’ll always be committed to making craft beer people can enjoy as often as they like.
Dinner @ Lobbyist
“We believe that food is a reflection of who we are and where we come from. At The Lobbyist, we strive to reflect our nation’s melting pot of culture, using global styles while utilizing what area farmers have to offer. Menus change with availability, featuring local meats and a focus on seasonal produce.”
Explore Beale Street
Walk 3 blocks towards Beale Street to enjoy the live music and feel of Memphis. Check out B.B. King’s Blues Club, Rum Boogie Cafe, Blues Hall Juke Joint, or Silky O’Sullivans (don’t forget to take a peek at the goats outside!). Beale Street’s newest spot is also the street’s first brewery – Ghost River.
Best eats on Beale include: New Wing Order located inside Ghost River, Blues City Cafe, and SugaShack.
Day 3
Big River Crossing
At nearly a mile in length, Big River Crossing is the longest public pedestrian bridge across the Mississippi. This is a great place to go with families to walk, run or bike!
Big River Crossing is also the country’s longest active rail/bicycle/pedestrian bridge. It serves as the connection point of Main Street to Main Street, a 10-mile, multi-modal corridor that also features the Big River Trail System, creating ties to attractions throughout the Memphis, West Memphis, and Delta regions.
Breakfast @ Sunrise Memphis
“We pride ourselves on having the best breakfast in town and specialize in homemade biscuits, sausage, and our one-of-a-kind build-your-own bloody mary bar.” Go early, the line can get long.
Sun Studio
Sun Studio is where a Memphis disc jockey named Sam Phillips helped popularize a prodigious crop of young talent. Through the doors of Sun Studio passed names like Howlin’ Wolf, B.B. King, Ike Turner, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, and of course a young man named Elvis. Local musicians provide a uniquely intimate and passionate tour of the small studio space where guests from across the world can pose with the same microphone used by the King as he recorded tunes that would pioneer Rock ‘n’ Roll.
Edge Motor Museum
Track the rise, boom, plateau, and fall of the American sports car as you follow trends in politics, economics, culture, and technology. See how critical moments of convergence across these four areas influenced what we now regard as archetypes of design and engineering, and use this as context for where car design is today. Witness how, in just 30 short years, the American sports car became an icon of our past and a reflection of ourselves.
- Edge Motor Museum
- 645 Marshall Ave, Memphis, TN, US, 38103
Lunch @ The Beauty Shop
This hip and trendy restaurant conjures up images of a ‘50s-style beauty shop, formerly Priscilla Presley’s curl-and-dye spot. It’s a camp wonderland where the façade is Jetsons-era Vitrolite, and choice seating is offered beneath hooded Belvedere hair dryers.
Blues Hall of Fame
Our Mission is to preserve blues heritage, celebrate blues recording and performance, expand worldwide awareness of the blues, and ensure the future of this uniquely American art form.
- Blues Hall of Fame
- 421 S Main St, Memphis, TN, US, 38103
Depart for Memphis International Airport
Travelers can expect a shiny new concourse modernization at Memphis International Airport (MEM). The redesigned 23-gate B concourse underwent a $245M modernization to upgrade the traveler experience with amenities such as a children’s play area, more seating and charging areas and new vendors and restaurants. With the concourse modernization completed, MEM has begun planning its terminal modernization, which includes expansions of the ticketing and baggage areas. Along with these upgrades, MEM is welcoming new direct flights, including nonstop service to Austin via American Airlines beginning in January 2023 and direct flights to Boston from Delta Air Lines in May 2023.
- Memphis International Airport (MEM)
- 2491 Winchester Rd, Memphis, TN, US, 38116
- http://www.mscaa.com
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