The Reverend Al Green yes, the former soul-singing legend can be found leading a fantastically dynamic service at his Full Gospel Tabernacle Church. Note that some park activities, such as horseback riding and the zip line experiences, cost extra. And with Memphis notorious heat and humidity, topping up the aqua levels regularly is a must in this city. Named by GQ magazine as one of the top 10 restaurants worth flying for, you can be sure you wont be disappointed! Reviewers also offered a few tips: get to the house early to avoid the crowds, don't bring anything you won't need for the tour (you'll be juggling headphones and an iPad as you wander the house) and check with the visitors bureau for deals and discounts on tickets. Majestic Grille: Its no wonder Majestic Grille is among the premier Memphis tourist attractions. The wide variety of displays will appeal to visitors of all ages. A number calculated from the divided the crimes per 1,000 people in Memphis. Katie Hearsum|Timothy J. ForsterJune 28, 2023, National Civil Rights Museum - Lorraine Motel, Neighborhood/Area, Historic Homes/Mansions. From there, you can walk over to the Motel and see a snapshot of the day King was killed. Though reviewers say this is a must-see when in Memphis, they also warned crowds can grow stifling, especially on the weekends. Both Tennessee cities are legendary hubs of musical inventiveness. But be warned: Everyone in Memphis has their favorite smoke, sauce and slaw combination, so the debate can quickly get heated. At 5 p.m., the tune picks up again and the ducks hop out of the fountain and make their way back along the red carpet to their home. Memphis is absolutely worth a visit if you love (or are willing to try) eating wonderful barbecue, listening to great blues music, and visiting Elvis' famous home-Graceland. Historic Court Square in Downtown Memphis. Recent visitors said this museum helps put Memphis' musical history in context and said the "sound comes alive" thanks to the variety of artifacts and details on display here. Recent visitors described the atmosphere on Beale Street as "buzzing," thanks to the variety of live music that pours from the clubs stationed along the street. Reflection Park, the Orpheum Theater and the Cotton Museum a highlight for past visitors thanks to its variety of interactive exhibits. One popular destination is Tunica, MS, which is home to 6 casinos. The park is open daily from sunrise to sunset and is free to enter. In the summer, you can also let your hair down at The Peabody Rooftop Parties. Nashville is a nice destination for couples. Tunica is only a 50-minute drive from Memphis. Visit for theTri-State Black Pride in June, or come for the four-day Memphis Pride Fest Weekend in June. If its a local barbeque or hot wing joint, just show up, but be prepared to wait in line. However, as long as you stick to the touristy areas, youre in the best position to have a safe to and fun vacation. Beale Street is also a featured stop on many of the best Memphis tours. Reports show that there are an average of 1,900 reported cases of violent crimeper every 100,000 people in Memphis, Tennessee. But theres much more. North Carolina attracts history buffs, outdoor lovers, foodies, families, and couples in search of a romantic getaway. June 23, 2023 4 minute read This post may contain affiliate links. The next time you have a long weekend or a few extra days off work, consider taking a trip to The Bluff City. Again, you are advised to stay on guard in this part of Memphis. However, when it narrows down to facts, Raleigh has a violent crime rate of2,042 violent crime casesreported per every 100,000 people, which is too high to ignore. You can also take a one-hour History Tour of the Souths grand hotel with the Peabody Duck Master. As a Nashville local, I had heard so much about the famous Memphis street but just last month had to chance to visit myself. But did you [], Ladies and gentlemen, its time to break out the face paint, secure your tickets, find your seats, and make some []. The outdoor store is located inside the Pyramid, formerly The Great American Pyramid. This 321-feet tall glass structure hosted NBA games, concerts, and other events in the past. Majestic Grille is an unconventional dining experience thats a fun way to look back at Memphis history. As we're still celebrating Asian American & Pacifi, Happy birthday to the most beautiful land in the w. In the heart of Midtown, Memphis sits Coffeeville, Sundays are for brunch - and there's a new player, Back in 1978, Memphis in May brought joy to BBQ en. Elvis fans come from all over the globe to visit Elviss home. Couples who enjoy good music and southern food will enjoy a weekend here. Nashville is the "coolest" TN town I think - then again I haven't been there in years either and it's out of your way. Unfortunately we just missed the beale Street music festival but the music was great anyway! It's been a very long time for me but I traveled once down the river to Memphis on a barge tug boat (different story) - anyway we stayed overnight and I remember a pretty lively downtown riverfront setting with lots of bars, restaurants, shops. Note that prepaying online will not guarantee you a spot on a specific tour, and you'll need to budget at least two weeks to receive your voucher in the mail. MEMPHIS, TN, USA MARCH 22, 2019/Rolf_52/Shutterstock. Because tour capacities are limited due to COVID-19, it's advised that you book a tour in advance to secure a spot. Sounds like a great time to me! If you're visiting in April, make time for the Down to Earth festival where parkgoers celebrate Earth Day. However,some were a little unimpressed with the museum'ssize and said they expected more considering it's Smithsonian affiliation. The fourth exhibit features contemporary Judaic pieces, and the fifth serves as the Holocaust Memorial Gallery. This means that on a warm summer evening, visitors can grab a drink from a Beale St bar in a takeout cup and wander up and down Americas most famous musical highway, soaking up the live acoustics or catching a performance from the Beale Street Flippers, Memphis famed acrobatic troupe. If you're a fan of soul music or rock 'n' roll and want to learn more about how Memphis played a part in the roots of these genres, you should consider adding the Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum to your itinerary. On average, it rains only about 8 days in Memphis during these months. Can you visit the Tennessee State Prison. This does not affect the quality or independence of our editorial content. There are endless reasons to visit Memphisseriously, weve barely scratched the surfacebut the only real way to find out is to come and see for yourself. If you're a fan of the blues and are looking for an intimate look at the wide-reaching impact of the genre on the music industry, you'll want to plan a visit to the Blues Hall of Fame. Is this @goldenhourmemphis or a Wes Anderson film? Even if you dont visit the actual museum, I highly recommend driving over to see the Lorraine Motel. With the help of260 artifacts, more than 40 films, oral histories, interactive media and external listening posts, visitors are guided through five centuries of history. Things to do in Memphis. However, there's always a disclaimer for tourists to remain extra vigilant while exploring Memphis' rich culture and history. One of them just happens to be that Beale St, home of the blues, is the only place in Tennessee where you can legally walk the street with an open alcohol container. Often referred to as the birthplace of rock 'n' roll, Sun Studio is a must-see for music aficionados. You can turn up in an Elvis t-shirt, a tracksuit or sequined eveningwear, and no one will raise an eyebrow, so come as you are. Its no secret that Memphis hasnt had the best reputation regarding crime. You've asked the questions and Lonely Planet's team of experts has the answers: what you need to know for summer 2022. Youll find several historical sites here such as Fort Germantown and the John Gray House (which is one of Shelby Countys oldest brick homes). In fact, well raise you its now fairly easy to be vegan in Memphis. #BringYourSoul #WeAreMemphis, A post shared by We Are Memphis (@wearememphistn) on Jun 30, 2018 at 1:33pm PDT, You may also like: Planning a Trip to Memphis | Memphis Vacation Trip Planner, Your email address will not be published. Recent visitors said the museum excels at exploring a diverse array of topics, making it easy for everyone in your group to find something that piques their interest. An on-site convenient market and parking garage are also available. They are not police officers but are available for assistance. They said that the mixture of Judaic and Asian art is unusual but spectacular, and that the Holocaust Memorial Gallery left them speechless. I'm glad I went, though I thought $80 for the cheapest ticket was pretty steep - though plenty of people paid it. Celebrating Black history in [], Juneteenth is only days away, and TONE Memphis has put together a weekend full of festivities for Memphis natives (and [], Memphis isnt just famous for its soulful musicits safe to say we have some of the best food in the [], Each week, the team at We Are Memphis Music brings you our picks for the best upcoming concerts. However, some museumgoers did note that this is probably not the best thing to do with young children, as the Holocaust exhibit can be heavy and young kids may become bored. While the building itself is quite breathtaking, the real attraction here is the march of the Peabody Ducks. During Memphis in May, thousands travel to Memphis for the Beale Street Music Festival. A: Absolutely! And with its central location on Beale Street, you can easily swing by some of the city's other top attractions before or after your museum visit. Despite the high crime potential, Memphiss cultural, historical, and musical allure is undeniable. Its a privately owned, smoke-free, guesthouse thats home away from home, with some oomph. Perhaps one of the most famous is Charlie Vergos Rendezvous, which has been visited by celebrities like Mick Jagger, Justin Timberlake, Peyton Manning, and Prince William and his brother Harry. And while those are two very good reasons to visit the city, there are tons of other reasons to take a trip to Memphis. You'll also have the chance to see King's motel room, where he spent his final hours. It was here that the blues was born, and many famous musicians including B.B. Despite its alarming levels of violent crimes, tourists can feel more secure in Memphis if they stay away from dangerous areas. At 24,000 square feet, the Belz Museum displays more than 1,400 objects across five permanent galleries. The 19th-century home is filled with secret passages and trap doors that were used by runaway slaves attempting to flee north to freedom. Tours of the arena are available to the general public. Memphis may not be the safest vacationing spot in the world, but there are things you can do to avoid compromising yourself. Notorious motorcycle gang crews here have a reputation that goes beyond Memphis. You can get on the tour schedule by calling the Grizzlies at 901-205-1535. Memphis and music go hand-in-hand. Looking for more fun in this state? Midtown has a population of over 62,700 and a violent crime rate of2,967 per 100,000 people. Consider parking your car in secured spaces and avoid leaving valuables in areas in your car where they are easily visible. Absolutely! It is said that your visit will be incomplete if you do not visit Graceland. We have a few ideas. To beat the crowds (and the heat, if it's summer), reviewers recommended getting to the zoo in the morning. The #1 food that Memphis is known for, hands down, is barbecue. Memphis excels, and I mean really excels, in four distinct areas, each worth a visit: attractions, culture/museums, entertainment, and dining. Is Memphis worth visiting? The Memphis Food and Wine Festival is usually held in October, as well as a variety of harvest festivals. Some are entertaining, others are informative, but all are interesting and fun. Visit the Peabodys rooftop for an amazing rooftop party in the summertime. The best time to visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park for foliage, fog and more, Summer 2022: Lonely Planet travel experts offer incredible tips, insight and inspiration for your summer travel plans, The best time to go to Memphis for a good time, 9 best places to visit in North Carolina from the Smoky Mountains to the Outer Banks, The 9 best places to visit in Georgia for karaoke, Porsches and hikes, 10 best LGBTIQ+ neighborhoods in the US to visit in 2023, It's almost time to see the synchronous fireflies at Great Smoky Mountains National Park. MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE AUGUST 25, 2017: Blues Clubs on Beale Street at dawn/Sean Pavone/Shutterstock.