Memphis

Best time to visit Memphis

The best time to visit Memphis depends on your preferences and what you want to experience. Here are some factors to consider:

Summer (June to August) is hot and humid, with frequent thunderstorms. It is the best time to visit for outdoor festivals and concerts, but can be uncomfortable for exploring.

Autumn (September to October) has pleasant weather with mild temperatures and lower humidity, making it great for outdoor activities and exploring the city. 

Winter (November to February) has mild temperatures, but can be rainy making it best for indoor attractions and enjoying the city's festive atmosphere.

Spring (March to May) has pleasant weather with mild temperatures and occasional rain showers. This can be a good time to visit if you want to avoid the crowds of summer.

Overall, the best time to visit Memphis is during the autumn when the weather is pleasant, the crowds are smaller, and there are plenty of festivals and events to enjoy. However, if you're interested in attending a specific event or don't mind the heat and humidity, summer can also be a great time to visit.

Discover Memphis

Memphis is justly proud of its contribution to America’s musical landscape and pilgrims flock reverently in their droves to celebrate the city that gave the world blues, soul, and rock 'n' roll - and in so doing, delivered the legends of Elvis Presley, Sam Cooke, Jerry Lee Lewis, Al Green, Isaac Hayes and B.B. King. The story of musical heritage comes heavily entwined with a strong southern flavour, rich in culture and steeped in a history of slavery and plantations, the American Civil War, and the Civil Rights Movement.

In it's darker days Memphis witnessed the assassination of Dr Martin Luther King, but the city can take pride in the role it played in America’s desegregation and the popularisation of black music on the world’s stage. Today, energetic music festivals run throughout the year, but to many, Memphis is synonymous with Elvis’ Graceland, a perfectly preserved homage to ‘The King of Rock n’ Roll and the final resting place of perhaps Memphis’ greatest of all.

Things to do in Memphis

Graceland

This tops the Memphis ‘to do’ list and takes you on an exciting trip from Elvis’ humble beginnings to his meteoric rise to superstardom. A range of tours are available to visit Graceland, but a must is the audio-guided tour through the mansion that features commentary and stories by Elvis and his daughter, Lisa Marie and showcases Elvis’ living room, dining room, kitchen, TV room, pool room, the famous jungle room, and the Meditation Garden where Elvis and his family members have been laid to rest. With the option of adding on admission to see Elvis’ collection of cars, including his famous Pink Cadillac and his red MG from the film ‘Blue Hawaii’, plus his fabled aeroplanes, die hard Elvis fans will be in their element!

Sun Studio

The birthplace of rock 'n' roll is the ideal mood setter for a day in Memphis. 45-minute tours led by tour guides with an absolute passion for musical history reveal the story of the most famous recording studio in the world, where artists including Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison and Jerry Lee Lewis came to record hit records that catapulted them on to the world music stage. The studio’s biggest breakthrough artist was the unknown Elvis Presley who came to Sam Phillips Sun Studio to record his breakout hit ‘That's All Right’ that made him the most sought-after singer in America.

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Things to do in Memphis

Beale Street

Known as ‘The Home of the Blues,’ Beale Street is listed on the National Historic Register and consists of three blocks of restaurants, nightclubs and shopping in the heart of downtown Memphis. Anything goes on Beale Street, with street entertainers back flipping down the street, music playing from the bars and nightclubs and everyone just having lots of fun!

Stax Museum of American Soul Music

This stands on the original site of Stax Records and provides a state-of-the-art shrine to all things Stax and soul. It offers a fun and informative experience that includes interactive exhibits, videos, interviews, and general memorabilia that tell the story of American soul music and the Memphis Sound. Musical giants highlighted include Isaac Hayes, Otis Redding, Al Green, Aretha Franklin, and hundreds of others.

The National Civil Rights Museum

Located at the Lorraine Motel, the site of Dr. Martin Luther King's assassination in 1968, the museum chronicles key episodes of the American civil rights movement and the legacy of this movement to inspire participation in civil and human rights efforts globally. Extensive exhibits and audio visuals bring to life the most significant moments of civil and human rights struggles and victories.