Memphis is a city in Tennessee that is world famous for its music scene, BBQ food and, of course, Elvis! One day in Memphis is the perfect amount of time to get a glimpse of everything it has to offer. Keep reading for the perfect 1 day itinerary for Memphis, TN!
Eat Breakfast at The Arcade Restaurant
Start your day in Memphis with breakfast at The Arcade Restaurant. The Arcade Restaurant is an adorable diner in downtown Memphis with delicious food and a great atmosphere. The restaurant opened in 1919 and has the title of Memphis’ oldest restaurant. It is popular among locals, and at one time, even Elvis was a regular customer. Today, there is an “Elvis Booth” at The Arcade honoring his favorite booth. The Arcade Restaurant was featured in several movies (e.g. “Walk the Line”) and shows on Food Network and Travel Channel. If you are looking to try one of their signature dishes, try out the sweet potato pancakes or the fried peanut butter and banana sandwich!
See the Home of “The King” at Graceland
After breakfast, head to Memphis’ most popular attraction: Graceland. Graceland was the home of Elvis Presley from 1957 until his death in 1977. Today, Graceland is much more than just a mansion. There is also a huge entertainment complex that features multiple museums showcasing everything from Elvis’ jumpsuits and records to his movie memorabilia, car collection and even his airplanes! There are also multiple gift shops where you can purchase every kind of Elvis memorabilia imaginable. When you arrive, you will enter through this entertainment complex, which is located across the street from the mansion. If you purchase tickets to tour the Graceland mansion, you will take a bus from the entertainment complex to the mansion.
There are multiple tour options at Graceland. I chose the “Elvis Experience Tour” which includes an audio tour of the Graceland mansion and self-guided tours of the entertainment complex. The mansion tour goes through many rooms in the mansion including the living room, TV room and “jungle room” and ends outside in the meditation garden (Elvis’ burial site). After finishing up the mansion tour, the buses take you back to the entertainment complex where you can take the self-guided tours of the various museums and exhibits. There is really SO much to see! If you are a super-fan, you could easily spend a whole day there.
Take a Studio Tour at Sun Studio
Sun Studio is a legendary recording studio. Taking a tour of Sun Studio is a must-do in Memphis! Sun Studio has the reputation of being “The Birthplace of Rock n’ Roll” and for good reason. This studio launched the career of numerous famous musicians including Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, B.B. King and Jerry Lee Lewis. I was so impressed by the tour at Sun Studio. It was easily one of the most entertaining tours I have been on. During the tour, you can stand in the spot where Elvis recorded his first song and sing into the same microphone he once sang into!
Grab a Quick Bite at Butterific
If there is one food spot you need to stop at in Memphis, it is Butterific Bakery & Cafe. Butterific Bakery & Cafe makes the most amazing banana cream pudding and cookies. It is is a great place to stop for a quick lunch or sweet treat before continuing on with your perfect day in Memphis!
Learn about Civil Rights at the Lorraine Motel and National Civil Rights Museum
The Lorraine Motel in Memphis is well known for an unfortunate reasonโ it is where Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in 1968. Prior to Martin Luther King Jr.โs death, the Lorraine Motel was very popular because it was one of the few motels for blacks in the segregated south. At one time, famous entertainers including Aretha Franklin and Nat King Cole stayed at the motel. The motel continued to operate after Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination. However, the room where Martin Luther King Jr. was staying at the time of his assassination (Room 306) was never rented again. In the 1980s, The Lorraine Motel began to deteriorate, but a non-profit group stepped in and saved the site due to its significance as a symbol of the civil rights movement.
The Lorraine Motel was later transformed into America’s first civil rights museum known as the National Civil Rights Museum. I thought it was really interesting to see how they transformed the site into a museum and built the museum around the motel. I also appreciated that the exterior resembles what it looked like at the time of Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination.
Try Memphis Style BBQ at Central BBQ
Memphis is known for its delicious barbecue! If youโre looking to try some barbecue while in Memphis, consider checking out Central BBQ. There are several locations around the city with lots of yummy BBQ options! I tried the pulled chicken and mac and cheese and was not disappointed.
Watch the Sunset by the Mississippi River
Memphis is located on the Mississippi River. Arkansas is located on the other side of the Mississippi and there are several bridges that connect Memphis to Arkansas. If you are looking for a great place to watch the sunset in Memphis, I would try to find a spot by the Mississippi River. One place to check out is the Mud Park area in Memphis. There are several parking lots in this area where you can leave your car and walk along the Mississippi to view the sunset. Another great place to watch the sunset is Big River Crossing, which is a pedestrian bridge that connects downtown Memphis to Arkansas.
Take a Stroll down Beale St.
End your perfect day in Memphis by strolling down Beale Street aka the “Home of the Blues.” Beale Street is a historic street that is significant for its role in music history. At one time, Beale Street was a hub for famous musicians like Louis Armstrong and BB King. Today, the street is lined with bars, restaurants, shops and venues where you can see live music.
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