· Singer-songwriter Marc Cohn has said his
Grammy-nominated song “Walking in Memphis,”is
“about more than just a place; it’s about a kind of
spiritual awakening, one of those trips where
you’re different when you leave.”
That’s exactly how we feel about our city, and we hope you will too. Here are our top picks for a
memorable Memphis experience:
Music
Known around the world as the “Home of the Blues” and “The Birthplace of Rock ‘n’ Roll,” Memphis is a city for music lovers of all kinds, from gospel, jazz and R&B, to rap and soul. Popular stops include Graceland, Stax Museum of American Soul Music, The Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum, Beale Street and The Blues Hall of Fame. But, it’s just a 10-minute walk to our favorite: Sun Studio, where Elvis, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and other legends first recorded.
Art & Culture
The National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel, the site of Dr. Martin Luther King’s assassination and now a world-class museum, is an absolute must. You’ll find more neighborhood history right next door at the beautiful Woodruff-Fontaine House Museum, and art lovers will enjoy Memphis Brooks Museum of Art and the Dixon Gallery & Gardens. The city also boasts specialty museums, including the Belz Museum of Asian & Judaic Art, the Cotton Museum, the Metal Museum, and our favorites: the Withers Collection Museum & Gallery on Beale Street, and the Edge Motor Museum (yes, cars can be art!), a short walk from our house and just down the street from Sun Studio).
Outdoor Adventures
Just a short drive from our house, there are many wonderful spots to walk and view the Mississippi River, which is especially beautiful at sunset. Only Big River Crossing, the longest public pedestrian bridge across the river, let’s you cross into Arkansas halfway through your walk! The paved Riverwalk on the bluff alongside Riverside Drive, the newly renovated Tom Lee Park and Harbor Town are also favorites. For more elevated views, enjoy a cocktail at one of the city’s rooftop bars! A little further out, the Memphis Zoo is fantastic—one of the best in the nation. We also enjoy the Memphis Botanic Garden, home to 30 stunning specialty gardens. For hikers, bigger adventures await at Shelby Farms or Shelby State Forest.
Food
Everyone knows Memphis is home to world-famous barbecue and fried chicken, but what you might not realize is that the city boasts a vibrant and eclectic restaurant scene. Here are some of our favorites listed by neighborhood.
The Edge
Walking distance from our house you can enjoy coffee, a cocktail and breakfast or lunch at Sunrise Memphis (670 Jefferson Ave.). French Truck Coffee (732 Madison Ave.) also offers all sorts of ways to get your caffeine fix, along with breakfast and lunch. Take a seat at High Cotton Brewing Co. Taproom (598 Monroe Ave.) to enjoy their large selection of beers on tap, or head to Evelyn & Olive (630 Madison Ave.) for their fresh fusion of Southern and Jamaican cuisine .
Downtown
Our downtown favorite on South Main St. is Catherine & Mary’s, featuring Italian cuisine with both traditional and new riffs in the beautiful, historic Chisca Hotel. Down the street and around the corner, you’ll find the award-winning Gus’s World-Famous Fried Chicken (310 S. Front St.). Eat in for the ‘ambience’ or take out and have a picnic by the river. Either way, you’ll thank us! We also recommend Flight Restaurant & Wine Bar and, not far from the Civil Rights Museum, Central Barbecue is a good choice for slow-smoked Memphis style barbecue. Also, you won’t want to miss the duck fried rice at S.O.B. (South of Beale Downtown)!
Beale Street
For dinner overlooking Beale Street, try Itta Bena, tucked away on the third floor of BB King’s. It’s in the heart of Beale Street, yet it provides a quieter and more intimate setting from which to enjoy this iconic landmark.
Broad Avenue ARTS DISTRICT
Another excellent choice is Bounty on Broad, highlighting local ingredients with portions meant to be shared in a restored historic building. Nearby are Maximo’s on Broad, a tapas restaurant and wine bar and Wiseacre Brewery & Taproom. Satisfy your sweet tooth with some “lovin’ from the oven” at Muddy’s Bake Shop.
Crosstown Concourse
This former Sears warehouse has been converted into a vertical village of restaurants, bars, live music, theatre, art, wellness offerings, apartments and event spaces, with the motto Come Curious. Enjoy an inventive cocktail at the Art Bar or savor the grass-fed beef at Farm Burger. You’ll also find another French Truck Coffee here.
Overton Square
Further east, we would recommend several restaurants in the Overton Square neighborhood. Our personal favorites here are Porch & Parlor (Southern steakhouse) and The BBQ Shop.
Overton Park
ECCO on Overton Park is a quaint European-style bistro with excellent food and wine.
Cooper Young
About 1.5 miles down the street from Overton Square is the Cooper-Young neighborhood. Here, we would recommend Bari Ristorante e Enoteca featuring authentic cuisine from southeastern Italy. Other fun choices are The Beauty Shop, Tsunami, and Mulan Bistro.
East Memphis
A bit further east (about 4 miles), we recommend Acre, Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen, Char, Ciao Bella, Erling Jensen, Hog and Hominy, Chef Kelly English’s Restaurant Iris and River Oaks.