Memphis in a Day: A Musical Heritage and History Tour

Author's Profile Picture

by Grace

March 29, 2024 · 1 min read

Memphis 1 Day Itinerary

Embark on a one-day Memphis adventure that takes you through the heart of American music history and civil rights heritage. Start your journey at the iconic Sun Studio, the birthplace of rock 'n' roll, where legends like Elvis and Johnny Cash recorded their hits. Spend an hour soaking in the rich musical past before heading to the FedExForum, an arena that doubles as a modern-day entertainment temple. Afterward, stroll down the vibrant Beale Street, a historic site that's alive with blues bars and street performances. Next, delve into the poignant narrative of the civil rights movement at the National Civil Rights Museum, located at the former Lorraine Motel, where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated. Conclude your Memphis tour with a two-hour visit to Graceland, the shrine and museum dedicated to the King of Rock 'n' Roll himself, Elvis Presley. This itinerary is perfect for those looking to experience the essence of Memphis's cultural legacy in a single day.

ShanghaiMemphis
From US$952
Cheap Flights
Top 6 Hotels in Memphis
TOP 1
Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Cordova/Memphis/by Wolfchas
Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Cordova/Memphis/by Wolfchas
hotelStar
2/5
40 reviews
View Hotel Info
TOP 2
Courtyard Memphis Airport
Courtyard Memphis Airport
hotelStar
3/5
105 reviews
View Hotel Info
TOP 3
The Guest House at Graceland
The Guest House at Graceland
hotelStar
4/5
106 reviews
View Hotel Info
Red Roof Inn Memphis East
Red Roof Inn Memphis East
hotelStar
2/5
100 reviews
View Hotel Info
Courtyard Memphis Downtown
Courtyard Memphis Downtown
hotelStar
3/5
100 reviews
View Hotel Info
Hampton Inn Memphis-Southwind
Hampton Inn Memphis-Southwind
hotelStar
2/5
98 reviews
View Hotel Info

Day 1: Memphis Melodies and Memories

1

Sun Studio

arrow-image

Kick off your Memphis adventure with a visit to the birthplace of rock 'n' roll, Sun Studio. Spend an hour immersed in musical history where legends like Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash recorded their iconic tracks. Located at 706 Union Ave, this historic site offers a glimpse into the soulful past of Memphis's music scene.

Attraction Info

  • 706 Union Ave, Memphis, TN 38103, USA
  • Suggested tour duration: 1-2 hour
  • Open from 10:00am-6:15pm

Recommended Nearby Restaurants

SupperClub on 2nd
SupperClub on 2nd
/5 · 0 reviews
1.4 km from attraction
THRIVE SOCIAL BAR
THRIVE SOCIAL BAR
/5 · 0 reviews
3.0 km from attraction
B.B. King's Blues Club
B.B. King's Blues Club
4.5/5 · 2 reviews
1.4 km from attraction
Itta Bena
Itta Bena
5/5 · 2 reviews
1.4 km from attraction
McEwen's
McEwen's
/5 · 0 reviews
1.4 km from attraction
Flight Restaurant & Wine Bar - Memphis
Flight Restaurant & Wine Bar - Memphis
4.4/5 · 9 reviews
1.5 km from attraction
6 min,2.51 km
2

FedExForum

arrow-image

Next up, switch gears from historic tunes to modern beats at the FedExForum. Just a short trip from Sun Studio, this premier gym and event venue at 191 Beale St is not only home to the Memphis Grizzlies but also hosts a variety of concerts and events. Feel the energy of the city in this contemporary space.

Attraction Info

  • 191 Beale St, Memphis, TN 38103, United States
  • Suggested tour duration: 1-2 hour
7 min,0.47 km
3

Beale Street

arrow-image

Continue your cultural journey down the vibrant Beale Street. As you stroll through this historic site, let the bluesy soundtrack of Memphis guide you through shops, eateries, and live music venues. This iconic street is a living museum, echoing the rhythms that made Memphis famous.

Attraction Info

  • Memphis, TN, USA
  • Suggested tour duration: 1-2 hour
  • Open 24 hours
11 min,0.83 km
4

National Civil Rights Museum

arrow-image

Delve deeper into the heart of Memphis's history with a visit to the National Civil Rights Museum at 450 Mulberry St. Spend an hour exploring the powerful exhibits and monuments that chronicle the American civil rights movement, all housed within the former Lorraine Motel, the assassination site of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Attraction Info

  • 450 Mulberry St, Memphis, TN 38103, United States
  • Suggested tour duration: 1-3 hour
  • Open on Mon, Wed-Sun,9:00am-5:00pm
15 min,12.47 km
5

Graceland

arrow-image

Conclude your day at the shrine of the King of Rock 'n' Roll, Graceland. Set aside two hours to wander through the opulent mansion, explore the museum, and pay homage to Elvis Presley's legacy. Located on Elvis Presley Blvd, Graceland is not just a house, it's a pilgrimage for music lovers.

Attraction Info

  • Elvis Presley Blvd, Memphis, TN 38116, United States
  • Suggested tour duration: 2-3 hour
  • Open from 9:00am-4:00pm

Recommended Nearby Restaurants

Piccadilly Cafeteria
Piccadilly Cafeteria
/5 · 0 reviews
0.8 km from attraction
Exlines' Best Pizza in Town - Whitehaven
Exlines' Best Pizza in Town - Whitehaven
/5 · 0 reviews
1.0 km from attraction
Lenny's Sub Shop
Lenny's Sub Shop
/5 · 0 reviews
1.3 km from attraction
Krispy Kreme
Krispy Kreme
/5 · 0 reviews
1.7 km from attraction
McDonald's
McDonald's
/5 · 0 reviews
1.7 km from attraction
Best Wings of Memphis
Best Wings of Memphis
4/5 · 1 review
1.0 km from attraction
4.4/5106 Reviews
4.4/5Excellent106 Reviews
Memphis
|0.27km from Graceland
2.5/5103 Reviews
2.5/5103 Reviews
Memphis
|0.43km from Graceland
1.8/50 Reviews
1.8/50 Reviews
Memphis
|0.77km from Graceland
3.8/599 Reviews
3.8/599 Reviews
Memphis
|0.89km from Graceland

Top Things to Do in Memphis-2024

TOP 1
Graceland
Graceland
4.2/5 · 25 review
taCommentInfo-imageBased on 20,274 review
Highlights:
The Elegance Manor is a white-columned mansion of the late pop singer Elvis Presley in Tennessee, USA. It covers an area of 13.6 acres and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the National Register of Historic Places. The mansion has been open to the public since June 7, 1982, as the museum of Elvis Presley, the leader of a generation of pop music. Elegant Manor is a place where you can get close contact with the pop king Elvis, where you can intuitively experience his personality, learn about his family and his music. His contribution to popular music should still be remembered from generation to generation years after his death. Elegant Manor has now become one of the most visited private residences in the United States, with more than 600,000 visitors a year, second only to the White House.
Continue in the Trip.com App
TOP 3
Memphis Zoo
Memphis Zoo
1.7/5 · 6 review
taCommentInfo-imageBased on 3,642 review
Highlights:
Founded in April 1906, the zoo has 500 different species of animals and is one of four zoos in the United States with giant pandas. In 2008, the Memphis Zoo was ranked number one in the nation by tripadvisor users. Since 1990, the Memphis Zoo has invested more than $7.7 billion in renewal and expansion.
Continue in the Trip.com App
TOP 4
National Civil Rights Museum
National Civil Rights Museum
4.2/5 · 13 review
taCommentInfo-imageBased on 9,168 review
Highlights:
Memphis is a famous civil rights movement city in the south-central United States. This National Civil Rights Museum was converted from a motel, where American civil rights leader Martin Luther King was assassinated in 1968. On the outside of the museum, you can see the room where the assassination took place, surrounded by wreaths expressing people's respect and mourning. The museum displays many historical materials about the American Civil Rights Movement and black slaves, as well as materials related to the trial process of the Martin Luther King case.
Continue in the Trip.com App
TOP 5
Shelby Farms Park
Shelby Farms Park
0/5 · 1 review

* All user reviews in this article have been translated by machine.

* The information above is subject to change at any time. For the latest information, please check the websites of hotels and attractions.

Disclaimer: This article has been provided by an individual contributor or third party platform. If there is any discrepancy regarding the copyright, please contact us directly and we will delete the content immediately.
>>
Memphis 1 Day Itinerary