Season guide · Memphis · United States
Memphis in autumn
September–November: weather, crowds, prices and the best things to do this time of year.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
Warm September gives way to dry, comfortable October and November days, with neighbourhood festivals. Expect highs up to 30°C (86°F) and lows around 6°C (43°F), with about 23 rainy days across September–November. October–November are among the best months of the year to visit.
Key facts
- Months
- September–November
- Temperatures
- 6°C (43°F) to 30°C (86°F)
- Rainy days in the season
- About 23
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in autumn
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September | 30°C (86°F) | 19°C (66°F) | 7 | 12.3 h | 3/5 |
| October | 24°C (75°F) | 12°C (54°F) | 7 | 11.2 h | 3/5 |
| November | 17°C (63°F) | 6°C (43°F) | 9 | 10.3 h | 2/5 |
Compared with the rest of the year: average highs of 24°C (75°F) against a yearly 23°C (73°F), and 23 of the year's roughly 109 rainy days fall in these 3 months. Crowds rate 3/5 and hotel prices 3/5 on average.
What's on in autumn
Recurring events; dates move from year to year, so confirm with the organiser.
- September: Cooper-Young Festival (usually mid-September)
- September: Southern Heritage Classic HBCU football game and events (usually September)
- October: Grizzlies basketball season begins (usually October)
Make the most of the weather
Museum · South Memphis bluff
Metal Museum
On a quiet bluff overlooking the Mississippi, the Metal Museum is devoted to fine metalwork, with galleries, sculpture gardens and a working foundry and smithy where you may see artists at work.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Art
- Views
- Off the beaten path
_-_Memphis,_TN.jpg){kind=link}
Landmark · Pinch District
Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid
Take the lift to The Lookout at sunset for the best river view in the city.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Views
- Kids
- Shopping
- Rainy day
Park · East Memphis
Shelby Farms Park
One of the largest urban parks in the United States, Shelby Farms covers about 1,800 hectares of lakes, forest and meadows, with a small bison herd, kayak and paddleboat rentals, playgrounds and many kilometres of trails.
- Time needed
- 2–4 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Kids
- Active
- Nature
Garden · East Memphis
Memphis Botanic Garden
Visit in April, when the iris and azalea gardens are at their best, and let children explore My Big Backyard.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Nature
- Kids
- Couples
- Outdoors
Landmark · Riverfront
Big River Crossing
A walking and cycling path along the Harahan Bridge, Big River Crossing stretches about 1.6 km across the Mississippi to Arkansas, with views of the river, the downtown skyline and passing barges.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Outdoors
- After dark
- Active
Day trips in autumn
- Oxford, Mississippi (About 1 hour 20 minutes) — Home of the University of Mississippi, Oxford has a lively town square with independent bookshops, restaurants and bars, and Rowan Oak, the home of novelist William Faulkner, set in woodland near campus.
- Shiloh National Military Park (About 2 hours) — The site of one of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War in April 1862, with a visitor centre, a driving tour of the battlefield, the national cemetery and prehistoric Native American mounds above the Tennessee River.
What to pack
- Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen
- A packable rain jacket for showers
- Comfortable walking shoes
Other times of year
Questions travellers ask
+Is autumn a good time to visit Memphis?
Yes: October–November are among the best months. Warm September gives way to dry, comfortable October and November days, with neighbourhood festivals.
+What is the weather like in Memphis in autumn?
Highs of up to 30°C (86°F) and lows around 6°C (43°F), with about 23 rainy days over the season.