Visiting Beale Street

About Beale Street

Three blocks of neon-lit clubs, bars and shops mark the street where W.C. Handy, B.B. King and other musicians shaped the Memphis blues. At night it becomes a pedestrian zone with live music pouring out of clubs. A. Schwab, a general store trading since the 19th century, and the W.C. Handy House Museum are daytime stops.

Tip: Walk the full length early in the evening and step into the clubs with live bands; weeknights are calmer and often have no cover charge.

Plan your visit

• Time needed: An evening.
• Cost: Free — no ticket needed for the main area.
• Book ahead: not usually needed; buy on arrival.
• Where: Downtown and Beale Street, blues clubs, the Peabody's ducks and the riverfront bluff.

Best time to visit Beale Street

To avoid the biggest crowds, aim for the quietest of the good months:

• November: 17°C (63°F) highs, about 9 rainy days, quiet crowds.
• March: 18°C (64°F) highs, about 11 rainy days, quiet crowds.
• September: 30°C (86°F) highs, about 7 rainy days, moderate crowds.

When to visit Memphis has the full month-by-month picture.

Fit it into your trip

Our 3-day Memphis itinerary visits Beale Street on day 1, together with Graceland, National Civil Rights Museum and Big River Crossing.

• No. 3 of the 18 sights in our Memphis things-to-do list.
• Day 1 of the 1-day plan.
• Day 1 of the 2-day plan.
• Listed in free things to do in Memphis.
• One of the picks in historic sites in Memphis.

Near Beale Street

Also in Downtown and Beale Street, so you can walk between them:

• The Peabody Ducks — 30–45 minutes, free
• Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum — 1.5–2 hours, mid-priced

If you like Beale Street

• Big River Crossing — Riverfront, 1–1.5 hours
• Overton Park and the Levitt Shell — Midtown and Overton Square, 2 hours

Staying near Beale Street

Stay in Downtown and Beale Street ($$$) to walk here: blues clubs, the Peabody's ducks and the riverfront bluff. All areas to stay in Memphis.

Questions travellers ask