How many days · Memphis · United States
How many days do you need in Memphis?
A straight answer, then what each trip length really gets you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Bjoertvedt, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
3 days is the sweet spot for Memphis, and 2 days is the minimum to see the main sights. Two days covers Graceland, the National Civil Rights Museum, Sun Studio and an evening on Beale Street. A third day adds Stax, the riverfront, Overton Park and more barbecue; add a day for the Mississippi Delta.
Key facts
- Ideal
- 3 days
- Minimum
- 2 days
- Day trips available
- 6
- Daylight
- 9.8 h (Dec) to 14.5 h (Jun)
What each trip length gets you
| Trip | Pace | What you can see |
|---|---|---|
| 1 day | Rushed | Graceland, National Civil Rights Museum, Beale Street and Sun Studio |
| 2 days | Good | Sun Studio, Stax Museum of American Soul Music and The Peabody Ducks |
| 3 days | Ideal | Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum, Blues Hall of Fame Museum and Big River Crossing |
| 5 days | Relaxed | The highlights plus a day trip to Clarksdale and the Mississippi Delta |
| 7 days | Plenty | A slow trip with day trips such as Clarksdale and the Mississippi Delta and Tupelo |
How long the top sights take
The 12 best-known sights in Memphis add up to roughly 21–25 hours of visiting time — about 3–4 days at seven sightseeing hours a day, before travel between them and meals. The biggest time commitments are Graceland (Half a day), Memphis Zoo (3–4 hours) and National Civil Rights Museum (3 hours).
| Sight | Time needed | Area |
|---|---|---|
| Graceland | Half a day | Whitehaven |
| National Civil Rights Museum | 3 hours | South Main Arts District |
| Beale Street | An evening | Downtown and Beale Street |
| Sun Studio | 1 hour | Union Avenue |
| Stax Museum of American Soul Music | 2 hours | Soulsville |
| The Peabody Ducks | 30–45 minutes | Downtown and Beale Street |
| Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum | 1.5–2 hours | Downtown and Beale Street |
| Blues Hall of Fame Museum | 1 hour | South Main Arts District |
| Big River Crossing | 1–1.5 hours | Riverfront |
| Tom Lee Park | 1 hour | Riverfront |
| Memphis Zoo | 3–4 hours | Midtown and Overton Square |
| Overton Park and the Levitt Shell | 2 hours | Midtown and Overton Square |
By type of trip
| Trip | Days | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First visit | 3 days | The main sights at a comfortable pace |
| Short break / repeat visit | 2 days | Focus on Graceland and National Civil Rights Museum |
| With children | 4 days | Slower days and time for The Peabody Ducks |
| With day trips | 5 days | Add Clarksdale and the Mississippi Delta and Tupelo |
Daylight changes the maths
Sightseeing days are much shorter in December (about 9.8 hours of daylight) than in June (about 14.5 hours). In winter, allow an extra day or plan museum-heavy afternoons.
Ready-made itineraries
Combining Memphis with other destinations
Questions travellers ask
+Is 2 days enough in Memphis?
It covers the main sights at a brisk pace; 3 days is more comfortable. Two days covers Graceland, the National Civil Rights Museum, Sun Studio and an evening on Beale Street. A third day adds Stax, the riverfront, Overton Park and more barbecue; add a day for the Mississippi Delta.
+Is a week too long in Memphis?
No — a week leaves time for day trips such as Clarksdale and the Mississippi Delta and Tupelo.