One day in Memphis

Day by day

1. Day 1: Graceland and National Civil Rights Museum

   Graceland, National Civil Rights Museum, Beale Street and Sun Studio, then Big River Crossing in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Graceland

      Start with the mansion tour early in the day, then explore the exhibition complex; allow at least four hours in total. Allow Half a day.

   2. Late morning

      National Civil Rights Museum

      Allow at least three hours, and leave time for the exhibits across the street in the Legacy Building, which many visitors rush. Allow 3 hours.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Dry-rub ribs

      Charlie Vergos' Rendezvous, in an alley across from the Peabody, has served them since 1948; barbecue joints across the city offer both dry and wet.

   4. Afternoon

      Beale Street

      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. Allow An evening.

   5. Late afternoon

      Sun Studio

      Stand on the marked spot where Elvis recorded and hold the microphone; the guides tell stories that bring the room to life. Allow 1 hour.

   6. Evening

      Big River Crossing

      Walk over at sunset, then stay for the light show; bring water in summer, as there is little shade.

Before you go

• Graceland: Buy timed mansion tickets online in advance, especially in summer, around Elvis's birthday in January and during Elvis Week in August.

If it rains

• Swap in Stax Museum of American Soul Music (Soulsville): Drive or take a rideshare to Soulsville and combine the museum with a soul-food lunch nearby.
• Swap in Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum (Downtown and Beale Street): Use the audio guide to listen to the full tracks; it is a good primer before Sun Studio and Stax.
• Swap in Blues Hall of Fame Museum (South Main Arts District): Combine it with the National Civil Rights Museum across the street on South Main.

Where to stay for this itinerary

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 10–13 hours of visiting over one day, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 9.8 hours in December to 14.5 hours in June, so in winter start early and keep museums for the afternoon.

Getting between stops: Tram. MATA's vintage-style trolleys run along Main Street downtown and connect South Main, Beale Street, the Peabody area and the Pinch District.

More or fewer days

• 2 days in Memphis
• 3 days in Memphis

Questions travellers ask