Welcome to Memphis:
This is not really a story about what to see and do in Memphis. It is an attempt to get you around this city without destroying your budget. As with most major tourist areas, Memphis offers plenty of easy ways to pay top dollar for things that won't really enhance your experience. Get a Rand McNally Memphis Street Map.
When to Visit:
Spring offers dogwoods in bloom and relatively mild weather. The famed "Memphis in May" festivities attract large crowds and increased prices at times. Another popular time to visit is August, during Elvis Week. Concerts, movie screenings and other special events bring Elvis fans to Memphis from all over the world.
Where to Eat:
Aficionados argue constantly about which place in America serves the best barbecue, but Memphis is usually mentioned among the best. A few places to sample it without breaking the budget: Rendezvous, downtown on Second Street, is well-known but a bit touristy; Corky's, with multiple locations in Memphis and elsewhere, also gets good marks. Lesser-known but also very good is The Commissary in suburban Germantown. Looking for something other than barbecue? Check out additional links for food and drink in Memphis.
Where to Stay:
There is a collection of moderately-priced hotels at the exits along I-55 just south of the state line in Mississippi. You'll face some traffic issues if you're heading to the heart of the city from those locations, so you might want to consider higher-priced downtown or midtown locations. Four-star hotel for less than $150/night: Homewood Suites in Germantown often comes in at about $120/night. There are some mid-priced options in suburban Bartlett and Cordova, too. Find a hotel in Memphis.
Getting Around:
Most visitors arrive by car or rent one at the airport. I-240 rings the so-called "Midtown" area, connecting it with the airport to the south. I-40 takes a northern route into downtown. I-55 connects the Mississippi suburbs with Memphis. If you do take Memphis Area Transit Authority buses, you'll find the rates reasonable: you can buy a $1.50 fare on any bus. If you'll be in the city for a length of time, a $28 pass buys 21 bus rides.
The Home of Elvis Presley:
Graceland ranks as one of the world's most-visited mansions. People come to see where legendary Elvis Presley lived, worked and relaxed. Plan carefully for your trip. Admission comes at several price levels, the cheapest of which is $27 USD per adult. Pay more and earn more privileges, such as looks at Elvis' private planes and even V.I.P. treatment that includes skipping to the front of long lines.
Other Major Memphis Attractions:
Plan to spend some time at the National Civil Rights Museum. This important series of exhibits sits at the location of the former Lorraine Motel, where Dr. Martin Luther King was murdered in 1968. Nearby Beale Street once suffered from blight, but has since been developed into an entertainment district that is a model of urban renewal. Come here to sample Memphis cuisine or listen to live music in a club. Music is a key to understanding Beale, which bills itself as the "home of blues and the birthplace of rock n' roll."
