While travelling for work and business throughout Memphis, I have found one of the best destinations to be the National Civil Rights Museum. The museum has incredible historical significance, but it also does a fantastic joboft being both emotional and well-designed. This allows you to gain a deeper understanding of Memphis's role in forming America's past. In addition to the museum, I would suggest visiting Overton Park. Overton Park embodies the true essence of Memphis by combining beautiful public green spaces, art and cultural venues, and community events to offer a unique experience for locals and visitors alike.
Beale Street Live music, neon lights, and the classic Memphis night out. Even a short walk down the street feels like an event. National Civil Rights Museum Powerful, immersive, and worth making time for. Many visitors say it is the stop they remember most. Sun Studio and Stax Museum Two very different, very Memphis music experiences. Great if you want stories, history, and that "this happened here" feeling. Crosstown Concourse A huge creative hub with food, art, and shops all in one place. Easy to spend a few hours without a strict plan. Overton Park and the Shell A relaxing way to do Memphis like a local, especially when there is a free concert night and people bring blankets and snacks. Shelby Farms Park Big open space for walking, biking, and getting fresh air. It is a good reset if you have been doing museums and downtown. The Peabody Duck March It is quirky and fun and it makes people smile. It is a classic Memphis moment, even if you only watch for a few minutes. Memphis in May and the barbecue events If you can time it right, the city energy is next level. Food, crowds, and a real sense of local pride. Cooper Young Festival A neighborhood street festival with music, art vendors, and great people watching. It feels like Memphis showing off in a friendly way. Memphis Zoo seasonal events Great for families, especially during winter themed nights when the zoo does special programming.
Connecting with local entrepreneurs and creatives is one of the best ways to get a taste of what Memphis has to offer. Below are some of my top picks for places to visit: Start Co. - A co-working space and startup incubator located in downtown Memphis. Start Co. hosts workshops, networking events, and pitch nights where local entrepreneurs can pitch their idea(s), connect with other business owners, and learn more about the growing startup ecosystem in Memphis. The Commerce Club at the Peabody Hotel - An exclusive venue for traditionally-business-focused individuals to come together for lunch events and other types of professional networking. This is a great opportunity for local business leaders to share ideas and discover potential partners. Memphis Farmers Market (Downtown) - A weekly, community-focused Farmers Market, where small local businesses have the opportunity to showcase products, test ideas, and engage with the local community every Saturday from April through November. Cooper-Young Community Association Events - The Cooper-Young area holds quarterly Art Crawls and business pop-ups that incorporate local culture with small business entrepreneurial opportunities; these events are perfect for networking in a fun and creative environment. With all of these opportunities to connect with fellow entrepreneurs, freelancers, and small business owners, Memphis is home to a variety of venues that provide the opportunity to build relationships while experiencing the local culture.
Thank you for reaching out! I'm not originally from Memphis. I own a national shuttle company and I work year-round with local operators, venues, and riders in Memphis. My suggestions for things to do in Memphis come from Memphis-based partners, drivers and clients I work with daily. All of them give me local knowledge of Memphis. These recommendations are places and experiences locals recommend to visitors. Located at the original site of Stax Records, this is not just a museum, but also part of the history of Memphis, and a place where civil rights, soul music, and the identity of Memphis all come together. This is an area that people actually use; an area where people from the neighborhood hang out and congregate. There are plenty of independent restaurants, live music venues, coffeehouses and coffee shops, and street festivals, including Cooper-Young Fest. It feels "lived in," as opposed to touristy. In summer, Memphis hosts free outdoor concerts in the park. This has been a tradition for many years, where whole families will take blankets and food. This venue is where many Memphis musicians performed. Historic buildings that have been converted into galleries, bars, and stores. Locals recommend this area for First Friday art crawls, which is a more relaxed, artistic side of downtown. Compared to more conventional venues, this venue provides access to all types of entertainment; therefore, locals appreciate it for being community-oriented, and showcasing local acts in addition to national acts. The World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest is an example of how locals view it as both a competition and a social event. There are many teams competing, with each team having their own tents and traditions. A restaurant and bar that has a long history and many late-night stories associated with it. According to locals, it offers great atmosphere and great food. Bridge over the Mississippi is a pedestrian bridge. Locals enjoy taking evening strolls while on the bridge, and taking photos with minimal crowds. You have a great view of the city from here, without a tour guide.
I've lived in Memphis TN now for 15 years. I have lived in New York, Florida and Germany, so I have seen many different climates and cultures. Memphis really gets a bad rap, but it's a great place to live. Obviously the crime is something that gets brought up a lot, but I go out downtown a lot with my wife and daughter and never experienced any sort of crime first hand. There has been some car break in's in my neighborhood in east memphis recently though. The food and entertainment is really underrated. I think theres a ton of great options to go out to eat all over the city and there are lots of concerts, events and activities. There's great bloggers and influencers in this city and they always track what is going on every weekend. Ilovememphis posts an activity blog of everything going on that weekend, and paulryburn always has the daily insight into local news. I love living here. I have a beautiful house that would cost 3x as much in south florida, and I like the people here. Feel free to reach out to me if you need anything else. I've lived downtown and know many people here that could help you get the story you're looking for. -Albert Richer, Founder WhatAreTheBest.com
When people ask me to recommend unique things to do in Memphis, I always frame it around places that locals actually return to, not just once-and-done tourist stops. One event that consistently stands out is the Cooper-Young Festival, which turns the neighborhood into a walkable mix of live music, local art, food vendors, and small businesses. It's a good snapshot of Memphis culture because you see longtime residents, creatives, and families all in one place. I've also found that live shows at smaller blues and soul venues along Beale Street—especially earlier in the evening—feel more authentic than the late-night party scene most visitors see. For venues, the Memphis Zoo and Overton Park area are popular with locals year-round, not just during peak travel seasons. Overton Park Shell hosts free concerts that feel very community-driven, and it's common to see people bring blankets and picnic like it's a weekly ritual. From a local business perspective, I've noticed how places like the Memphis Farmers Market draw photographers, food bloggers, and small brands because it's a natural place to capture real Memphis life—vendors know their regulars, and there's a strong emphasis on local food and makers. What makes these spots worth recommending is that they're woven into daily life, not built just for visitors. When I've worked with Memphis-based businesses, these are the types of events and venues they mention because they drive real foot traffic and genuine engagement. My advice to visitors is to prioritize neighborhood festivals, live music with local acts, and community markets—you'll get a much more accurate feel for Memphis than sticking to headline attractions alone.
As someone who's spent decades traveling for manufacturing conferences and supplier visits, including time in Memphis, I've been asked what genuinely stands out when people are looking for unique things to do in the city. When recommending popular Memphis events and venues, I always point to places that reflect the city's deep connection to music, food, and community rather than tourist-only attractions. One that consistently delivers is the live music scene on Beale Street, where blues isn't just performed—it's lived, with local musicians playing nightly in historic clubs that still feel authentic and rooted in the neighborhood. For events, the Memphis in May International Festival is a standout because it brings locals and visitors together around music, barbecue, and culture in a way that feels unmistakably Memphis. I've also found that the Cooper-Young Festival offers a more grassroots experience, with local artists, food vendors, and small businesses taking over the streets for a day that feels personal and community-driven. For something quieter but just as memorable, the Memphis Botanic Garden hosts seasonal events and evening programs that locals genuinely attend, not just recommend. My advice to anyone curating a Memphis guide is to focus on experiences where locals actually show up year after year—that's where the city's real character comes through.
Memphis, TN, offers unique venues like Beale Street, renowned for its vibrant nightlife and live music. This historic area not only celebrates blues culture but actively supports local businesses. For example, the "Beale Street Music Festival" draws thousands each summer, significantly enhancing tourism and increasing sales for nearby merchants through themed events that foster community engagement and economic growth.
Memphis has a way of blending culture, music, and everyday life, and when people ask me about unique things to do here, I always point them toward experiences that feel authentically local rather than tourist-only stops. Events like the Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest stand out because they're not just festivals—they're social gatherings where neighborhoods, pitmasters, and families come together, and you really feel the city's pride in its food and traditions. I've also seen how smaller live-music nights along Beale Street, especially outside of peak tourist hours, give a much more personal look at the city's deep blues and soul roots. For venues, places like the Crosstown Concourse are popular with locals because they mix art, food, and community in one space, making it easy to spend an entire afternoon there without planning much. Overton Park Shell is another favorite, especially during free concert series, because it's casual, family-friendly, and feels like a shared backyard for the city. From my experience, the best advice for visitors is to follow where locals spend their downtime—parks with live music, food-driven events, and community spaces—because those spots show the real personality of Memphis far better than a checklist of attractions.
I like to recommend people to visit the Metal Museum along the bluffs of the Mississippi River because personally it was an eye opener for me. What really impressed me was the craftsmanship of every curve, every weld, and every piece of metal seemed as though each had been carefully thought through. I was struck by the precision and creativity shown in each of the pieces. It is a rarity to find such precise craftsmanship that serves purpose and beauty at the same time. The outdoor forge is directly in line with the sun during the late afternoon hours so it glows as though it is alive. I would also like to add that the view of the river from the sculpture garden is absolutely stunning and it is better than m most postcards. If you are interested in taking photographs, this would be a dream location; but even if you aren't, simply standing there while the sun this the metal is somewhat magical.
Most people hit Beale Street and call it done and get it. But Memphis has so much more if you're willing to look. On my last trip, I stumbled into the Arcade Restaurant around 9 AM as it is the oldest cafe in Memphis, dating back to 1919. The place was packed with locals, not tourists and I knew all I needed to know. I ordered up their sweet potato pancakes and spent an hour just watching the city come awake through those humongous windows. That experience taught me something important about Memphis - that the real character of this city is found in these neighborhood spots, not just on the famous landmarks on the main strip. For those of you who want to see some fo the "real" Memphis, begin your mornings at some places where the people actually eat. You'll get better good and you'll get better conversations.
When I went to Memphis for the first time, I was just like everyone else. I walked along Beale Street and I visited Graceland. I though I had seen all there was to see in Memphis, but when I started to explore outside of those two places, I saw an entirely different Memphis. I was blown away by the Crosstown Concourse, which is a former Sears Distribution Center that has been transformed into a multi-story building featuring local artist space, restaurants, and retail. As you walk through this building you can feel both the history and creativity of the city. In Memphis they don't destroy buildings, they transform them. Walking through the South Main Arts District felt even more "local" than the other areas I visited. Every last Friday of each month the studios in the area are open to the public and the people that create the art you are viewing are actually the people that live and work in the area. Last Spring, I happened upon a ceramics studio and purchased a piece that I continue to use to this day.
Most people do not plan to schedule trip to Memphis with an event in mind. I did not either until my second trip to Memphis took place in May and coincided with "Memphis in May". It is actually an event that takes place throughout the entire a month and includes both BBQ competitions and cultural festival. The "World Championship Bar-B-Q Cooking Contest" occurs in the middle of the month when BBQcooks from across the United States will come together to compete on the riverfront in downtown Memphis. From what I have experienced as a visitor, the aroma of slow-cooked meat hangs in the air in downtown Memphis for days. The "Cooper-Young Arts Festival" in September was probably the largest surprise to me out of the larger events. It is a neighborhood arts festival that takes place on the streets of the Cooper-Young district in Memphis. Over 120 vendors are involved in the event which features local music performances and art exhibits. When I arrived at the even expecting some type of small block party I ended up walking for about four hours through various art exhibit booths and food vendor stands that I had no idea were there.
I would really love to suggest Elmwood Cemetery because they offer a walking tours where you learn about the history of Memphis using its architecture and the people buried there since 1852. In fact, when I took a Saturday morning tour this past spring I found out more about eh city in 2 hours than I had with all my travel guides for years. Many of the Victorian-era monuments along the way and things that were visible on these monuments that I would never have even noticed myself. Compared to other popular downtown areas OVerton Park is much more representative of how locals spend their time. It has some very nice walking trails that many tourists don't use and a great museum located inside the park. I have walked these trails multiple times and rarely see any one that appears to be visiting from somewhere else.
As a Memphis local, when asked to recommend unique events and venues worth featuring in a city guide, I always point people toward places that show the city's personality beyond the postcards. Beale Street is the obvious starting point, but I tell visitors to go during the daytime to catch live blues spilling out of smaller clubs and to talk with musicians between sets. Crosstown Concourse is another favorite of mine because it blends food, art, and community in a single repurposed building, and I've spent many afternoons there watching pop-up markets and local performances come together organically. For events, I suggest Memphis in May and the Cooper-Young Festival because they feel like true neighborhood celebrations rather than tourist-only attractions. Memphis in May brings the riverfront to life with music, food, and families all in one place, while Cooper-Young Festival showcases local artists, bands, and restaurants in a walkable, welcoming setting. I also recommend catching a show at the Levitt Shell, where I've enjoyed free outdoor concerts that make live music accessible to everyone. These spots and events reflect what locals actually do in Memphis—show up, linger, and connect with the city and each other.