35 Top Fun Things to Do in Memphis (TN)

There are several reasons more than 11 million tourists visit Memphis, Tennessee, yearly.

Some visit because they wish to know more about this great city’s heritage and history. Others, because they want to know firsthand, the role it played in the early stages of politics, music, culture, and arts in the United States.

Also, tourists visit just to have fun and enjoy the barbecue served in this wonderful destination.

Whatever category you fall in, be rest assured that Memphis, Tennessee, will leave you completely satisfied.

You need more convincing? Check out the top fun things to do in Memphis, Tennessee.

Things to Do in Memphis

1. Fun at Southland Casino

The laws of Tennessee forbids gambling; for that reason, it is difficult to find casinos in the state.

Memphis, a city in Tennessee, sits on the borders of Mississippi and Arkansas, which are gambling-free states.

In a bid to exploit the loophole in the state’s laws, visitors of Memphis who wish to gamble are directed to places such as the Southland Casino.

Southland Casino is situated in West Memphis, a little bit outside the state’s influence, where there are no gambling restrictions.

Some of the games featured by Southland Casino include lotteries, slots, table games, cards, e.t.c. You can place your bet on greyhound races too!

Apart from the games, the casino has other fun amenities such as bars and restaurants.

These restaurants are of different categories; some cheap, some expensive.

The casino host live entertainments on weekends; you will get to watch top comedians and musicians perform while enjoying your champagne.

Playing in Southland Casino has this special thrill that is different from what you feel when playing in other casinos. This thrill might be because you know that each time you play here, you are breaking the law and at the same time protected by it.

This makes what to do in Memphis for a fun time, do add to your list of places to visit in Memphis, TN.

Address: 1550 North Ingram Blvd, West Memphis, AR 72301, United State

2. A Game at FedExForum

FedExForum is home to the Memphis Grizzlies of the NBA and the University of Memphis men’s basketball team that plays in the NCAA Division.

Apart from playing host during basketball games, this area is used for concerts, family shows, and even hockey games. You can call it Memphis multipurpose arena.

During games and shows, you will find several food carts all around FedExForum.

Some of the food items you can buy from these food carts include shrimp and grits, popcorn, BBQ items, soft drinks, craft beer, and lots more.

3. Visit Stax Museum of American Soul Music

Stax Museum of American Soul Music is the only museum in the world that is dedicated to American soul music.

One of the best places to visit in Memphis, Tennessee, the museum has in its collection more than 2,000 artifacts, interactive exhibits, films, and galleries.

Some of the items in its collection include a customized Cadillac Eldorado owned by Isaac Hayes, fully equipped with a refrigerated mini-bar, a television, and a white fur carpeting.

You will also find a copy of all the singles and albums released by Stax and its daughter companies from 1957 to 1975 at the Wall of Sound section.

Check out the section containing the names and biographies of some of the world’s best Soul singers.

4. Watch Performances at Orpheum Theatre

Orpheum Theatre is another place in Memphis that you should visit.

This prestigious theatre, located on the downtown side of Memphis, is the longest-running theatre in Tennessee.

Apart from watching the latest Broadway show here, Orpheum is home to everything related to international jazz festivals and ballet performances.

Before you come to the Orpheum Theatre, you need to visit their website to know, from their schedule, what show would be on display for the week and the time for those shows.

Apart from the beautiful shows it displays, Orpheum Theatre is frequently visited by tourists who want to know if the theatre is haunted, as the native say. According to the natives, the ghost of a little girl roams about this theatre.

Most tourists who claim to know how to take energy level readings of a place claim that this story is accurate, and the ghost is a friendly one.

Well, it doesn’t matter if the rumors are true, as nothing has ever gone wrong in this theatre since it was established in the 1920s.

Address: 203 S Main St, Memphis, TN 38103, United States

5. Explore Shelby Farms

A visit to Shelby Farms is one of the best fun things to do in Memphis, Tennessee.

Covering more than a thousand acres of land, stretching across the state’s countryside, the Shelby Farm features lakes, hills, and forests.

It is not surprising that it is home to both land animals and fishes with all that it features; even rare birds are found here.

Therefore, if you are a lover of animals and nature, you will find this place interesting.

Some of the fun stuff you can engage in while at Shelby Farms includes horseback riding, boating, swimming, hiking, running, jogging, and many more. The farm also features a golf course.

You can come with the entire family; there is something here for everyone. Even the pets are not left out, for the farm has an off-leash area where they can roam freely.

Wondering what to see in Memphis, Shelby Farm is a perfect addition to your checklist of Memphis attractions to visit.

Address: 6903 Great View Dr N, Memphis, TN 38134, United States

6. Sun Studio

One of the legendary places in Memphis, Tennessee, is the Sun Studio.

Sun Studio is referred to as “the birthplace of rock ‘n’ roll” by most persons because it was in this studio that the first rock song in the world was recorded. That song was recorded in the early 1950s.

From the 1950s, the Sun Studio has helped groom many young artists who later became very famous. Two among these artists are Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley, whose pictures can be seen in the studio’s hallway.

It is regarded as a significant place of interest because it served as a launching pad to these great musicians.

Sun Studio is open (from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.) to everyone who wants to know more about the history of Rock and Roll. Each tour lasts for an hour.

Some of the things you will find here include the microphone used by Elvis himself to make his first hit song. You will also find the recording booth formerly used by B.B. King.

When you are done exploring the studio, you should get yourself a souvenir from any of the vintage gift shops around.

Address: 706 Union Ave, Memphis, TN 38103, United States

7. Do not Miss Beale Street

Beale Street is one of the most remarkable streets in Memphis, Tennessee.

Considered a significant historical landmark for its role in the blues movement, this street is worth checking out.

Apart from being a landmark, it serves as a host to several museums, clubs, studios, cafes, shops, and lots more.

The history of Beale Street goes as far back as 1841; it was from that time that this neighborhood located close to the Mississippi River became a hub for traders and travelers.

Most musicians of that time performed here because the crowds going in and out of the port assured them of the audience.

It is not surprising that as the African-American community grew in this street, blues music also grew.

Although Beale Street is not the same as it was in 1841, a tour through it will show you that it hasn’t forgotten its roots.

Some of the vintage attractions you will find here include retro jazz halls, old theaters, and historic houses.

These attractions show that Memphis, Tennessee, is still relevant as far as music and entertainment are concerned.

Make out time to visit Beale Street; it is a place worth being on your list of things to do in Memphis, Tennessee.

Address: Memphis, TN 38103, USA

8. Explore Graceland

Graceland is one of the top places to visit in Memphis. A tour around Memphis without visiting Graceland is not complete because it is one of the city’s iconic places.

The first notable thing about this place is that it features Elvis Presley’s Mansion.

Elvis Presley’s house is considered the second most-visited house in America by tourists (the White House is the most visited).

Built using colonial-style architecture, you will find the building at the top of a hill in Graceland.

The features of Elvis’s mansion include billiard rooms containing rock ‘n’ roll memorabilia, bedrooms, and a basement.

Apart from Elvis’s mansion, other things in Graceland worth seeing include vintage cars driven by Elvis, beautiful gardens, and an airplane bearing the same name as Elvis’s daughter.

Another reason why you should check out Graceland because it is on these grounds that Elvis was buried.

Fresh flowers are brought daily by his fans to decorate his tomb, and if you are visiting on his death anniversary, you can join thousands of visitors from all over the world to hold a candlelit vigil for him.

Address: Elvis Presley Blvd, Memphis, TN 38116, United States

9. Crosstown Concourse

Crosstown Concourse, officially referred to as an urban village, looks like a mixture of a shopping complex and an underground neighborhood.

A place worthy of being on your list of things to do in Memphis, Tennessee, this attraction features markets, gyms, bars, offices, and restaurants along its corridors.

Crosstown Concourse is open 24 hours a day; thus, you don’t need to be in a hurry while exploring the many things this urban village offers.

After checking out the shops, you should check out some of the restaurants, for they serve the best meals in Memphis.

Address: 1350 Concourse Ave, Memphis, TN 38104, United States

10. Peak the Fun at Golf and Games Family Park

Golf and Games Family Park is a non-stop fun park located at the center of Memphis, Tennessee.

One of the best parks in the city, Golf and Games Family Park offers lots of fun activities and games such as arcade games and lots more.

Some of the fun activities you can engage in while in this attraction include swinging on a rope, running, swimming, riding a bumper boat in water, etc.

You and your kids can also play laser tags or try out simulations such as the Holgate virtual reality.

The park also has a golf course (as indicated by its name); if you can play golf, feel free to try out the courses. You can derive much fun from watching others play as well.

Golf and Games Family Park is opened 24 hours every day; therefore, it doesn’t matter when you visit, you will indeed find lots of fun things to do.

Address: 5484 Summer Ave, Memphis, TN 38134, United States

11. The Peabody Hotel

The Peabody Hotel is one of the best places to stay while spending your vacation in Memphis, Tennessee. Known for its state-of-the-art building, this luxurious hotel is one of the top attractions in Memphis.

You will find the hotel’s large square building in the downtown area of the city.

Everything about the Peabody Hotel is impressive, their rooms are one of the best in the city, and their customer service is top-class.

Its expensive marble lobby has been featured in several movies, both international and local.

Another exciting place to see in this hotel is the ornate water fountain, the Peabody Hotel’s centerpiece. The fountain is filled with live ducks.

From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., these ducks are seen daily marching down the hotel’s lobby like royalty, even as a tourist take pictures of himself.

The locals call these ducks the “the Peabody ducks,” and no one dares to touch them. You need to see these ducks; you will be amused watching them roam fearlessly.

Address: 118 S 2nd St, Memphis, TN 38103, United States

12. Memphis In May

One of the exciting events in Memphis you should attend is Memphis In May. This yearly event holds only in May, and if you wish to be a part of it, you need to visit the city in May.

Memphis In May is the city’s way of celebrating music, art, food, and culture; the celebration lasts for a month.

During this event, Memphis is filled to the brim; even hotels and motels get filled up.

You will find vendors from other places set up their gaming and shopping booths and several other merchandises. Memphis is never more alive than in May.

Some of the event’s fun programs include music concerts, a barbecue championship, a 5000m marathon, and lots more.

There is also the “sauce wrestling,” which is a fun but messy Tennessee wrestling contest. The contest involves up to 10 participants who have to wrestle each other inside a 40 gallons container containing barbecue sauce.

Other fun but messy competitions include pie-eating contests, potato sack races, and hog runs.

Make plans to attend the Memphis in May event for this year, for the organizers are assuring everyone that it’s going to be more generous and much funnier than the previous ones

13. Visit AutoZone Park

AutoZone Park is another fun place in Memphis, Tennessee, and it’s located on the downtown side of the city.

You can tell when you are close to AutoZone Park, for the area smells of popcorn.

AutoZone Park is not as big as other stadiums in Memphis, but its atmosphere and smell around it earned it a place its size couldn’t earn it.

The stadium has this vintage setting, and its cozy seating makes you think of the era of black and white TV.

Some of the exceptional amenities this place has include open-air party decks and a playground for kids. When the stadium is not used for baseball games, it is rented to be used for music events and festivals.

Address: 200 Union Ave, Memphis, TN 38103, United States

14. Things to See in Memphis: Mud Island

Another exciting place you should add to your list of things to do in Memphis, Tennessee, is Mud Island.

Mud Island is a small peninsula situated towards the north of Memphis. You can access this Island by riding a monorail suspended over the water or by crossing a bridge.

Since it is a bit separated from the crowd, it is easier to understand why its surrounding seems natural and uninfluenced by civilization.

Mud Island is quite an exciting place, and the whole fun begins as soon as you step your foot on its ground.

Some of the fun activities you can engage in here include biking, picnicking, hiking, boating, and swimming.

There are shops and restaurants on the Island available for the maximum comfort of its visitors. Other fun amenities here include an amphitheater that hosts live music daily.

Mud Island is a place for the whole family. You should make visiting it one of the things you and your loved ones can do together.

You can let the kids build sandcastles at the beach while you enjoy some fresh air.

When you are about to head back to Memphis from this Island, take a family picture, immortalizing the experience

Address: 125 N Front St, Memphis, TN 38103, USA

15. Nature Time at Memphis Botanic Garden

A visit to Memphis Botanic Garden, located on Cherry Road, is one of the best things to do in Memphis, Tennessee.

Memphis Botanic Garden is the right place to visit if you seek to escape from the city’s noise.

Listening to the sound made by the streams and the brooks that pass through this Garden is both calming and relaxing.

Due to its size, Memphis Botanic Garden is divided into several gardens, some of which are filled with ferns, roses, or herbs, while others are arranged to look like a Zen garden.

Of all the gardens that make up Memphis Botanic Garden, the butterfly garden is the most spectacular.

Just as its name implies, in this Garden, you will find hundreds of colorful butterflies. If you keep still for enough time, some of them might rest on you.

If you plan to visit with your kids, then you visit Memphis Botanic Garden a must.

The Garden offers other fun weekend activities include egg hunts, educational nature walks, brunches, and daffodil races.

Address: 750 Cherry Rd, Memphis, TN 38117, United States

16. Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum

Located in Memphis, Tennessee, the Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum is among the top places to visit while in the city.

A great music museum, it offers more insight into the history of Rock more than Sun Studio.

Here, you will find effects obtained from a rock star or an event hosted by him/her. One of these effects is a T-shirt signed by Johnny Cash himself.

You will also find a section where a copy of all the rock songs sang from 1950 is kept.

What are you doing this weekend? A tour around the Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum will make your weekend more exciting.

17. Animal Time at Memphis Zoo

Memphis Zoo is one of the best zoos in Tennessee and is worth being on your list of things to do in Memphis, Tennessee.

One of the largest in the area, the zoo houses more than 3,500 animals, kept in several habitats and houses.

Quite a remarkable place, the zoo has won lots of awards in the conservation category, and top travel outlets rank it as the number one zoo in the United States.

There are several things to see here; for example, you will see lots of rare and exotic animals kept in environments designed to look like their natural habitat.

One such habitat is the “cat country,” where big cats like cheetahs, tigers, lions, and snow leopards are kept. The “animals of the night” habitat are where nocturnal birds like owls and bats reside.

For the birds here, they are kept in an aviary, while fishes of different kinds are held in separate aquariums.

Their museum has a habitat known as the “dragons lair where they keep the komodo dragons.

Memphis zoo also holds several events within the year. One such event is the Zoo Boo, which holds in October. There is another known as the Zoo Lights, which comes up every December.

Wondering fun things to do at night? Memphis Zoo holds a night program they call the Zoo Snooze. You should partake in this event.

Other fun creatures you will find in the museum includes banana-flinging monkeys and the cute penguins of Madagascar.

A visit to the Memphis Zoo is one of the best things to do in Memphis with kids.

Address: 2000 Prentiss Pl, Memphis, TN 38112, United States

18. History at National Civil Rights Museum

Since 1968, when Martin Luther King was assassinated at a Memphis motel, Memphis has been at the forefront of the Civil Rights Movement.

Unlike most cities that would bury its ugly heritage, Memphis decided to convert the motel Martin Luther King died to a place where culture and history can be taught. It was this that led to the founding of the National Civil Rights Museum.

National Civil Rights Museum contains many historical items, and it will require you several hours before exploring every area.

Some of the things you will find in this museum include artifacts, photos, exhibitions, and documents that prove the painful struggle people like Martin Luther King passed through to fight for equal rights.

The museum also has a replica of one of the white supremacists’ buses during the Freedom Rides rally.

You will also get to listen to a cassette where civil rights meeting sessions were recorded. Some of them contain the inhumane treatment the activists suffered at the hands of the white supremacists.

These things are difficult to watch; you may break down in tears while watching them, but places like the Civil Rights Museums must be established so that this part of our heritage won’t be forgotten.

Address: 450 Mulberry St, Memphis, TN 38103, United States

19. Explore Tom Lee Park

Some of the best scenes in Memphis are in the middle of the city. One of such places is Tom Lee Park.

Tom Lee Park is situated in the downtown of Memphis, just a few miles to the west. Most of the trails in the city pass through this park.

A place with incredible views, you will find lots of tourists taking pictures of the various attractions.

Some of the beautiful attractions you can see here include the Memphis Bridge, the Memphis Pyramid, and lots more.

Apart from the beautiful scenes and the several trails (which are suitable for running, jogging, hiking, riding, and other related activities) that make the park remarkable, Tom Lee Park serves as host to many fun events.

These fun events include the World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest, the Sunset Symphony concert, and the Beale Street Music Festival.

Try attending one or two of these events, and enjoy the fun it offers while you are in the area.

Address: Riverside Dr, Memphis, TN 38103, United States

20. C.H. Nash Museum at Chucalissa

If you wish to know more about the history and culture of the Native Americans who once lived in Memphis, the best place to get answers is the C.H. Nash Museum at Chucalissa.

This museum is housed by several huts made using natural materials such as straws and mud. These huts are replicas of the ones the native people of Chucalissa built.

Inside these museums, you will find several exhibits that show the history, craftsmanship, art, language, and music of the Chucalissa people.

A visit to C.H. Nash Museum at Chucalissa is like a trip back in time to the ages of no cement buildings or computers.

You will meet tour guides in the museum, who are willing to tell you more about each item you come across, but if you want to go on a self-guided tour.

At the end of the tour, check out the museum’s store and get yourself a souvenir. One of such souvenirs is a windchime made by one of the Native Americans.

Address: 1987 Indian Village Dr, Memphis, TN 38109, United States

21. Unique Things to Do in Memphis, TN: See The Memphis Pyramid

One of the landmarks in Tennessee, The Memphis Pyramid, which has a height of more than 300 feet, is one of the best things to see in Memphis, Tennessee.

Made in steel, its walls reflect the sun’s rays sharply from all angles, and at night The Pyramid can be seen from miles away, looking just like a multicolored LED.

Built originally as an entertainment venue where sports games and concerts are hosted, it was later converted into a big plaza that provides both the natives and visitors with lodging, shopping, and dining options.

You can say that it serves as a central hub where a tourist can satisfy his/her needs.

For instance, if you need a place to rest, there is a hotel in the Great Pyramid. The same thing goes for where to shop and where to eat.

One of the biggest sponsors of the Great Pyramid is the Bass Pro Shop. This shop offers lots of unusual and fun activities to all who come to shop on certain days. Partake in those activities and stand a chance to win a prize.

Other fun activities you will find in the Great Pyramid include archery lessons.

If you have minimal time to spend in Memphis and wish to make the most out of it, just start from the Great Pyramid.

22. Memphis Music Hall of Fame

Most music lovers consider Memphis the Mecca of music, and the Memphis Music Hall of Fame seems to establish this point.

Memphis Music Hall of Fame celebrates the musicians who were either born in Memphis or reside here.

This hall of fame was set us with a bit of humor in mind; therefore, you will find one or two hilarious remarks.

Unlike other Hall of Fame, you won’t find gold plaques on the walls. Instead, you will find photos, video performances, interviews, and several interactive exhibits of the city’s stars.

As you go through the list of famous Memphis musicians, you will be amazed by some of the names you will see.

For instance, we all know that Elvis Presley lived in Graceland, but did you know that Justin Timberlake was born in the Shelby Forest area?

You need to see this list. As you go down the list, you will find top musicians linked to this humble city.

Address: 126 S 2nd St, Memphis, TN 38103, United States

23. Children’s Museum of Memphis

A visit to the Childrens Museum of Memphis is one of the top things to do in Memphis, Tennessee.

A family-friendly location, this museum has lots of amenities with the potential to make your kids very happy.

Childrens Museum of Memphis is divided into several sections, such that kids of the same age group play together in a place designed specifically for them.

For instance, teenagers are sent to excavation areas to dig up gemstones and fossils using real archaeology tools.

There are also simulators for planes, trains, and fire trucks programmed with rescue as the central theme.

While your kids play in this museum, they will learn, among many things, how to value one another and to become innovative.

This museum’s other fun amenities include a car garage, art studio, sandpit, and a rock wall; you will also find a carousel and a splash pad in this attraction.

If you are visiting with kids, add this attraction to your list of fun things in Memphis.

Address: 2525 Central Ave, Memphis, TN 38104, United States

24. Visit the South Main Arts District

One of the most iconic neighborhoods in the area is the South Main Arts District, and it is situated close to the southern edge of downtown Memphis.

This neighborhood has been featured in several Hollywood movies with beautiful scenery, and you will surely recognize it if you are a movie person.

Some of the movies South Main Arts District featured in includes Great Balls of Fire, Walk the Line, Elizabethtown, and Hustle and Flow.

If you are wondering why this neighborhood is so special, it is for several reasons.

One of the reasons being that it has an old-fashioned look, as it still has colonial townhouses, brick shopfronts, and lots more.

Another reason is its richness in art and craft; for instance, the neighbourhood walls are covered in murals, and vendors sell crafts on the sidewalk.

There are several restaurants and diners in the South Main Arts District; most are local and family-owned. You will find several trolleys here that could take you to any of the museums nearby.

South Main Arts District is not loud and flashy like most other tourist attractions, but even ghettos should be recognized as the black diamonds of places.

25. Pink Palace Family of Museums

In Memphis, Tennessee, you will find a chain of museums known as The Pink Palace Family of Museums, and all these museums are worth checking out.

Unlike most establishment chains, these museums are not the replica of each other; they differ so much that it is difficult to say one worths more than the other.

The museum’s in this network includes:

The Pink Palace Museum and Planetarium is an engineering and science museum where you will find a planetarium.

The next on the list is The Lichterman Nature Center and The Coon Creek Science Center. You will find arboretums, fossils, wildlife exhibits, gardens, and lots more in both nature museums.

Magevney House and Mallory-Neely House are both history museums housed in old buildings. You will find them in Memphis Victorian Village.

You may decide to set a day or two out to explore these museums one after the other, be rest assured that the experience will be educational and entertaining.

Exploring Pink Palace Family of Museums can be a fun thing for the whole family

Address: 3050 Central Ave, Memphis, TN 38111, United States

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26. Visit Belz Museum of Asian & Judaic Art

Belz Museum of Asian & Judaic Art is a one-of-a-kind museum dedicated to preserving Asia’s culture and that of the Jews.

Formally known as the Peabody Place Museum, the museum started as just a showroom where friends of Mr. and Mrs. Belz could see some of the priceless artifacts they owned.

As they collected more items, the showroom attracted the public’s attention, then Mr. and Mrs. Belz decided to convert it into a museum.

Some of the rare collections you will find here include the Gian Carriage, collection of Jade sculptures, e.t.c.

You will also find several Judaic and Asian arts, a room dedicated only to the Holocaust, and another dedicated to the Oriental Jews.

27. Elmwood Cemetery

Established in the year 1852, Elmwood Cemetery is one of the iconic landmarks of Memphis.

Although it is not the first cemetery in Memphis, it is the oldest active one in the south. You will find the cemetery on the National Register of Historic Places.

Elmwood Cemetery has featured in several movies; one of such movies is The Firm, which was premiered in 1993.

Some of the features of this 80-acre cemetery include the Carpenter-Gothic Office Cottage, an Entry Bridge, e.t.c. The cemetery also contains an Arboretum and a Bird Sanctuary.

28. Fun with Go Ape ZipLine and Treetop Adventure

Amongst the fun things to do in Memphis is to go on a Go Ape ZipLine and Treetop Adventure.

This tour exercise organized by a tour company in Memphis will get you climbing, jumping, swinging, running, and zipping through the thick canopies found in Shelby Forest.

For safety, the company has in its employment instructors who will guide you to use harnesses and pulleys.

Once you understand the basics, you can explore the trees on your own, as long as you don’t mind.

The whole activity is breathtaking but so much fun. If you wish to challenge yourself, swinging from one rope ladder to another, walking across net bridges, this adventure is for you.

Don’t forget that children below ten are not allowed to partake in the Go Ape Zip Line and Treetop Adventure; if your kids are below that age group, don’t come with them.

Address: 651 N Pine Lake Dr, Memphis, TN 38134, United States

29. A. Schwab

Known as one of the unique attractions in Memphis, a visit to A. Schwab is one of the best fun things to do in Memphis, Tennessee.

Schwab is a small family-owned souvenir shop located on Beale Street. Most of the souvenirs sold in this shop are rare, and you may likely not find them in any other place.

For instance, the largest pair of overalls in this world can only be found in this shop. You will notice them as soon as you enter this store.

Other things you could purchase in this place include homemade crafts, black magic hoodoo charms (oops!), souvenirs, and trinkets.

The store also has an old-fashioned soda machine where you can get a soda or a beer, and there is a candy station just beside it where you can buy several kinds of kitschy Candy.

From all these, you can see that A. Schwab is not your regular store. Nonetheless, visiting it is one of the coolest (and at the same time weirdest) things to do in Memphis, Tennessee.

Address: 163 Beale St, Memphis, TN 38103, United States

30. The Arcade Restaurant

One of the most fantastic restaurants in Memphis, Tennessee, is The Arcade Restaurant; you should add it to your list of fun things to do while in the city.

The Arcade Restaurant is not hidden; it can be easily recognized with its vintage colorful neon signs.

These neon signs give the restaurant the kind of setting common in 1950s dinners. Watching hungry travelers as they head towards this restaurant will make you wonder if these neon signs beckon them.

Inside the restaurant, you will find posters and photos along the walls; you will also find some of these seats used in 1980’s restaurants.

It’s worth noting that Elvis Presley had his breakfast in this restaurant every morning while he was alive, and he always ordered eggs and bacon.

You should check out the “Elvis booth” in this restaurant set up in his memory.

Apart from bacon and eggs, there are several other meals the restaurant serves its customers. Some of the items on their menu include sweet potato pancakes, biscuits and gravy, ham, grits, and country-fried steak.

The Arcade Restaurant is indeed an old restaurant, but there is nothing old about its menu. Make plans to enjoy a meal or two in this restaurant, and you won’t regret it.

Address: 540 S Main St, Memphis, TN 38103, United States

31. Slave Haven / Burkle Estate Museum

Slave Haven/Burkle Estate Museum offers all her visitors a glimpse of what the city was like in the mid-1800s.

During that time, cotton was like crude oil today, and most cotton farmers depended heavily on slaves to run their farms.

Because Memphis was the highest cotton producer in the area, it also became a haven for the slave trade.

A man named Jacob Burkle, a German immigrant who was among the anti-slavery movement, with the help of other group members, assisted in liberating some of the African Slaves. They even hid some of them in their homes.

As you tour through this museum, you will see the trap doors and rooms where Burke and his friends hid the slaves.

You will also find hidden passages from where some of them escaped from the city.

32. Ride on the Memphis Riverboats

Memphis Riverboat is one of the fun ways of learning about the history of the city.

You and your loved ones can take a slow ride down the Mississippi River on one of Memphis’s Riverboats.

While taking a ride on these boats, you will stumble on several unique views of the city. It would help if you came along with a camera to take some pictures for memory purposes.

The whole cruise lasts for about one hour thirty minutes, and in those minutes, you will learn a lot about Memphis and the river from the captain and his crew.

33. Tastin Round Town Food Tours

Going on a food tasting tour is one of the fun things to do in Memphis, Tennessee, and that is because the city has lots of restaurants that all serve delicious meals.

Tastin Round Town is a food tour company that offers its customers a unique food tasting experience.

As you tour around the city with this food tour company, you will get to try out dishes prepared by the best Chefs in Memphis.

The whole tour lasts for three hours, but you would have covered about four to six restaurants at the end of the tour.

34. Edge Motor Museum

Do you love cars? If you do, you will enjoy visiting the Edge Motor Museum, driving down to see vintage vehicles, and learning all you need to know about them.

Just as its motto ” Preserve the car, preserve the story” implies, Edge Motor Museum aims to preserve vintage cars to use as exhibits to back the story they tell and give visitors insight into the times when they were in vogue.

Visiting this Museum allows you to learn the secrets and hacks of cars that you never knew before, as well as the events that took place when they were made.

The cars at the Museum aren’t random. They were selected because of their cultural and historical significance; however, the cars belong to different people.

Edge Motors urges the public to follow in their footsteps of preserving modern-day cars to preserve their stories.

All vehicles on display are owned by the Museum or on loan from an individual, estate, or organization. Visit us today to learn the stories behind some of the world’s iconic cars.

Address: 645 Marshall Ave, Memphis, TN 38103, USA

35. Dixon Gallery & Gardens

The Dixon’s is a 17-acre campus with an art gallery surrounded by a picturesque garden on Park Avenue, Memphis, TN.

The AAM, the American Alliance Of Museum’s accredited establishment, fosters community, beauty, creativity, and inspirational moments with the belief that culture and art constitute unity and should be accessible to everyone.

Browse the Dixon Gallery and be intrigued by the spectacular rotating exhibitions and enlightened by the educational experience.

Town leaders and philanthropists Margaret Oates Dixon and Hugo Norton Dixon founded the Dixon Gallery and Gardens to enrich and preserve the town’s culture.

Donations from members and visitors fund this public attraction; the non-profit establishment focuses on inspiring and teaching the town’s people through its horticulture and art programs.

The Dixon Gallery contains over 2,000 items, some substantial holdings of English and German Porcelain and American and French Impressionist paintings. If you are lucky, you might catch one of its eight yearly exhibitions when you visit Memphis, TN.

The Garden is a stunning backdrop for beautiful pictures, so bring a camera. You could also relax while reading your favorite book in this serene atmosphere while you listen to the trickling of the fountains.

Address: 4339 Park Avenue, Memphis, TN 38117, USA

 

Map of Fun Memphis Attractions & Activities

To get around during your trip to Memphis, here is a map of the top things to do in Memphis with markers of top Memphis attractions and activities.

Also, check out our guide on things to do in Pigeon Forge, and things to do in Chattanooga for a fun time in Tennesee.

Plan a Trip to Memphis

Memphis is one of the best places to spend some vacation time in the United States, with lots of cool attractions and activities for a memorable vacation

As you explore this list of Memphis attractions, be prepared for those other fun places you will stumble into while on your tour.