WHERE TO STAY IN MEMPHIS

If you are interested in where to stay in Memphis, you may also be interested in where to stay in Nashville and where to stay in Dallas.

Downtown, the best area to stay in Memphis

Vibrant and soulful, the Downtown area is without doubt the best place to stay in Memphis. At its core lies Beale Street, declared the Home of the Blues by an act of Congress. Don’t miss the iconic A. Schwab dry goods and souvenir store, and its funny motto "If we don't have it, you don't need it”, that has stood the test of time since 1876. Alongside the blues route, there is also a comprehensive repertoire of arts including the New Daisy Theatre where you can see contemporary bands play and the Orpheum Theatre where you can catch anything from a touring Broadway show to stand-up comedy acts. Pop into one of the clubs along Beale Street, such as Rum Boogie Café, B.B. King’s Blues Club, Silky O’Sullivan’s, or the Hard Rock Café and soak up this unbeatable atmosphere where the greatest movers and shakers in jazz have all played. At any of these places, you are likely to stumble across an impromptu jazz session day or night giving a taster of this city’s rich musical history. The area is therefore a great place to stay as it has something to offer for everyone.

On Beale Street you can get to grips with the city’s musical past by visiting the Memphis Music Hall of Fame, which pays tribute to numerous local legends. On the corner of Beale Street you can also visit the Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum which was created by the Smithsonian Institution and follow the journey of music pioneers from the 1930s onwards as they fought to overcome racial and social borders and conceive music that would change the shape of music forever.

Head south from Beale Street onto Mulberry Street to visit the hotel where Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in 1968. Now housing the National Civil Rights Museum, it takes visitors through five centuries of history, from slavery, through the civil war and ultimately to the civil rights movements that changed the course of history forever and inspired people to fight for equality not just in the US but around the world.

From the Downtown area you can also easily access the Mud Island Riverwalk, which is a popular museum that has a 2,000-foot-long scale model of the lower part of the Mississippi flowing from the Ohio River in Illinois to the Gulf of Mexico. Along the walk you can learn about the river’s fascinating history and the city’s transformation into the world’s largest cotton and hardwood trader. You will also learn about its central role in the slave trade, which would affect generations to come. The most historic part of the river is found close to Beale Street where you can see the original and still usable historic cobblestone landing that dates back to the 1800s. It is also a great place to spend an afternoon when the heat is in force, to cool down on the banks of the river or take a look at a unique vantage point of the city across the water.

The streets of Downtown Memphis come alive each year during the Memphis in May Celebration as Beale Street hosts its exuberant 3-day annual music festival that features a mix of well-known stars alongside local musical acts.

Hotels in Downtown Memphis

Other areas to stay in Memphis

Midtown

For a real taste of Memphis, consider staying in Midtown. This area is one of Memphis’ oldest neighborhoods and to many the real deal, the authentic Memphis. It's a great place to stay, being the up and coming neighborhood with diverse cultures and ethnic influences and its main attraction, Overton Park, contains the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, the Memphis Zoo and the Memphis College of Art. There are often live music concerts and food festivals to indulge in, staged in the park during warmer months, so it's a vibrant and fun area to be in.

In Midtown, century old mansions sit next to lively restaurants that are garnering acclaim and music venues that host local and international acts as well as nightly jam sessions. Feast on soul food like the renowned barbecued pork ribs, pulled pork and black-eyed peas. Peruse the antique stores around the antique and design district, where you’ll find a treasure trove of quirky stores selling vintage wares. A cool café culture, a lively performing arts scene and trendy cocktail bars have enticed a young hipster crowd to head here and turn this area into the “next big thing”.

Hotels in Midtown Memphis

East Memphis

East Memphis is more of a residential area than the main area, which is why East Memphis can make for a quieter place to stay away from the hustle and bustle. Located just 8 miles away from the main Downtown area of Memphis, East Memphis encompasses beautiful, tree-lined neighborhoods and boutique shopping. Most of the attractions in East Memphis are family-friendly which include Wolf River Greenway Trail, Shelby Farms Park and University of Memphis Art Museum. Don’t forget to explore the local dining scene in East Memphis. Stop by Interim for a sophisticated white tablecloth experience or have a meal at Mosa Asian Bistro and choose from Thai, Japanese, Asian or Chinese.

East Memphis is also a lovely place to shop. Stop by the Laurelwood Shopping Center which offers a combination of national retailers including Talbots and Chicos. Since East Memphis is on a prime location you can choose from luxurious accommodation like The Hiltons or Embassy Suites for home-like comfort. You can also stay at The Holiday Inn at the University of Memphis which is perfect for those doing business but who want a location closer to Midtown Memphis.

Hotels in East Memphis

Graceland

Graceland can make for a great city for Elvis Fans who can choose to stay in Memphis and explore the mansion at ease. Located in the Whitehaven community of Memphis approximately 3 miles west of Memphis International Airport Graceland will help you take a closer look at the singer’s life.

The tour will take you from Elvis' humble beginnings through his rise to superstardom. You will also be able to see how the singer lived with his family and friends. One must also take the time to explore Elvis’ custom jets and their new entertainment and exhibit complex, Elvis Presley’s Memphis. You can end your tour by having a meal at the TCB Food Hall and a few drinks at Jungle Room Bar. More than 20 million people have visited Graceland since it was open for tours in 1982.

Hotels near Graceland