Top tips

Image by Bruce Emmerling from Pixabay

First time in Memphis? Consider staying Downtown or in Midtown Memphis.

Planning a Memphis city break? Stay Downtown.

Here to see the sights? We recommend Midtown Memphis, East Memphis or Downtown.

In Memphis for The Music? Stay Downtown.

Bringing your whole family to Memphis? You might enjoy a stay in Midtown Memphis or East Memphis.

Coming to Memphis for a good time? Stay Downtown.

Planning a longer visit to Memphis? Consider staying in Midtown Memphis or East Memphis.

Memphis is synonymous with music and music history, but it’s a fantastic destination for nightlife generally, and for eating and drinking, and rich cultural experiences. This is a city that looks both backwards and forwards. It’s had some regeneration work done, but that change has injected new life and energy into some Memphis neighbourhoods, and there’s a great array of accommodation that stretches wider than just the central, more touristy pockets. Which is why the Guru’s recommendations for the best neighbourhoods in Memphis is so useful.  

Guide to the Neighbourhoods of Memphis

Downtown — especially around Beale Street — and South Memphis are some of the best neighbourhoods for music lovers. You’ll find an impressive number of music venues, plus the recording studios and record shops — the whole timeline of music production happens in these neighbourhoods. As well as music, Beale Street is also the home of Memphis basketball. Midtown has the museums, including the Stax Museum of American Soul Music, the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, and the National Museum of Civil Rights. This is also where you’ll find the Overton Park Shell Amphitheatre. East Memphis is just off centre, with more green spaces, residential pockets, and loads of great places to eat and drink.

Downtown

Bruce Emmerling from Pixabay

Downtown Memphis is one of the world’s most legendary musical neighbourhoods. This part of town, centred around Beale Street, claims to be both ‘the home of the Blues’ and ‘the birthplace of Rock ’n Roll’. This is from where the greats of the past exploded into the world’s radios, and it’s still a music hub today, from the three blocks of restaurants, bars and music venues, to the studios and record shops. Downtown Memphis has the Memphis Rock ’n Soul Museum and the Memphis Hall of Fame, but it also has the National Civil Rights Museum, the famous pyramid, and a section of Mississippi — so you can take a riverside stroll too.

Midtown

By Sean Davis via Flickr

Midtown Memphis is really a collection of neighbourhoods, some with a ‘visitor vibe’, and some more residential. This is where you’ll find the zoo, Overton Park and the Brooks Museum of Art, but it’s also got the Memphis College of Art, several universities, and some of Memphis best best-kept Historic Districts. This makes it a great place to stay for families and anyone looking to explore more of Memphis than the music. If you like an arty base, check out the Broad Avenue Arts District, which has more than its fair share of theatres, cinemas and galleries, as well as lots of great places to eat and drink. If you like a livelier atmosphere, stay in the Cooper-Young Historic District, which is also known for its vintage boutiques and record stores, as well as great places to eat and drink.

East Memphis

By dani0010 via Flickr

Just to the east of Midtown, East Memphis is a great neighbourhood to stay in if you like green and leafy surroundings. Shelby Farms Park, one of the largest city parks in the US is in East Memphis. It’s a large enough space to go horse riding in, or paddleboarding, and there’s a GoApe Adventure Centre. East Memphis has the city’s Botanic Gardens, too. Other local landmarks are the Memphis Museum of Science and History and the Children’s Museum of Memphis. East Memphis is also known for its high-end shopping and foodie draws, both in the form of restaurants, markets and produce shops. This is a residential neighbourhood, so you’ll find useful stalwarts like Whole Foods and Sprouts, as well as local boutiques; the Laurelwood Shopping Centre is a great place to start.