Beale Street by Day
- 📍 Where
- Beale Street, Downtown
- 🕑 Best time
- Weekday afternoons before cover charges start
Mubboo’s tip: Walk both blocks before 6pm to hear live music for free from open doorways.
Things to Do in Memphis
Free–$88 per activity
Memphis's best moments — live music spilling out of Beale Street doorways, the Mississippi River at sunset, murals in Cooper-Young — cost nothing. Pay only for one or two signature experiences: a food tour, a brewery tour, or Graceland if you're an Elvis fan. Skip the multiple overlapping walking tours and haunted-history gimmicks near Beale; they retread the same three blocks. Two full days covers the city comfortably; three lets you add Memphis in May or Elvis Week without rushing.
August: Elvis Week fills Graceland-area hotels for the anniversary of Presley's death — book far ahead. · Crowds: Very High
Mubboo Verdict: Beale Street's free live music and Mississippi riverfront views beat anything you'll pay for downtown. Skip the duplicate walking tours and haunted-history bus rides — put that money toward one real food, brewery, or civil-rights history tour instead.
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How M decides what’s worth it
M's approach in Memphis: start free. Beale Street by day, the Mississippi riverfront, and Cooper-Young cost nothing and fill a full day. Spend money on one signature experience — a food tour, brewery tour, or the African American history tour — rather than three generic ones. Budget a half or full day for Graceland only if you're an Elvis fan; skip it otherwise. Time your visit around weather: March and November are driest and mildest.
Avoid stacking two bus tours back to back — they cover overlapping ground. One paid activity per day plus free wandering beats a packed itinerary of look-alike tours.
Free First
Free things to do in Memphis
Start here. These cost nothing and are genuinely worth your time — no booking required.
Big River Crossing
- 📍 Where
- Downtown riverfront to West Memphis, Arkansas
- 🕑 Best time
- Sunset
Mubboo’s tip: The pedestrian bridge lights up at dusk — the best photo spot in the city.
Tom Lee Park and the Mississippi Riverfront
- 📍 Where
- Downtown riverfront
- 🕑 Best time
- Morning or sunset
Mubboo’s tip: Bring a blanket and watch barge traffic drift past for free.
Shelby Farms Park
- 📍 Where
- Shelby Farms, East Memphis
- 🕑 Best time
- Weekend mornings
Mubboo’s tip: Rent a bike or walk Hyde Lake's 4.5-mile loop at no cost.
Cooper-Young Historic District
- 📍 Where
- Cooper-Young, Midtown
- 🕑 Best time
- Saturday daytime
Mubboo’s tip: Browse the murals and vintage shops without spending a dime on tickets.
Tours & experiences worth paying for in Memphis
These six tours cover Memphis's core reasons to visit: music history, food, brewery culture, and civil rights heritage. The Mojo Bus Tour is the best single overview for first-timers. The food tour and brewery tour pair well with an evening on Beale Street. The African American history tour is the most substantive history option in town, rated higher than several pricier alternatives. Skip doubling up on walking tours — the Beale Street and Historic Memphis tours cover similar ground. Horseback riding through Shelby Farms is the one pick here with zero overlap with anything else on this list.
Memphis Mojo Bus Tour
4.81,574 reviews⏱ 2-3 hours
Mubboo Verdict: The single best overview tour in Memphis — a musician-led bus ride through blues and soul history. Skip it only if you're doing every other tour on this list too.
Best for: First-timers wanting one tour that covers the whole city
From $44Book Now
Taste of Downtown Memphis Food Tour
4.9946 reviews⏱ 3 hours
Mubboo Verdict: Worth it if barbecue and Southern cooking matter more to you than history — you'll eat well but pay a premium for the guided format.
Best for: Foodies who'd rather taste Memphis than read about it
From $85Book Now
2.5 Hours Essence of Memphis African American History Tour
5.0187 reviews⏱ 2h 30m
Mubboo Verdict: The most substantive history tour in the city, rated higher than every cheaper alternative — worth the extra cost for serious history travelers.
Best for: Travelers prioritizing civil rights and African American history
From $88Book Now
Memphis Signature Guided Brewery Tour
5.0192 reviews⏱ 3h 30m
Mubboo Verdict: A perfect 5.0 rating across nearly 200 reviews says this is the best low-key evening option — skip it if you don't drink.
Best for: Couples and small groups wanting an evening that isn't Beale Street
From $62Book Now
Beale Street Guided Walking Tour
4.8191 reviews⏱ 1 hours
Mubboo Verdict: The cheapest paid option on this list and a reasonable pick if you want context beyond wandering Beale Street solo — skip if you've already booked the Mojo tour.
Best for: Budget travelers wanting quick historical context
From $22Book Now
Memphis 1 hour Horseback Trail Ride
4.9247 reviews⏱ 1 hours
Mubboo Verdict: The one activity here with zero overlap with the rest of the list — a genuine outdoor break from downtown's history-and-BBQ loop.
Best for: Families and outdoor lovers wanting a break from touring
From $80Book Now
What to skip & what to know in Memphis
Skip these
- Skip the second or third walking tour of Beale Street — the Historic Memphis and Beale Street tours cover nearly identical blocks.
- Skip Graceland's top VIP ticket tier unless you're a dedicated Elvis collector; the basic mansion tour covers the highlights.
- Skip driving downtown during Memphis in May or Elvis Week — parking fills fast and rideshare surge pricing spikes.
Know before you go
- Know that Beale Street clubs charge a cover after about 8-9pm, but the music is free to hear from the sidewalk earlier.
- Know that Memphis International Airport is only about 15 minutes from downtown, so you don't need to budget much transfer time.
- Know that most walking tours sell out on weekends during peak months — book at least a few days ahead in May or August.
Where to spend your time in Memphis
Downtown / Beale Street Historic District
🚇 City centerBeale Street clubs, FedExForum, Rock 'n' Soul Museum
Top pick: Walk Beale Street after 6pm for free live music spilling from doorways
South Main Arts District
🚇 5-minute walk from BealeArt galleries, trolley stops, Central Station
Top pick: Join the last-Friday Trolley Night art walk
Cooper-Young
🚇 10-minute drive from downtownIndie restaurants, vintage shops, murals
Top pick: Brunch at a local diner, then browse the record shops
Overton Square / Midtown
🚇 10-minute drive from downtownLevitt Shell free concerts, Memphis Zoo, restaurants
Top pick: Check the Levitt Shell schedule for free summer concerts
Whitehaven / Graceland
🚇 20-minute drive south of downtownGraceland, Elvis-themed shops and hotels
Top pick: Budget a half-day if Graceland is your main draw
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When to visit Memphis, month by month
AugustThis monthVery High crowds
Elvis Week fills Graceland-area hotels for the anniversary of Presley's death — book far ahead.
JanuaryLow crowds
MLK Day events and civil rights programming draw quiet crowds downtown.
FebruaryLow crowds
Rain keeps outdoor plans flexible; Black History Month programming fills the Civil Rights Museum.
MarchLow crowds
Mild, drier days make this the best month for walking tours and riverfront strolls.
AprilMedium crowds
The Africa in April cultural festival adds events downtown, though showers are frequent.
MayVery High crowds
Memphis in May brings the Beale Street Music Festival and world BBQ contest — book tours weeks ahead.
JuneMedium crowds
Hot and humid; mornings are best for outdoor tours before afternoon heat peaks.
JulyMedium crowds
Peak summer heat pushes activity indoors — museums and brewery tours beat walking tours.
SeptemberMedium crowds
Heat lingers but crowds thin; the Southern Heritage Classic weekend briefly fills downtown hotels.
OctoberMedium crowds
Cooler evenings and fall festivals make this a strong month for walking and food tours.
NovemberLow crowds
Second-best weather month; Thanksgiving week brings a short crowd spike, otherwise quiet.
DecemberLow crowds
Cool and dry with holiday lights downtown; a calm month to see Graceland without lines.
Need to get there first? Search flights:
Not sure where to start?
First-timer with one day downtown
Pair the Mojo Bus Tour with a free evening walk down Beale Street — one paid tour covers the whole story.
Explore toursFoodies who want real BBQ, not the tourist strip
The downtown food tour samples the spots locals actually recommend, not the ones with the longest lines.
Explore toursHistory-focused travelers
The African American history tour goes deeper than any bus tour on Beale Street, at a comparable price.
Explore toursCouples wanting a low-key evening
Skip another loud Beale Street bar and try the brewery tour instead — rated a perfect 5.0.
Explore toursWhat travelers are saying
“Locals steer visitors away from Beale Street after dark and point them toward Cooper-Young or Overton Square for a more local scene.”
“Travelers debate whether Graceland's pricier ticket tiers are worth it, with most agreeing the basic mansion tour covers what a casual visitor needs.”
“Regulars argue dry-rub ribs beat wet sauce for real Memphis barbecue, and recommend skipping restaurants directly on Beale Street for better spots a few blocks away.”
Frequently asked questions
What's free to do in Memphis?
Walking Beale Street during the day costs nothing, and live music often spills out of clubs for free before cover charges start in the evening. The Mississippi riverfront, Big River Crossing pedestrian bridge, and Shelby Farms Park are also free. Budget one paid activity per day and let the rest be free wandering.
How can I save money on Memphis tours?
Book walking tours over bus tours — they run $22-$40 versus $60-$90 for guided bus experiences covering similar ground. Weekday tours are less crowded. Skip Graceland's priciest ticket tiers unless you're a serious Elvis fan; the basic mansion tour covers the essentials.
Is Memphis good for families with kids?
Yes, especially Shelby Farms Park, the Memphis Zoo in Overton Park, and short horseback trail rides. Most walking tours run 1-3 hours, which is manageable for kids over eight. Skip late-evening Beale Street and the true-crime tour with younger children.
How many days do I need in Memphis?
Two full days cover the essentials: one for Beale Street, food, and a history tour; one for Graceland or Shelby Farms. Add a third day for Memphis in May or Elvis Week if your visit lands in May or August.
Is Beale Street worth it if I don't drink?
Yes — the music and people-watching are free during the day, and several restaurants and museums nearby don't involve bars. Evenings lean toward nightlife, so daytime is the better visit if drinking isn't the draw.
What's the best month to visit Memphis?
March and November have the mildest, driest weather. May and August draw the biggest crowds and highest hotel prices thanks to Memphis in May and Elvis Week.
Do I need a car to get around Memphis?
Downtown and Beale Street are walkable, but Graceland, Shelby Farms, and Cooper-Young sit a 10-20 minute drive apart. A car or rideshare budget makes the trip far easier than relying on transit.
Plan the rest of your Memphis trip
FlightsMemphis International Airport (MEM) sits about 15 minutes from downtown, with direct flights from most major US hubs.HotelsDowntown and South Main put you within walking distance of Beale Street; Whitehaven is closer to Graceland if that's your main draw.City guideSee the full Memphis city guide for neighborhood breakdowns, restaurant picks, and a day-by-day itinerary.
Things to do in other cities
New YorkFree museums, iconic parks, and a paid-tour scene at a much bigger scale.Los AngelesFree beaches and hikes balanced against pricey studio tours and theme parks.MiamiFree beach days versus paid boat tours and nightlife.Las VegasFree casino spectacle offset by expensive shows and day-club entry.ChicagoFree lakefront and architecture versus paid boat and skyline tours.San FranciscoFree hills and views against pricey bay tours and attraction tickets.
Before you go
- esimGrab a US eSIM before you land so maps and rideshare apps work the moment you touch down at MEM.
- insuranceTravel insurance is worth it for trips built around festival dates like Memphis in May or Elvis Week, when disruptions are more likely.
- transferBook an airport transfer or rideshare in advance if you're landing during Elvis Week or Memphis in May, when demand near MEM spikes.
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