Do you only have 48 hours in Memphis? No problem– two days is just enough to see what makes this city special. Here are my favourite things to do in Memphis, Tennessee.

A few weeks ago I had the chance to spend 48 hours in Memphis, Tennessee. While my time there was short, it was more than enough time to see why this city is special!

Memphis, which takes its name from the ancient capital of Egypt on the River Nile, is a speedy, two hour direct flight from NYC.

While no visit to Memphis is complete without indulging in its world renowned barbecue– I mean, it’s practically a religion here– ask a local and they’ll tell you there’s no place like Memphis when it comes to diaphragm-stirring music that will move your hips and capture your heart.

Home of the blues, soul, and rock n’ roll, music is DEEPLY woven into Memphis’ cultural and historical fabric, with the city’s prominent music scene having launched the careers of legendary artists like Elvis, B.B. King, Al Green, and Isaac Hayes.

Those familiar with the city will know that there are SO many things to do in Memphis. In this blog post, I’m going to share three of my favourite things to do, as well as a video chronicling my adventure!

Party and listen to live music on Beale Street

While the city has music venues all over, if you didn’t do Beale Street, did you even VISIT Memphis? This National Historic Landmark has tunes for days; three blocks of clubs, juke joints, and bars serving up adults beverages and (at times reckless) fun.

It’s officially the home of the blues, but you’ll also hear jazz, rock n roll, and R&B; the soulful stylings causing even the stiffest of hips to sway seamlessly to the beat.

While “neon row” is known for its good times and rollicking parties, it also has a rich history: legendary performers like Louis Armstrong and B.B. King made the stages here their home, and the performers nowadays ain’t no slouches either.

Whether you’ve come to soak up the atmosphere, sounds, or alcohol (lol), Beale Street cannot be “beat”. And coincidentally, nor can my mastery of puns, heh .

Soak up Memphis’ culture (and great street art)

While Memphis is known for its music, it turns out that the city is just as much a hub for the visual arts as it is for the auditory. Sprawling murals are plentiful around town, adding even more colour and flavour to its landscape.

Given that I’ve never met a mural I didn’t like (um hello photo ops!!), I spent quite a bit of time getting re-acquainted with my tripod and camera remote in a bid to capture the city’s visual essence…and my supreme smize.

Oh, the vanity.

If you’re short on time, a treasure trove of street art can be found in downtown Memphis. This particular work in the picture above (you can only see a part of it here) is known as “A Day in the Life” and is one of at least 10 found along Main Street. (Sidebar: randomly my outfit ended up matching the background, so you KNOW I had to flex for the camera! #TeamNoShame)

Memphis is also a hub for culture and history in general, with many museums and exhibitions. The Rock n Soul Museum tells the story of the city’s musical pioneers, who used rock and soul music to overcome racial and socio-economic barriers and bring people together through the power of song.

Visit the National Civil Rights Museum

50 years ago, on April 4, 1968, Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee.

Now the site of the National Civil Rights Museum, it tells the heart-wrenching story of King’s legacy and the monumental fight for blacks to gain equal rights under U.S. law.

And if I’m completely honest, this museum was one of the main reasons I decided to come to Memphis.

While a visit here will most certainly be hurtful, emotional, and raw to anyone with a pulse, it is necessary to understand the obstacles black people faced in this country… and continue to face.

For, despite the strides blacks have made, systemic racism is still a huge impediment to our progress.

Black women for example, are the most educated group in the US. Yet the wealth gap between white and black families continues to widen, and black families have 10 times less wealth than white ones.

These stats make me think of those who oppose Affirmative Action.

How can you win the race when your shoelaces are tied?

How can you stop your house from collapsing in the storm when it’s made from straw, not stone?

How can you pass a test when you’ve never had access to the study materials?

The National Civil Rights Museum is a reminder of how far we’ve come, but also how far we have to go.

Lauren Pope