Walking in Memphis: The Perfect Guide to Exploring the Birthplace of Rock & Roll

Let it be known that one of my all time favorite songs is Walking in Memphis by Marc Cohn, and that Elvis is a household name around here. So when we finally had the chance to visit Memphis, TN, we jumped in the car and headed north!

Where to stay

We chose to stay on Beale street and I’m so glad we did. Like I’ve said before, we are loyal to Hyatt hotels, so we chose to stay at The Hyatt Centric. The hotel was close to everything we wanted to see, and I felt like it was a generally safe area. While the hotel itself was not 5-stars, it was perfect for what we needed. I didn’t care that the parking garage was located across the street, but everything can’t be perfect, right?

Must See: Memphis, Tennessee

Beale Street – While my husband and I aren’t huge drinkers, we still found plenty of shops, museums, and restaurants to see. You can definitely find live music and bars on this street. It is famous for being lively!
Graceland – If there is anything on this list that you just absolutely can’t miss, make it Graceland. This place was the highlight of our trip. We could have spent the entire day at Elvis’s home.
Bass Pro Shop – Now, hear me out okay…The bass pro shop here is not like your normal, run of the mill shop. It’s a freaking giant pyramid. I’m not kidding, look it up for yourself. It’s amazing!
Big River Crossing – This is such a unique walking bridge that connects Tennessee to Arkansas. You can also take some pretty great photos of the Mississippi River here.
Cooper Young District – A neighborhood in Memphis that is “historically hip”. There are lots of shops, restaurants, and historic places to see, including the beauty shop that Priscilla Presley frequented.

MUST EAT: MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE

Now it’s time for my favorite part of any trip. The food!

Beauty Shop Restaurant – I mentioned earlier that you could visit the beauty shop that Priscilla Presley used to visit. It’s now turned into a lovely restaurant and lounge. You’ve got to try the famous “Watermelon & Wings”.
Dyer’s Burgers – You’ve probably heard about Dyer’s burgers from the Travel channel. This restaurant deep fries their burgers in grease that is over 100 years old. It’s delicious, greasy, and everything you could want in a burger.
Central BBQ – Memphis is known for their BBQ so you know we had to check out a few of the local’s favorite BBQ places. We asked around and the general consensus was Central BBQ! The locals were right, this BBQ place was incredible.
Good Fortune Co. – Made from scratch noodles? Sign me up! No reservations needed, but you may want to arrive early to secure a spot as the walk up list fills up quickly.
Elwood’s Shack – If you are looking for a legit shack, head down to Summer’s Avenue and enjoy some lunch at Elwood’s. It’s a hole in the wall restaurant that serves everything from pizza to brisket.

Hi, I’m anna!

In 2020 my husband and I decided we didn’t want to wait until retirement age to travel. We’ve started to slowly travel around the world while navigating our adventures around a corporate job. We’ve gained quite the “travel reputation” and our family & friends are always asking where we’re off to next!

Anna's Adventures