{"id":36767,"date":"2024-11-19T06:58:52","date_gmt":"2024-11-19T12:58:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/?p=36767"},"modified":"2025-04-02T09:27:28","modified_gmt":"2025-04-02T14:27:28","slug":"5-things-to-do-in-downtown-memphis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/5-things-to-do-in-downtown-memphis\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Things to do in Downtown Memphis"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are so many reasons to visit Memphis! Admittedly, the top of mind for me was the barbecue and other Southern delicacies, but this gem has so much more to offer.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I was pleasantly surprised to find out that Memphis has a deep history related to the Civil Rights Movement and Blues music. All of these are centered in the downtown area, so that made planning a trip easy. If you have a weekend, you will be able to hit all the historical spots and sample Southern food too in Downtown Memphis.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Recommended by Bernadette of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/explorerchick.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Explorer Chick<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_79_2 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-693fb7500e353\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"ez-toc-cssicon\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-693fb7500e353\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/5-things-to-do-in-downtown-memphis\/#1_Listen_to_Blues_music\" >1. Listen to Blues music<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/5-things-to-do-in-downtown-memphis\/#2_Take_a_deep_dive_into_history_and_see_the_connection_of_Memphis_to_the_Civil_Rights_Movement\" >2. Take a deep dive into history and see the connection of Memphis to the Civil Rights Movement<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/5-things-to-do-in-downtown-memphis\/#3_Try_some_good_old-fashioned_Southern_cuisine\" >3. Try some good, old-fashioned Southern cuisine<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/5-things-to-do-in-downtown-memphis\/#Central_BBQ\" >Central BBQ<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/5-things-to-do-in-downtown-memphis\/#Arcade_Diner\" >Arcade Diner<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/5-things-to-do-in-downtown-memphis\/#4_Start_your_adventure_on_the_Tennessee_Whiskey_Trail\" >4. Start your adventure on the Tennessee Whiskey Trail<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/5-things-to-do-in-downtown-memphis\/#5_Walk_around_Downtown_Memphis\" >5. Walk around Downtown Memphis<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/5-things-to-do-in-downtown-memphis\/#Where_to_Stay_in_Memphis\" >Where to Stay in Memphis<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/5-things-to-do-in-downtown-memphis\/#Other_places_to_inspire_your_travel_lust_in_Tennessee\" >Other places to inspire your travel lust in Tennessee<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/5-things-to-do-in-downtown-memphis\/#Are_you_ready_to_travel_to_Memphis\" >Are you ready to travel to Memphis?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1_Listen_to_Blues_music\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1. Listen to Blues music<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-36774\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/9-Blues-trail.jpg\" alt=\"Blues-trail\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/9-Blues-trail.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/9-Blues-trail-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/9-Blues-trail-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/9-Blues-trail-200x133.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/9-Blues-trail-400x267.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/9-Blues-trail-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/9-Blues-trail-800x534.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/9-Blues-trail-150x100.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Immerse yourself in the music scene and the birthplace of Blues on Beale Street. Anchoring the street is B.B. King&#8217;s Blues Club which often has a line. Music can be heard tumbling out from all the venues lining the street.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Scattered around the city are other sites that are important to the history of Blues, like Sun Studio, the Soul Museum, and Blues Hall.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Memphis is also where the Mississippi Blues Trail starts and snakes its way to Mississippi. Along its stops are famous American Soul music venues, museums, and restaurants Blues legends once frequented.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2_Take_a_deep_dive_into_history_and_see_the_connection_of_Memphis_to_the_Civil_Rights_Movement\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2. Take a deep dive into history and see the connection of Memphis to the Civil Rights Movement<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-36769\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/3-I-am-a-Man.jpg\" alt=\"I-am-a-Man\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/3-I-am-a-Man.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/3-I-am-a-Man-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/3-I-am-a-Man-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/3-I-am-a-Man-200x133.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/3-I-am-a-Man-400x267.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/3-I-am-a-Man-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/3-I-am-a-Man-800x534.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/3-I-am-a-Man-150x100.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It was really interesting to visit the National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel. The site is where Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The museum has a set circuit that starts at the ground floor and includes exhibits, a short film, and lots of history about the Black experience in America. It takes about one to two hours to see everything and ends at MLK&#8217;s room which has been preserved.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Adjacent to the Lorraine Motel is another building, the boarding house where the shooter was staying and fired the shot that killed MLK. On display are artifacts and theories on why James Earl Ray committed the crime.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I got a refresher on American history and the Civil Rights Movement during my visit, and it is one of the best things I did in Memphis.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The reason why Martin Luther King visited Memphis was to show support for the sanitation workers that were on strike. The plaza is outside the Clayborn Temple, where the workers gathered with their I AM A MAN signs and marched to City Hall.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Today, I AM MAN Plaza has a timeline of the strike and includes details of MLK&#8217;s support and eventual assassination, as well as how the strike ended with the workers getting more benefits.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the center of the plaza is a striking monument that declares I AM A MAN.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3_Try_some_good_old-fashioned_Southern_cuisine\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3. Try some good, old-fashioned Southern cuisine<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Admittedly, I travel to try local cuisines and Memphis didn\u2019t disappoint!<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Central_BBQ\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Central BBQ<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-36770\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/4-Central-BBQ.jpg\" alt=\"Central BBQ\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/4-Central-BBQ.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/4-Central-BBQ-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/4-Central-BBQ-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/4-Central-BBQ-200x133.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/4-Central-BBQ-400x267.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/4-Central-BBQ-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/4-Central-BBQ-800x534.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/4-Central-BBQ-150x100.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Across the street from the Lorraine Motel is Central BBQ, one of the best Memphis barbecue restaurants! What I really liked is their different kinds of barbecue sauces &#8211; mild, hot, sweet heat, mustard, and vinegar. It brought the smoked meats to a different level. The food is affordable with humongous servings too.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Arcade_Diner\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Arcade Diner<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-36771\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/5-Arcade-Diner.jpg\" alt=\"Arcade-Diner\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/5-Arcade-Diner.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/5-Arcade-Diner-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/5-Arcade-Diner-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/5-Arcade-Diner-200x133.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/5-Arcade-Diner-400x267.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/5-Arcade-Diner-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/5-Arcade-Diner-800x534.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/5-Arcade-Diner-150x100.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One of the oldest restaurants in Memphis is the Arcade restaurant. It is a classic diner on South Main Street that has been serving locals and tourists since 1919. It even has a fried peanut butter and banana sandwich that is said to be Elvis Presley&#8217;s favorite.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Arcade is a popular movie site too. Jerry Lee Lewis&#8217; biopic Great Balls of Fire, Walk the Line, The Firm, and The Client are just some of the movies filmed there.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gus&#8217; Fried Chicken<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-36772\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/6-gus-chicken.jpg\" alt=\"Gus Fried Chicken\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/6-gus-chicken.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/6-gus-chicken-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/6-gus-chicken-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/6-gus-chicken-200x133.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/6-gus-chicken-400x267.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/6-gus-chicken-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/6-gus-chicken-800x534.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/6-gus-chicken-150x100.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What&#8217;s a stop in the South without some fried chicken? Luckily, another Memphis institution, Gus&#8217; Fried Chicken, is also downtown. Aside from the super juicy and well-spiced chicken, you can also try other Southern specialties like fried green tomatoes, fried okra, and chess pie.<\/span><\/p>\n<div data-vi-partner-id=\"P00095795\" data-vi-widget-ref=\"W-b4fdd407-0b78-491f-902a-86aa41764a4d\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<p><script async=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.viator.com\/orion\/partner\/widget.js\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"4_Start_your_adventure_on_the_Tennessee_Whiskey_Trail\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">4. Start your adventure on the Tennessee Whiskey Trail<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-36773\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/7-Old-Dominick.jpg\" alt=\"Old-Dominick\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/7-Old-Dominick.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/7-Old-Dominick-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/7-Old-Dominick-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/7-Old-Dominick-200x133.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/7-Old-Dominick-400x267.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/7-Old-Dominick-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/7-Old-Dominick-800x534.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/7-Old-Dominick-150x100.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Old Dominick Distillery recently opened in the city, and they offer tours and tastings. The liquor maker has an interesting history that includes their whiskey recipe lost because of the business closing during The Prohibition Era and found by chance recently by the family. They also have vodka, gin, and souvenirs for sale in their gift shop.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is part of the Tenessee Whiskey Trail, a group of craft distillers and big-name brands, like Jack Daniels and George Dickel, that are part of the trail that crisscrosses the state. At each stop, you can get a passport stamped and a poker chip as a souvenir. When you fill up the passport, you will receive a special Tennessee Whiskey Trail Poker set.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fun fact: for a whiskey to be called &#8220;Tenessee Whiskey,&#8221; it needs to be distilled in Tennessee, filtered through maple charcoal, and aged in charred oak barrels.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"5_Walk_around_Downtown_Memphis\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">5. Walk around Downtown Memphis<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-36779\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/8-Memphis-pyramid.jpg\" alt=\"Memphis-pyramid\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/8-Memphis-pyramid.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/8-Memphis-pyramid-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/8-Memphis-pyramid-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/8-Memphis-pyramid-200x133.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/8-Memphis-pyramid-400x267.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/8-Memphis-pyramid-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/8-Memphis-pyramid-800x534.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/8-Memphis-pyramid-150x100.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The downtown area is surprisingly walkable. And if you like walking, you will be able to get a better feel of the city. Of course, no trip is complete without seeing the mighty Mississippi River. You can start at the Memphis Pyramid, which currently houses a Bass Pro Shop. There is an elevator that you can ride to see the Memphis skyline. It is also the way to go to the restaurant at the pyramid tip and have dinner or happy hour.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Then venture south along Main Street to imagine the bustling thoroughfare that was full of shops and businesses that shipped their goods on the Mississippi.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Memphis Cotton Museum is a small but informative site that explains the importance of cotton to the region. Their display of cotton prices is so interesting and well-preserved.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_50902\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-50902\" style=\"width: 1200px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-50902\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Peabody-Hotel-.jpg\" alt=\"Peabody Hotel\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Peabody-Hotel-.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Peabody-Hotel--300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Peabody-Hotel--768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Peabody-Hotel--200x113.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Peabody-Hotel--400x225.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Peabody-Hotel--600x338.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Peabody-Hotel--800x450.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Peabody-Hotel--150x84.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-50902\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The Peabody Hotel photo by Meagan Wristen<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.stay22.com\/allez\/hotelscom?&amp;aid=mommytravels&amp;checkin=&amp;checkout=&amp;adults=&amp;children=&amp;link=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hotels.com%2Fho112190%2Fthe-peabody-memphis-memphis-united-states-of-america%2F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Peabody Hotel<\/a> is famous for its brunches, so if you want (or need!) a lux meal, then get ready to eat your heart out. It is also iconic because of its Mallard ducks that stroll through the hotel lobby every day at 11 am and 5 pm.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Markers of the Blues trail and other historical facts can be found throughout the downtown area, which makes the walk entertaining and educational. Plus, there is a ton of street art to see and snap pictures of.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are plenty of <strong>kid-friendly activities in Downtown Memphis<\/strong> too:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Memphis Zoo<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Memphis Botanic Garden<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pink Palace Museum aka The Memphis Museum of Science &amp; History<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Memphis Brooks Museum<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Where_to_Stay_in_Memphis\"><\/span>Where to Stay in Memphis<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>We recommend staying at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.stay22.com\/allez\/expedia?&amp;aid=mommytravels&amp;checkin=&amp;checkout=&amp;adults=&amp;children=&amp;link=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.expedia.com%2FMilan-Hotels-Hotel-Central-Station.h2531784.Hotel-Information%3Fsemcid%3DUS.UB.GOOGLE.PT-DSA-c-EN.HOTEL%26semdtl%3Da115369980805.b1128916073174.g1aud-1210701017259%3Adsa-1395323010651.l1.e1c.m1CjwKCAiAjPyfBhBMEiwAB2CCInv-b-2LfzyguTRmNSpsp3Zhh8IChtUxIUDLXgCpz2OoPgAaKxt_gRoC-L8QAvD_BwE.r1.c1.j19027295.k1.d1633940074371.h1.i1.n1.o1.p1.q1.s1.t1.x1.f1.u1.v1.w1%26gclid%3DCjwKCAiAjPyfBhBMEiwAB2CCInv-b-2LfzyguTRmNSpsp3Zhh8IChtUxIUDLXgCpz2OoPgAaKxt_gRoC-L8QAvD_BwE\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Central Station Hotel<\/a>. Located in Memphis\u2019 iconic South Main District, Central Station Hotel is a one-of-a-kind experience for visitors. A 105-year-old property housed inside an early-1900s train station, the hotel captures the city\u2019s vibrant spirit with stunning mid-century architectural design, captivating local art and a world-class Memphis music experience. The property retains its architectural integrity as the oldest building and remains an active train station, served daily by the City of New Orleans and the local Main Street trolley line.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" id=\"stay22-widget\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"428\" src=\"https:\/\/www.stay22.com\/embed\/67ed451ebcbb06a5151ca877\" width=\"100%\"><\/iframe><br \/>\n&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Other_places_to_inspire_your_travel_lust_in_Tennessee\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Other places to inspire your travel lust in Tennessee<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you want to venture out of downtown, there are other cute neighborhoods and even more restaurants to try! Over by the airport is Elvis Presley&#8217;s Graceland. Where for a pricey ticket, visitors can walk through the home and property to take a peak into the King of Rock n&#8217; Roll&#8217;s life.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In case you have time for an extended stay or road trip, here are other things to do around Tenessee:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/best-lunch-places-in-nashville\/\">Nashville<\/a> is about four hours away by car, and if you are a country music fan, Lower Broadway or Honky Tonk Highway is a must-visit.<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-36775\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/10-honky-tonk-hiway.jpg\" alt=\"honky-tonk-hiway\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/10-honky-tonk-hiway.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/10-honky-tonk-hiway-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/10-honky-tonk-hiway-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/10-honky-tonk-hiway-200x133.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/10-honky-tonk-hiway-400x267.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/10-honky-tonk-hiway-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/10-honky-tonk-hiway-800x534.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/10-honky-tonk-hiway-150x100.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While you&#8217;re in Nashville, try some hot chicken from Hattie B&#8217;s. There&#8217;s a location in Memphis too. The chicken is battered, fried, and covered in a spicy sauce. How spicy, it depends on what you can handle! I also recommend the pimento mac n&#8217; cheese, it is so good!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-36777\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/12-smoky-mountains.jpg\" alt=\"smoky-mountains\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/12-smoky-mountains.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/12-smoky-mountains-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/12-smoky-mountains-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/12-smoky-mountains-200x133.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/12-smoky-mountains-400x267.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/12-smoky-mountains-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/12-smoky-mountains-800x534.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/12-smoky-mountains-150x100.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/13-best-hiking-trails-in-gatlinburg-tennessee\/\">Great Smokey Mountains<\/a> has <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/explorerchick.com\/journal\/hiking-smoky-mountains-national-park-guide\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">all kinds of hiking trails<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for people who want to see the incredible vistas to hard-core hikers. The national park is nearer Knoxville, about an hour away by car. Better yet, visit <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/gatlinburg-girls-trip\/\">Gatlinburg<\/a>!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Tennessee Whiskey Trail continues out east into the state, with most of the distilleries centered around Nashville and Knoxville. You should definitely make plans to visit the Jack Daniels Distillery, which is an hour away from Nashville.<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-36778\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/13-jack-daniels.jpg\" alt=\"jack-daniels\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/13-jack-daniels.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/13-jack-daniels-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/13-jack-daniels-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/13-jack-daniels-200x133.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/13-jack-daniels-400x267.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/13-jack-daniels-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/13-jack-daniels-800x534.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/13-jack-daniels-150x100.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Are_you_ready_to_travel_to_Memphis\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Are you ready to travel to Memphis?<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These are just some of the five things to do in downtown Memphis and the rest of Tennessee. Obviously, this isn&#8217;t extensive to any extent! Where have you been in Memphis that you loved visiting?&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><em><strong>Read Next:<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/3-day-asheville-itinerary-for-families\/\">3 Day Asheville Itinerary For Families<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/polaris-adventures\/\">Polaris Adventures<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>There are so many reasons to visit Memphis! Admittedly, the top of mind for me was the barbecue and other Southern&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":36780,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"MSN_Categories":"Uncategorized","MSN_Publish_Option":true,"MSN_Is_Local_News":false,"MSN_Is_AIAC_Included":"Empty","MSN_Location":"[]","MSN_Add_Feature_Img_On_Top_Of_Post":false,"MSN_Has_Custom_Author":false,"MSN_Custom_Author":"","MSN_Has_Custom_Canonical_Url":false,"MSN_Custom_Canonical_Url":"","rop_custom_images_group":[],"rop_custom_messages_group":[],"rop_publish_now":"initial","rop_publish_now_accounts":{"twitter_aToxMzYzMDE4MDA7_136301800":"","facebook_10216960885986637_122283935708":""},"rop_publish_now_history":[],"rop_publish_now_status":"pending","_kadence_starter_templates_imported_post":false,"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1913,102],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-36767","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-tennessee","category-united-states"],"mv":{"thumbnail_id":36780,"thumbnail_uri":"https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/5-Things-to-do-in-Downtown-Memphis-300x200.jpg"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36767","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=36767"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36767\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/36780"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=36767"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=36767"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=36767"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}